Who is Jesus? Lk.1:1-4; 3:1,2; Who is Jesus? Lk.1:1-4; 3:1,2; 2 Pet.1:16-212 Pet.1:16-21

1. The appeal of Jesus1. The appeal of Jesus

- 2 billion+ followers- 2 billion+ followers

- Tens of thousands books, articles, films- Tens of thousands books, articles, films

- Appreciation of non-believers- Appreciation of non-believers

- AD 135 – execution of Ben Kosiba- AD 135 – execution of Ben Kosiba

AD 30/33 – execution of Jesus of AD 30/33 – execution of Jesus of NazarethNazareth

2. How do we know about Jesus?2. How do we know about Jesus?

a. Greco-Romana. Greco-Roman

1. Roman Governor – Pliny –AD1121. Roman Governor – Pliny –AD112

2. Historians – Tacitus, Suetonius, Thallos2. Historians – Tacitus, Suetonius, Thallos

3. Writers – Mara Ben Serapion, Celsus, Lucian3. Writers – Mara Ben Serapion, Celsus, Lucian

b. Jewishb. Jewish

1. Josephus – 11. Josephus – 1stst c. historian c. historian

2. Talmud2. Talmud

3. Rabbi Eliezer3. Rabbi Eliezer

What we gather from these sourcesWhat we gather from these sources

1.1. Name; place & time-frameName; place & time-frame2.2. Mother & brother – Mary, JamesMother & brother – Mary, James3.3. Fame as teacher & miracle-workerFame as teacher & miracle-worker4.4. Spoken of as Messiah & KingSpoken of as Messiah & King5.5. Time & manner of executionTime & manner of execution6.6. Eclipse at executionEclipse at execution7.7. Report of resurrection appearancesReport of resurrection appearances8.8. Flourishing movement of worshippersFlourishing movement of worshippers

3. Are the Gospels reliable?3. Are the Gospels reliable?

a. Reliable witnesses – John 19:35; 21:24; a. Reliable witnesses – John 19:35; 21:24; Lk.1:1-4; 3:1,2Lk.1:1-4; 3:1,2

- serious thing to give false testimony – - serious thing to give false testimony – 1Cor.15:15; Acts 2:32; 3:15; 5:30,321Cor.15:15; Acts 2:32; 3:15; 5:30,32

- people were still alive to refute false story- people were still alive to refute false story

b. Careful transmissionb. Careful transmission

Livy 4 c.AD 27copiesLivy 4 c.AD 27copiesTacitus 9 c. AD 3Tacitus 9 c. AD 3Suetonius 9c.AD 200+Suetonius 9c.AD 200+Gallic Wars 9 c. AD 9/10Gallic Wars 9 c. AD 9/10Herodutus 1 c.AD 75Herodutus 1 c.AD 75N.T. 100-150AD 5000 GreekN.T. 100-150AD 5000 Greek 10,000 Latin10,000 Latin 1M. quotes1M. quotes

4. Do you want to know Jesus?4. Do you want to know Jesus?

a.a. The Gospels are historicalThe Gospels are historical

b.b. Read the Gospels carefullyRead the Gospels carefully

c.c. Personal, life-transforming relationship – Personal, life-transforming relationship – John 20:30,31John 20:30,31