Discovery #4 – The Places & Events of NT History
Last week we learned that the people of the New Testament are historical figures, not fictional characters. But what about their actions? Are the events and the settings reported in the New Testament real events and real places?
“Many places, people and events referred to in the New Testament have been confirmed as historical by archaeological discoveries. A few examples are identified in the chart below.”
(Taken from Surprised by Faith Study and Discussion Guide, pg.32)
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It is relevant to this question of historicity to notice how the Apostle Peter addressed the people gathered at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2
). In introducing Jesus, Peter said, “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know (Acts 2:22 NIV
). The “as you yourselves know” is a reckless assumption on the part of Peter in that context if knowledge of the life of Jesus was in fact not widespread.
That is also apparent in the comment of Cleopas in reply to the resurrected Jesus (whom he did not recognize at the time) on the road to Emmaus. Jesus feigned ignorance regarding recent events occuring in Jerusalem. Cleopas replied: “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days (Luke 24:18
). Cleopas could not imagine anyone living in the region who wouldn’t know about all this.
My main point is that historical events and eyewitness testimony were important then as now. And when a New Testament writer claims to be an eyewitness to historical events (see 2 Peter 1:16
), they knew the difference between recording their own observations versus hearsay.