100 Reasons to Believe New Testament History
69. Aristides (A.D. 125)
Like Quadratus, Aristides was a Christian philosopher from Athens, who also presented a defence for the Christian faith to the emperor Hadrian around 125 A.D. A In Aristides’ written apology, he affirms many of the truths contained in the New Testament, including the virgin birth and physical resurrection of Jesus B. Throughout his work, Aristides mentions the Christian writings specifically, as truthful and authoritive C.
69. Aristides (A.D. 125)
A. “ A man of faith and devoted to our religion, Aristides has also, like Quadratus, left us a defense of the faith addressed to Hadrian. Many still preserve copies of his work also, even to the present day.” Eusebius “The Church History”, Translation by Paul L. Maier, Kregel Publications, 1999, p.136. Maier notes that J. Rendel Harris discovered a Syriac version of the entire apology of Aristides in 1889 at Mount Sinai.
B. “The Christians, then, trace the beginning of their religion from Jesus the Messiah; and he is named the Son of God Most High. And it is said that God came down from heaven, and from a Hebrew virgin assumed and clothed himself with flesh; and the Son of God lived in a daughter of man. This is taught in the gospel, as it is called, which a short time was preached among them; and you also if you will read therein, may perceive the power which belongs to it. This Jesus, then, was born of the race of the Hebrews; and he had twelve disciples in order that the purpose of his incarnation might in time be accomplished. But he himself was pierced by the Jews, and he died and was buried; and they say that after three days he rose and ascended to heaven. Thereupon these twelve disciples went forth throughout the known parts of the world, and kept showing his greatness with all modesty and uprightness. And hence also those of the present day who believe that preaching are called Christians, and they are become famous.” Apology of Aristides, translation by D.M. Kay, B. Sc. B.D., Assistant to the Professor of Semitic Languages in the University of Edinburgh, on line at www.earlychristianwrings.com.
C. “And as for their words and their precepts, O King, and their glorying in their worship, and the hope of earning according to the work of each one of them their recompense which they look for in another world,-you may learn about these from their writings…Take, then, their writings, and read therein, and lo! you will find that I have not put forth these things on my own authority, nor spoken thus as their advocate; but since I read in their writings I was fully assured of these things as also of things which are to come. And for this reason I was constrained to declare the truth to such as care for it and seek the world to come. And to me there is no doubt but that the earth abides through the supplication of the Christians” Ibid.