Romans 1:16-17, “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Notes in pdf.

Understanding the Gospel

  1. The Word’s Pre-Existence as God: John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
  2. The Son of God’s Virgin Birth & Incarnation: Matthew 1:20-23, “20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).”
  3. Jesus’ Sinless Life: John 8:46, “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?”
  4. Jesus’ Substitutionary Death on the Cross: Hebrews 2:14-15, “14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
  5. Jesus’ Burial & Work in Hades: Ephesians 4:7-10, “7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)”
  6. Jesus’ Resurrection: Acts 1:3, “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
  7. Jesus’ Ascension & Promised Second Coming: Acts 1:9-11, “9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Five Main Arguments for the Gospel

(1) Argument from Fulfilled Prophecy: Jesus fulfilled so much prophecy that it would be impossible for anyone else to do without being the Son of God.

  1. Premise 1: God gave specific prophecies in the Bible that pertain to the Messiah, God’s Son.
  2. Premise 2: Jesus fulfilled the Bible’s prophecies.
  3. Conclusion: Therefore, Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.

353 Prophecies Fulfilled Chart

(2) Argument from the New Testament’s Witness: The New Testament records the miracles and teachings of Jesus as the Son of God, who died and rose for salvation.

  1. Premise 1: The New Testament gives a clear description of the gospel.
  2. Premise 2: The New Testament is reliable.
  3. Conclusion: Therefore, the gospel is true.

Great video giving defense of the NT

(3) Argument from Paul’s Conversion: Paul’s testimony proves Christianity to be true.

  1. Premise 1: Paul was converted from Judaism to Christianity by meeting Jesus after His resurrection.
  2. Premise 2: Paul’s conversion and letters are recorded in God’s Word.
  3. Conclusion: Therefore, Paul was shown the truth of Christianity.

Dr. Craig’s article

(4) Argument from the Christian Faith: The Christian religion has grown from the early testimony of disciples based on the gospel.

  1. Premise 1: The disciples said they saw the resurrected Jesus and were willing to die for their belief.
  2. Premise 2: People are not willing to die for what they know is a lie.
  3. Conclusion 1: Therefore, Jesus rose from the dead.

Dr. Craig’s article

(5) Argument from Changed Lives: Lives are continually being changed by the gospel.

  1. Premise 1: The gospel promises to change people’s lives whenever they confess Jesus is Lord.
  2. Premise 2: Those who confess Jesus is Lord are changed.
  3. Conclusion: Therefore, Jesus is Lord.

Testimonies of Muslims coming to Jesus through visions, More Than Dreams

III. Answering Attacks Against the Historicity of the New Testament

(1) Argument from Jesus: Jesus Himself, according to all accounts, believed Himself to be the Son of God who came to die for the sins of the world.

  1. Premise 1: The historic Jesus claimed to be the Son of God that came to die and rise for the mankind’s salvation.
  2. Premise 2: Jesus did die and rise from the dead.
  3. Conclusion: Therefore, Jesus was the Son of God and is the Savior of all mankind.

Reinventing Jesus, by Daniel Wallace.

(2) Argument from Mere Christianity: Even if all we knew was what most scholars agreed upon, Jesus is Lord.

  1. Premise 1: All major historians agree Jesus lived, died and was believed to have given resurrection apprearances.
  2. Premise 2: Jesus rising from the dead is the only rational claim that supports all the agreed upon evidence.
  3. Conclusion: Therefore, Jesus rose from the dead.

Dr. Gary Habermas’ minimal facts video

Review Questions

  1. Describe with Scripture references the seven main parts of the gospel.
  2. List and describe the five main arguments for the gospel.
  3. List and describe the two main arguments against skepticism.