Apologetics - IV

"CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS"
Evidence For The Early Existence Of The New Testament

The New Testament presents itself as a historical record of events that supposedly occurred during the First Century A.D. How reliable is it? How do we determine the reliability of any ancient document that professes to record events of history? To establish the reliability of ANY historical document, one of the first questions to be raised is:
"How soon after the events took place were they recorded?" Applied to the New Testament, this involves trying to determine what evidence there is for THE EARLY EXISTENCE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT...
Why is evidence for the early existence of the New Testament crucial? If some event is recorded long after it occurred it is not likely to have been written by "eyewitnesses". It is not likely to have been written when "other eyewitnesses" were around to confirm or dispute its accuracy. It’s credibility would be weakened; for example, which would be the more credible source for information about an event that occurred during The Civil War Between The States. A present day writer depending totally upon second-hand sources? Or diaries and letters written by eyewitnesses of the event? Of course, it would be necessary to show that such diaries and letters were authentic and where possible shown to be accurate.

During the last Century, some scholars asserted that the Gospels and the Book of Acts did not exist before 130 A.D. This would mean the Gospels and Acts were not written by eyewitnesses! Rather, it was written by frauds who misrepresented themselves as eyewitnesses! For the author of Acts claims to have been present during some of the events described in that book - cf. "we" in Ac 16:11-12 "Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days." The author of the Second Epistle Of Peter claims to have been an eyewitness of the Transfiguration - 2 Pe 1:16-18 "For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: and this voice we ourselves heard borne out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount."

Written by eyewitnesses and others who lived during those times, or a book written by liars in a effort to deceive...these are the only choices we have! This is why it is important to establish the early existence of the New Testament! Looking at the evidence for the early existence of the New Testament we find internal evidence at the ending of the Book of Acts. The book ends abruptly with Paul in prison, awaiting trial - Ac 28:30-31 "And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him."

A plausible explanation is that Luke wrote ACTS during this time, before Paul finally appeared before Nero. This would be about 62-63 A.D., meaning that ACTS and LUKE (which came first - cf. Ac 1:1 with Lk 1:1-4) were written within thirty years of the ministry and death of Jesus. There is no mention of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Matthew, Mark and Luke record Jesus' prophecy that the temple and city would be destroyed within that generation - e.g., Mk 13:1-4 "And as he went forth out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings! And Jesus said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left here one stone upon another, which shall not be thrown down. And as he sat on the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when these things are all about to be accomplished?", 14 "But when ye see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains:", 30 "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, until all these things be accomplished."; Lk 21:5-9 "And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, ehe said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in which there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when therefore shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when these things are about to come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them. And when ye shall hear of wars and tumults, be not terrified: for these things must needs come to pass first; but the end is not immediately.", 20-24 "But when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand. Then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of her depart out; and let not them that are in the country enter therein. For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! for there shall be great distress upon the land, and wrath unto this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all the nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.", 32 "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished."

History records that in 70 A.D. Jerusalem with its temple was destroyed, exactly as Jesus foretold! Yet not a single book of the New Testament refers to this event as having happened! Such would be very unlikely if they had been written after 70 A.D. For that event helps to verify Jesus' claim to be the Son of God, and it is hard to imagine that any writer after 70 A.D. would not make mention to the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy! This has prompted some scholars to conclude that ALL of the books of the New Testament were written prior to 70 A.D.- e.g., John A. T. Robinson, in his book REDATING THE NEW TESTAMENT

In our continuation of this lesson we will be looking at the evidence for the early existence of the New Testament in what we can find in papyri fragments.

God Bless,
Jim Newsted