Why we believe in the existence, miracles, and resurrection of Jesus
by Jim Murphy with contributions from
David Nasser and Ryan Turner
It all starts with Jesus
If Jesus wasn’t real...Christianity is a hoax. If Jesus didn’t perform miracles...Christianity is a lie. If Jesus didn’t come back to life after his crucifixion (real death & real resurrection)...Christianity is pointless.
If Jesus was real, did perform miracles, and was, in fact, resurrected from the dead, then we absolutely must pay close and hard attention to what he taught (loving God and loving others), what he claimed about himself (he is God incarnate, the only way of salvation), and what he did for humanity (brought life and redemption).
At its core, the Christian faith is centered on Jesus. Jesus was the very “Word” of God dwelling among us in the flesh (John 1:14). He is God’s chosen one (Mark 14:61-62), the one through whom God reveals himself more fully to us (John 10:30; John 14:8-11; Colossians 2:9) And, his death on the cross ultimately served as the final sacrifice for all our sins (Romans 3:23-25). Confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in his resurrection is the basis for salvation (John 3:16; Romans 10:9).
Underlying this core theology, though, are essential convictions centering on his EXISTENCE, his CRUCIFIXION and RESURRECTION, as well as his miracles and his teachings.
The Apostle Paul (author of most of the New Testament) says,
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is USELESS and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be FALSE WITNESSES ABOUT GOD, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.” - 1 Corinthians 15:14-15
So that means if Jesus wasn’t real or if he wasn’t really crucified and raised back to life by God then Christianity isn’t real. If he was real and if he really was crucified and raised back to life by God, then that puts him on a level of importance that is far more significant than any other religious figure in the history of the world. This show of power after his death uniquely demands that we pay attention to his life, his miracles, and, more importantly, his teachings.
Summary Statement
It begins with Jesus. Whether you believe in God or not; whether you believe in miracles or not; whether you believe in creation or evolution; whether you think the Christian church is good for the world or not; whether you believe in absolute truth or relative truth; whether you believe in universal right and wrong or not; even if you simply don’t like God; when it comes to Christianity, it begins with Jesus and what you do with him.
If Jesus was real, did perform miracles, and was, in fact, resurrected from the dead, then we absolutely must pay close and hard attention to what he taught (loving God and loving others), what he claimed about himself (he is God incarnate, the only way of salvation), and what he did for humanity (brought life and redemption).
At its core, the Christian faith is centered on Jesus. Jesus was the very “Word” of God dwelling among us in the flesh (John 1:14). He is God’s chosen one (Mark 14:61-62), the one through whom God reveals himself more fully to us (John 10:30; John 14:8-11; Colossians 2:9) And, his death on the cross ultimately served as the final sacrifice for all our sins (Romans 3:23-25). Confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in his resurrection is the basis for salvation (John 3:16; Romans 10:9).
Underlying this core theology, though, are essential convictions centering on his EXISTENCE, his CRUCIFIXION and RESURRECTION, as well as his miracles and his teachings.
The Apostle Paul (author of most of the New Testament) says,
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is USELESS and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be FALSE WITNESSES ABOUT GOD, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.” - 1 Corinthians 15:14-15
So that means if Jesus wasn’t real or if he wasn’t really crucified and raised back to life by God then Christianity isn’t real. If he was real and if he really was crucified and raised back to life by God, then that puts him on a level of importance that is far more significant than any other religious figure in the history of the world. This show of power after his death uniquely demands that we pay attention to his life, his miracles, and, more importantly, his teachings.
Summary Statement
It begins with Jesus. Whether you believe in God or not; whether you believe in miracles or not; whether you believe in creation or evolution; whether you think the Christian church is good for the world or not; whether you believe in absolute truth or relative truth; whether you believe in universal right and wrong or not; even if you simply don’t like God; when it comes to Christianity, it begins with Jesus and what you do with him.
JESUS REALLY EXISTED
Some skeptics suggest that Jesus wasn’t a real person in real history. The claim is that he is a mythical figure that was made up by the earliest Christians. The suggestion is that there is no real proof of his existence.
