Notes:

1. The role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers (those who have come to Christ) is: To change us from the inside out to be like Jesus Christ – Galatians 5:16-26; To confirm the fact that we have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ – Romans 8:15-17, I Thessalonians 1:5, I John 3:24. To empower us to be witnesses for Christ and proclaim the Gospel – Acts 1:8. For a believer in Jesus Christ (someone who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord), there is an evidence that goes beyond the objective based facts of the Gospel. It is the inner, subjective work and witness of the Holy Spirit.The role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people who have not come to faith in Christ is: To convict them of the reality of their sin; To convince them of God’s absolute righteousness; To reveal to them their complete failure and condemnation before the righteous standard of God. – John 16:7-11. Every person who receives Christ experiences this inner work of the Holy Spirit showing them their need of a Savior.

2. The following is a list of the most common alleged contradictions in the Gospel Record.

1. The Genealogies of Jesus – Matthew 1:1-17. Luke 3:23-38.

2. The healing of the two blind men at Jericho –

3. The lists of the apostles – Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:13.

4. Christ’s last tour – Matthew 19:1; 20:17,29; John 10:40, 11:17,54.

5. Christ’s miracles concealed – Matthew 9:30; Mark 5:19,43; Luke 7:22.

6. Christ has revealed everything – John 15:15; 16:12.

7. John the Baptist identified with Elijah – Matthew 17:12,13; Mark 9:13; John 1:21.

8. The location of Bethsaida – Mark 6:32, 45, 53.

9. Christ ascended at Bethany or the Mount of Olives – Luke 24:50,51; Acts 1:9, 17.

10. Jesus’ first sermon on a plain or a mountain – Matthew 5:1,2; Luke 6:17,20.

11. Country of Gergesenes or Gadarenes – Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1;

12. Peter’s residence at Capernaum or Bethsaida – Mark 1:21,29; John 1:44.

13. One animal or two – Mark 11:27; Matthew 21:2-7.

14. Rulers knew Christ or not – Matthew 21:38; John 16:3; Acts 3:7; I Corinthians 2:8.

15. Jesus approached by the centurion or by the elders of the Jews – Matthew 8:5; Luke 7:3,6,7.

16. The lepers – Matthew 8:13,14; Mark 1:29,30, 40-42.

17. Who approached Jesus – Was Jarius’ daughter dead? – Matthew 9:18; Mark 5:23.

18. John the Baptist details – Matthew 11:2,3; Luke 7:18-22; John 1:29-36.

19. Who made the request? – Matthew 20:2,21; Mark 10:35-37.

20. Cursing the fig tree details – Matthew 21:17-19; Mark 11:14,15,20.

21. To Egypt or not – Luke 2:22,39; Matthew 2:15,19,21,23.

22. Judas’s death – Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18.

23. The purchase of the Potter’s field – Acts 1:18; John 20:1.

24. Eutychus was dead or was life still in him? – Acts 20:9; 2o:10.

25. Saul’s attendants heard a voice or not – Acts 9:7; 22:9; 26:14.

26. Paul’s mis-statement? – Acts 20:35.

27. Account of Jesus’ sermon – Matthew 5:1; 6:9-13; 7:28; Luke 11:1-4.

28. Temptation account order – Matthew 4:5-8; Luke 4:5-9.

29. Satan entered Judas before or after he left – John 13:27; Luke 23:4,7.

30. Holy Spirit given at Pentecost or before – Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-4; John 20:22.

31. When was Jesus crucified? – Mark 15:25; John 19:14,15.

32. The response of the two thieves – Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:32; Luke 23:39,40.

33. Christ bore his cross or Simon – John 19:17; Luke 22:26.

34. Christ’s last drink – Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23.

35. Sepulchre visited at sunrise – Mark 16:2; John 20:1.

36. Peter’s denial, rooster crows once or twice – Matthew 20:34,74,75; Mark:14:29,30; Luke: 22:34;

37. Length of time Jesus was in the tomb – Matthew 12:40, 16:21; Mark 8:31; John 2:19;

38. How many angels at the tomb – Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-7; John 20:11-18;

39. How many women at the tomb – Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1;

40. What time was Jesus crucified – Mark 15:25; John 19:14,15.

41. What was the nationality of the woman – Matthew 15:22; Mark 7:26.

42. Can one pray in public – Matthew 6:5,6; I Timothy 2:8.

43. Are works to be seen – Matthew 5:16; I Peter 2:2; Matthew 6:1-4; Matthew 23:3-5

44. Can all sins be forgiven – Acts 13:39; Mark 3:29.

45. Was it lawful for the Jews to put people to death – John 19:7; 18:31.

46. Matthew attributes a prophecy to Jeremiah when it was actually stated by Zechariah – Matthew 27: 9,10; Zechariah 11:12,13.

47. Two Passover times – John 18:28; 19:14; 13:1,2; Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:1-34.

48. Mustard seed – smallest of all seeds – Matthew 13:31,32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18,19.3.

The following books are excellent resources in examining each of these alleged contradictions and inconsistencies in the Gospel records. These books also look at the entire Bible and provide answers to problem passages and Bible difficulties:

Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible – John W. Haley, Baker Book House – Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1983

The Big Book of Bible Difficulties – Norman Geisler, Thomas Howe, Baker Books – Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1982.

New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties – Gleason Archer, Zondervan Publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1982.4.

The following books are excellent resources on the historicity of the New Testament documents:

Is the New Testament Reliable? – Paul Barnett, IVP Academic, Downers Grove , Ill. , 2003.

Jesus Under Fire – Michael J. Wilkens, J.P. Moreland, Zondervan Pub. House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1995.

The Text of the New Testament – Bruce M. Metzger, Oxford University Press, 1968.

Eusebius – The Church History – Paul L. Maier, Kregel, 1999.

He Walked Among Us – Josh McDowell, Bill Wilson, Here’s Life Publishers, San Bernadino, CA 1988.

Scaling the Secular City – A Defense of Christianity – J.P. Moreland, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1987.

The Historical Reliability of the Gospels – Craig L. Blomberg, IVP Academic, Downers Grove, Ill., 1987.5.

This presentation is greatly indebted to the following books and articles:

The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict – Josh McDowell, Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1978.

I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist – Norman Geisler, Frank Turek, Crossway Books, Wheaton, Ill., 2004.

Misrepresenting Jesus – Debunking Bart D. Ehrman’s Misquoting Jesus – Edwards D. Andrews, Bible Translations.net books, 2011.

Article in Be Thinking.Org. – Archaeology and the Historical Reliability of the New Testament

– Peter S. Williams.Article

– The Historical Reliability of the New Testament

– Darren Hewer.Article – Are the New Testament Gospels Reliable? – Mark D. Roberts.

6. There are scholars who have dedicated themselves to the study of the New Testament. They are skilled in the languages of the New Testament and its early translations. Greek, Aramaic, Latin are the typical languages. They also have studied classical and ancient history and many are well versed in the non-canonical New Testament era books. There are some who are very committed to the integrity of the Gospel accounts and others, of a liberal mindset, who are skeptical. They are all to be respected for their learning and skills.

However, my own observation is that many of those with a liberal and skeptical persuasion have a long history of failure when it comes to the conclusions derived from their theories and methodology. Skepticism breeds skepticism. The more that skepticism is fed, the more pronounced it becomes. On the other hand, confidence breeds confidence and the more it is encouraged through diligent research and work, the stronger the place it occupies in the heart of the thoughtful person. I am sure that there are those who disagree with my assessment, but I will stand by it.