Archive for November 2009
Historical Jesus and what early Christians believe he was
What does history teach us about the man Jesus? What or who did people think Jesus was during his lifetime? Others claim that he was just a prophet, a good man, the Bible has been corrupted over the years to alter his identity as a God status, or that he didn’t exist at all. I’m going to provide solid evidence by addressing just the facts from within the Bible and outside of the Bible and their sources. You be the judge.
1. Are there any historical evidence of Jesus and what do they contain?
- John Rylands fragment, Papyrus 19, written 125 AD, found in Egypt now located at the John Rylands Library, contains John 18:31–33, 37–38
- Papyrus 90 written 150AD, located at Ashmolean Museum contains John 18-19
- Papyrus 104 written 150AD located at Papyrology Rooms, Sackler Library, Oxford contains Matthew 21:34-37
- Papyrus 98 written about 175 AD located at the French Institute of Oriental Archeology, contains Revelation 1:13-2:1
- Papyrus 75 written 175 AD located Vatican Library, Rome contains Luke 3:18-24:53 and John 1-15
- Papyrus 4 written 150AD located Paris, Bibliotheque Nationale, contains Luke 1-6
Keep in mind, these fragments were in papyrus, were carbon dated, and now contained in museums. These were not originals but rather copies of the originals meaning they had to have been written PRIOR to 120-175AD. Upon reading the verses only contained in the multiple fragments above, we can see that:
- The Jews convicted Jesus as a criminal by claiming to be the Son of God, betrayed by Judas and handed him to Pontius Pilate who believed Jesus was innocent
- Jesus did confirm he was a King from another world
- John the Baptist preached and was imprisoned by Herod
- John had a vision of the resurrected Jesus
- God called Jesus his Son
- The Birth of Jesus was foretold and he was born of a Virgin
Some scholars even date John to be written around 60AD. That’s 30 years after the death of Jesus, not enough time for a myth or legend to be formed.
Some contenders will protest that its all hearsay. That is actually wrong. The book of John, a disciple and eye witness of Jesus was also a Gospel writer. In fact, Peter and James, the brother of Jesus were also eye witnesses and have many works in the New Testament. They all make claims that Jesus is God and witnessed his powers.
What did the early church fathers view Jesus as?
Polycarp 65-150 AD, disciple of John the Apostle
Polycarp Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians
Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal
High-priest Himself the [Son of God Jesus Christ, build you up in
faith and truth, and in all gentleness and in all avoidance of wrath
and in forbearance and long suffering and in patient endurance and in
purity; and may He grant unto you a lot and portion among His saints,
and to us with you, and to all that are under heaven, who shall
believe on our Lord and God Jesus Christ and on His Father that
raised him from the dead.
I pray for your happiness forever in our God, Jesus Christ, by whom continue ye in the unity and under the protection of God, I salute Alce, my dearly beloved. Fare ye well in the Lord.'Very Flesh, yet Spirit too; Uncreated, and yet born; God-and-Man in One agreed' (§ 7; Early Christian Writings, p. 63)
“Jesus Christ our God” Eph inscr, Eph 15:3, Eph 18:2, Tral 7, Ro inscr 2x, Ro 3:3, Smyr 10:1.
- Of Jesus he says "He is the holy Lord, the Wonderful, the Counselor, the Beautiful in appearance, and the Mighty God, coming on the clouds as the Judge of all men; --all these things did the Scriptures prophesy of Him." AH III.19.2 (Ante Nicene Fathers 1: 449). "He, therefore who was known, was not a different being from Him who declared, 'No man knoweth the Father,' but one and the same, the Father making all things subject to Him; while He received testimony from all that He was very [true] man, and that He was very [true] God, from the Father, from the Spirit, from angels, from the creation itself, from men, from apostate spirits and demons, from the enemy, and last of all, from death itself.” AH, IV, 6,7 (ANF, 46)
2. Secular sources for the historical Jesus:
- Jesus existed
- He was called the Christ
- His followers were called Christians
- his followers were being persecuted
- They sang about him as if he were God
- It was a new belief in Judea all the way to Rome
- He was the brother of James
- He won many believers
- He was believed to be the Savior
In summary, there are more convincing evidence to point out those believers in Christ with less than 175 years of his death died for their faith and were all convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, Son of God, and God. These sources derived from inside and outside of the Bible. With this amount of compelling evidence, it is up to the disbeliever to prove otherwise.
Is Jesus the archangel Michael?
Irrefutable Proof that Jesus Christ is NOT Michael the archangel.
