Fulfilled Prophecy as an Apologetic
By Hank Hanegraaff
Perhaps the most significant question posed to believers in our “post-Christian” culture revolves around the inspiration of Scripture. Is the Bible in fact divinely inspired or merely human in origin?
Oftentimes when quoting Scripture in witnessing situations, I’ve been challenged with the words: “Who says the Bible is true or accurate in the first place?” Although this objection often strikes terror in the heart of the average Christian, it is not really as difficult to deal with as one might think. I have found fulfilled prophecy to be an extremely effective resource in responding to this challenge. The prophetic evidences for the Bible’s trustworthiness are so overwhelming that anyone with a truly open mind will be compelled to consider the Bible’s central message: redemption in Jesus Christ.
Begin by pointing out that the Bible contains almost 500 specific prophecies concerning the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ — some of which were made well over two thousand years prior to His birth.
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For example, it was not only prophesied that Christ would be a descendant of Abraham, (Gen.12:1-3), but that He would be from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10) and the house of David (Ps. 110:1); that He would be born in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2), born of a virgin (Isa. 7:1 4), betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12f.), and also that His hands and feet would be pierced (Ps. 22:16). It is noteworthy that this last prediction was made long before crucifixion was invented as a form of capital punishment by the Persians and a thousand years before it was made common by the Romans.
It was also prophesied that Christ would be crucified with transgressors (Isa. 53:9, 12); that none of His bones would be broken (Ex. 12:46; Ps. 34:20); and that He would cry out from the cross, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” (Ps. 22:1). Moreover, Christ’s resurrection (Ps. 16:8-11), His ascension (Ps. 68:1 8), and hundreds of other details were predicted in minute detail. These prophecies do not deal with vague generalities (as is so often the case with modern-day “prophets” and psychics); they are specific and verifiable. Each was literally fulfilled down to the smallest detail in the person of Jesus Christ…
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Fulfilled Prophecy as an Apologetic | CRI
RECOMMENDED APOLOGETICS RESOURCES FOR FURTHER READING:
Has God Spoken?: Proof of the Bible’s Divine Inspiration
The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