To be fair, we have to admit that in some ways this suggestion is understandable. We have no photographs or video recordings of him, obviously. We have no archeological findings of his personal belongings or record of his own writings.
However, even if we did have all of these, any rhetorically intelligent skeptic would be able to cast doubt on their authenticity using any variety of doubt-raising arguments. Those same doubts can be raised regarding any historical figure.
With that being said, I am convinced that we do have sufficient evidence to reasonably conclude that Jesus was a real person. We do have eyewitness accounts in writing. We do have many instances of archeological and historical confirmation of individuals in the story of Jesus, some of whom actually interacted with Jesus. These include significant events during the time of Jesus, such as Quirinius’ census as well as key individuals such as
Furthermore, we have confirmation of his existence in the writings of some ancient historians and other non-biblical sources (for a compiled list see CARM) such as
These references provide the same kind of evidence for the existence of Jesus as as that of any other ancient historical figure. They provide, along with the eye witness accounts of the Gospels and the extensive references to him in the writings of early Christian authors, in a cumulative way, enough evidence for a high probability of Jesus’ existence (as long one doesn’t come to these sources with the prejudice of mistrust).
Furthermore, while they are written after the time of Jesus they are, at least, early (ie. within the first and early second century which decreases the probability of exaggeration), non-biased (they are not Christian believers), and are at least somewhat officially sanctioned or sourced (which increases the necessity for accuracy and good investigation).
Yet, we haven’t even considered the most convincing body of evidence for the existence of Jesus–the collection of eyewitness accounts as captured by the investigatory work of the writers of the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John. Skeptics typically discount the books of the New Testament as completely biased and useless for establishing the historicity of Jesus. However, these books were not compiled into what we call the “New Testament” until the fourth and fifth centuries. But they were all written within the first century; only a matter of years after Jesus’ time.
We should remember that there would’ve been (at least could’ve been) similar demand for an accounting of this person named Jesus even within the first century itself. As exemplified in Luke’s own writing to “Theophilus” (whoever that may be), it’s easily imagined that as word spread about Jesus more and more people wanted more “certainty” (cf. Luke 1:4) about this Jesus. So individuals like Mark, Matthew, and Luke took on the task of compiling the stories from actual eyewitnesses, official records (or at least events), and even family members of Jesus (e.g., Mary, the mother of Jesus) in order to provide certainty of this Jesus to their respective audiences.
Discounting these documents simply because Christians believe them is unwarranted and is contrary to a stated shared value for historians of integrity: “Practicing history with integrity does not mean being neutral or having no point of view.” Discounting them as evidence for the existence of Jesus on the grounds that they contain miracles is also unwarranted. If anything is to be discounted as untrue it would be the miracles themselves, not the existence of Jesus. Discounting them because the four gospel writers tell different stories about this Jesus which are often contradictory (at least apparently so) is also unwarranted and contrary to another stated shared value for historians of integrity: “Multiple, conflicting perspectives are among the truths of history."
Furthermore, while it may seem plausible that the earliest Christians could’ve made it all up, it hardly seems likely since 1) Almost every one of the original disciples was martyred (killed) for their convictions. Why would they do this for a lie? There was no motive for their deceit (e.g., money, power, political change, etc.) 2) The writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were publicly accountable to thousands of other eyewitnesses who could’ve discredited their claims yet there is and never has been any legitimate record of any such counterclaims. In fact, only the opposite is true, in support of their claims. 3) There are more manuscripts and earlier manuscripts written about Jesus than most other ancient historically accepted figures.
Summary Statement
Jesus was a real person. Skeptics have every right to doubt his existence just as much as they have the right to doubt the existence of any other person in ancient history. However, if we apply the same methods of historical investigation with integrity to Jesus as we do these other figures of history, then the evidence we do have is quite sufficient for establishing a “reasonable faith” in the real Jesus.
