Fact or Fiction

What is truth? The question Pilot the Roman Governor of Palestine asked Jesus during his interrogation.

Is Jesus truth? Is what is said about Jesus truth? Is what is said about Jesus factual? Is what is said about Jesus real history?

Firstly:

Did Jesus exist in the first century and who says he did outside of the New Testament?

• Josephus Flavius 95AD – Jewish historian -Talks about Jesus and confirms his existence.
• Cornellius Tacitus 116AD – Roman historian – Confirms the execution of Jesus on the cross under Pontius Pilate.

Are there other sources of historical information?

• Pliny the Younger 112AD – Pliny talks about Christians worshiping Jesus as God rather than worshipping the Roman emperor.
• Clement of Rome 95-97AD – Clement talks about Jesus in his church letters.

Historically then Jesus existed and was executed by the Romans. This is truth.

We often don’t realise it, but the Gospels of the New Testament are also first century historical documents – Interestingly the Gospel of Luke states it was written as a researched historical account. To be added here also is the New Testament book of Acts. This after all was written by the same historian who wrote the gospel of Luke.

It seems logical that as both these documents were completed in the first three quarters of the first century that they must contain historical fact just as they purport to.

In Luke and Acts we are left in no doubt that Jesus lived, ministered for 3 years, died and was crucified, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. This is all historical record. This is truth.

We are told that Jesus said we must follow him ask for his forgiveness for our sin and accept him as the one who has, is, and will save us – We told because of this we must accept him into our lives as our Saviour and Lord and be filled with his Spirit.

These statements of Jesus must be factual and correctly recorded. It logically follows from all the other correct and factual information in Luke and Acts, this is truth.

Jesus said I am the way and the life and the truth.

No one comes to the Father, except through me. John14:6