What Do You Do When God Re-Writes Your Expected Story (video sermon)

 

Depression Era Chocolate Cake recipe

 Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 8 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups water

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350*.

1. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in an 9x13-inch ungreased pan. Make 3 depressions in flour mixture; pour oil into one, vinegar into second, and vanilla into third. Pour water over all, then whisk until well blended and resembling cake batter.
   Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 to 40 minutes.
   You can top the cake with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or your favorite chocolate frosting.

Ode To The iPhone (poem)

 Oh iPhone, my iPhone! I love thee to date,
We’ve spent so much time together of late.
You’ve opened my eyes to the ways of the world,
To manifold things, that never grow old!
When I awake you’re the first thing I see,
As you’re always there, right next to me.

Whenever I want, I can tap into you’re power,
At any time of the day, or hour.
You’re ready always to make sure that I see,
The many temptations waiting for me.
Daily you grant me to indulge in the lust,
Of the lascivious things you place in my trust;
And the covetous spirit, that excites within,
Takes hold on my mind as I fall into sin.

Oh iPhone, my iPhone!
You’re as wondrous as can be!
You’ve carried my heart to the depths of depravity.
Depravity I say….but it’s not a sin;
For the Prince of the Air, has comforted me within,
To ensure that my flesh is at ease in this state;
With it’s natural inclines, who can debate?

Each day as my flesh grows stronger with you,
I have no need of the Spirit life I once knew.
That Spirit life which fades day by day,
And sometimes I wonder if I’ve lost my way.
But there you are, to distract my mind,
Lest I should fall back into faithful inclines.
Those old ways, I’ve lost patience for,
And communing with family has become such a bore.

A Snap or a Reel, a Tok or a Gram,
All that you show me, is everything I am!
The walls of my room have enclosed this domain,
As my parents sit back and scorn with disdain.
But they don’t understand how my needs have changed,
As they ponder the cause and seek whom to blame.
It’s just a new world, with new ways you see,
And I think there’s a scripture that calls it, “Laodicia-e…?”

We had a good time, when I was a child,
But now I just wish they’d let me sit idle;
That I may enjoy my communing with thee,
Oh iPhone, my iPhone, it’s you I seek to please!
I dedicate my time and devotion to you,
As you’re always there to tell me what’s true.
Truth as far as the world is concerned;
But that’s what I long for, that’s what I yearn.

There once was a truth, that I used to adore,
But that has also become such a bore;
And I have no desire to seek it anymore.
Oh iPhone, my iPhone! I’m so glad that we met!
Before you came along, I used to regret,
The things in my life that weren’t quite right;
But now I indulge, with my conscience aright,
And I feel no need to put up a fight!

Of this I can attest is absolute bliss!
(What was that….did I just hear a hiss?)
Oh, never mind, as it matters not,
It’s time to indulge in the things that are not;
And get to myself yet another blot.

Oh iPhone, my iPhone!
I have no greater need,
Than to pay full attention, to the things that you heed.
I’ll do what you say, and say what you do,
I’m always ready and willing to make my defense of you;
To prove to those people who don’t understand,
How great you can be, while their lives are so bland!

Oh iPhone, my iPhone! I bid you goodnight,
My parents are waiting and growing uptight.
They want me to come and kiss them goodnight;
But what I really want, is to hold you tight,
And to embrace your wonders, all through the night.
And when the day breaks, in the early Dawn,
When I awake with a dramatic yawn;
Again will I gaze into your blackish screen,
With a slumbering grip, I’ll press all your keys,
And will delight to start my day with thee!

-Dina Keough

I've Found A Faithful Friend (song)

 

Extraterrestrial Aliens

There is something that the world seems to be gearing up to accept- aliens from another planet. This sentiment has been on the fringe of our society for a while, but now it seems to be getting mainstream attention.

As a Christian, I view everything through the lens of Scripture. But, are aliens in the Bible? And are Christians warned against them?

First, let's look at what most people believe aliens are.

The majority of people would refer to these beings as extra terrestrial entities, meaning they are from a planet other than our own. They are sometimes referred to as "little green men" or "greys" and they are small with large heads and big black eyes. They fly around in flying saucers, also called UFO's or UAP's, and they have advanced technological capabilities.

There are a few other factions that believe there are a few different species of aliens- the main ones being Blondes (tall blonde human like creatures), Greys (the aliens described above), and Reptilians (very tall amphibian type creatures that walk around on two legs like humans).

Look as hard as you may and you won't find extraterrestrials mentioned as such in the Bible, though many Christians believe they exist. This has some scholars believing that the Bible's silence on these creatures implies their irrelevance to human salvation, rather than their non-existence.

I, however, think the Bible does give us a small insight into these beings.

There is something similar to a UFO in Ezekiel 1.

Ezekiel 1:15-20- Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.

 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

This "wheel within a wheel" sounds an awful lot like a typical flying saucer, and the "rings being full of eyes" kind of sounds like windows or port holes in the machine.

Whatever, exactly, this was that Ezekiel saw, it is most certainly connected with spiritual beings.

