Trent Ruble's Blog: The Other Way It Is - Posts Tagged "disciples"
How's That True?
What qualifies as truth is seemingly different for everyone depending upon what serves them best. Paul addressed this issue when he said, "...what may be known about God is plain to them (men who suppress the truth), because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities; his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20 NIV 1984)" In addition to what can be clearly seen, such as what we see in nature, many of us distinguish truth based on what's written in the Bible. However, some people, even some who claim to be Christian, think that's simple minded, antiquated, or just plain silly. They don't like what the Bible says about their lifestyle or belief, so they discredit that part of it. Well, it's either true or it isn't.
The Bible teaches many miraculous wonders such as the Creation, the Great Flood, the Passover, etc... that can't be scientifically repeated or verified in any way (in the same way that the theory of evolution can't be verified). The list of wonders includes the most important miracle of all; the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah. So, why should we believe it?
I believe it because of what else is written in the Bible. For example, Isaiah's description of the Messiah (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) so matches Jesus that many critics believed it had been written after Jesus' crucifixion. But, that all changed in 1947 when one of the newly discovered Dead Sea Scrolls contained the book of Isaiah. The scroll was determined to have been written at least 150 years before the birth of Christ (allaboutarchaeology.org).
The prophet Mikayahu, who we know as Micah, predicted in the 700's BC that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), which, more than 700 years later, was the birthplace of Jesus. Predictions were made that the Messiah would come from the line of Judah through David (Psalm 132:11, Jeremiah 23:5-6,33:15-16) as Jesus did (Luke 1:32-33). The Messiah was to be crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12) as we know Jesus was (Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:32-33).
He was to be pierced but none of his bones would be broken (Psalm 22:16-17,34:20, Luke 23:11,35-39, Luke 23:33, 24:36-39, John 19:18,20:19-20,24-27). This was actually an unlikely prophecy as it was a common practice to break the leg bones of those being crucified. This was done in order to speed along the process. With broken legs one could not lift himself up in order to breathe. However, Jesus gave up his life quickly (and, according to John 19:30, of his own volition ) so, instead of his legs being broken, his side was pierced so that his death could be verified.
Isaiah predicted King Cyrus by name 150 years before he was born (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1, 45:13). Later, Daniel predicted Alexander the Great and Antiochus Epiphanes, also hundreds of years prior to their entrance onto the world stage (Daniel 11). In addition, Daniel predicted the date of the Messiah's appearance (Daniel 9:25-26) and, on that date, Jesus presented himself at the temple as the Messiah (Galatians 4:4, Ephesians 1:10).
Another indicator of the truth is in how Paul and most of Jesus' apostles proclaimed the Gospel in the face of death. According to historians Hippolytus and Eusebius, and in some cases according to legend, this is how these great men met their end:
Andrew - crucified
Barnabas - stoned (legend)
Bartholomew - crucified
James, Brother of Jesus - stoned
James, Son of Alphaeus - stoned
James, Son of Zebedee - beheaded
John Mark - dragged (Paschal Chronicle)
Paul - beheaded
Peter - crucified up-side-down
Philip - crucified
Thomas - impaled
It is interesting to note that the Roman magistrate Gaius Caecilius (better known as Pliny the Younger) wrote that one need only denounce Christianity in order to be spared these horrible deaths (Pliny's letter to Emperor Trajan, 111AD).
These are but a few of the prophecies, fulfillments and other circumstances upon which I base my belief. While they may not provide concrete proof, one must wonder how likely it would be that such a story could be perpetuated for thousands of years as this one has unless it were true. I invite you to investigate this well documented and debated story yourself. Even if you don't come to the same conclusion that I have, you will be better informed in order to make your own conclusion.
The Bible teaches many miraculous wonders such as the Creation, the Great Flood, the Passover, etc... that can't be scientifically repeated or verified in any way (in the same way that the theory of evolution can't be verified). The list of wonders includes the most important miracle of all; the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah. So, why should we believe it?
I believe it because of what else is written in the Bible. For example, Isaiah's description of the Messiah (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) so matches Jesus that many critics believed it had been written after Jesus' crucifixion. But, that all changed in 1947 when one of the newly discovered Dead Sea Scrolls contained the book of Isaiah. The scroll was determined to have been written at least 150 years before the birth of Christ (allaboutarchaeology.org).
The prophet Mikayahu, who we know as Micah, predicted in the 700's BC that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), which, more than 700 years later, was the birthplace of Jesus. Predictions were made that the Messiah would come from the line of Judah through David (Psalm 132:11, Jeremiah 23:5-6,33:15-16) as Jesus did (Luke 1:32-33). The Messiah was to be crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12) as we know Jesus was (Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:32-33).
He was to be pierced but none of his bones would be broken (Psalm 22:16-17,34:20, Luke 23:11,35-39, Luke 23:33, 24:36-39, John 19:18,20:19-20,24-27). This was actually an unlikely prophecy as it was a common practice to break the leg bones of those being crucified. This was done in order to speed along the process. With broken legs one could not lift himself up in order to breathe. However, Jesus gave up his life quickly (and, according to John 19:30, of his own volition ) so, instead of his legs being broken, his side was pierced so that his death could be verified.
Isaiah predicted King Cyrus by name 150 years before he was born (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1, 45:13). Later, Daniel predicted Alexander the Great and Antiochus Epiphanes, also hundreds of years prior to their entrance onto the world stage (Daniel 11). In addition, Daniel predicted the date of the Messiah's appearance (Daniel 9:25-26) and, on that date, Jesus presented himself at the temple as the Messiah (Galatians 4:4, Ephesians 1:10).
Another indicator of the truth is in how Paul and most of Jesus' apostles proclaimed the Gospel in the face of death. According to historians Hippolytus and Eusebius, and in some cases according to legend, this is how these great men met their end:
Andrew - crucified
Barnabas - stoned (legend)
Bartholomew - crucified
James, Brother of Jesus - stoned
James, Son of Alphaeus - stoned
James, Son of Zebedee - beheaded
John Mark - dragged (Paschal Chronicle)
Paul - beheaded
Peter - crucified up-side-down
Philip - crucified
Thomas - impaled
It is interesting to note that the Roman magistrate Gaius Caecilius (better known as Pliny the Younger) wrote that one need only denounce Christianity in order to be spared these horrible deaths (Pliny's letter to Emperor Trajan, 111AD).
These are but a few of the prophecies, fulfillments and other circumstances upon which I base my belief. While they may not provide concrete proof, one must wonder how likely it would be that such a story could be perpetuated for thousands of years as this one has unless it were true. I invite you to investigate this well documented and debated story yourself. Even if you don't come to the same conclusion that I have, you will be better informed in order to make your own conclusion.
The Other Way It Is
The stories and opinions of author Trent Ruble.
Find Trent Ruble on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/taruble/ ...more
Find Trent Ruble on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/taruble/ ...more
- Trent Ruble's profile
- 17 followers
