The Reliability of Scripture and the Claims of Divinity by Jesus

Three Tests for Reliability of Ancient Documents

Bibliographical, Internal Evidence, and External Evidence Tests

Bibliographical Test Definition

Examines how many manuscripts we have, how early they are, and how accurately they were transmitted.

Internal Evidence Test Definition

Evaluates whether the document is consistent, free of contradictions, and claims to be based on eyewitness testimony.

External Evidence Test Definition

Checks whether archaeology, outside historians, or other sources confirm the claims of the document.

Original Language of the Gospels

Koine Greek.

What are the 4 Gospels?

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

What are the Synoptic Gospels

MArk, Luke, Matthew

What was the audience for the Gospel of Matthew?

Jews

What was the audience for the Gospel of Mark?

Romans

What was the audience for the Gospel of Luke?

Gentiles

What was the audience for the Gospel of John?

Universal

Number of GREEK New Testament Manuscripts

5,800+

Number of LATIN New Testament Manuscripts

10,000+

Number of SYRIAC New Testament Manuscripts

350+

Why would Syriac language MSS be important?

Syriac is Aramaic (Christ spoke Aramaic)

Why is it beneficial to have so many MSS?

It is made available to many different people

What are Lectionaries?

Collections of Scripture readings used in early church worship

Why are Lectionaries important?

They preserve large portions of Scripture and help confirm the text of the NT

Importance of the Church Fathers & Number of Quotes

They quoted the NT extensively and there were 32,000+ quotations (enough to reconstruct the NT text almost entirely without using manuscripts) (provide a secondary source for affirming the new testament)

Six Points from Non-Christian Writers About Jesus

(1) Jesus was a rabbi 

(2) many believed he performed miracles and exorcisms

(3) he was rejected by Jewish leaders

(4) he was crucified under Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius

(5) despite his shameful death, his followers , who believed he was still alive, spread beyond Palestine so that there were multitudes in Rome by 64AD

(6) all kinds of people from cities and countryside- men and women, slave and free – worshipped him as God, by the beginning of the second century.” Moreland, Wilkins, JUF, pg 222.

Jesus’ Indirect Claims to Divinity

Forgiving sins

Accepting worship

Calling God His Father uniquely

Using divine titles (Son of Man, I AM)

Claiming authority over the Law

Performing miracles in His own name

John 8:56–58 Meaning

Jesus says “Before Abraham was, I AM,” directly using God’s divine name (Exodus 3:14), implying eternal existence and divinity.

What were the Jewish legal issues regarding Jesus’ trial?

Trials could not occur at night

Sentences could not be given the same day

False witnesses should be punished

Trials had to be public, not secret

Jesus’ Reference to Daniel 7:13–14

Jesus applies the “Son of Man” prophecy to Himself (claiming authority, glory, divinity, and eternal dominion)

Did the Testimony of Others Convict Jesus?

No

Did Jesus’ Own Testimony Convict Him?

Yes (when asked if He was the Messiah)

What Did Jesus Claim?

He claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Son of Man who would come with divine authority (referenced Daniel 7:13–14.)

Reaction of the High Priest

He tore his robe

Jesus Was Convicted of What Charge?

Blasphemy

“Son of Man is ________ of the ________

Lord; Sabbath