Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

Mark A. Copeland
evidence for our New Testament writings is ever so much greater than the
evidence for many writings of classical authors, the authenticity of which no one
dreams of questioning. And if the New Testament were a collection of secular
writings, their authenticity would generally be as beyond all doubt.” - F. F. Bruce
C. IF NOT TRUE, THE NEW TESTAMENT IS A CAREFULLY CONTRIVED LIE...
1. The writers of the New Testament leave us no alternative
a. They are either “eyewitnesses” or “false witnesses” - 1 Co 15:14-15
b. Either the events occurred as described, or they are “cunningly devised fables” - 2 Pe
1:16-18
2. We cannot say they might have been sincerely deceived
a. Especially in reference to the resurrection of Jesus
1) They claim they ate and drank with Him afterwards - Ac 10:39-41
2) They claim they saw and touched Him - 1 Jn 1:1-4
b. They leave us no room saying they were mistaken or deceived!
1) Some sympathetic skeptics have tried to offer this as an alternative
2) That perhaps in their grief and loss over the crucifixion of Jesus they hallucinated or
had grief-inspired visions of Jesus
3) But “hallucinations” and “visions” are highly individualistic experiences
a) One person might see the hallucination or vision
b) But several or many people don’t see the same vision at the same time!
4) As outlined in the gospels and also 1 Co 15:4-8, the resurrection appearances of
Jesus were often witnessed by many at the same time (over 500 on one occasion!)
-- So they leave us no choice; either the New Testament is a “Book Of Truth,” or it is
a “Book of Lies”
[At this point I believe I can fairly say that no one can deny these three facts:
Jesus lived
The evidence for The New Testament as a historical document is overwhelming
If not true, it is a carefully contrived lie!
Given that these facts are undeniable, then consider with me...]
II. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE FACTS
A. WE ARE FORCED TO MAKE A DECISION...
1. Concerning Jesus
a. We can’t deny that He lived
b. Therefore we must decide who He is
1) Is He what His followers claimed, the Son of God? - cf. Mt 16:13-17
2) Or is the New Testament’s representation of Him false?
2. Concerning the evidence of the New Testament as a historical document
a. We can’t deny the overwhelming evidence for the New Testament
b. Therefore we must decide concerning its historical reliability
1) Will we accept it on the same basis we accept other historical documents?
2) If so, then will we either accept it at face value, or reject it and along with all other
historical documents whose evidence are much less?
3. Concerning whether the New Testament is true
Topical Sermons 295