Christian Apologetics PDF

GILGAL BIBLICAL SEMINATY Christian Apologetics Rev. Joseph Cherian Kottayam Definition * Charles C Ryrie It is a systematic study of the doctrines of the Christian faith. It is the discovery, systematizing and presentation of the truths about God. * L S Chaffer Systematic theology may be d...

GILGAL BIBLICAL SEMINATY Christian Apologetics Rev. Joseph Cherian Kottayam Definition * Charles C Ryrie It is a systematic study of the doctrines of the Christian faith. It is the discovery, systematizing and presentation of the truths about God. * L S Chaffer Systematic theology may be defined as the collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing, exhibiting and defending of all facts, from any and every source, concerning God and his works.  CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS PART - I 1. Definition and Use of Christian Apologetics A. Etymology  The word, apologetics comes from the Greek word, apologia which means defense. The word, defense indicates a defense of conduct and procedure.  The basic English translation of apologia is apology.  It was used predominantly in early times, in the legal courts of Athens.  If one was accused before the court he had the right of making a reply to the accusations.  The reply of the defendant to the accusation is called apologia.  The verb, apologestai means to make reply, to give an answer, or to legally defend one’s self.  The word, apologetics is not found in the Bible, but the noun apologia translated by the English word, defense and the verb, apologestai translated by such expression as to make reply, to give answer, or to make one’s defense, are used in the New Testament (Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1Cor. 9:3; 2Cor. 7:11; Phil. 1:7,16; 2Tim. 4:16; 1Pet. 3:15). B. For example: 1 Pet. 3:15.  But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone  who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. This verse talks about 3 things: 1. Sanctify Christ in your heart. It indicates the personal commitment on the part of the Christian. 2. Always be ready to make a defense. It is a command to every believer to be ready upon every occasion to give to everyone who asks the reason for his faith commitment. 3. Do it with gentleness and reverence. It points out the proper attitude with which the defense is to be made. It is not with intellectual pride but with meekness, fear, and a good conscience. We need to have respect to the person to whom we talk. It is because of the fact that he is also a person who is created in the image of God like us and in need of a personal Saviour. Here is a direct exhortation by an apostle for Christians to engage in apologetics. 2. What is Christian apologetics? a. A Definition of Apologetics i. “Apologetics is the branch of Christian theology which attempts to give a rational defense of the Christian faith.” ii. Apologetics is giving a reason for why you believe what you believe. iii. The English word “apologetics” comes from the Greek word apologia which means “to give a reason or defense” (1 Pet. 3:15). iv. Apologetics is also called pre-evangelism. v. An apologist is someone who defends the Christian faith. 3. Why should we do apologetics? a. The Bible Commands us to:- i. 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (NASB). ” 1. The importance of humility: 1 Cor. 8:1, “…Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.” 2. The importance of love: 1 Cor. 13:.  ii. Jude 3, “I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” 1.Jude 22, “And have mercy on some, who are doubting.” 2.Apologetics is to be coupled with mercy and love. b. Jesus Did Apologetics i. Jesus gave evidence for His claims: 1.His fulfillment of prophecy (Mk. 14:61-62; Lk. 24:44-45). ii. Jesus proved the word through deeds. 1.His Miracles a. Resurrection: Prediction (Jn. 2:19-21; cf. Mt. 12:39- 40) and Accomplishment (1 Cor. 15; Lk. 24:26-27). b.Healings (Mt. 11:2-5). 2.) Corrected false interpretations of Scripture (Mt. 4:1-11. c. Paul Did Apologetics i. Greeks at Mars Hill (Acts 17:22-34) 1. Quotes pagan poets Aratus and Epimenides. ii.Jews in the Synagogues (Acts 17:1-3) iii.False teachers within the Church (Galatians, 1 Corinthians, etc.) iv.Paul’s mission 1. Phil. 1:7 – “the defense and confirmation of the gospel” 2. Phil. 1:16 – “I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.” v. Paul’s criteria for ordaining elders 1. Titus 1:9, “Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict (cf. 2 Tim. 2:24). ” d. The Church Did Apologetics i. The Early Church with the Apostles 1.The Apostle Paul: Galatians and 1 Corinthians 2.The Apostle John: 1, 2, and 3rd John ii.The Early Church after the Apostles 1.Apologists: Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, etc. 2.Heresies: Gnosticism, Arianism, etc. a. Apologetics Helps Christians i. To better know their faith and share it more effectively. ii.To answer people’s real questions which hinder them from accepting the gospel. iii.To have influence in the public square (education, media, etc.). iv.To prevent doctrinal apostasy in the Church. v. To answer the false claims of cults and religions…. 