To be fair, we have to admit that in some ways this suggestion is understandable. We have no photographs or video recordings of him, obviously. We have no archeological findings of his personal belongings or record of his own writings.
However, even if we did have all of these, any rhetorically intelligent skeptic would be able to cast doubt on their authenticity using any variety of doubt-raising arguments. Those same doubts can be raised regarding any historical figure.
With that being said, I am convinced that we do have sufficient evidence to reasonably conclude that Jesus was a real person. We do have eyewitness accounts in writing. We do have many instances of archeological and historical confirmation of individuals in the story of Jesus, some of whom actually interacted with Jesus. These include significant events during the time of Jesus, such as Quirinius’ census as well as key individuals such as
- Caiaphas — the high priest of Jerusalem who sent Jesus to Pilate for execution.
- Herod — the Roman appointed ruler (king) of the entire area around Judea, Galilee and Perea during Jesus' life.
- Pontius Pilate — the governor of Judea who ordered Jesus' crucifixion
- Quirinius — the governor during the time of Jesus' birth.
Furthermore, we have confirmation of his existence in the writings of some ancient historians and other non-biblical sources (for a compiled list see CARM) such as
- Flavius Josephus — a 1st-century Roman-Jewish historian and military leader who was not a follower of Jesus but grew up in and around Jerusalem in the generation immediately following Jesus (A.D. 37-100) and wrote about Jesus here and here.
- Tacitus — a Roman public official who lived A.D. 56-120 and is widely regarded to have been the most important Roman historian who wrote about Jesus here.
- Gaius Suetonius — a Roman biographer who lived A.D. 71-135, from whom we learn about Julias Caesar and the first 11 Roman emperors, who also wrote about Jesus here and here.
- Thallus — a Greek historian who lived around A.D. 50 who was an important historian of the Mediterranean world during the 1st century for those who lived in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, who wrote about Jesus as quoted by Julius Africanus here).
- Even the Jewish Talmud (a running collection of Jewish teachings that began in the 1st century) mentions Jesus here.
These references provide the same kind of evidence for the existence of Jesus as as that of any other ancient historical figure. They provide, along with the eye witness accounts of the Gospels and the extensive references to him in the writings of early Christian authors, in a cumulative way, enough evidence for a high probability of Jesus’ existence (as long one doesn’t come to these sources with the prejudice of mistrust).
Furthermore, while they are written after the time of Jesus they are, at least, early (ie. within the first and early second century which decreases the probability of exaggeration), non-biased (they are not Christian believers), and are at least somewhat officially sanctioned or sourced (which increases the necessity for accuracy and good investigation).
Yet, we haven’t even considered the most convincing body of evidence for the existence of Jesus–the collection of eyewitness accounts as captured by the investigatory work of the writers of the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John. Skeptics typically discount the books of the New Testament as completely biased and useless for establishing the historicity of Jesus. However, these books were not compiled into what we call the “New Testament” until the fourth and fifth centuries. But they were all written within the first century; only a matter of years after Jesus’ time.
We should remember that there would’ve been (at least could’ve been) similar demand for an accounting of this person named Jesus even within the first century itself. As exemplified in Luke’s own writing to “Theophilus” (whoever that may be), it’s easily imagined that as word spread about Jesus more and more people wanted more “certainty” (cf. Luke 1:4) about this Jesus. So individuals like Mark, Matthew, and Luke took on the task of compiling the stories from actual eyewitnesses, official records (or at least events), and even family members of Jesus (e.g., Mary, the mother of Jesus) in order to provide certainty of this Jesus to their respective audiences.
Discounting these documents simply because Christians believe them is unwarranted and is contrary to a stated shared value for historians of integrity: “Practicing history with integrity does not mean being neutral or having no point of view.” Discounting them as evidence for the existence of Jesus on the grounds that they contain miracles is also unwarranted. If anything is to be discounted as untrue it would be the miracles themselves, not the existence of Jesus. Discounting them because the four gospel writers tell different stories about this Jesus which are often contradictory (at least apparently so) is also unwarranted and contrary to another stated shared value for historians of integrity: “Multiple, conflicting perspectives are among the truths of history."
