Editor, Manteca Bulletin,

This is in answer to those who say there is more proof of Salem Witch craft than for Jesus.

Some want to claim there are no eye witnesses to the life of Jesus.  Roman historian Josephus who was a Jew, discusses the life and trial of Jesus before Pilate on page 61 of “ Josephus Thrones of Blood” this is where Josephus says “ There was about this time a wise man named Jesus — if it is lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works — a teacher of the type of men who enjoy hearing the truth. He drew many of the Jews and Gentiles to him; He was the Christ. 

When Pilate, at the suggestion of the Jewish leaders condemned Him to the cross, those that loved Him did not forsake Him, for He appeared to them alive the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold, along with many other wonderful things concerning Him.” 

Who was this Jesus? The Bible tells us very clearly in John 1 that In the beginning the Word was with God and the Word was God , later it say the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Then later it says that John (John the Baptist) said this is He whom I told you about.

It is very plain in the New Testament John was talking about Jesus. From this one must conclude Jesus is God.

Then one would have to consider the lives of the eye witnesses who followed Jesus and shared about His love all over the world and died martyrs deaths for it. Andrew, the brother of Peter died a martyr on an X-shaped cross. Nathanael died in India flayed with knives. James the Younger died a martyr being sawed in pieces. Jude brother of James the Younger shot through with arrows in Persia Peter was crucified on a cross head down. “Doubting” Thomas shot through with spears in India.  Simon the Zealot died on a cross. And Philip died a martyr by hanging in Hierapolis. How many people would die such deaths for a false tale?  

When I was a youth leader one young girl wanted to teach the lesson of the week. She came in the room arguing and it was all about proof of God. Once I realized it was her “lesson” I encouraged the junior high and high school students to answer her as to how to prove there is a God. She rebutted answer after answer until a shy little seventh grader spoke up.” I know God is real because He answers my prayer”. It was then that the older girl admitted, that was the one answer that as a teen she could not argue with, having been raised an atheist by atheist parents and would not believe, until she heard about answers to prayer. 

Then there is the man down the street from me who was dying of cancer but could not quit smoking no matter what the doctors tried. I suggested he try Jesus and he responded that he had a Bible. I suggested he read it, starting in John. A couple of months later he told me he had asked Jesus to forgive his sins and he was going to heaven.

Oh yeah he quit smoking after 60 years on the day that he gave his life to Jesus. God is real and live today.

Jerry Johnson

Manteca