Another verse that comes to mind is the one that describes Nephilim.

Genesis 6:1-4- And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

 The Bible mentions giants as a byproduct of the union of fallen angels and humanity. But, what if there were other mutant creations that came from them as well. We know that Scripture doesn't always give us ALL of the details, but it does give us the most important ones- like only naming 3 of Adam and Eve's children.

The creatures that came from the fallen angels are described as being mighty and evil.

One verse that always made me wonder was in Psalm 8 where David is ascribing God as Creator.

Psalm 8:8- The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

What, other than fish, would be passing through the paths of the seas.

Paul and John both kind of give us a little hint that there is something beneath the oceans.

Philippians 2:10-11- That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 5:13- And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Why are they talking about things under the earth? John differentiates between things in the sea and things under the earth.

Paul makes mention that we fight against spiritual beings.

Ephesians 6:12- For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

There is a propensity for Christians to view this verse as if these are non-corporeal spirits, but the Bible doesn't say that. It never tells us that spirits can't have or use a corporeal form!

Zechariah speaks with the Lord regarding a flying roll (UFO?) and some creatures that come from it.

Zechariah 5:1-11- Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

According to Zechariah's vision, there's a flying object that brings a curse to the earth. Going forth from this object, or with this object, are women with stork wings- sounds an awful lot like the description people believe to be angels- who establish something in the land of Shinar. I'm guessing that would be like a base of operations in modern day Iraq. But, God is very quick to tell Zechariah that this is wickedness!

Paul warns us that there will be a strong delusion from Satan during the Tribulation to get them to believe a lie.

II Thessalonians 2:7-12- For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

When the Antichrist shows up, he comes with 10 mutant kings to rule the earth according to Daniel. It is possible that these are "extraterrestrial" or "interdimensional" aliens. Why do I say this? Because in Revelation there is a big focus on accepting God as the creator.

Revelation 4:16-17- And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

It's possible that these mutant kings come as advanced aliens from another planet that claim to have created our world.This theory originally brought to light by Carl Sagan is already ingraining itself in our media. We already see this theory in many movies that are coming out. Almost like they are trying to plant the thought so that people will readily accept it.

Now, with former intelligence officials and the government coming out with all this "classified information" being made available to the public, it appears that the time for this deception is drawing near.

Paul already warned us that part of a degenerate course is to view the created being as more worthy of worship than the one who created it.

Romans 1:25- Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

My theory is that what we call aliens have been on earth for a very long time, possibly since before the flood. These beings are not "extraterrestrial" as many think but rather "interterrestrial" as in they live under our oceans, and that's why there's reference to things being under the seas in the Bible. They have been slowly showing themselves to mankind so that when they finally show up they will be accepted as benevolent helpers of humanity instead of the wicked deceitful workers of Satan.

Satan told Eve back in the beginning of creation that disobeying God's command would give her knowledge to become like God. I believe he's just repackaging this age old lie into a new, modern one. The "aliens" will bring advancement to our race to help us eliminate disease and aging! A promise to make us more like God who doesn't get sick or die. But, it will come with a painful price!

Revelation 13:16- And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Revelation 16:2- And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

Revelation 14:11- And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

When Paul gave his warning about another gospel, perhaps he was warning against something more than a messed up denomination of Christianity.

Galatians 1:8- But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Maybe he was warning that a fallen angel would bring beings that claimed to come from heaven and they would preach their own message about worshipping a beast and accepting his mark in their body for "salvation".

In a time when many will be "looking to the stars", the wise will be looking to Scripture to avoid deception which will lead to damnation.

The King James Bible

 This lesson was created with the help of The King James Bible Course by James L. Melton.

Psalms 12:6-7- The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

There are professing Christians out there who think that God could not preserve His word. They say that the originals were inspired, but that there is no translation available today that isn't infallible.

How could an Almighty God not be able to preserve His word as an infallible book? And, if there is an infallible translation available today, which one is it?

First, we need to take a closer look at inspiration. According to Webster's 1828 dictionary, inspiration is the act of drawing air into the lungs; the inhaling of air; a branch of respiration, and opposed to expiration. Isn't that interesting. We think of inspiration as something that causes a creative spark, but it's connected to breathing.

2 Timothy 3:16-17- All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

God inspired His word. He literally breathed it. You know something else that has God's breath in it? You!

Genesis 2:7- And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

When God made man, He breathed into him the breath of life. He only had to do this once. This life giving breath has been passed down to each subsequent human born. If His breath has been preserved with living creation, why can't it work that way with Scripture?

2 Peter 1:21- For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

God told the writers of Scripture what to write. If He is the author, then He should also be able to preserve His words since He is eternal. He promised that His word would be here forever.

Matthew 24:35- Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

So, if God has preserved the Scriptures, then which version would it be? It can't be all of them, because each translation is different. Sometimes they even contradict each other and God is not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33).

If we say that all translations are God's word, even though they differ, we are now faced with the opportunity for less scrupulous men to tell us which of these readings are more accurate, and that would move a man into the position of authority, rather than God.

