Much of these studies are based on the book, The Marks of the Nail: A Survey of the Evidence for Christianity by Allen Quist (1985, Northwestern Publishing House) It is currently out of print.
Describe the world of a blind person.
Do you have a blind faith? Do you believe that Jesus died and rose to take away the sins of the world with no evidence to back up those claims?
“It is the mark of a fair man to prove and attest what he proclaims and says” - Martin Luther (LW 28:76)
Luke 1:1-3
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
What evidence does Luke provide that shows that he is going to give us accurate and truthful information?
1. He used primary sources—eyewitnesses
2. He carefully investigated everything
3. These things happened “among” the people to whom he was writing. They could verify Luke’s sources and facts.
Luke also wrote the book of Acts. In it he recorded nine sermons. We will look at these sermons and see what evidence the preachers used and how they used it.
Acts 2.22-32 (Peter)
· Miracles show that Jesus is from God.
· Jesus died on the cross.
· God raised Jesus from the dead, fulfilling Psalm 16.
· There are many witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus.
Acts 3.11-26 (Peter)
· Jesus was killed.
· God raised Jesus from the dead.
· There are witnesses of the resurrection.
· The healing of the crippled man shows the power of Jesus.
· Jesus fulfilled the prophecies by his suffering.
Acts 4.8-12 (Peter)
· The crippled man was healed by the power of Jesus.
· Jesus was crucified and died.
· God raised him from the dead.
· Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy.
Acts 7.2-56 (Stephen)
· Jesus fulfills prophecy (Acts 2.37—a prophet like Moses).
· Jesus was murdered.
· Jesus is alive (The Son of Man at the right hand of God).
Acts 10.34-43 (Peter)
· Jesus had power from God to do miracles.
· Jesus was killed on a tree (cross).
· God raised him from the dead on the third day.
· Jesus was seen alive.
Acts 13.16-41 (Paul)
· Jesus is descended from David as God promised.
· Jesus was executed (on a tree = crucified).
· Jesus was buried in a tomb.
· God raised Jesus from the dead.
· There are many witnesses of the resurrection.
· Jesus fulfilled prophecy.
Acts 17.22-31 (Paul)
· God raised Jesus from the dead.
Acts 22.3-21 (Paul)
· The resurrected Jesus appeared to Paul.
Acts 26.2-29 (Paul)
· Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises—he would suffer and be raised.
· God raised Jesus from the dead.
· Paul saw and heard the resurrection Jesus.
· Jesus’ death and resurrection were not “done in a corner.” These events were witnessed and reported by many people.
Let’s see how we have done. Allen Quist identifies four types of evidence in these sermons (The Marks of the Nail, 4). There are others, but these four seem to be the most common.
1. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead proves that he is the Messiah, the Son of God.
2. The many eyewitnesses to the resurrected Jesus confirm the fact of the resurrection.
3. Jesus has fulfilled the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament.
4. Jesus’ many miracles, and those done by the apostles in his name, demonstrate that he is the Messiah.
Which statement do you agree with most?
1. People seldom immediately accept Jesus as Lord or believe he rose from the dead just because the Bible says so.
2. You cannot reason someone into becoming a Christian, just present the Gospel.
Using evidence from outside the Bible will not covert anyone. We use the evidence that the disciples used. Any other evidence we use just to get people to listen to what the Bible says. The Holy Spirit works through the Gospel. The Gospel tells us that Christ has lived, died, and is risen all for our salvation and forgiveness.