Overview and Objectives

The first Christians were not driven by political or religious dissent. Their primary issues were not moral or social. They were not well-credentialed theologians or social philosophers. They were witnesses. They risked their lives to tell the world that with their own eyes they had seen an innocent man die and then miraculously walk among them 3 days later (Acts 5:17-42). Their argument was very concrete. Jesus was crucified under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. His body was buried and sealed in a borrowed tomb. Guards were posted to prevent grave tampering. Yet after 3 days, the tomb was empty and witnesses were risking their lives to declare that He was alive.

When you complete this lesson, you should be able to do the following:

As you proceed through this lesson have the following question in mind.
There have been a variety of views of Jesus of Nazareth. Some view Him as one of a series of great prophets. Others see in Jesus the great moral example for how to treat human kind. Skeptics may perceive Him as a harmless myth, which has helped to comfort people in the traumas of this world. But what does the Bible claim as the central teaching concerning Jesus of Nazareth? What is your view? What is the basis of your belief?