Introduction
I Peter 3:15-16 – “to give an answer” – apologia – “verbal defense, a speech in defense”
Jesus was an actual historical being.
I believe the Old Testament is a revelation from God.
Three things make the Old Testament unique.
Claims of miraculous historical events
What is the best evidence that these claims are valid?
Jesus and Old Testament inspiration
Luke 24:44-45 – “Scriptures” here refers to the Old Testament
The Old Testament was viewed as three parts:
The Law of Moses – Genesis through Deuteronomy
The Prophets – Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the 12 minor prophets
The Psalms – Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentation, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles
Claims of inspiration in the law
Exodus 24:4; Leviticus 1:1; Numbers 1:1; Deuteronomy 4:2Claims of inspiration in the prophets
“Thus says the Lord” – 3,308 times!Zechariah 7:12; Nehemiah 9:30Claims of inspiration in the psalms
Acts 1:!6 – the Holy Spirit spoke by DavidPsalms 95:7, referenced in Hebrews 3:7Psalms 45:6, referenced in Hebrews 1:8Psalms 102:23, 27, referenced in Hebrews 1:10-12Spoken to you by God – Matthew 27:31-32 refers to Exodus 3:6The scripture saysJohn 6:42 is the same as “God says,” Micah 5:2; 1:1David in the SpiritJesus quotes David, Psalms 110:1, and says he was “in the spirit,” Matthew 22:43Jesus quoted from each of the three sections.Jesus and Old Testament prophecy
Matthew 24:15 – Daniel the prophetIsaiah – Isaiah 61:1; 6:9-10
Luke 4:16-21; Matthew 13:14-15
Daniel – Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11
Zechariah – Zechariah 13:7
Prophecies in the book of Daniel
Media-Persia, 5390330 B.C.
Antiochus Epiphanes, 175 B.C.
Media-Persia
Daniel’s first prophecy of Media-Persia – 605 B.C.Media-Persia ascended to prominence – 539 B.C.605-539: 66 years prior to fulfillmentGreece
Daniel’s first prophecy of Greece – 605 B.C.Greece ascended to prominence – 330 B.C.605-330: 275 years prior to fulfillmentAlexander the Great
Daniel’s first prophecy of Alexander the Great – 547 B.C.Alexander the Great ascended to prominence – 330 B.C.547-330: 217 years prior to fulfillmentRome
Daniel’s first prophecy of Rome – 605 B.C.Rome ascended to prominence – 27 B.C.605-27: 578 years prior to fulfillmentJesus and Old Testament historical events
The preaching of Jonah – Luke 11:32Ark and flood – Genesis 6-8
Sodom/Gomorrah – Genesis 19
Brazen serpent – Numbers 21
Jonah and fish – Jonah 1-2
Conclusion
Old Testament claims of inspiration?
Old Testament claims of prophetic messages?
Old Testament claims of miraculous historical events?
Did He know better and was lying?
Did He think they were true and was a fool?
Was He sane and telling the truth?
To believe in the sanity and veracity of Jesus is to believe God is the Divine author of the Old Testament.
