Glen and Helen

Is There Historical Evidence That Jesus Existed?

Yes. Josephus the famous Jewish historian (37 AD-100 AD) describes Jesus as a wise teacher who was crucified by Pontius Pilate. Historians Tacitus and Pliny who wrote in the second century and born within 50 years of the death of Christ mention Jesus. (Death of Christ was either 30 or 33 AD depending on astronomical lunar cycle calculations of the reign of Pontius Pilate and Passover.)

There is no historical evidence that Jesus did not exist. Thousands of Christians in the first century, including most of the 12 apostles, gave their lives as martyrs. They would not give their lives for a lie. They were the best witnesses to know if Jesus was a real person. Also, many people recorded in the Bible and the vast crowds that heard his message give clear evidence of his existence.

Evidence for Jesus's existence comes from

1. Early Christian writings that date within 15-40 years of Jesus's lifetime (Gospels and authentic letters of Paul).

2. Roman historians like Tacitus and Suetonius recorded the existence of Jesus and confirmed that he was executed under Roman governor Pontius Pilate.

3. Jewish 1st century historian Josephus documented the existence of Jesus and his brother James in his writings.


	Can We Trust the Authenticity of the Bible?

	New Testament The Bible is unmatched by any other ancient work. The New Testament alone has over 5,800 surviving Greek manuscripts (plus thousands more in Latin, Syriac, and other languages), with some fragments dating within decades of the original writings that give scholars high confidence that modern translations accurately reflect original writings. Compared to other ancient works (like Homer's Illiad) the Bible has far more copies with a much shorter time gap between the original writing and the earliest surviving copies. While there are variations in manuscript consistency, they are largely due to spelling variations or minor word transpositions, but very consistent. These variations do not alter the core claims or meaning. Old Testament Old Testament manuscripts are highly reliable mainly due to the meticulous copying of Jewish scribes. Some scholars estimate accuracy to be above 99%. Most differences are minor grammatical issues rather than meaning. The Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1947 yielded fragments of every Old Testament book except Esther and show remarkable accuracy over centuries. Some texts did show some variance between early Hebrew and Greek translations. Ultimately, assessing the "accuracy" of the Old Testament depends on your perspective from faith or historical or archaeological evidence. Jesus quoted Old Testament verses extensively, about 80 times. A Single Message There is much to say about the singular message running throughout the Old and New Testaments, something of a miracle in itself that from beginning to end God reveals his plan for mankind. The odds of 40 authors in 66 books of the Bible forming a single, continuous, non-contradictory message are considered zero. The preservation and cohesion of these texts across such a vast timeline are unparalleled in literary history. Forty men spanning roughly 1,500 years had the same message. They didn't live in the same era, didn't live in same place, didn't speak the same language, and were across three continents. Some lived centuries apart. They all had the same story: a Holy God, a fallen humanity, a promised savior from Genesis through Revelation.


	Who Was Jesus? Is Jesus God?

	Jesus was a man. Historical records prove he did exist. The issue we are looking at here is: Was it revealed that Jesus was God when He was here on earth. The Bible teaches that He was fully man (human) and fully God (divine). "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." (Colossians 2:9) "Jesus is God" Revealed in Scripture God becomes flesh "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) --------- Jews knew Jesus was claiming to be God "I and my Father are one." (John 10:30) The Jews knew Jesus was claiming to be God and tried to stone him. They said they were stoning him "for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." (John 10:33). "Very truly I tell you, Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" "At this, they picked up stones to stone him." (John 8:58-59) --------- Jesus Did Things Only God Could Do He performed miracles, healed the sick, resurrected the dead, controlled nature, forgave sins, and more. "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:25) ---------- Disciples' views developed gradually and solidified after his resurrection Thomas the disciple addressed Jesus as "My Lord and my God!." Jesus does not correct him. (John 20:28) "While we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13) Both Paul and John declared that Jesus created the universe. John 1:3 states that "He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." There are many more verses to consider. However, this is a starting point, and it is clear from the verses above that Jesus is truly God.

Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?

Yes. There is ample evidence in the Bible that Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead. For 40 days he physically appeared to his disciples and followers, proving he was alive. During that time, he taught about the Kingdom of God and gave the commission to spread the gospel.

The Resurrection of Jesus

Guards at the Tomb

Pontius Pilate is best known for being the official who presided over the trial of Jesus and ordered his crucifixion. He authorized guards to secure the site, seal the stone, and prevent the disciples from stealing the body.

"Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." (Matthew 27:65) "So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed." (Matthew 28:15)

"There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it." (Matthew 28:2)

When the angel rolled the stone away, the guards shook with fear. "The guards were so afraid of him [angel] that they shook and became like dead men." (Matthew 28:4)

The chief priests gave the guards a large sum of money to lie about what happened. They were instructed to say the disciples took the body away while they slept. (Matthew 28:12-15)

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Discovering the Empty Tomb

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early on Sunday morning to anoint his body. Her visit led to the discovery of the empty tomb, an encounter with angels, and the first to see the risen Jesus.