This is a bad position to be in because mankind is fickle and sinful.

Psalms 39:5- Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

Romans 3:23- For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

So, let's look at a few reasons why the King James Version is the infallible, inspired word of God.

First, it was translated under a king by a group of highly educated men. That matters.

Ecclesiastes 8:4a- Where the word of a king is, there is power:

The new versions have been translated by committees, not a monarch. God's form of government is a theocratic monarchy- this is how Christ will rule during the millennium. In fact, four books of the Bible are written about kings ruling their kingdom.

"James" is the English word for "Jacob". Remember that God renamed Jacob in the Old Testament to "Israel" and that is the name His people are known by. So, why not name His Words following the same idea?

The translators of the King James Bible believed they were handling the very words of God. They weren't in this for money. Their scholarship far exceeded that of modern version translators, yet they remained humble and allowed God to use them. They didn't set out to "correct" the Scriptures, their sole purpose was to translate God's word for the English speaking people.

How did they go about this task? The men were divided into six companies (2 at Westminster, 2 at Oxford, and 2 at Cambridge).Each member of the company made his own translation first. The members would then meet to compare one another's work. When each group completed a book, it was sent to the other five groups for their independent assessment.

When the complete Bible was translated, it came before a select committee of 12 men, who met daily for nine months. The complete process ensured that each passage was scrutinized a minimum of fourteen times!

Now, let's take a look at just a few of the men who were chosen to translate:

John Boise could read Hebrew at 5 years old. At 14, he became a student at St. Johns College. While there, he was well known for corresponding with his superiors in Greek. 

Lancelot Andrews possessed knowledge of Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Chaldean, Syriac, and Arabic. He was conversant in fifteen languages. He was called a "walking library" and was said to be covetous of nothing but books. 

John Reynolds entered Oxford at 13. It was said that he was most prodigiously seen in all kinds of learning and most excellent in all tongues.

That's just three of the 47 men who from 1604 to 1611 made it their life's work to translate the Scriptures. All of the men chosen were academically excellent in many different areas of knowledge.

These men made certain that they translated honestly. There are some who make a big deal out of the italicized words in the King James Bible. You can look at any new version and see there are no italicized words. So, why does the KJV have them?

The italic words in the King James Bible are there to shown when the translators added to the text. This is necessary when translating from one language to another so that the context of the translation makes sense. They put these in even when there was enough evidence that it wasn't needed.

Example:

2 Samuel 21:19- And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

I Chronicles 20:5- And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver's beam.

In the passage in 2 Samuel, the translators added "the brother of" because it wasn't in the originals. It would have created confusion had they left these important words out because everyone knows that David killed Goliath. The words are present in the original story as told in I Chronicles. They didn't need to italicize those words because they were present in another portion of Scripture that was a retelling of the same story. However, because they were honest, they wanted to show that they had added these words. 

They even included the apocrypha in the original version. Note that apocrypha means "doubtful writings". No one in any other part of the Bible ever quotes anything in the apocrypha. The apocryphal books aren't written in Hebrew like the rest of the Old Testament, excluding Daniel. And, they contained statements which contradicted other Scriptures.

The King James Bible translators primarily used the Hebrew Masoretic Text for the Old Testament, the Greek Textus Receptus for the New Testament, and the Greek Septuagint for the Apocrypha. They also consulted other manuscripts in various languages, previously translated works, and Scriptural commentaries during their translation process.

When people find new portions of Scripture, like the Dead Sea scrolls, they agree with the King James translation showing even more proof that God was behind their endeavor.

The King James Bible has no copyright. No one will get in trouble for printing, reciting, or using this translation. The new versions all have a copyright, and it's not God who gets the royalties.

Some people will say that the original version had a crown copyright of the 1611, but it was only copyrighted then for the purpose of allowing the printer to finance the publication. They were not making merchandise off God's words.

There are some King James Version Bibles today that hold copyrights, but that does not include the words. Those copyrights are on the publisher's maps and notes. No one needs to request permission or pay royalties to another for the Scripture text of a King James Version Bible.

The King James Bible has benefits that the original Greek and Hebrew did not have. First, it's all compiled together in one volume! The originals were multiple scrolls or letters that had to be copied meticulously to keep from being destroyed through use.

Next, God isn't against translations. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, with the exception of Daniel, which was written in Aramaic. The New Testament was written in Greek. There are many passages in the New Testament that are quotes from the Old Testament, but these quotes have been translated into Greek. 

Why, then, did God not choose to use on of the English Bibles translated prior to 1611? I can't give a definitive answer, but we can make an educated guess. 

The English language was still being developed prior to the 17th Century. And, being unstable would have made it difficult to get an accurate translation. God chose English because He knew it would become the next universal language due to the expansion of the British Empire.

The previous versions were generally translated by just one man- Tyndale, Luther, etc. And these translations sometimes had doctrinal or personal opinion associated with them. God wanted His words to be without man's opinion.

