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Evidence ID: BIB-EV93

Evidence: Other Supporting Evidence

Summary: Jesus' divinity is supported by a great number of additional facts. These facts range from the time of the gospel writings to the presence of additional witnesses including other disciples, angels and demons.

Description: Additional evidence regarding eyewitness facts is provided herein. This evidence supports the claims of Jesus' divinity.

• The period between the actual events and the inscription of the autographs (original writings) is referred to as the formation period. During this period, people relied on oral tradition to communicate accurately the details of an event using memorization. Many of Jesus' parables and sayings were repeated during his ministry giving his disciples multiple occasions to hear his parables/sayings. This memorization process was aided by the use of literary structures such as inverted and parallel proses [REF-BLY01]. In many cases, the sayings were compiled/written and passed-down by eyewitnesses and ministers in the church (Luke 1:1-4). Finally, the Holy Spirit guided the writers of scripture (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21). This is demonstrated by the internal consistency of the 66 books of the Bible [BIB-EV06].
• The proximity of the autographs to the actual events is further substantiated by the absence of noteworthy historical facts. Events such as the fall of Jerusalem (70 AD), and the death of James (62 AD), Paul (64 AD) and Peter (65 AD) are not recorded in the Gospels or the Book of Acts. In fact, the fall of Jerusalem was a calamitous event for the Jewish nations. They lost a war with the Romans, their entire country and most importantly, their center of religion - the temple. If these historical events had occurred before the writing of the Gospels and the Book of Acts, they would have been recorded since they would have been of great importance to the Christian community.
• With the Gospel and Epistle accounts, there are five independent sources. Matthew, John, Peter and James were eyewitnesses. They lived with Jesus for three years. Paul, on the other hand, was an audible and visionary witness of Jesus teachings (Acts 9:1-19). Remarkably, their stories and teachings agree with each other. This is because (1) they experienced the same Jesus and (2) their writings were inspired by the same Holy Spirit.
• The disciple's understanding of Jesus' Messianic claims was influenced by Jesus' final teachings prior to his ascension. Jesus took this opportunity to make sure his disciples understood clearly how he fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and the means by which he provided forgiveness of sin.

  Then he (Jesus) said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. "

  This clear understanding of the Gospel message is evidenced by their boldness in preaching to the pluralistic Roman empire, and their courage in standing up to the Jewish ruling council (Acts 3:11-26 , Acts 4:1-22).
• The Gospel writers did not waiver from their convictions. During their ministries, they were all persecuted by the Roman authorities or the leading Jewish council. This is recorded in the Book of Acts and the extra-biblical writers [HIS-IS24]. According to biblical traditional [REF-FOX01] [REF-FOX02], many of the disciples died a martyrs' death without renouncing their faith in Jesus. This demonstrates how profoundly the majesty of Jesus marked their lives.
• The claims made by the Gospel writers concerning Jesus were further authenticated by the many people who lived during the same period as the original events (Acts 10:37-38). In many cases, the time span between the actual events and the autographs was 20-40 years. This is well within the lifetime of the many thousands who witnessed the same events. In fact, no manuscripts were found that disputed the truthfulness of the claims presented in the Gospels.
• In the spirit realm, angels and demons acknowledged Jesus' divinity. Angels were sent by God to herald Jesus divine identity and salvific mission. Those who encountered the angels' announcements were deeply moved by their proclamation. Demons also acknowledged Jesus' divine authority and absolute power. They begged Jesus not to destroy them.

Resources:

• Foxe's Book of Martyrs (REF-FOX02)

• Foxe's Book of Martyrs (REF-FOX01)

• Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (REF-BLY01)