The cross and resurrection of Jesus was an actual, historically verifiable event. There really was a man named Jesus Christ Who lived His life in the Middle East doing good to all people, who was, near the end of His life, beaten and bruised, flogged and scourged, and then hung up on a Roman cross between two criminals, and then rose from the dead three days later. Christians do not have blind faith, but rather belief centered in biblical truth and historical evidence. The record is given to us in all four gospels:
“And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head, they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.” Matthew 27:33-38
“And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." And with him, they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.” Mark 15:24-27
“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.” Luke 23:32-33
“...and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him and with him two others, one on either side and Jesus between them.” John 19:17-18
Josh McDowell is a Christian evidence writer and lecturer. He works with Campus Crusade for Christ International and often speaks to college and university students. In his book, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, he has a chapter entitled, "Jesus a Man of History." Part of that chapter is a section called "Non-Biblical sources for the historicity of Jesus." In it, he quotes Tacitus, Josephus, Pliny's letter to Trajan, and others. He cites about seven sources from the first century, which refer to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And Josh is just one of many writers who have compiled extensive documentation related to Christ's life, death, and resurrection.
No, our faith is not "blind," but instead, based on the evidence which God reveals to us in His Word, which can be verified through research.
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is not only historically verifiable, but it is also prophetically reliable. The Old Testament foretold the death of Jesus Christ in great detail. Before we look at some of these texts, we need to see a key passage in the New Testament that helps us understand the Old Testament:
“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.” 1 Peter 1:10-12
Question 1. According to 1 Peter 1:11, what did the Spirit of Christ in the Old Testament prophets predict?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.