First turn to the book of Revelation. 1:9. John is exiled on the island of Patmos and was then caught up by the Spirit and heard a voice commanding him to write down events he is about to witness on a scroll. As soon as John turns around he describes this man
- One like the son of man
- Wearing a robe to his feet
- Golden belt on his waist
- Hair white as snow-white wool
- Eyes like fire
- Shined like furnished brass
- Voice was like the sound of a trumpet and rushing waters
He then calls himself
-The first and last
- the living one who was dead and no alive forever
- who holds the keys of death
- Amen, the faithful and true witness
- the holy one, the true one, who holds the key of David
- Son of God
- The Spirit
Upon this John fell on his feet as if he was dead and this man told him not to be afraid. It’s very obvious to see that this man is actually Jesus. We can all agree on that.
Now turn to Daniel (8:15). We see Daniel having a vision and suddenly encountered Gabriel who is telling him what his visions means.
Later on, Gabriel returns back to Daniel in Daniel 9:21 to further his understanding. However, by this time, Daniel is already familiar with his name and knows who Gabriel is by saying
“While I was praying, the man Gabriel, who I had already seen in the vision, came close to me at the hour of the evening sacrifice, flying swiftly”
Later on in Daniel 9:5, Daniel encounters another being in his vision. Daniel describes this being as:
-clothed in linen
-wore a belt of gold
-face shining like lightning
-eyes like torches
-arms and feet like bronze
- voice like a multitude.
Looks familiar? It’s clear that Daniel is seeing Jesus, the same form that John in Revelation was seeing.
Moving on, Daniel, upon his encounter, falls to the ground without strength, and then a hand brings him up. So, who’s hand was it? Some people will say that the vision was of Jesus, BUT the hand that brought him up was Gabriel’s or another angel’s hand. However that is incorrect in any contextual level. If it was Gabriel’s hand, Daniel would say so since he is already familiar with Gabriel by this time. If it was someone else, Daniel would at least say there were more beings present there but he didn’t.
Daniel also calls this man “lord” with Daniel being his “servant” (Daniel 10:17). We know that angels are NEVER called Lords and we are NEVER their servants. That is blasphemy. If Daniel was saying that because he was overwhelmed, the angel would at least have corrected him as seen in Revelation 22:8-9, Revelation 19:10. Angels know better to be worshiped and would never accept worship and take God’s glory.
Once again, it is easy to see that this man that Daniel is seeing is Jesus, and it was his hand that pulled him up, and it was him alone talking to Daniel without anyone else present.
This is important because that man (Jesus) says the following:
“I have come to answer your prayers. But the angel prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me for twenty-one says, and then, seeing that I had held out there, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me against the prince of Persia…”(Daniel 12:13)
“..I am going back to fight with the prince of Persia, and, as soon as I have left the prince of Greece will appear: I have no ally on my side to help and support me, except Michael, your prince. However I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth…”
“..Michael shall appear, Michael the great captain, who stands guard over your fellow country-men; and there will be a time of distress such as has never been since they became a nation till that moment..”
So from here we know that Jesus was being helped by Michael, the great captain and one of many chief princes. How can Jesus be Michael at the same time while being helped by Michael?
Also if Jesus was Michael, then Jesus would be one of many chief princes saying there are other co-equals with him. We know that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus cannot be those things if he is “one of many”. Jesus and Michael are not the same.
Here is another reason why Jesus cannot be Michael:
In Jude 1:9 it says, “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
If Jesus and Micheal were the same, why is it showing a different picture of Jesus? This Jesus is disputing Satan but too scared to accuse him. However the New Testament Jesus shows a Jesus of authority who speaks boldly with fire driving demons out and also rebukes Satan during his temptation. There are numerous examples where Jesus speaks in authority. Once again Micheal and Jesus cannot be the same person.
More related Blogs:
Historical Jesus and what the early Church Christians believe he was
Did Jesus die on the Cross and Resurrect?
Was Jesus a copy of the other gods like Horus?
Why does God allow Evil and Suffering?
Where did Morals come from?
What the Bible says about Reincarnation
What the Bible says about Astrology
Did Mary assume into Heaven?
Nephilim, Fallen Angels, Giants, and sons of God
Book of Mormon VS The Bible
Why Won’t God Answer my Prayers?
Why I CAN’T be an Athiest. Athiesm is illogical
Why did God order Genocide and murders in the Bible
Jesus is God: Irrefutable Proof
1.
