1. The Credibility Of It Founder
Jesus Christ said He came from heaven to die for our sins, and to bring to His Father all who believe in Him.
Logic says that He was either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord of heaven. His followers saw his miracles, " heard his teachings, examined his blameless life, witnessed his terrible death and saw Him alive again. They concluded, " We have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"
John 6:68-69.
2. The Reliability Of Its Book
Written over a period of about 1,600 years by 40 different outhors, the Bible tell one story that begins with creation and concludes on the threshold of eternity.
The integrity of its historical and geographical record is supported by archeology. The accuracy with which it has been copied and handed down to us has been confirmed by the Dead sea Scrolls of Qumran.
3. Its Explanations for Life
All religious systems attempt to give meaning to our existence, to explain our thirst for significance, the problem of pain,and the inevitability of death.
All religions attempt to apply the design of the cosmos to our individual lives. It is Christ who reveals a Father who takes note of every sparrow that falls, afather who numbers even the hairs of our head (matthew 10:29-31), a God who shows how much He cares for all that He has created. It is Christ who clothed Himself in our humanity to feel whatwe fel, and then to suffer and die in our place.
4. Its Continuity With the Past
Those who trust Christ are accepting the same Creator and Lord worshiped by Adam, Abraham, Sarah, and Solomon.
The christian fatith is not new with Christ. From Genesis to Revelation it is one story. It is His story __ and ours (Act 2:22-39), (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)
5. Its Foundational Claim
The first Christians were witnesses who risked their lives to tell the world that they had seen an innocent man die and then miraculously resurrected 3 days later (Act 5:17-42).
They testified that Jesus was crucified under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. His body was buried and sealed in a borrowed tomb. Guard were posted to prevent gravde tampering. Yet after 3 days the tomb was empty and witnesseswere risking their lives to declare that He was alive.
6. Its Power to Change life
The first disciples were not the only ones who were dramatically changed. Paul, one of their worst enemies, was transformed from a christian killer into one of their chief advocates (Galatians 1:11-24).
Later Paul wrote about this power to change live, "Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually inmmoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offtenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you are washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of Jeses Christ" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
7. Its Analysis Of Human Nature
Many want to believe that our problems are rooted in ignorance, diet, and govermment.
But Jesus pointed to sin in the heart. "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. This are the things which defile a man" (Matthew 15:19-20)
8. Its View Of Human Achievement
Generation after generation has hoped for the best. We fought wars that would end all wars.
We developed educational theories that would produce enlightened, nonviolent children. We conceived technologies that would make life easier for ourselves. Inspite of our mankind's high hopes and efforts, this world is approaching a terrible endtime predicted by the Bible (Matthew 15:19-20), (1 Timothy 3:1-5).
9. Its Impact on society
A carpenter from Nazareth changed the world. Calendars and dated documents bear silent witness to His birth.
Basic Christian values have been foundational to social morality, work ethic and social relief efforts.
10. Its Ofer of Salvation
The Christian faith offers forgiveness and adoption into God's family by trusting Christ
The salvation Christ offers does not depend on what we have done for Him, But on our acceptance of what He has done for us, This salvation requires a helpless admissionof our sins and a confession of failure. (Ephesians 2:8:10)
