DID JESUS REALLY LIVE? (PART TWO)

By Bob Myhan

Julius Africanus, writing around A.D. 221, quoted from both Phlegon and Thallus concerning the darkness recorded in Matt. 27:45. Phlegon was writing around A.D. 80, while Thallus was writing as early as A.D. 52.

According to Origen, Phlegon “not only ascribed to Jesus a knowledge of future events ... but also testified that the result corresponded to His predictions.”

To continue with extra-biblical testimony that Jesus actually lived:

Pliny the Younger

Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus (AD 61-112) wrote about Christians "meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verse a hymn to Christ as to a god, and bound themselves to a solemn oath, not to do wicked deeds, never commit fraud, theft, adultery, not to lie nor to deny a trust. . . " - Epistles X96 (Written A.D. 112)

Cornelius Tacitus

Called “the greatest historian of ancient Rome,” Cornelius Tacitus (AD 55-120) wrote, “Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.” - Annals 15.44

Seutonius

A Roman his­torian, Gaius Suetonius Tranquilla (AD 117-138) wrote, “Because the Jews at Rome caused constant distur­bances at the instigation of Chrestus [Christ], he [Claudius] expelled them from the city [Rome]. - Life of Claudius, which confirms the background state­ment of Luke,

After these things Paul de­parted from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them (Acts 18:1-2).

Pontius Pilate

The Roman Procurator of Judea, who is said to have sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion, wrote his memoirs between AD 26 and 36. Though no one living has seen them, their having been written is testified to by Epiphanius, Justin Martyr and Tertullian. Justin Martyr, referring to the ancient Messianic prophecies, wrote,

“At His coming the lame will leap as a deer, and the stammering tongue will clearly speak: the blind will see, and the lepers will be healed; and the dead will rise, and walk. And that He did those things, you can learn from the Acts of Pon­tius Pilate.” - First Apology 48

“They pierced my hands and my feet, was used in reference to the nails of the cross which were driven into His hands and feet. And. . . they cast lots for His clothes, and after they crucified Him distributed it among them. And that these things did happen, you can ascertain from the Acts of Pontius Pilate.” - First Apology 35

These quotes illustrate that which Paul is reported by Luke to have told Festus in the presence of Agrippa,

“For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things es­capes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26).

All of these quotes prove the facts of the gospel were widely known, even if they were disputed, soon after they are alleged to have occurred. That they were believed, at all, is an extraordinary effect. What could have been the extraordinary cause? &

Genuine Worship

Selected

Christianity is an intimate, grow­ing relationship with God our Father, Christ our Savior, and the Holy Spirit. It is not a ritual that one takes part in on certain occasions or days. It is possi­ble for us to attend services and go through the motions of worship without ac­tually worshipping God or having a mean­ingful relationship with Him.

God designed worship for us to continu­ally grow in Him and to express praise and thanksgiving to Him. To engage in worship without really focusing or thinking in the heart upon God is to worship in vain. Un­der the Old Testament the people offered animal sacrifices. Under the New Testament the people offer a different type of sacri­fice. Christ sacrificed Himself as atonement for our redemption. We are to "offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name." Hebrews 13:15. Praise to God must be sincere. We are to continue in prayer, study and praise on a daily basis. God gave us prayer so we can communi­cate with Him. We often distort this by "saying a prayer" in a hurry without medi­tation. We can allow God's word to become a "legal system" rather than an indwelling power that gives strength and guidance to us.

Having the proper frame of mind is very important in worship. Satan is ever present to distort our minds in worship. We realize the importance of partaking of the Lord's Supper in the right manner. However the other items of worship are important. To engage in religious activity without the mind being focused on God is an empty rit­ual. The second section of Psalm 119 has some wonderful admonitions that can be applied to worship: put one's whole heart into worship; have a heart that is filled with the word of God; use our lips to declare the goodness of God; rejoice in the ways of God; meditate, contemplate, de­light and never forget our loving God. God loves us. Let's put our whole heart, mind, and soul into genuine worship - that is pleasing to him. & (via the Reminder)

Death Is NOT the Final Word

Selected & Edited

Throughout all of history, the hu­man mortality rate held steady at 100%, that is, one out of one would die. Then the mortality rate skipped a beat as Jesus, the Savior of all mankind, stepped out of dead statistics into life.

Over the centuries, religious leaders have come and gone. Among the marketplace of world religions, some insist on a belief in Buddha. The Chinese look to Con­fucius, Mohammed is the cry of the Mus­lims, and on and on it goes.

All of these died and returned to the dust of the earth, but the fact remains that only One stepped forth from the tomb. Only One has risen from the dead. Only One has conquered death. Only One of­fers the promise of eternal life to those who follow Him.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resur­rection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26) & (via the Reminder)