Furthermore, while it may seem plausible that the earliest Christians could’ve made it all up, it hardly seems likely since 1) Almost every one of the original disciples was martyred (killed) for their convictions. Why would they do this for a lie? There was no motive for their deceit (e.g., money, power, political change, etc.) 2) The writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were publicly accountable to thousands of other eyewitnesses who could’ve discredited their claims yet there is and never has been any legitimate record of any such counterclaims. In fact, only the opposite is true, in support of their claims. 3) There are more manuscripts and earlier manuscripts written about Jesus than most other ancient historically accepted figures.
Summary Statement
Jesus was a real person. Skeptics have every right to doubt his existence just as much as they have the right to doubt the existence of any other person in ancient history. However, if we apply the same methods of historical investigation with integrity to Jesus as we do these other figures of history, then the evidence we do have is quite sufficient for establishing a “reasonable faith” in the real Jesus.
JESUS PERFORMED REAL MIRACLES
Your assumptions matter.
Before we talk about Jesus’ miracles we have to examine our assumptions. Do you start with the assumption that “miracles aren’t possible,’ or the assumption that “miracles are possible”? To assume that miracles aren’t possible because they violate the laws of nature reveals a misunderstanding of what the “laws of nature” actually are. The laws of nature as we know them are not rules that should be obeyed (like traffic laws). Rather, they are our observations of the way our world usually operates. We have to remind ourselves that we are finite observers and have observed our universe only in brief relative to the large span of history, time, and location. It’s like watching a basketball game for the first half during which no time-outs were ever called then concluding that in the game of basketball, time-outs can never happen. However, if you watch the game long enough or go to another game, you’ll discover that time-outs actually do happen.
With regard to the miracles of Jesus, we start first with the assumption that while miracles are unlikely, they are indeed possible. Second, we assume (based on the above arguments and more) that the writings of the Gospels are historically legitimate in every other way. Therefore, the burden of proof lies with the reader to discount the legitimacy of the eyewitness accounts of the miracles.
Let’s look at a few possible criticisms of these accounts and the Christian response to them as presented by David. Nasser.
Jesus Walks on the Water (and then commands Peter to join him)
Read Matthew 14:22-32, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21
What the cynics say and a response:
Jesus Calms the Storm
Read: Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25
What the cynics say:
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Read: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-14
What the cynics say:
Assuming Jesus was real (based on the reasonable support presented above), assuming the New Testament writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are legitimate historical records containing eyewitness accounts of the life of Jesus, and, assuming that miracles are possible (regardless of their likelihood), then based on the many responses like the above presented here, we can reasonably conclude that Jesus did perform amazing miracles.
Before we talk about Jesus’ miracles we have to examine our assumptions. Do you start with the assumption that “miracles aren’t possible,’ or the assumption that “miracles are possible”? To assume that miracles aren’t possible because they violate the laws of nature reveals a misunderstanding of what the “laws of nature” actually are. The laws of nature as we know them are not rules that should be obeyed (like traffic laws). Rather, they are our observations of the way our world usually operates. We have to remind ourselves that we are finite observers and have observed our universe only in brief relative to the large span of history, time, and location. It’s like watching a basketball game for the first half during which no time-outs were ever called then concluding that in the game of basketball, time-outs can never happen. However, if you watch the game long enough or go to another game, you’ll discover that time-outs actually do happen.
With regard to the miracles of Jesus, we start first with the assumption that while miracles are unlikely, they are indeed possible. Second, we assume (based on the above arguments and more) that the writings of the Gospels are historically legitimate in every other way. Therefore, the burden of proof lies with the reader to discount the legitimacy of the eyewitness accounts of the miracles.
Let’s look at a few possible criticisms of these accounts and the Christian response to them as presented by David. Nasser.
Jesus Walks on the Water (and then commands Peter to join him)
Read Matthew 14:22-32, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21
What the cynics say and a response:
- Jesus never actually walked on the water, but instead tiptoed on the shallow shore.