2 Peter 1:20- Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

A final point, the King James Translators used "old" English because it was the only way to to maintain precise grammatical distinctions. This was not contemporary speech in the 17th Century. The "old" English was able to show the formal difference between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person.

Example:

1st person- I write
2nd person- Thou writest
3rd person- He writeth

There are other words in the "old" English that show when an audience is being addressed or whether a person is being addressed. Thou, thy, and thee are singular and indicate one person being addressed, whereas ye, you, and yours are plural and indicated more than one person is being addressed.

Example:

John 3:7- Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus- thee (singular).

But what He says next is for everyone- ye (plural).

In our modern English we would have translated both as "you" and we would have lost the distinction.

God has a reason for everything! And the above shows us His reason for choosing the language and the time period of the King James Version for His words to be translated for us today.

It's About The Cross (song)

 

Believer's Heritage- Daniel Shayesteh

 

Arise, My Soul, Arise (poem)

 Arise, my soul, arise!

​Shake off thy guilty fears;

The bleeding Sacrifice

 ​In my behalf appears.

Before the throne my Surety stands;

My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above

For me to intercede,

His all-redeeming love,

His precious blood to plead.

His blood was shed for all our race,

And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears,

Received on Calvary;

They pour effectual prayers;

They strongly speak for me.

Forgive him, O forgive, they cry,

Nor let that ransomed sinner die!

The Father hears Him pray,

His dear anointed One;

He cannot turn away

The presence of His Son.

His Spirit answers to the blood,

And tells me I am born of God.

To God I’m reconciled,

His pardoning voice I hear;

He owns me for His child,

I can no longer fear.

With confidence I now draw nigh,

And Father, Abba, Father, cry.

​-Charles Wesley

Keep It Stupid, Simple (video sermon)

 

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

 In I Corinthians 15, we have a lot going on. The first part, however, is Paul addressing the issue of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This one element is a fundamental doctrine in the Christian faith, because everything else that we believe really hinges on the fact that there was a resurrection of Jesus Christ.

There is a worldview which excludes the very concept of a resurrection. They find it ludicrous. They believe in the idea of science as a closed system, and matter is all that is of significance. So, if you can't see it, touch it, hear it, smell it, or taste it, then it's just not real. They believe that the only way we know things is through our senses and through observation of that which is in nature, which means that by definition there is no supernatural.

I Corinthians 15:1-2- Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Paul is pointing out that you are saved by the gospel, and if you don't believe the gospel then your faith in Christ is futile. And, what is the gospel that Paul was preaching?

I Corinthians 15:3-4- For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

People of Paul's day were also questioning whether this was an actual event or a myth that had grown to grandiose proportions. Paul is giving arguments to prove that this is an actual event.

They want to separate the Jesus of history from the Jesus of Biblical  narrative. They want to hold Jesus in high esteem as a moral, historical figure, but not as the Son of God. They will honor and revere Him as prophet, a wonderful man, a wise teacher, but not as the resurrected redeemer of mankind.

 

Christians today deal with the same arguments that Paul was dealing with right there in Corinth. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was prophesied in the Old Testament along with the prophecy of His birth, many times in the same passage of Scripture. 

Paul is saying that if you believe the gospel as he has preached it, the death and burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, then you are saved, but if you are believing anything else then you are lost. If you are believing something more or something less than the gospel, boiled down to those 3 points, then your faith is in vain- it's pointless.

Let's say, for example, that when I am sitting in a chair, and when I stand up to deliver my message someone behind me removed the chair without me realizing it while I was standing. I finish my lecture and take a step back to sit in that chair. Now, here's the question, "do I believe with every fiber of my being that that chair is there?" Yes, I do. Will my belief catch me?  No, because the object of my belief is gone. 

Your faith is only meaningful if the object of your faith is meaningful. If the object of your faith no longer exists, Jesus crucified and risen from the dead, then your faith is futile. 

When you deny the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, you are not a Christian. It's belief in the gospel that saves your soul. Paul gives you the gospel here which includes the death, burial, and resurrection, and tells you in Romans 10 that you must believe and confess it to be saved. 

Romans 10:9- That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Your confession is empty vanity if you don't believe it. What is it that you are putting your faith in if Christ didn't raise from the dead?

I Corinthians 15:5-8- And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Next, Paul is saying that you don't just have to take his word for it. There were others that saw Christ in His resurrected body. Not just the apostles, but over 500 others, many of whom were still alive at the time of Paul's writing. Paul is telling them to go talk to these people and verify what he is saying.

Just a note, some people might argue that Christ couldn't have appeared to the twelve disciples like Paul is testifying because Judas was dead. Their point is true, but they need to look further in the Scriptures for the answer. Yes, Judas hanged himself before Christ was raised from the dead. But, if you read Acts 1 you will see Judas was replaced by Matthias. 

Acts 1:15-26- And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Matthias had to have been with Jesus and the disciples from the beginning- the baptism of John, and also had to have witnessed the resurrected Jesus to be able to take the place of Judas. When Paul met with the disciples in Jerusalem, it was with Matthias in attendance. So, Paul is referencing the 12 apostles with Matthias as one of the 12.