At the tomb Mary found the heavy stone rolled away. John 20:11 describes Mary standing outside Jesus' tomb weeping. As she stoops down to look inside she discovers the tomb empty. Two angels inside ask why she is crying. She explains she doesn't know where Jesus' body is. She then turns around and sees Jesus, but at first mistakes him for the gardener. Jesus said to her "Mary." When Jesus called her by name, she immediately recognized him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means "Teacher"). Mary was the first one to see the risen Jesus. (John 20:11-16)

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Eyewitnesses

Jesus appeared to Peter, to the apostles, to over 500 at once, to James to Paul, to women at the grave and more.

"After that he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time." (1 Corinthians 15:6)

Letters from Paul document hundreds of individuals who claimed to have seen Jesus alive after crucifixion. (1 Corinthians and Galatians)

On the road to Emmaus Jesus walked alongside two discouraged disciples, opening their minds to scripture. (Luke 24:13-35)

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Examples of Conversion of Skeptics After Jesus' Resurrection

Paul of Tarsus called by God - He was a zealous Pharisee who violently persecuted Christians. After an encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus, his life was entirely changed. He became one of the most prolific writers and defenders of the Christian faith.

James the brother of Jesus - He did not believe Jesus was the Messiah until after Jesus appeared to him after the resurrection. He became a primary leader of the early church.

The Apostle Thomas - Skeptism of doubting Thomas ended when Jesus appeared to him. He became a devout believer after encountering the risen Christ.

Note: The Christian church began after Jesus' resurrection. It grew rapidly with about 3,000 conversions in a single day at Pentecost.

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." (Acts 2:41)

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Jesus' resurrected body

Jesus' resurrected body was a real body of flesh and bones. He could be touched. He ate food. He was recognized.

"Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see... When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet." (Luke 24:37-39)

"They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence." (Luke 24:42-43)

Jesus was also able to appear in ways that transcended normal physical limitations.
"When the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you." (John 20:19)

Why is The Resurrection Important?

Jesus' resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith. As the Apostle Paul said, if Christ had not been raised, Christian teaching and faith are in vain. It provides the ultimate proof of Christ's divine identity and guarantees the promise of eternal life for believers.

"By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:2-4)

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Eternal Life

Eternal life goes beyond just living forever. It involves a restored, intimate relationship with God and participating in a perfect, resurrected life free from sin, pain, death and decay.

Jesus said, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:1-3)

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12)

Because Jesus was resurrected from the dead, believers are also guaranteed to be resurrected to eternal life.

"The Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." (Philippians 3:20-21)

Eternal life is an unmerited, supernatural gift.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (1 Ephesians 2:8)

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Old Testament Prophecy

There are hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament that describe the expected Messiah.

Jesus said, "How foolish you are, and slow to believe all the prophets have spoken. Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" (Luke 24::25-26)

"And beginning with Moses and the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. " (Luke 24::27)

Throughout his ministry, Jesus explicitly claimed divine authority, the power to forgive sins, and that he would be raised on the third day. The resurrection of Jesus validates his deity by serving as divine confirmation of his extraordinary claims.

Jesus said, "Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." (Luke 24:44)

Jesus claimed to be the Messiah when a woman said to him, "I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared, "I, the one speaking to you - I am he."
(John 4:25-26)

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God's message from Genesis to Revelation

The message running throughout the Old and New Testaments: a Holy God, a fallen humanity, a promised savior. Jesus is the promised savior. God provided the way to rescue humanity from sin.

"Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

Fallen Humanity

God created the world and humanity in perfection.

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them." (Genesis 1:27)

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)

However because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin entered their nature. This sin nature passed along from generation to generation down to all of humanity.

"Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people." (Romans 5:12)

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Jesus the Promised Savior

Through Jesus, God entered humanity. His death and resurrection paid the penalty for sin and provided a way for humanity to be reconciled to God.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

The Future

The ultimate purpose for creation is total restoration of all things. This renewal is physical and spiritual, culminating in a new heaven and earth. (Revelation 21:1)

"No longer will there be any curse." (Revelation 22:3)

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31)

We all have sinned and choose to sin. This is what separates us from God. Jesus took the consequences we deserved. Jesus willingly sacrificed himself on the cross to pay the penalty for humanity's sin.

"I lay down my life. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord." (John 10:17-18)

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life." (John 6:47)

To be saved, is to be delivered from the separation from God. When we recognize our separation from God and realize there must be something more to life, there is only one place to go, Jesus. He is the only one who can fill that emptiness. This is why Jesus came to earth, to save us, to make it possible to know him and to know God. By believing and accepting the death and resurrection of Jesus, we gain eternal life, a hope for the future, and a place in Heaven.

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Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I know that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe that your son Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and rose again from the dead. I turn away from my past, and I ask Jesus to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.