4. The Necessity of Apologetics A. Is it really necessary to defend Christianity Apologetics is essential in a day when the foundations of our Christian faith are being challenged by both Christians and non-Christians. We are being challenged by Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and other religious groups. From within Christendom we are now being told God is dead (theology). Since we make unique claim about Christ, we need to defend the truth. Since Christianity is misunderstood as western religion, superior, intolerant, arrogant, etc., we need to give an answer to these challenges. Many non-Christians fail to consider the Gospel seriously because no one has ever presented the facts to them cogently. They associate faith with superstition and emotional considerations and therefore, they reject it. But there is an intellectual factor in the Gospel. Apart from the work of the Holy Spirit no man will believe. But one of the instruments the Holy Spirit uses to bring enlightenment is a reasonable explanation of the Gospel and of God’s dealings with men.  The bible command to the Christians to be intelligent in their faith (1 Pet. 3:15). We are confirming unbelievers in their unbelief, if we are not answering their questions repeatedly due to no thorough study. B. What do we have for defense? 1. We have the objective, external, historical facts of the Resurrection. 2. We have the subjective, internal, personal experience of Christ. We don’t have full answers to every question because the Lord has not fully revealed His mind to us on everything (Duet. 29:29; 1 Cor. 13:12). We have enough information regarding the solid foundation for faith. Faith in Christianity is based on evidence. It is reasonable faith. Faith in the Christian sense goes beyond reason but not against it. For the strengthening of our own faith and for the help of others, we must be equipped and ready to give an answer to everyone who asks us a reason for the hope that is within us. C. What Does Christian Defend? Not all things done in the name of Christ are defensible. It is the truth given in the Scripture that we have to express or defend (Jude v.3, contend for the faith). D. Who Needs Apologetics? Apologetics is needed for both non-Christians and believers. 1. NON-CHRISTIANS: For some, the Gospel is foolishness. For others, it is a myth. To some others, it is the social conditions of the people. The problem of evil and suffering may be the issue of some. Apologetics has a role to play in removing obstacles and clearing the grounds for belief. Christian apologetics must stimulate the non-Christians.  2. BELIEVERS:  Apologetics will help the believers to clear their doubts and will make them ready to give a reason for the faith that lies within.  Apologetics will help believers not to fall into the snare of certain new generation preachers and miracle workers who do a lot of magic and mimics in their ministry and lead people follow them. They look for large gathering who follow them and not for teaching truth of the Bible as it is. 5. The Task of Christian Apologetics  Apologetics should follow upon the disciplines determining the content of the Christian faith.  One has to know what he is defending before he defends it.  As a defense of the faith there are several aspects of the task confronting Christian apologetics. Such as; 1. TO ANSWER PARTICULAR OBJECTIONS, 2. TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, 3. TO CHALLENGE NON-CHRISTIAN SYSTEMS AND 4. TO PERSUADE MEN OF THE TRUTH A. TO ANSWER PARTICULAR OBJECTIONS  The Christian apologists will often find him confronted with specific objections against the Christian faith, such as, alleged contradictions between Scriptural statements.  The apologist needs to answer such objections on the basis of scholarly research and accurately dividing the Word. B. TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH  Here the apologists will have to deal with such questions as the following:  Does God exist?  Has He revealed Himself?  If so, how and where?  Why do I believe?  And most fundamental of all, how do I know that, what I believe is true? C. TO CHALLENGE NON-CHRISTIAN SYSTEMS  The earliest theologians of the church after the age of the apostles were called apologists as they had to address defenses of Christianity to the emperor or to the educated public generally.  They had to explain that, the Christian references to eating flesh and blood (Lord’s Supper) did not mean they practiced cannibalism and their talk of love did not mean they had immorality. D. TO PERSUADE MEN OF THE TRUTH  The ultimate goal of Christian apologetics is to persuade men to the truth of the Christian position.  The task of Christian apologists is a part of evangelism.  For example, Paul’s activity in this regard is described in Acts 18:4, 28 and 19:8. He was dialoguing (dialegeto). He was trying to persuade (epeithen). He was reasoning (dialogomenos) and persuading (peithon). 