Isaiah 48:12-13, 17
“Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last. My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together…. [17] This is what the LORD says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God….”
It is clearly Understood when God spoke of being the first and the last, it meant his eternal state. It was not a metaphor.
However, In Revelation, Jesus claims the same thing.
Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
So why should we believe that he is speaking metaphorically? Also, how can two things be the first and last at the same time relatively speaking? Unless they are the same thing.
2.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Obviously this was referring to Jesus, the prophesied son, “will be called…Mighty God and Everlasting Father.
Even though kings in the Bible shared the title “God” they were NEVER given the title Everlasting Father. That title was only given to God alone and would be considered blasphemy.
3.
Micah 5:2 (New International Version)
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans [a] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins [b] are from of old,
from ancient times. [c] “
Micah 5:2 (New American Standard Bible)
2″But as for (A)you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From (B)you One will go forth for Me to be (C)ruler in Israel
His goings forth are (D)from long ago,
From the days of eternity.”
Once again it is referring to Jesus. However its stating that his origins are from ancient times.
4.
John 10:30-33 “I and the Father are one.” Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
The Jews here made it clear that they charged Jesus with blasphemy for claiming to be God. John the author makes no mistakes when mentioning that the Jews thought that Jesus was claiming to be God…not an angel of heavenly courts, not a great prophet, but God.
5.
John 5:17-18 Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
Once again John the author is clearly stating that the “Son of God” is considered equal with God the Father. John uses the word “equal” making it distinct.
7.
Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
How can God purchase the church with his own blood?
8.
Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
Mark 1:1-3 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” — “a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
John the Baptist is obviously the messenger in Mark who is preparing the way for God by making it straight in the wilderness. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.
9.
Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome…
1 Timothy 6:15 …which God will bring about in his own time — God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Revelation 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
God is called Lord of all Lords. That is an absolute statement. Yet, Jesus is also called Lord of all Lords. How can they both be Lord of all Lords at the same time? That is a logical contradiction. No two absolutes can occur at the same. Its like comparing two things with each other but being the best at the same time. Only one can be the best unless they are the same thing.
10.
1 Timothy 3:14-16
14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He[c] appeared in a body,[d]
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
based on the content of the preceding verses, Paul was only talking about God and makes no mention of Jesus at all. But how is it that he clearly says that He (God) manifested in the flesh?
11.
Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another…
Isaiah 48:11c I will not yield my glory to another.
John 17:5 [Jesus prayed] And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
God says that he will not give any glory to one another. Interestingly enough, he gives it to Jesus. Also Jesus makes an interesting statement when he requests to receive glory he had with him “before” the World began.
12.
13. Here is the prophet Zechariah recording God’s own Words in Zech 12:10
“In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem….and they will look on Me whom they have pierced and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son…
God is foretelling that he is going to be pierced from his enemies. When did God get pierced?
14.
“In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem….and they will look on Me whom they have pierced and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son (Zech 12:8a, 10b).
How can a finite created being take on the sins of the entire world let alone one man especially if the Bible says that no man can die for another.
Deuteronomy 24:16 it specifically says this:
The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the father. Every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
In Exodus 32:30-35, Moses tries to offer himself as an atonement for the sins of the people. To be written out of God’s book, means to be written out of the Book of Life, which means Moses was asking to die for the sins of the People. God’s response was “No, it does not work that way, each man dies for his own sin:”
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Eternal; perhaps I shall make an atonement for your sin. And Moses returned unto the Eternal, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the Eternal said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. And the Eternal plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made. [Exodus 32:30-35]
The word of the Eternal came unto me again, saying, What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Eternal God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Eternal God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. [Ezekiel 18:1-4; 20-24; 26-27]
It’s very clear that a man can not die for another. The definition of a “man” meant that he was finite and created. However, if Jesus was just a finite man, he couldn’t have died for your sins. But since he did, he cannot be finite and therefore an infinite being, being able to take on infinite sins!
He cannot “just” be a created finite man. He is God.
More related Blogs:
Historical Jesus and what the early Church Christians believe he was
Did Jesus die on the Cross and Resurrect?
Was Jesus a copy of the other gods like Horus?
Why does God allow Evil and Suffering?
Where did Morals come from?
What the Bible says about Reincarnation
What the Bible says about Astrology
Did Mary assume into Heaven?
Nephilim, Fallen Angels, Giants, and sons of God
Book of Mormon VS The Bible
Why Won’t God Answer my Prayers?
Why I CAN’T be an Athiest. Athiesm is illogical
Why did God order Genocide and murders in the Bible