So Paul is giving the Corinthians the gospel, which includes the resurrection, and then he's telling them to go check it out because there are eyewitnesses who can testify to the fact.

I Corinthians 15:12-19-Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Paul goes on to preach a little sermon outline here. He is saying if you don't believe the resurrection then the following points apply to you:

1) There's no point in being called a Christian because it's just another religion that will lead to nothing substantial. It's a bunch of rules and regulations that might make your life a little better, but with all the persecution the church was facing at that time it would have been quite doubtful.

2) Preaching is pointless. The foundation of our preaching the gospel is the resurrection of Christ. Your soul doesn't have to spend eternity in hell for sin because Christ paid it all- death proved He was human and the resurrection proved He was God.

3) Your faith is vain because the object of your faith is non-existent. If you don't believe in a resurrected Christ, then you have nothing to believe in as far as Christianity goes.

4) We are misrepresenting God. We are telling people that God sent His only begotten Son to pay our sin debt and that He raised Christ from the dead as proof of His divinity when that never happened.

5) We are charlatans. There really is logically no other option, because that is what he is preaching, and if you insist it didn't happen then you are by default calling him a liar.

6) You are still in your sins. Your sin couldn't have been paid because Jesus was just a good man who died a inconsequential death. You are still under the wrath of God and awaiting the judgment of God.

7) Your dead loved ones are gone with no hope of ever seeing them again.

I Corinthians 15:20- But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, and because He lives so will you if you accept His gift of salvation. He's the firstfruits, meaning there will come more after Him.

I Corinthians 15:49- And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Paul concludes this chapter with the greatest description of the rapture that is in the Bible. He tells us we can look forward to eternity in a new, glorified body in heaven because Jesus Christ was raised, and we will also be raised.

Romans 1:16- For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

We believe the gospel, which includes the resurrection, because it is the power of God unto salvation. And, it is available to whosoever will accept it.

 

Joseph in Archaeology

A Thorn In The Flesh (video sermon)

The Horrors Of Hell (poem)

These are facts,
That are true.
Could this little poem-
Be meant for you?

Read a little, 

And you will see

What Satan has for

you and me.

A pretty picture he will show.

The ugly part he'll hide.

You'll never see, my precious friend, 

What's on the other side.

He'll tell you to live it up,

You're young and full of life.

But never turn your back on him,

Cause friend, he'll pull a knife.

Before too long, He's got our soul; 

To hell, with it, he'll go.

There'll be no mercy there, my friend,

No rock to make you roll.

Weird noses will be heard,

You'll think you've lost your mind.

Wild and crazy sounds you'll hear,

Won't be AC DC this time.

The preacher warned me of this place,

How hot the flames would be:

I laughed it off, and continued on,

My God, now look at me.

My laughter stopped, the fun is gone.

My soul cries out in pain;

Jesus, please have mercy,

I promise I will change.

But then a voice, so cruel and loud, 

Began to laugh at me;

"The mercy ceased, the love is gone.

With God you'll never be."

"You had your chance to make it right,

And live above sin.

But you refused to walk with God

Or let the Savior in."

"You did just what I told you to.

Now with me you'll ever be.

You'll burn with fire; You'll cry with pain

Throughout eternity."

There'll be no drugs to make you high,

No rock to make you roll.

No friends, no movies, no cards or dance,

I'll be in control."

"Ha ha! I'll laugh

When you begin to scream.

The pain you'll feel

Is beyond your wildest dreams."

"Suicide? Forget it!

Down here you cannot die.

A holy life you should've chose,

But you chose to live a lie."

"You could've walked on streets of gold,

A mansion to behold.

On earth you thought of many things,

But never once your soul!"

-Attributed to Danny Castle

Bookstores

I know that we can practically get whatever we want in America from Amazon. You just put in the name and search.

I do have some trouble finding good books when I don't know the name, so I've assembled a list of Christian bookstores where one could go to peruse for books which they may not realize are out there.

Bible Baptist Bookstore in Pensacola, FL

Bible Believers Bookstore in Palatka, FL

The KJV Bible Store in Grapevine, TX

Daystar Publishing in Miamitown, OH

Fundamental Baptist Books in Smithfield, KY

Christ The Way bookstore in Canada

Local Church Bible Publishers in Lansing, MI

Guillion's Christian Supply in Statesville, NC

Victory Baptist Press in Milton, FL

4 Gospel Bible Bookstore in King, NC

The Bible Baptist Church in Deland, FL

Final Fight Bible Radio in Eagle, ID

Each of these bookstores has a good selection of fiction and non-fiction, as well as Bibles and study materials. Some even have music CDs and song books available.

Believer's Heritage- Chuck Norris

Carlos Ray Norris was born in Ryan, Oklahoma on March 10, 1940. He didn't have an easy life, but it was one that God could use. His alcoholic father left and he was raised with his brothers by his mother. Once, when sharing about his relationship with Jesus Christ, he said that his faith began at home through his mother who taught him about Christ. He said that kind of godly influence leaves a mark on you for life.