6. Character of The Apologist The apologist requires both spiritual and academic preparations. He must have the readiness to defend the truth always. The uniqueness of Christs’ character (holiness, love and wrath against sin) makes the apologist to worship Him and to follow him. His uniqueness, regarding the truth, wisdom and knowledge of God, encourages him to establish a close relationship with God through Christ and quench the thirst for truth and knowledge. Apologist must develop the right behavioral attitude. Wisdom from above is peace-loving, considerate and submissive (James 3:17). Must avoid arguments and vain disputes (Tit 3:9). In meekness instruct those that oppose and God may give them repentance through the acknowledging of the truth (2Tim 2:25). Biblical tolerance is the respect for the person and not the acceptance of his views. Believers are asked to pull down the strong-holds (world views) and bring them to the obedience of Christ (2Cor 10:5). Hence Biblical tolerance does not lead to syncretism which considers all truth claims to be equally valid. 1. Servant Accepting the uniqueness of Christ and making Him the Lord of one’s heart is a prerequisite for an effective apologist. Set apart Christ as the Lord in your heart. One who wants to be apologist must first confess that Jesus is the Lord (Rom 10:9) and make the commitment to obey Him (Lk 14:26). Thus conversion is the first step to become an apologist. Our perfection is dependent upon our obedience and cooperation with the Lord on a day to day basis (Phil 3:1-11; 1:3). It requires total surrender to Him, taking up the cross and following Him. There is relationship between obedience and knowledge. Without accepting Christ one cannot have any true knowledge. Without obeying His commandments one cannot have any illumination about the revealed spiritual truths. 2. Student Mt 10:24-25. The world may not appreciate and accept our knowledge and message. We must be happy if we are treated like Christ. Always be prepared (1Pet 3:15) refers to the need of study. The attitude of complete God-dependence is humility (Read 1Pet 5:5-6; 1 Cor. 8:1-2). Knowledge puffs up (1Cor 8:1). We must speak truth in love. Obedience, dependence on God and humility are necessary to understand the truths of the word of God which is more than facts and doctrines. One cannot understand the Scriptures without the enablement of HS. For this one must be humble and teachable before God. (Jesus learned obedience). Without the Holy Spirit working in the spirit of the person, one cannot correctly understand the truth in the Word of God.  3. Sympathizer During the course of the dialogue, discussion or answering the questions the apologist must show the qualities of compassion, gentleness and respect for the other person (1pet 3:15). There must be fear for the Character of God. Read Eph. 4:13-15. Give the gospel first. Use apologetics only to clarify. Helping to remove the intellectual walls will help the person to have a correct perspective on the Cross of Christ. Holy Spirit will convict. Should not attempt to get the person to agree with your personal theology. 4. Disciple Giving up all things and hate even your life. 7. What are the different methods of Christian apologetics? a. Presuppositional Apologetics i. General Characteristics: 1. Emphasizes the importance of presuppositions or the foundations of one’s thinking. 2. Assumes the existence of God and the truth of the Bible. ii.Adherents: John Frame, Greg Bahnsen, Cornelius Van Till, etc.  b. Classical Apologetics i. General Characteristics: Stresses rational argumentation for the existence of God. Eg. Conscious, Cosmological and Teleological arguments. 8. What are the various areas of Christian apologetics? a. 6 Areas of Apologetics i. Philosophical Apologetics ii. Theological Apologetics iii. Biblical Apologetics iv. Scientific Apologetics v. Religion and Cult Apologetics vi. Other Areas (History, Sociology, Business, etc.) 9. The Problem of Evil and Suffering Introduction  Evil and suffering is a common problem frequently faced by all people.  Therefore it is a common question: why does God allow innocent people to suffer?  How can a God of love permit such things in His world as war, sickness, pain and death?  Either he is not a God of love, who is indifferent to human suffering, or else He is not a God of power and is therefore helpless to do anything about.  Is it rational to believe that, a God of love could create a universe as full of pain as ours?  There are people who say, When I look at suffering in the world I can’t believe in a God of love. To me God is cruel.  Epicures, a Greek philosopher in the 4th century BC asked the same question like this.  He said, God, if he is good, able and willing there should not be any evil suffering.  If he is not good he is not God. If he is not able he is not God. So, if he is both good and able where evil does come from? Or may be there is no God.  When we look at some of the non-Christian attitude towards the problem of evil and suffering, we find that Hinduism responds with the low of karma or they say that evil is an illusion or Maya resulting from man’s faulty perspective.  Islam responds with the emphasis on the sovereignty of Allah and says, submit to the will of Allah without questioning. One can find out that all these are unacceptable solutions to the problems of evil and suffering.  Bible considers evil as real and God as love, just and righteous.  If God is love, just and righteous, how can he permit evil, injustice and unrighteousness in His world?  We must understand the fact that God has permitted evil in some way that is ultimately compatible with his goodness. How does one know this?  