The records say that he walked out to the middle of the sea. - Jesus used props. Floating shoes, plywood, or possibly an underwater pier.
There is no such archaeological evidence of a pier that could account for this sighting having ever existed. Props, shoes, or wood may be possible but highly unlikely. - Jesus walked on ice.
The sea could not have been covered with enough ice for Jesus to walk because the boat had to be able to sail across it.
Jesus Calms the Storm
Read: Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25
What the cynics say:
- Jesus was some sort of weatherman who could predict the exact time a storm would stop and start.
To be able to do this would still be pretty close to a miracle and therefore doesn’t discredit his ability to perform miracles. Furthermore, deceit is counter to Jesus’ teachings and character as revealed elsewhere in the records. - There was no storm that night, but a shadow from the moon made the sea look stormy and uneven.
The moon’s shadows cannot cause that much of an illusion on the sea. - The disciples never went through a storm but dreamed that they did.
It is highly unlikely that all the disciples would’ve had the same dream without discrepancies in their stories. - Jesus fabricated a storm.
This too would be a miracle. And, again, deceit is counter to Jesus’ teachings and character as revealed elsewhere in the records.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Read: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-14
What the cynics say:
- Jesus hid all the bread and the fish in the field the day before he fed the crowd so it would look like he was multiplying it.
The fish would’ve spoiled. The bread would’ve been eaten by wildlife. - No one was really hungry, so the 5 loaves and 3 fish was plenty.
It’s unlikely that no one was hungry in a crowd of 15,000 people (including the women, children, and elderly that accompanied the 5,000 men). - The disciples lied about many of his miracles in what they wrote and they aided him in pulling off these “tricks.”
As mentioned before, there is no motive for such deceit. The disciples only died for their convictions and preaching regarding Jesus. They never gained any political power, money, or anything else.
Assuming Jesus was real (based on the reasonable support presented above), assuming the New Testament writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are legitimate historical records containing eyewitness accounts of the life of Jesus, and, assuming that miracles are possible (regardless of their likelihood), then based on the many responses like the above presented here, we can reasonably conclude that Jesus did perform amazing miracles.
JESUS’ GREATEST MIRACLE: HIS RESURRECTION
This section is written by Ryan Turner of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry
Many people wonder whether there are any solid reasons to believe that the actual story of Jesus' resurrection is true. Did Jesus really rise from the dead on that Sunday morning, or is Christianity based on a myth?
Surprisingly to some, there are actually solid historical reasons to believe that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead. Consider the following from Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry.
Reason #1: Jesus died by Crucifixion
Ancient Testimony
There are multiple, early historical sources that testify to the crucifixion of Jesus including in all four New Testament gospels (c. 50-100 A.D.), various epistles of Paul (c. 48-62 A.D.), and other non-Pauline epistles (c. 48-90 A.D.). Interestingly, Jesus' crucifixion is not just attested by the New Testament, but also by a large number of secular writers. It is also attested by various non-Christian historians and writers including the Jewish-Roman historian Josephus (c. A.D. 90-95), the Roman historian Tacitus (c. A.D. 115), Lucian of Samasota (c. 2nd Century A.D.), Mara Bar-Serapion (c. Late 1st to Early 3rd Centuries A.D.), and even the Jewish Talmud (c. A.D. 70-200). This is a remarkable amount of historical testimony for an ancient event, especially from sources coming within 20 years of Jesus' death. By contrast, Alexander the Great's first biography was written 400 years after his life.
The Flogging
In addition to the ancient testimony of the crucifixion, the medical nature of the crucifixion accounts in the Gospels indicates that Jesus would not have survived the rigors of the crucifixion. Interestingly, the Journal of the American Medical Association wrote a special on the crucifixion of Jesus. In just describing the flogging, they stated,
"The usual instrument was a short whip…with several single or braided leather thongs of variable lengths, in which small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones were tied at intervals…the man was stripped of his clothing, and his hands were tied to an upright post… The back, buttocks, and legs were flogged…. The scourging…was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death…. As the Roman soldiers repeatedly struck the victim’s back with full force, the iron balls would cause deep contusions, and the leather thongs and sheep bones would cut into the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Then, as the flogging continued, the lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles.”