He joined the Air Force at 18, and while in South Korea he became acquainted with Tang Soo Do, a traditional Korean martial art often referred to as "Korean Karate". By the mid-1960's, he was winning world middleweight karate titles. Bruce Lee recruited him for the final battle in "Way Of The Dragon". That fight scene is still considered one of the greatest ever filmed.

Though he appeared in many Hollywood productions, he insisted that every episode carry a moral message. He had a desire to share his convictions about life and family with those who watched him on the big screen.

Throughout his life, he was open about his relationship with Jesus Christ, even admitting that for a time he had drifted away from God, and it was his second wife, Gena, that helped him turn back to Jesus. He said, "I did drift from the Lord, but the Lord never drifted from me.

"When speaking of Gena, he said that her faith was consistent, intentional, and bold. "She reads the Bible every morning. She got me to sit down and read it with her." He said it was like the Holy Spirit saying, "Chuck, it's time to come home."

They say there is power in our prayers, and even if we never see the outcome, we can be assured that God is moving because of them.

Throughout his life, he was very vocal regarding his support of veterans and youth. He created his own martial arts discipline called Chun Kuk Do, grounded in Christian principles, and built KickStart, a martial arts program for at-risk children and military veterans. He frequently wrote about improving your health. He had an interest in American history and politics. He also wrote about how he thought public schools should have biblical education as part of their curriculum.

On his 86th birthday, he posted a video of himself sparring in Hawaii. Just 10 days later, he was with His Savior.

His family released this announcement, "It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace. To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family. He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives. While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him. The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends. Thank you for loving him with us."

While he was alive, Chuck Norris made this statement, "It's important to make your peace with Christ while the opportunity exists. Life is so fragile. You never know when it's going to be over. It could be over in a blink of an eye, and then it's too late to accept God's gift of salvation."

The speed of his passing puts this declaration in a greater context. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. 

In 2024, Chuck Norris wrote, “The answer is to return to the old path, the road followed by our founders who put God first, trusting in Him … to be our salvation,” he wrote. “That is why the most important action you and I can take is to do that in our own lives: to put God first and raise up a new generation of decent, law-abiding, people-loving and God-fearing citizens.”

“That may sound overly simplistic or preachy to some,” Norris added, “but I really don’t mean it that way. Neither did our founders. It was just a fact, and it still is.”

“The physical Resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian religion and our personal faith. It reset the course of humanity, and has indelibly changed the hearts of billions, including Gena and me.”

Norris quoted Jesus’ words: “I am the Resurrection and the Life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”

For those who believe this, Norris said, they can have “peace with God and be blessed in this life by His continual presence.” Even more, he said, Christ makes available an eternal life that can “ultimately deliver us from the diseases, toils and tyrants of this world into a life the Bible describes as no pain, grief, sorrow or tears.”

Many have appreciated his tough guy persona he portrayed in his movies, but his family saw another side to him.

At his passing, his 24-year-old son, Dakota Norris, wrote in an Instagram post, “Dad … You’ve been the man I looked up to my whole life. Your generosity, your kindness, your courage, your integrity, your strength, your discipline, and your faith in the Lord were just a handful of things I always admired about you.”

“You were the greatest father God could have ever given me and the finest man I’ve ever known,” he continued. “No matter what I was going through, you were always there. You made sure I knew how much you loved me. Honest to God, I don’t think there was a single day that went by where you didn’t say it.”

“The memories we made, the lessons you taught me, and the constant laughs we shared will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

The takeaway for us all is that we never know when our time may be over, but we can work each day on leaving behind a legacy that reflects the Savior. Jesus Christ can, and will, use your prayers and Godly example if we allow Him to. And that is the heritage that truly matters!

Father, Forgive Them; For They Know Not What They Do

Luke 23:34a- Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

We are so accustomed to hearing this quote from the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross that we are not always conscious of the weight of these words at His crucifixion. This great immediate prayer of intercession was made to stay God's wrath against a world of sinners for the travesty of crucifying the Lord of glory.

Matthew 26:53-54- Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

It was a compassionate prayer. Based upon the Roman standard of 6,000 per legion, twelve legions equals 72,000 angels.

II Kings 19:35- And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

If one angel was able to kill 185,000 men in one night, what could 72,000 angels do? We are talking the total righteous destruction of mankind in an instant!

Psalm 104:29- Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

Job 34:14-15- If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

"Father, forgive them" sounds really good in that context!

It had it's precedence in Holy Scripture:

Genesis 50:16-17- And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

This is the first mention of "forgive" in the Bible.

The Lord Jesus Christ backed this prayer up with a consistent life of forgiveness for sinners.

Luke 6:27-28- But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Matthew 18:21-22- Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

The New Testament is filled with verses commanding this very thing.

Romans 12:14- Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

I Corinthians 4:12- And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

I Peter 3:8-9- Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

I Peter 2:21-23- For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

The first Christian martyr, Stephen, followed Christ's example in Acts.

