Smith For Christ Blog

In “The Case for Christ,” the key points center around the historical and factual evidence that supports the truth of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. This summary captures the essential arguments and scriptures used to make the case for a living Jesus.

Key Points and Evidence

Eyewitness Testimony

• The Gospels are based on eyewitness accounts, providing a reliable source of information about Jesus’ life and ministry.
• Evidence: The New Testament writers were either direct eyewitnesses or closely associated with eyewitnesses, lending credibility to their accounts.
• Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16 (ESV): “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

Manuscript Evidence

• The New Testament is supported by a large number of manuscripts, making it one of the best-documented texts from antiquity.
• Evidence: There are over 5,800 Greek manuscripts and thousands more in other languages, providing a robust textual foundation.
• Scripture: John 20:31 (ESV): “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Archaeological Findings

• Archaeological discoveries corroborate the historical and cultural context of the New Testament.
• Evidence: Discoveries such as the Pool of Bethesda and inscriptions mentioning Pontius Pilate validate the New Testament narratives.
• Scripture: Luke 19:40 (ESV): “He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.’”

Transformation of the Disciples

• The drastic change in the disciples’ lives after Jesus’ resurrection serves as compelling evidence for its truth.
• Evidence: The disciples went from fearful and disheartened to boldly proclaiming the resurrection, even facing martyrdom.
• Scripture: Acts 4:33 (ESV): “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”

The Empty Tomb

• The empty tomb is a critical piece of evidence for the resurrection. No plausible explanation other than the resurrection adequately accounts for it.
• Evidence: The empty tomb was discovered by women, whose testimony was considered unreliable at the time, making it unlikely to be a fabricated story.
• Scripture: Matthew 28:6 (ESV): “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”

Witnesses of the Resurrected Jesus

• Jesus appeared to many people after His resurrection, providing multiple attestations to this event.
• Evidence: Jesus appeared to over 500 people at one time, many of whom were still alive when the accounts were recorded, allowing for verification.
• Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:6 (ESV): “Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.”

Early Creed in 1 Corinthians 15

• The early creed found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 dates back to within a few years of Jesus’ death, underscoring the early belief in the resurrection.
• Evidence: This creed reflects the core beliefs of the early Christian community about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
• Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV): “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”

Martyrdom of the Apostles

• The willingness of the apostles to die for their faith strongly supports their belief in the resurrection.
• Evidence: Many apostles, including Peter and Paul, faced execution rather than recant their testimony of the risen Christ.
• Scripture: Acts 7:59-60 (ESV): “And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Conclusion

By examining these points, “The Case for Christ” effectively argues for the reality of Jesus’ resurrection and His continued presence today. The convergence of historical, psychological, and physical evidence presents a compelling case for a living Jesus.

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