The Crucifixion
However, the whipping was not all the affliction Jesus would receive. When his wrists were nailed to the cross, “...the driven nail would crush or sever the rather large sensorimotor median nerve. The stimulated nerve would produce excruciating bolts of fiery pain in both arms.” Alex Metherell, an expert on human physiology, notes that the sensation would be like using pliers to crush the nerve that causes intense pain when we hit our elbow or “funny bone.”
After surveying the medical evidence, the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded, “Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption that Jesus did not die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern medical knowledge.”
Likewise, most skeptical historians agree with this conclusion. The noted Jesus expert John Dominic Crossan states, “That he was crucified is as sure as anything historical can ever be.” The idea of the Swoon Theory that Jesus merely appeared to die on the cross and was later revived by his disciples has been virtually unanimously rejected by scholars today.
Reality Check
Furthermore, the Romans are known to have been experts at killing their victims. The idea that someone could survive the torture of the crucifixion is highly unlikely. Even more, if Jesus had survived the crucifixion, his battered body would have hardly been a motivation for the disciples to start a new religion. Jesus comes into their midst staggering and bloody and says, "I am risen!" Jesus would have deserved medical attention, not reverence as the risen prince of life!
Reason #2: Jesus' Tomb was Empty (JET)
In addition to the crucifixion, there are numerous reasons to believe that the tomb was indeed empty on that Easter morning. This evidence can be summarized by the acronym JET: J - Jerusalem Factor, E - Enemy Testimony, and T - Testimony of Women.
First, the disciples preached the gospel in Jerusalem in the midst of opposition. It would have been virtually impossible for Christianity to survive and expand in Jerusalem if the body of Jesus was still in the tomb. All the opponents of Jesus would have had to do was produce the body of Jesus and squelch this Christian movement.
Second, early enemies of Christianity never disputed that the tomb was empty. Instead, they argued that the disciples stole the body (Matthew 28:12-13; Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho; Tertullian's De Spectaculis chapter 30).
Third, and perhaps the strongest evidence, the first witnesses to the empty tomb were women. Sadly, the testimony of women was not regarded highly in antiquity. The Jewish Talmud states, “Any evidence which a woman [gives] is not valid (to offer), also they are not valid to offer. This is equivalent to saying that one who is Rabbinically accounted a robber is qualified to give the same evidence as a woman” (Talmud, Rosh Hashannah 1.8)." Furthermore, “Sooner let the words of the Law be burnt than delivered to women” (Talmud, Sotah 19a). However, in the Gospels, the apostles are the ones who are cowardly hiding from the Jews and the women bring them news of the empty tomb! If Christians were going to invent the empty tomb story, they most certainly would not have used women as the primary witnesses.
Reason #3: Jesus Appeared to Many after His Death
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 preserves some extremely early creedal material that testifies to multiple resurrection appearances of Jesus to individuals and groups of people. Here, the Apostle Paul says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”
Scholars generally date this material in verses 3-7 as part of an early statement of belief (or creed), which dates back to a few years after Jesus' crucifixion in 30 A.D. Atheistic New Testament scholar Gerd Ludemann dates the creed to 32-33 A.D. It is quite likely that Paul received this creedal material from the early eyewitnesses of the resurrection appearances including Peter, James, and John when he went to Jerusalem (Galatians 1-2).
This eyewitness testimony suggests that Jesus appeared to a large number of witnesses including Cephas, the twelve, more than five hundred brethren, James, and all the apostles.
Reason #4: The Transformation of the Disciples and the Emergence of the Christian Faith
The early disciples of Jesus did not expect their great Messiah named Jesus to ever face crucifixion and rise from the dead. In line with the current Jewish thoughts of the day, the disciples' Messiah was to triumphantly defeat the Romans and deliver the kingdom of God to the nation of Israel (cf. Acts 1:6). It is clear that the disciples did not expect the crucifixion. It was indeed an embarrassment to their faith. Their chief leaders had abandoned the faith and become skeptics and doubters. Of all people, women were the first to bring them news of the resurrection!