First of all, we must know the origin of evil (Ez.28:12-19). It is necessary to demonstrate the existence of God first in order to argue for the resurrection of Jesus (God must exist for miracles to occur).  Adherents: Norman Geisler, William Lane Craig, R C Sproul, etc. C. Evidential Apologetics i. General Characteristics: 1.They emphasize giving evidence for the Christian faith whether historical, logical etc. 2.They think miracles do not presuppose God’s existence, but can serve as evidence for His existence. a. Resurrection example ii.Adherents: B.B. Warfield, John Warwick Montgomery, Gary Habermas, etc. Which View is Correct? iii.All of the views have practical advantages and are useful in certain circumstances. 1.Presuppositional (2 Pet. 3:5) 2.Classical (Rom. 1:20) 3.Evidential (1 Cor. 15:3-8) iv. It seems that Scripture makes use of all of them in a very generic sense. v. Make up your own mind.  One aspect of problem is the inception of evil, that is, how did evil happen?  It happened by the free will of man.  We believe that God is love.  He wanted to create a person with whom he could enter into a reciprocal love relationship.  Without freedom of choice, however, love would be a meaningless thing.  One may have a love-relationship with a person who has free will but not with a robot operating at one’s own command.  God created man not as a robot, but as a person having complete choice.  If you and I possess a free will, then the possibility of our rejecting God and going our own way must be real in every sense.  Thus the possibility of evil is inherent in the very existence of freedom.  God is the ultimate goodness and created a good world, but evil resulted from the wrong choices of free and finite moral being.  You and I are the causes of all these and we have to suffer the consequences of our wrong actions and choices.  Secondly, we must know that it is a mystery.  Though we believe that God has a reason for permitting evil, we don’t fully understand it because of the limitation of human intellect.  You may not know how a radio works.  That does not mean that you should not hear a radio.  So many events in life which puzzle us, we accept them as incapable of explanation.  Bible raises the question: who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counsellor (Is. 40:13). Thirdly, we must know that God has some larger plans.  While there is much evil in this world, there is even more that is good.  This is very clear by the fact that people normally try to hang on to life as long as they can.  Furthermore, everyone instinctively recognizes that “good” is a higher order of truth than “bad.”  People continue to believe in their deepest hearts that somehow, ultimately, “right” will prevail over “wrong.”  God could be justified in creating a world in which evil is possible if He could achieve a greater good in such a world than in a world where evil is impossible. Fourthly, we must understand that God has a present purpose.  One can think positively that suffering and evil can be constructive in a person’s life.  Bible says that the experience of hardship produces character and discipline in our lives.  There are people who ask, “Why does not God stop war and terrorism in the world?  If God stopped all the trouble and all the evil in the world, then he would be compelled to eradicate you and me, for in us too there is evil which a source of suffering for others and ourselves is.  Let one imagine a world where there is no evil and suffering. What will happen? Then there would be no need of work and helping others, right and wrong would not have any meaning.  Creativity and science would be impossible.  There, we believe suffering as constructive. Fifthly, we must know that God has a final purpose.  With our full faith in God’s goodness and in Christ’s redemption, we can recognize that our present sufferings can be turned to His glory and our good.  Paul said, I consider that our present sufferings are not work comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18).  Paul is talking about the future glory that is to be revealed.  He has no doubt about the hardness for following Christ.  This future glory or ultimate manifestation of God in Christ will be no mere objective vision alone, but a subjective transformation of the believers’ character.  Whether or not we feel in agreement with apostle Paul, we should at least be prepared to admit that, in our present inevitably limited perspective this kind of questions of suffering and evil need not deter us from considering the claims of the One who himself suffered on the Cross of Calvary.  When we see all these pains, loses of families and friends, much sorrow and sufferings in this world, the Lord is teaching us one thing, that is, Jesus Christ did not come to take away our pain and suffering, but to share in it.  Often we will think of ourselves as more reasonable than God and more compassionate.  But God was not mourning for his people from a distance.  His own son, Jesus, had suffered the defeat of physical pain and death, and is still suffering with the suffering of his children.  We do not weep alone. Jesus Christ weeps with us.  Our sadness is only for a season.  He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.  