The Case for Christ, Chapter 14 -- The Circumstantial Evidence #leestrobel #caseforchrist

Are there any supporting facts that point to the resurrection? J.P. Moreland, PHD. Strobel asks for five pieces of circumstantial evidence that Jesus rose from the dead, information that no one could dispute that Jesus had risen from the dead.

1. The changed lives of the apostles, the frightened group of men who were depressed and scared when Jesus died, but boldly proclaimed the gospel at their own peril, no earthly rewards, and all but one went to his death while all were persecuted the rest of their lives.

2. Critics who were against Christ while he was alive, changed and became followers, worshipers of Christ.

3. Paul, who persecuted/executed Christians became their chief spokesperson.

4. Jews survived as a nation because after t1500 years of being conquered by other nations, they kept their traditions and customs so they wouldn't be assimilated into their conquering nations. Jesus, an obscure lower-class rabi who has a group of disjointed followers gets in trouble and is crucified and within five weeks, 10,000 Jews are willing to give up all of their customs as a nation saying they had seen him risen from the dead.

5. After Jesus died, the animal sacrifice system stopped, a 1500 year tradition. Jews began to worship Jesus as God, which was blasphemy before.

6. The emergence of communion and Baptism (okay, so I lost count, but I'm up to six). They gather to celebrate the execution of their savior--how does that make sense at all without his resurrection?

7. This group of ragtag, disjointed followers outlasted the Roman Empire--the mighty, mighty Roman Empire!