Acts 7:59-60- And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

This was a consistent, commending, and considerate prayer from our Savior. He knew His reason for being here. He knew that someone had to betray Him. He knew He had to be rejected. Did that make it any less painful? No! And, yet despite that pain He chose to forgive.

Acts 3:13-17- The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

I Corinthians 2:7-8- But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

They didn't know what they were doing! But ignorance is no excuse for sin.

Leviticus 4:13- And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;

This prayer has been in effect for more than 2,000 years now, but it is only temporary. One day the men responsible will be held to account. Not only them, but all of mankind must face the consequences for this crime.

Revelation 1:7- Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

When Christ was on this earth He warned them. They knew they were going to reject Him, and they also knew there would be consequences for this decision.

Matthew 21:33-45- Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

The Pharisees rejected Christ. They did exactly what He said they would in this parable, even though they knew He was sent from God.

John 3:1-2- There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

They lost their nation for almost 1,900 years because of this rejection.

You don't have to suffer the consequences of a lost life, or an eternity in hell. The time to avail yourself of the mercy offered by this prayer is now. You have not been guaranteed tomorrow.

The question everyone faces is "what will you do with Jesus?" It's the same question the Pharisees were asked.

Matthew 27:22- Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

So, now I ask you, "What will you do with Jesus Christ?"

John 3:16-18- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

I John 5:12- He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

-Adam Trosclair

Bear Grylls: The Passion Week

Join Bear Grylls as he tours Israel and shows where Jesus' final days were spent.

Bear Grylls: Renegade Mission

Join Bear Grylls as he tours Israel and shows where some of Jesus' miracles occurred.

Bear Grylls: Exploring Galilee

Join Bear Grylls as he tours Israel and show you where Jesus and his disciples walked.

Bear Grylls: Baptism and the Wilderness Temptation

Join Bear Grylls as he tours Israel and shows you where Jesus was baptized and where he faced the temptations from the devil.

Bear Grylls: Jesus' Birth and Fleeing From Herod

Join Bear Grylls as he tours Israel and shows where Jesus was born, and how he became a refugee in Egypt.

Under His Wings (song)

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Brianna Brown, who went home to be with the Lord December 30, 2025 as the result of an accident.

Brianna was a gifted young lady whose life reflected her faith. Through her beautiful talents—playing the piano and singing—she worshiped the Lord sincerely and pointed others to Him. Her music was not for performance, but for praise, and many were blessed by her willingness to use what God had given her for His glory.

We are sharing a video of one of the last songs she sang, “Under His Wings.” The message of that song now carries even deeper meaning. Brianna trusted in the Lord she sang about, and today she is safely under His wings.

Moments like this remind us of a sobering truth: we are not promised tomorrow. Life is fragile, and time is uncertain. If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, today is the day to place your faith in Him. Salvation is found only in Christ, and the invitation is still open.

Please keep Brianna’s family and loved ones in your prayers during this difficult time. We grieve with hope, knowing that for those who are in Christ, death is not the end.

Psalm 91:4 KJV

"He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler."

Bitter & Sweet (poem)

Kindle, Saviour, in my heart,
A flame of love divine;
Hear, for mine I trust thou art,
And sure I would be thine;
If my soul has felt thy grace,
If to me thy name is known;
Why should trifles fill the place
Due to thyself alone?

'Tis a strange mysterious life
I live from day to day;
Light and darkness, peace and strife,
Bear an alternate sway:
When I think the battle won,
I have to fight it o'er again;
When I say I'm overthrown,
Relief I soon obtain.

Often at the mercy-seat,
While calling on thy name,
Swarms of evil thoughts I meet,
Which fill my soul with shame.
Agitated in my mind,
Like a feather in the air,
Can I thus a blessing find?
My soul, can this be pray'r?

But when Christ, my Lord and Friend,
Is pleas'd to show his pow'r
All at once my troubles end,
And I've a golden hour;
Then I see his smiling face,
Feel the pledge of joys to come:
Often, Lord, repeat this grace
Till thou shalt call me home.

-John Newton

Historical Evidence Of Jesus Outside The Bible

 I came across a news article by Diana Rose which I found to be quite fascinating. She mentions a few different historical records where Jesus is mentioned that are not biblical or scriptural texts, but rather historical documents.

Whether this woman is a Christian, or not, is unknown to me. Her conclusions and her words have not been edited by myself, nor can I say that I 100% agree with them, but I believe you will find her evidence and her take on the subject quite interesting.

Believing in historical figures usually requires a leap of faith, but finding Jesus’ footprints outside the Bible feels like striking gold. I remember my first deep dive into ancient history during college. I wanted to know if this figure actually walked the earth or if he remained a myth constructed by followers. You might feel the same skepticism.

I found that critics and historians from the Roman Empire actually documented his existence. These writers had no reason to promote Christianity. In fact, most of them despised the movement.

