“But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in

Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 9:22

Evidence

“…exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 3

The Gospel, the entire body of truth in the New Testament

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jn. 8:32

Acts 9:17-22 Conversion of Saul He was baptized - v. 18 With the disciples at Damascus Preached Christ that he is the Son of God People were amazed

“But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.” v. 22

“Proving” - to bring together

O.T. Prophecies about the Messiah Compared with Jesus of Nazareth Conclusions

Christ - “anointed” - “God with us”

Not based on personal feelings

My feelings would not prove that God exists

Your feelings would not prove that God does not exist

Faith and feelings are not the same !

Faith is when you believe in something without proof. If there is evidence it is not faith.

Heb. 11:1 “the evidence of things not seen”Jn. 20:30-31 “that you may believe”

Faith is produced by the evidence !

It is not FAITH without EVIDENCE !

If you know something is true, then there is no faith.

Knowledge and faith are not mutually exclusive

We can have faith and knowledge

John 4:42 - believe and know

John 17:21,23 – the world may believe & know

If you can see it, then it’s not faith. Faith is believing in something when you can’t see it.

Wedding feast - John 2 - believed on Him See Jesus See the miracle Believe on Him

John 4:40-42 - saw, heard, believedJohn 11:45 - Lazarus raised from dead

Some did not see Jesus“whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” 1 Pet. 1:8

Faith based on evidence

How can a person really believe in heaven if he has not seen it ?

Evidence proves that God exists Evidence proves that the Bible is word of God God is always truthful (Tit. 1:2) Therefore what God says in the Bible is true!

about Heaven

about Jesus resurrection

about our resurrection

Not the same - but related

No faith without knowledge

Rom. 10:17 - faith by word

2 Tim. 1:12 “I know whom I have believed”

Knowledge came first then faith followed

Faith is the Faith is the Acceptance of EvidenceAcceptance of Evidence

Evidence FaithBased on

Produces

“So then faith comes by hearing,and hearing by the word of God.”

Rom. 10:17

BELIEVED REPENTED CONFESSED BAPTIZED

Pentecost Acts 2:14-41

  Repented vs. 37-38

  Were Baptized vs. 38-41

Folks of Samaria Acts

8:5-13

Believed v. 12     Were Baptized vs. 12-13

The Eunuch Acts 8:35-39

Believed vs. 36-37   Confessed v. 37 Was Baptized v. 38

Saul Acts 9:1-20       Was Baptized v. 18

Cornelius Acts 10:34-48

Believed v. 43     Was Baptized v. 48

Lydia Acts 16:13 Gave Heed v. 14     Was Baptized v. 15

The Jailer Acts 16:32

Believed v. 31     Was Baptized v. 33

The Corinthians Acts 18:8

Believed v. 8     Were Baptized v. 8

Believe - Mark 16:16Repent - Acts 2:38Confess - Acts 8:36-38Baptism - Mark 16:16-Acts 2:38

Col. 2:12 “buried with Him in baptism”Rom. 6:4 “buried with Him by baptism”