I. The Amazing Bible

66 books total; 39 Old Testament & 27 New Testament

Written by over 40 different authors, across 3 continents, over nearly 1,800 years

2 Timothy 3:16, 17 NASB

16 All Scripture is inspired [God-breathed] by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.

II. Did Jesus_____ On The Cross? (Mark 15:43-46; John 19:31-34)

Sources:

1. Pontius Pilate (Written 2-4 days after resurrection)

2. Josephus (Written 60yrs after resurrection)

3. The Bible (Written 20 thru 60yrs after resurrection)

Josephus: “At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was good, and [he] was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die.”

         Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18: 63-64

Pontius Pilot: “I then ordered Jesus to be scourged, hoping this might satisfy them…”

“I am told that Jesus taught a resurrection and a separation after death…”

Pilate’s Report to Tiberius Caesar of the Arrest, Trial & Crucifixion of Jesus

The Bible Extended Contact

Mark 15:43-46 “So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council… …bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock.”

The Bible Un-Expected Corroboration

John 19:31-34 “The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.”

III. Did Jesus_____ from the Dead?

1Cor 15:12, 16-17 GW 12 If we have told you that Christ has been brought back to life, how can some of you say that coming back from the dead is impossible?

16 Certainly, if the dead don’t come back to life, then Christ hasn’t come back to life either. 17 If Christ hasn’t come back to life, your faith is worthless and sin still has you in its power.

The Bible account of the empty tomb

Pilot’s report:

interview with Malcus and Lt. Ben Isham (in charge of the tomb Saturday & Sunday)

John 20:1 GW Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary from Magdala went to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb’s entrance.

Pilot’s report:

Regarding the angels “soft” then “bright lights all around the sepulcher (tomb)… while the ground seemed to be reeling and swimming…thought the women had come to embalm the body of Jesus… but he could not see how they had gotten through the guards.”

Lt. Isham account

John 20:11-18 Mary from Magdala went to the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord.” She also told them what he had said to her.

Romans 8:11 GW Does the Spirit of the one who brought Jesus back to life live in you? Then the one who brought Christ back to life will also make your mortal bodies alive by his Spirit who lives in you.

The Cross doesn’t remove suffering, the cross redeems it.