Origin of New Testament Manuscripts

1. New Testament Manuscripts
AHaller
Commentator

2. Frequency of New Testament Documents
643
5686
750
1000
1000
1200
1400
7
10
20
8
7
200
1400
25
500
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Pliny
Caesar
Tacitus
Plato
Herodotus
Demosthenes
Homer
New Testament
# Manuscript Copies Time Gap in Years

3. The Internal
Integrity of a
Manuscript
Codex Sinaiticus dated about 350AD
Subsequent manuscripts copied in the
Middle Ages were known for their
meticulous effort to be an exact copy
Codex Sinaiticus manuscript written in
a) first century Greek with syntax, grammar,
vocabulary unique to that era
a) geographical locations, historical figures unique to
the first century are mentioned
b) run on sentences so to insert words not possible. To
forge would be exceedingly difficult

4. How do we know the
original NT is fact not
fiction?
I) The NT was written early by eyewitnesses
II) These eyewitnesses recorded self-incriminating
events and were later beaten and killed for
what they wrote and affirmed
III) Non-Christian writers and archaeology
confirm what the NT says

5. The NT was written early by
eyewitnesses
They claimed to be or to know eyewitnesses (e.g. 1 John 1:1, 2
Pet 1:16, Luke 1:1-4)
They included hundreds of eyewitness details regarding:
– Geography
– Topography
– Local political rulers
– Local customs
– The History of the First Century

6. These eyewitnesses recorded self-incriminating events and
were later beaten and killed for what they wrote and
affirmed
1) Left in the difficult sayings of Jesus
2) Documented their own failures even as cowards not heroes
3) Were persecuted and killed yet could have saved themselves
by recanting
4) Had every motive to deny–not invent–the resurrection
story. That story got them killed!

7. Non-Christian writers and archaeology confirm
what the NT says
17 ancient non-Christian sources including:
Historians: Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonius, Thallus, Phlegon
Government Officials: Pliny the Younger, Emperor Trajan,
Emperor Hadrian
Other Sources: The Jewish Talmud and Greek writer Lucian
.

8. 1. Jesus lived during time of
Tiberius Caesar.
2. He lived a virtuous life.
3. He was a wonder-worker.
4. He had a brother named James.
5. He was acclaimed to be the
Messiah.
6. He was crucified under Pontius
Pilate.
7. An eclipse & earthquake
occurred when He died.
8. He was crucified on the eve of the
Passover.
9. His disciples believed He rose
from the dead.
10. His disciples were willing to die
for their belief.
11. Christianity spread rapidly as far
as Rome.
12. His disciples denied the Roman
gods and worshiped Jesus as
God.
Non-Christian sources agree with the New Testament . .

9. “Pontius Pilate Prefect of Judea”
26-37 A.D. (Discovered 1961)
Crucifixion Victim 1st Century A.D.
(Discovered in Jerusalem)
Archaeology Affirms the Bible

10. I) Mark records the words of Jesus in predicting the future
destruction of Jerusalem. Acts ends with Paul in Rome which
is before 70AD. Luke is assumed written prior to Acts and
Mark prior to that date.
II) In 70AD Titus levelled the sacred Jewish temple as predicted.
Although no original manuscripts survived, scholars agree
Mark appeared about 50-60AD. Luke also contains the same
prophecy.
The New Testament Affirms the
Prophecy of Jesus About Jerusalem

11. How do we know the original
NT is fact not fiction?
I) The NT was written early by eyewitnesses
II) These eyewitnesses recorded self-incriminating events and
were later beaten and killed for what they wrote and
affirmed
III) Non-Christian writers and archaeology confirm what the
NT says
Have these facts been censored or hidden from you? If
so, by whom and why?

12. New Testament Manuscripts
AHaller
Commentator