Bart Ehrman, a renowned agnostic scholar, states that “Jesus certainly existed” because virtually every competent scholar of antiquity agrees on this point. I find this consensus fascinating because it bridges the gap between theology and history. We see a man named Jesus emerging from the ink of his enemies rather than just his friends. This list breaks down the most compelling non-biblical accounts that place Jesus firmly in the history books.

Cornelius Tacitus is among the most trusted historians of the ancient world. He wrote his Annals in 116 AD and did not hold back his disdain for Christians. Tacitus detailed how Emperor Nero blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome to deflect rumors that he started it himself. In this account, Tacitus connects the name “Christians” directly to “Christus” and mentions his execution.

I love this entry because Tacitus clearly has no agenda to support the religion. He calls Christianity a “mischievous superstition,” yet confirms two massive historical facts. He notes that Pontius Pilate executed Jesus during the reign of Tiberius. This aligns perfectly with the biblical timeline. IMO, this hostility makes his testimony even more reliable.

Flavius Josephus gives us a Jewish perspective on first-century Judea. In his work Antiquities of the Jews, published around 93 AD, he references Jesus twice. The most accepted passage involves the execution of James. Josephus identifies James specifically as “the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ.” Scholars like Louis Feldman regard this passage as highly authentic because it lacks the flowery language Christian scribes might add later.

This brief mention carries heavy weight in the historical community. Josephus does not preach here. He simply uses Jesus as a marker to identify James. Most historians agree that this casual reference proves Jesus was a known public figure at the time.

Pliny serves as a fascinating source because he wrote from the perspective of a frustrated government official. As the governor of Bithynia in 112 AD, he wrote a letter to Emperor Trajan asking how to handle Christians. He described their practice of gathering before dawn and singing hymns to Christ “as to a god.”

I find this letter incredible because it captures the early church in action through the eyes of an outsider. Pliny cared about law and order, not theology. His letter confirms that within a few decades of his death, Jesus had a dedicated following willing to die for him.

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus served as a court official under Emperor Hadrian. In his Lives of the Twelve Caesars, written around 121 AD, he mentions a disturbance during Claudius’s reign. He writes that the Emperor expelled Jews from Rome because they “constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus.”

Most scholars agree that “Chrestus” is a common misspelling of “Christus” or “Christ.” This aligns with the biblical account in Acts 18:2, where Paul meets Priscilla and Aquila after they left Rome. It shows that Jesus’ influence reached the empire’s capital within roughly 20 years of his death.

The Babylonian Talmud contains rabbinic writings that offer a hostile but confirming view of Jesus. In Sanhedrin 43a, the text mentions “Yeshu,” who was “hanged” on the eve of the Passover. The text accuses him of practicing sorcery and leading Israel astray.

I appreciate this source because it represents the opposition. The writers had every reason to deny his existence if he were a myth. Instead, they attempt to explain his power through sorcery. This confirms he performed deeds that people could not easily explain.

Mara bar Serapion wrote a letter to his son from prison sometime after 73 AD. He compares the deaths of Socrates, Pythagoras, and the “wise King” of the Jews. He observes that the Jews lost their kingdom after killing this wise ruler.

Though he does not use the name Jesus, scholars universally agree that he refers to him. He credits this “wise King” with laying down new laws. I think this letter is touching because it frames Jesus as a philosopher and a martyr rather than just a religious figure.

Lucian brings a touch of satire to the historical record. A Greek satirist writing in the second century, he poked fun at Christians in The Passing of Peregrinus. He calls Jesus “the man who was crucified in Palestine” and mocks his followers for worshipping him.

Lucian of Samosata describes Jesus as a “crucified sophist” who introduced new mysteries. While his goal involves ridicule, he inadvertently cements the fact that Jesus existed and died by crucifixion. It proves that even comedians of the era knew exactly who Jesus was.

Celsus wrote The True Doctrine around 175 AD as a comprehensive attack on Christianity. We know his arguments because the church father Origen wrote a massive rebuttal titled Contra Celsum. Celsus did not deny that Jesus performed miracles. Instead, he claimed Jesus learned magic in Egypt.

This mirrors the accusations found in the Talmud. I find this line of attack very telling. Celsus could not simply say “Jesus never did those things.” The evidence was likely too strong. So he attacked the source of the power rather than the events themselves.

Thallus provides one of the earliest potential references to Jesus. Although his original works are lost, Julius Africanus quotes him in a history written around 221 AD. Africanus debates Thallus regarding the darkness that fell over the land during the crucifixion. Thallus argued it was a solar eclipse.

Africanus points out that a solar eclipse cannot occur during a full moon, which falls on Passover. This debate is significant. FYI, it shows that even skeptics did not deny that the darkness occurred. They simply tried to find a natural explanation for it.

The historical existence of Jesus is supported by nine ancient non-Christian sources, including writings by Roman historians such as Tacitus and Jewish sources such as Josephus. These texts provide independent verification of his life, execution under Pontius Pilate, and the early worship practices of his followers, separating the man from the myth. Collectively, these diverse accounts from critics and historians alike confirm that Jesus was a real figure who left an undeniable mark on the ancient world.