The sufferings of a person who has not yet believed in Jesus Christ is often used by the Holy Spirit to cause him to realize his need of salvation and to turn to Christ in repentance and faith.  The sufferings of Christians should always be the means of developing a stronger dependence on God and a more Christ- like character.  Therefore, God is loving and merciful even when ‘for the present’ he allowed trials and sufferings to come in our lives.  Apostle Paul again comforts us saying, For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Rom. 8:28a).  10. An Apologia for the Resurrection of Jesus Introduction  The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest wonder in the annals of history.  Through the resurrection, Jesus demonstrated that He does not stand in a line of peers with Buddha, Mohammed, or many other founders of a world religion.  They died and are still dead, but Christ is risen.  The resurrection is the very capstone in the arch of Christianity.  It is the singular doctrine, which elevated Christianity above all the pagan religions of the ancient Mediterranean world.  As Paul put it, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins...If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Cor. 15:17, 19).  It is precisely because of the resurrection’s strategic importance that each Christian must be prepared to defend its historicity. A. Fact:  The resurrection of Jesus Christ is an undeniable fact of history.  Any cross-examination of the eyewitness testimonies recorded in Scripture would result in an undoubting conviction of their integrity, ability and truth. B. Empty Tomb:  The first major fact supporting the resurrection of Christ is the empty tomb.  Even the enemies of Christ admitted that the tomb was empty.  The record shows that they even attempted to bribe the guards to say the body had been stolen (Mtt. 28:11-15).  If the Jewish leaders had stolen the body, they could have later openly displayed it to prove that Jesus had not risen from the dead. The fact of the empty tomb has never been refuted. C. Appearances:  The second major fact supporting the resurrection is the appearances of Christ after the resurrection.  He appeared to over 500 eyewitnesses at a single time (1 Cor. 15:6).  He also appeared to, many other people as well, providing many convincing proofs of His resurrection (Acts 1:3).  Christ in His resurrection body was even touched on two occasions (Mtt. 28:9; Jn. 20:17), and challenged the disciples (Lk. 24:39) and Thomas (Jn. 20:27) to feel His wounds. D. Transformation:  The third great apologetic for the resurrection is the radical transformation, which took place in the lives of Christ’s disciples.  Before the resurrection, they might best have been characterized as cowards. After the resurrection, they were transformed into lion of the faith.  Despite intense persecution and even cruel deaths they testified to the truth of the resurrection.  While it is conceivable that some people might die for what they believed to be the truth, it is inconceivable that so many would die for what they knew to be false.  Not only did the resurrection of Christ transform the disciples from cowards to lions of the faith, but also His resurrection continues to transform lives today.  Because Christ lives, the Scripture says, we will live also.  In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, our bodies shall be transformed into resurrected bodies like unto His resurrected body.  Indeed, the evidence for Christ’s resurrection is so overwhelming that no one can examine it with an open mind without becoming convinced of its truth. 11. An Apologia for Reliability of the Bible  If we can successfully accomplish defending the fact that the Bible is divine, we can answer a host of other objections simply by appealing to Scripture. A. Manuscripts: Since we don’t have the original biblical manuscripts, the question is, How good are the copies?  The answer is that the Bible has stronger manuscript support than any other work of classical literature-including Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Caesar, and Tacitus.  The reliability of Scripture is also confirmed through the eyewitness credentials of the authors.  Moses, for example, participated in and was an eyewitness to the remarkable events of the Egyptian captivity, the Exodus, the forty years in the desert, and Israel’s final encampment before entering the Canaan, all of which are accurately chronicled in the Old Testament.  The New Testament has the same kind of eyewitness authenticity.  Luke says that he gathered the eyewitness testimony and carefully investigated everything (Lk. 1:1-3).  Peter reminded his readers that the disciples “did not follow cleverly invented stories” but were eyewitness of Majesty” (2 Pet. 1:16).  Secular historians confirm the many events, people, places, and customs chronicled in the New Testament.  Secular historians like Josephus (before A.D. 100), the Roman Tacitus (around A.D. 120), the Roman Suetonius (A.D. 110), and the Roman Governor Pliny the Younger (A.D. 110), all affirm historical New Testament references.  Early church leaders such as Irenaeus, Tertullian, Julius Africanus, and Clement of Rome-all writing before A.D. 250-also shed light on New Testament historical accuracy.  