Greek philosophy was a type of Gnosticism
- They had gods that they named like Zeus or Poseidon
- These Greek gods existed during the time of Jesus on earth
- The Gospel of Christ started in the holy land of Israel Matt 4:23
- Paul warned that a new form of Christianity would take place, an example today are the Greek Orthodox Churches 2 Cor 11:4
- Then Catholicism started forming
The Gospel was combating against Gnosticism
- Gospel of God is also called the Gospel of Christ Rom 1:1, 1:16
- Some people have different opinions on who Jesus is Matt 16:13-15
- The Gnostic faith desires knowledge in Christ rather than faith
- John writes the gospel & epistles to show Christ is not a theory I John 1:1
- Which we have heard refers to knowing Jesus from age 30-33 I John 1:3
- John writes his books in the Bible about 90AD
- John says Jesus existed before he became a baby in Mary’s arm John 1:1
- In the beginning in 1 John 1:1 and John 1:1 refers to beginning of time
- The Jews had a problem with Jesus because they saw Him grow up from birth to 30 years old, then He claims to be God’s Son Mark 6:2-4
- They knew Jesus as a man, prophet, and a carpenter Mark 6:2-4
- People in 2017 say Jesus is God
What we believe about Jesus’ life on earth
- What you know about His life 0-30 years old will determine what you believe about Him from 30-33 years old
- Jesus knew who His Father was at an early age Luke 2:49
- Jesus had friends who saw Him grow up Mark 3:21
- Jesus had brothers and sisters who saw Him grow up Mark 3:31
- James (the Lord’s half brother) is one of many pieces of evidence that Jesus existed before age 30 Gal 1:19, Matt 13:55-56
- After the resurrection, James becomes the head of the church Acts 15:1-29
- James had the same mother (Mary) that Jesus had Matt 13:55-56
The life of Jesus shows us that He was like us (flesh and blood)
- Jesus was sleepy everyday like us, he would rise to pray Mark 1:35
- Jesus was sleeping through the stormy sea Mark 4:38
- Jesus was hungry at times, so he ate John 4:31
- Jesus wept John 11:35
Jesus & John the Baptist lived two different lifestyles
- John the Baptist wore camel raiment and ate locust Matt 3:4
- Jesus dressed & ate like most Galileans Matt 11:11-19
- They both knew each other
- They didn’t know each other much because they lived different lifestyles, but they were the same age Luke 1:36
- John the Baptist’s mother and the mother of Jesus were “countrymen,” not cousins in the sense we use it Luke 1:35-36, Dakes ref. e
- Elizabeth was from the tribe of Levi, and Joseph and Mary from the tribe of Judah through David
John the Baptist knows Jesus by the Spirit
- Because of their different lifestyles, this gave John the ability to know Jesus by the Spirit John 1:33-34
- John says, “Behold the Lamb of God” John 1:29
- He baptized Jesus to fulfill all righteousness Matt 3:15
- Parents need to know their children by the Spirit I Cor 12:10
- Then the parents will be able to read & discern whether or not their child is telling the truth Pro 7:7
- Some children can fool their parents 1 Sam 13:4-17
- Some parents are still in denial even after their child gets in trouble, they say their child was falsely accused
- When Jesus was on earth He was not divine yet
- Some theologians say he was human & divine (God & man)
- Divine means immortal, which Jesus wasn’t till after the resurrection Matt 28:18
- When we become divine or immortal we will live forever John 10:10
- Jesus was human on his mother’s side, but His Father’s side Rom 8:3
- He is God’s Son and He knew no sin 2 Cor 5:21
- Sin is always passed down from the father Rom 5:12-14
Eyewitness accounts of Jesus after the resurrection
- Jesus is the only one we know who was risen from the grave and who walked upon the earth, and the Gnostics refute this fact 1Cor. 15:20
- John writes to prove that Jesus’ resurrection actually happened 1 John 1:1-3
- Jesus says, “A spirit has not flesh and bones” Luke 24:39
- Jesus tells Thomas to touch and believe John 20:25-29
- Some saw Jesus on the road to Emmaus and in the room the next day Luke 24:13-36
- Jesus blessed the food at the dinner table and vanished from them Luke 24:31
- Jesus ate at the dinner table with family and friends oftentimes Mark 14:22
- Today some families don’t eat together at home
- Families should continue eating together at home because it unifies them, and gives them a strong foundation at home
