Historical Documents of Jesus Life....

[Katie]

The Bible.

I'm interested in the evidence that backs up these historical documents. That it is not just fiction stories (legends fables etc) from an old book that has no relevance to these days but that these documents are real and relevant to our times now.

[Chris]

Hey Katie that's cool!

Do you have any links/historical documents to share that interest you so we can discuss them?

[Jeremy]

(08-07-2015, 10:16 AM)Katie Wrote: The Bible.

I'm interested in the evidence that backs up these historical documents. That it is not just fiction stories (legends fables etc) from an old book that has no relevance to these days but that these documents are real and relevant to our times now.

The response I have to this may not necessarily be what you are looking for as I have found that researching the many so-called "evidence" or "expert" findings from a secular point of view, flawed on so many levels. To cut a long story short, our history (BC and AD) has been tampered with on so many levels that’s its truly hard to prove that you are receiving accurate information from "reliable sources."

In saying that though the only truly accurate historical details you will find is in God's Word and testimonies found in the old and new testaments of the Bible.

The key to understanding whether these accounts are true or not rests on Gods Holy Spirit working within the individual which upon accepting then sees that all scripture has been inspired by God, leaving no room for doubt. Truth when presented with becomes apparent.

2 Timothy 3:12-17- Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Here is the key to verifying the Word of God:

John 14:15-17- “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—  the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

and further down…

25,26 - “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you…"

Notice how the Helper or Holy Spirit will teach you all things, no secular evidence or help needed. The Holy Spirit teaches us in a way that we are able to discern what is right and what is wrong, especially when it comes down to the many historical, secular evidences or research we are confronted with each day.

Just as a note, older King James translations use the word "comforter" instead of "helper."
The scriptures above have been taken from the NKJV (New King James Version).

So what really is this helper/comforter that Jesus promised to send after he ascended to heaven?

Strong's concordance says of helper/comforter:

1.      summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid
1.      one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate
2.      one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor
1.      of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins
3.      in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant
1.      of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom

The comforter/helper is also referred to in verse 17 as the spirit of truth.
What is "truth" according to Strong's concordance?

1.      objectively
1.      what is true in any matter under consideration
1.      truly, in truth, according to truth
2.      of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly
2.      what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth
1.      in the greatest latitude
2.     the true notions of God which are open to human reason without his supernatural intervention
3.     the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians
2.      subjectively
1.      truth as a personal excellence
1.      that candour of mind which is free from affection, pretence, simulation, falsehood, deceit

Highlighted in Bold red are just some interesting points regarding truth to think about.
I'll leave it there for now and hope that helps a little bit, maybe I've gone off subject so please tell me as this is only my perspective on the proof we need as evidence to confirm that our faith in Christ is not just a waste of time.

[Katie]

Thanks Jeremy,
I am going to spend some time reading through the above - lots of info.  My interest stems from wanting to defend my faith and have the evidence to back it up
if/when challenged.

When Chris asked me to put up some links / findings I didn't get as far as that. When I started to google and look into the historians writings during that time (like Josephus and Tacitus)  there is ambiguity (especially with regards to Josephus). So I thought I don't actually need to go down that track for myself so will let it be.

[Jeremy]

Just thought of some historical evidence that doesn't need any documents to back itself up.

It came to mind in a conversation I had with a guy the other day.
I said, "supposed man is right by saying that the dinosaurs existed millions of years ago. Maybe the universe exploded into existence billions of years ago. Or say creation began over 6000 years ago according to creationists. Whatever the case, try and ask someone to explain why we live in the year 2015. 2015 years since what?
Yes, that’s 2015 years since the death of Jesus Christ. That is 2015 AD or After Death of Christ.
If people today dismiss the existence of Jesus and believe he is just a myth, why do they continue to support year after year the length of time he has been dead since his crucifixion.
Our calendar today hinges on, and commences its year to date count of the death of Jesus Christ, whether people like it or not.