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The Christ: A Critical Review and Analysis of the Evidences of His Existence cover

The Christ: A Critical Review and Analysis of the Evidences of His Existence

Chapter 547: 532
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About This Book

A skeptical, systematic critique argues that the Christ of the New Testament is a constructed myth rather than a reliably attested historical person. It assesses the silence of contemporary writers, the anonymous and late character of the gospels, and the contradictions within infancy narratives, ministry accounts, crucifixion, and resurrection reports. The author evaluates the moral portrait and teachings attributed to the figure and traces parallels with older pagan religions and divinities as possible sources of the myth. The conclusion asserts that supernatural claims lack sufficient historical support and that veneration rests on literary and theological fabrication rather than firm documentary evidence.

532

Is baptism essential to salvation?

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark xvi, 16).

“Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God” (John iii, 5).

“Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them” (Matthew xxviii, 19).

Was the penitent thief baptized?

Paul says: “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius.... For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians i, 14, 17).