Even skeptical historians agree that the New Testament is a remarkable historical document. B. Archaeology:  The archaeology and careful biblical interpretation affirms the reliability of the Bible.  It is telling when a secular scholar must revise his biblical criticism in light of solid archaeological evidence.  For years, critics dismissed the book of Daniel, partly because there was no evidence that a king named Belshazzar ruled in Babylon during that period. Later archaeological research confirmed that, the reigning monarch, Nabonidus, appointed Belshazzar as his coregent while he was waging war away from Babylon.  A biblical skeptic, Sir William Ramsay, a well trained archaeologist; he set out to disprove the historical reliability of Luke and Acts of the New Testament.  But through his painstaking Mediterranean archaeological trips, he became converted as, one after another, the historical allusions of Luke were proved accurate.  Truly, with every turn of the archaeologist’s spade we continue to see evidence for the trustworthiness of Scripture. C. Prophecy:  The Bible records predictions of events, that could not be known or predicted by chance or common sense.  Critics argued that various passages were written later than the biblical texts indicated, because they recounted events that happened sometimes hundreds of years later than when they supposedly were written.  They concluded that, subsequent to the events, literary editors went back and “doctored” the original, non-predictive texts.  But this is simply wrong. Careful research affirms the predictive accuracy of the Bible.  For example, the book of Daniel (Written before 530 B.C.) accurately predicts the progression of kingdoms from Babylon through the Medo-Persian Empire, the Greek Empire, and then the Roman Empire, culminating in the persecution and suffering of the Jews under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, his desecration of the temple, his untimely death, and freedom for the Jews under Judas Maccabeus (165 B.C.)  Old Testament prophecies concerning the Phoenician city of Tyre were fulfilled in ancient times, including prophecies that the city would be opposed by many nations (Ez. 26:3); its walls would be destroyed and towers broken down (26:4); and its stones, timbers, and debris would be thrown into the water (26:12).  Similar prophecies wee fulfilled concerning Sidon (Ezek.28:23; Is. 23; Jer. 27:3-6; 47:4) and Babylon (Jer. 50:13, 39; 51:26, 42, 43, 58; Is. 13:20, 21).  Since Christ is the culminating theme of the Old Testament and the Living Word of the New Testament, it should not be surprised us that, prophecies regarding Him outnumber all others.  Many of these prophecies would have been impossible for Jesus to deliberately conspire to fulfill-such as His descent from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen. 12:3; 17:19); His birth In Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); His crucifixion with criminals (Is. 53:12); the piercing of His hands and feet on the cross (Ps. 22:16); the soldiers’ gambling for His clothes (Ps. 22:18); the piercing of His side and the fact that His bones were not broken at His death (Zech. 12:10; Ps. 34:20); and His burial among the rich (Is. 53:9).  Jesus also predicted His own death and resurrection (Jn. 2:19-22).  Predictive prophecy is a principle of Bible reliability that often reaches even the hard-boiled sceptic! D. Statistics:  It is statistically preposterous, that any or all of the Bible’s specific, detailed prophecies could have been fulfilled through chance, good guessing, or deliberate deceit.  When you look at some of the improbable prophecies of the Old and New Testament, It seems incredible that sceptics-knowing the authenticity and historicity of the texts-could reject the statistical verdict: The Bible is the Word of God, and Jesus Christ is the divine Messiah, just as Scripture predicted many times and in many ways.  The Bible was written over a span of 1600 years by 40 authors in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), on hundreds of subjects.  And yet there is one consistent, non-contradictory theme that runs through it all: God’s redemption of humankind. Clearly, statistical probability concerning biblical prophecy is a powerful indicator of the trustworthiness of Scripture. 12. Christian Cults How to identify a Christian Cult? A. General Symptoms seen in every Christian Cults 1. Charismatic Leader 2. A Theology or Philosophy which may seem right at first sight 3. Trinity Rejection 4. Rejecting the Divinity of Jesus Christ 5. Rejecting the Personality of the Holy Spirit 6. Foundation won’t be based on only Bible 7. False Prophecies 8. Teaching of Salvation through works 9. Secret Behaviour 10. Brain Washing 11. Claiming they are the only real Church B. Why do people fall into these Cults? 1. Ignorance of the Word of God 2. Thirst to Newness 3. Brain Washing 4. Satanic Power C. Some Major Christian Cults 1. Jehovah Witness 2. Sabbath (7th Day Adventist) 3. Only Jesus (Branham Teaching) 4. Mormonism 5. Christadelphians 6. Christian Science 7. Children of God 8. Unification Church, etc. Jehovah Witness Believe in one God, who is Jehovah. They deny Trinity Deny the absolute deity of Jesus as he is created and first born. He is powerful bur Thank You Blessings