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Saturday, February 10, 2018

Why Read the New Testament? So we can learn how Jesus can mercifully save us from a miserable end for a magnificent eternity!

 

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4

 

The New Testament has a huge amount of history and religion, promises and warnings, recorded within its pages.

 

It claims to be the result of research and inspiration.

 

The more information you provide the stronger the case you can make. The Bible does just that.

 

What if someone had scribbled a few notes on a page to the effect that some bloke had come into Israel making out He was the Messiah. He pulled a few magic tricks, had some good words of advice on various subjects, and was then arrested and crucified because he made a lot of enemies. A story went around saying that he had come back to life after a few days.

 

There’s not enough information in that note for anyone to take it seriously and stake their eternal life on it.

 

The life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and the development of Christianity in the New Testament, is something you can get your teeth into. It’s a life and a way of life that you can examine at various levels. Jesus didn’t only do a lot and teach a lot, he also made a lot of claims about Himself and gave promises and warnings that matter deeply. The church became a reality because of that life.

 

Jesus’ life was recorded because it was an extremely significant life. He did and said many things that were worth recording. It’s a life set in real Roman and Jewish history, in the presence of many religious leaders, politicians, priests and soldiers, as well as thousands of ordinary people. A life that had many witnesses who could either verify or refute the claims. Lots and lots of people knew him well enough to either love him or hate him. There are many names, events, places and statements by various people that can be checked for authenticity. There is way too much information for someone to simply say it was all made up and never happened. The more fake claims you make, the easier it is to disprove them. The more information you give, the more that can be checked for authenticity. If you don’t want to be doubted, don’t say too much! Judea in the Roman Province of Syria in the first century AD had way too many intelligent and literate people to easily fool. What was written about Jesus was written within a generation of the time of the witnesses. That means there’ll be people alive who knew those who were with Jesus.

 

Read the following exchange between the apostle Paul, Governor Festus and King Agrippa in the early AD 60’s:

 

“To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

24And as he was saying these things in his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”

25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.

26For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things

has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I

know that you believe.”

28And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”

29And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” Acts 26:22-29

 

What you just read was history! A real conversation about real truth.

 

Not only could the Roman Governor have checked with other soldiers, politicians, police, writers, historians and poets about any of Paul’s claims during his life, but what was claimed was consistent with what had been predicted in the Old Testament prophets – a point Paul makes to King Agrippa, and that the apostle Peter also makes in one of his epistles:

 

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. 17For when he received honour and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:16-21

 

You’ll be hugely disappointed if you think it’s easily discredited, because not only do we have history confirmed by witnesses, but we also have history confirming prophecy. God doesn’t prophesy what isn’t going to happen!! For some examples, read Isaiah 53; Psalm 16; Psalm 22, Hosea 6:1-2 and Zechariah 13:7. But does it all matter?

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16

 

Jesus’ life wasn’t just his own business; His was a life lived for all the others who live in this world!

 

Faith in Christ is vital because  it takes us from our world into God’s world.

 

Baptism in water involves a dying to the old and a rebirth to the new - through faith in Christ.

 

Saved! Saved from what? Saved for what? Saved from a loss of light and love and life in the darkness and destruction of hell, and saved for an eternity of love and glory and righteousness with God.

 

Jesus can mercifully save you from a miserable end for a magnificent eternity! We can all live happily ever after!

 

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