But, something happened to radically change these pitiful cowardly disciples from trembling doubters to bold proclaimers of this radical notion of a dying and rising Jewish Messiah in the midst of a hostile culture. These disciples were willing to die for their faith, and many of them would actually face death (all of the twelve apostles died by martyrdom except John). Radically, they changed their primary day of worship from Saturday to Sunday, they began to worship this man named Jesus while still claiming to be faithful Monotheistic Jews, something that was extremely radical and was blasphemous to the Judaism of the day. They did this all because something happened on that first Easter morning.
In the words of Ryan Turner from the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, “Due to all of these factors, it is certainly reasonable to conclude with the former church persecutor, then turned Christian, the Apostle Paul, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor. 15:54-57)”
Surprisingly to some, there are actually solid historical reasons to believe that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead. Consider the following from Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry.
Reason #1: Jesus died by Crucifixion
Ancient Testimony
There are multiple, early historical sources that testify to the crucifixion of Jesus including in all four New Testament gospels (c. 50-100 A.D.), various epistles of Paul (c. 48-62 A.D.), and other non-Pauline epistles (c. 48-90 A.D.). Interestingly, Jesus' crucifixion is not just attested by the New Testament, but also by a large number of secular writers. It is also attested by various non-Christian historians and writers including the Jewish-Roman historian Josephus (c. A.D. 90-95), the Roman historian Tacitus (c. A.D. 115), Lucian of Samasota (c. 2nd Century A.D.), Mara Bar-Serapion (c. Late 1st to Early 3rd Centuries A.D.), and even the Jewish Talmud (c. A.D. 70-200). This is a remarkable amount of historical testimony for an ancient event, especially from sources coming within 20 years of Jesus' death. By contrast, Alexander the Great's first biography was written 400 years after his life.
The Flogging
In addition to the ancient testimony of the crucifixion, the medical nature of the crucifixion accounts in the Gospels indicates that Jesus would not have survived the rigors of the crucifixion. Interestingly, the Journal of the American Medical Association wrote a special on the crucifixion of Jesus. In just describing the flogging, they stated,
"The usual instrument was a short whip…with several single or braided leather thongs of variable lengths, in which small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones were tied at intervals…the man was stripped of his clothing, and his hands were tied to an upright post… The back, buttocks, and legs were flogged…. The scourging…was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death…. As the Roman soldiers repeatedly struck the victim’s back with full force, the iron balls would cause deep contusions, and the leather thongs and sheep bones would cut into the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Then, as the flogging continued, the lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles.”
The Crucifixion
However, the whipping was not all the affliction Jesus would receive. When his wrists were nailed to the cross, “...the driven nail would crush or sever the rather large sensorimotor median nerve. The stimulated nerve would produce excruciating bolts of fiery pain in both arms.” Alex Metherell, an expert on human physiology, notes that the sensation would be like using pliers to crush the nerve that causes intense pain when we hit our elbow or “funny bone.”
After surveying the medical evidence, the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded, “Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption that Jesus did not die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern medical knowledge.”
Likewise, most skeptical historians agree with this conclusion. The noted Jesus expert John Dominic Crossan states, “That he was crucified is as sure as anything historical can ever be.” The idea of the Swoon Theory that Jesus merely appeared to die on the cross and was later revived by his disciples has been virtually unanimously rejected by scholars today.
Reality Check
Furthermore, the Romans are known to have been experts at killing their victims. The idea that someone could survive the torture of the crucifixion is highly unlikely. Even more, if Jesus had survived the crucifixion, his battered body would have hardly been a motivation for the disciples to start a new religion. Jesus comes into their midst staggering and bloody and says, "I am risen!" Jesus would have deserved medical attention, not reverence as the risen prince of life!
