Apologetics Unit 4 Study Guide

- Christianity is false

- Everything Jesus said and did is a lie

- We shouldn't pay attention to anything Jesus said

- Jesus is a fraud

Implications if Jesus didn't rise from the dead

- Christianity is true

- Everything Jesus said and did is validated

- We have to pay attention to everything Jesus said

- Jesus is Lord

Implications if Jesus did rise from the dead

- He has absolute authority over life and death

- He has absolute authority over sin and Satan

- He has the final say on all things with all people

What does it mean for Jesus to be Lord?

- Jesus died by crucifixion

- Jesus' disciples believed that He rose from the dead and appeared to them

- The conversion of the church persecutor Paul

- The conversion of the skeptic, James (Jesus' brother)

- The empty tomb

What are the five pieces of evidence for Jesus' resurrection?

- They had seen the risen Jesus

Second piece of evidence: What claim did the disciples make?

- Prior: They were skeptical and afraid

- After: Many were martyred as a result of their belief in the risen Christ

Second piece of evidence: How were the disciples' lives changed?

- Participated in the stoning of Stephen

- Persecutor and murderer of early disciples

- Pharisee that sought to destroy the early church

Third piece of evidence: Describe Saul's life prior/before his conversion.

- Paul proclaimed Jesus as the "Son of God"

- Paul endured suffering while spreading the gospel

- Martyred for his unwavering commitment to the gospel

Third piece of evidence: Describe Saul's life after his conversion.

- Did not believe Jesus was the Son of God

- A Jew who strictly followed the Jewish Law

Fourth piece of evidence: Describe James' life prior/before his conversion.

- Both Jews and Christians knew where Jesus was buried

- Even Jesus' enemies, the Jews, did not deny that the tomb was empty

- Several women found the tomb empty and told others about it

- If the tomb wasn't empty, then the lives of the disciples wouldn't have been transformed

- If the tomb wasn't empty, then no one would have believed the disciples when they claimed it was

Fifth piece of evidence: List five arguments for the empty tomb

- Jesus didn't even die on the cross

- Swoon Theory: Jesus only appeared to have died on the cross

- Empty Tomb Theory: The women all visited the wrong tomb

- The disciples stole Jesus' body

- The disciples were delusional when they saw Jesus

Fifth piece of evidence: List five opposing theories to explain the empty tomb

- Women and their testimony were considered untrustworthy at the time, so someone trying to establish a lie wouldn't use them as the primary source. The only reason they would be listed as witnesses is if it was what truly happened.

What was the significance of women being the first witnesses to the resurrection?

- The Jewish officials wouldn't have had to bribe the roman guards unless they know they were spreading a lie.

How do Jesus's enemies affirm the tomb was in fact empty in Matthew 28:11-15?

- The martyrdom of the disciples exemplifies their conviction in the Lordship of Christ. Unlike the martyrs of today, they would have died for something they visually saw and knew was false.

How does the martyrdom of the disciples provide strong proof for Jesus' resurrection? (hint: how is their martyrdom different from people who die for their beliefs?)

- Jesus was whipped with 39 roman lashing and crowned with thorns before even being placed on the cross, putting him already close to death and looking completely emaciated when he appeared to the disciples.

- Romans were professional killers, and would have been punished through with execution if they let a prisoner live

- Jesus wouldn't have been unable to open to the tomb, and even if he did, there were Roman guards outside it

- He was stabbed with a lethal spear wound while on the cross

Briefly describe the Swoon theory and refute its claims.

- How could the disciples have snuck around the Roman guard

- Why would many of the disciples be martyred for something they know wasn't true

- The conversion of the disciple's faith from skeptical to steadfast had to have an initiator

Briefly refute the claim that the disciples stole the body of Jesus. Provide multiple lines of argumentation