So That You May Believe

John 20:30-31
“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). John makes it clear why certain miracles were written down and certain weren’t. The purpose of the writings is so that we may believe. But, what about the person who believes that the scriptures are made up? They believe there is no God and that Christianity is the largest perpetuated hoax in the history of man-kind. Is it possible to use scriptures to prove them wrong? I would say, yes and no. Scriptures by themselves. no. Scriptures with the support that history and archeology gives it. Absolutely! For example, Pilate is mentioned throughout the scriptures, namely when he was questioned for writing “Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.” On an inscription over Jesus’ head (John 19:16-22).  According to Randall Price’s book “The Stones Cry Out,” In 1961 an Italian archaeological team found a stone tablet that was 32 inches high, 27 inches wide, 8 inches thick that was inscribed “Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea” which is nearly the same title used in Luke 3:1. Much of Luke’s writings, because he is such a meticulous historian, are called into question and time again they prove to be factual. One situation where his accounts are questioned is Acts 17 in Thessalonica when Paul and Silas “turn the world upside down.” The text says they called before them the “city authorities” or “rulers of the city.” Critics claimed the Luke was uninspired because that is the only time in the New Testament that that phrase is used and in the Greek it had never been used for a city official. Of course, in 1960 Carl Schuler found 32 inscriptions using the same greek word, politarchas, and roughly 19 of the 32 came from the region of Thessalonica. I love archeology because every time there is a discovery, and I mean literally every time, it proves God’s infallible word to be true. I love you all!
In His service,
Steven Hugley