Did Jesus Exist?
Evidence And Facts About Jesus
Did Jesus exist and actually walk this earth some 2000 years ago?
Are things recorded about him really true, and did he make those utterances and prophesies documented in the Bible?
This question is one that has been asked and thought of by thousands of people.
The person involved has had such a strong influence on people that religions have been based on his way of life. The question although simple in form has generated millions of complicated answers.
Finding answers to this question could completely change one's perspective to life. It could mean a complete re-examination of the meaning of life and the hopes for tomorrow.
What are the evidence to support that this most powerful character exist?
Historical Evidence
Some people may think that Jesus is just a myth a creation of some 1st century men.
In answer to skeptics, Will Durant, a well respected historian said:
“that a few simple men should in one generation have invented so powerful and appealing a personality so lofty an ethnic and so inspiring a vision of human brotherhood would be a miracle far more incredible than any recorded in the gospels.”
Really, could a person who never lived have affected human history so remarkably?
The reference work, The History of the World
observed: “the historical result of Jesus’ activities was more momentous, even
from a secular standpoint, than the deeds of any other character of history. A
new era, recognised by the chief civilizations of the world, dates from his
birth. Yes think about it. Even calendars today are based on the year that
Jesus was thought to be born.
However some people point out that all we really know about Jesus is found in the Bible. No other contemporary records concerning him they say. Even H.G Wells wrote: ”the old Roman historians ignored Jesus entirely; he left no impress on the historical records of his time".
Actually
although references by secular historians are scanty (like it might happen to
us if we die, more of our close friends would have records of us than others)
but they do exist!Here are a few:
- Cornelius Tacitus a respected first century historian wrote:
“The name Christian is derived from Christ whom the procurator Pontius Pilate
had executed in the reign of Tiberius.”
- Flavius
Josephus, a first century Jewish historian, in his book, The Jewish Antiquities, Josephus, Book XX, sec. 200, wrote of James whom he identified as
“the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ,”. That comment was made in a non religious setting and clearly referred to Jesus Christ who lived at about the same time as him.
- Justin Martyr is another well known and verifiable second century historian (see Wikipedia). Writing in about 150AD about Jesus, he had this to say of Jesus' death: “That these things did happen, you can ascertain from the Acts of Pontius Pilate.” Pontius Pilate was the Roman ruler who handed Jesus over to the Jew to be executed. As you will find below in the archaeological evidence section of this page, there are irrefutable evidence that he existed.
These historians are well known individuals who lived around the time of Jesus and they have books we can still find in our libraries today. Could they just invent a name and character and reported them as fact? Are these not strong evidence to answer the question: did Jesus exist?
The evidence clearly points to the fact that yes, Jesus did exist.
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