Reason #2: Jesus' Tomb was Empty (JET)
In addition to the crucifixion, there are numerous reasons to believe that the tomb was indeed empty on that Easter morning. This evidence can be summarized by the acronym JET: J - Jerusalem Factor, E - Enemy Testimony, and T - Testimony of Women.
First, the disciples preached the gospel in Jerusalem in the midst of opposition. It would have been virtually impossible for Christianity to survive and expand in Jerusalem if the body of Jesus was still in the tomb. All the opponents of Jesus would have had to do was produce the body of Jesus and squelch this Christian movement.
Second, early enemies of Christianity never disputed that the tomb was empty. Instead, they argued that the disciples stole the body (Matthew 28:12-13; Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho; Tertullian's De Spectaculis chapter 30).
Third, and perhaps the strongest evidence, the first witnesses to the empty tomb were women. Sadly, the testimony of women was not regarded highly in antiquity. The Jewish Talmud states, “Any evidence which a woman [gives] is not valid (to offer), also they are not valid to offer. This is equivalent to saying that one who is Rabbinically accounted a robber is qualified to give the same evidence as a woman” (Talmud, Rosh Hashannah 1.8)." Furthermore, “Sooner let the words of the Law be burnt than delivered to women” (Talmud, Sotah 19a). However, in the Gospels, the apostles are the ones who are cowardly hiding from the Jews and the women bring them news of the empty tomb! If Christians were going to invent the empty tomb story, they most certainly would not have used women as the primary witnesses.
Reason #3: Jesus Appeared to Many after His Death
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 preserves some extremely early creedal material that testifies to multiple resurrection appearances of Jesus to individuals and groups of people. Here, the Apostle Paul says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”
Scholars generally date this material in verses 3-7 as part of an early statement of belief (or creed), which dates back to a few years after Jesus' crucifixion in 30 A.D. Atheistic New Testament scholar Gerd Ludemann dates the creed to 32-33 A.D. It is quite likely that Paul received this creedal material from the early eyewitnesses of the resurrection appearances including Peter, James, and John when he went to Jerusalem (Galatians 1-2).
This eyewitness testimony suggests that Jesus appeared to a large number of witnesses including Cephas, the twelve, more than five hundred brethren, James, and all the apostles.
Reason #4: The Transformation of the Disciples and the Emergence of the Christian Faith
The early disciples of Jesus did not expect their great Messiah named Jesus to ever face crucifixion and rise from the dead. In line with the current Jewish thoughts of the day, the disciples' Messiah was to triumphantly defeat the Romans and deliver the kingdom of God to the nation of Israel (cf. Acts 1:6). It is clear that the disciples did not expect the crucifixion. It was indeed an embarrassment to their faith. Their chief leaders had abandoned the faith and become skeptics and doubters. Of all people, women were the first to bring them news of the resurrection!
But, something happened to radically change these pitiful cowardly disciples from trembling doubters to bold proclaimers of this radical notion of a dying and rising Jewish Messiah in the midst of a hostile culture. These disciples were willing to die for their faith, and many of them would actually face death (all of the twelve apostles died by martyrdom except John). Radically, they changed their primary day of worship from Saturday to Sunday, they began to worship this man named Jesus while still claiming to be faithful Monotheistic Jews, something that was extremely radical and was blasphemous to the Judaism of the day. They did this all because something happened on that first Easter morning.
In the words of Ryan Turner from the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, “Due to all of these factors, it is certainly reasonable to conclude with the former church persecutor, then turned Christian, the Apostle Paul, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor. 15:54-57)”
CONCLUSION
With all of this in mind, is very reasonable to believe that Jesus actually existed, actually performed miracles, was actually crucified, and was actually resurrected. The significance of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection still impacts us today—more than 2000 years later. Which leads us to this question: If Jesus really existed, performed real miracles, was really crucified, and was really resurrected...then what will I do with Jesus? Will I ignore him or believe in him.
We invite you to believe in Jesus. Jesus himself says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Believing in Jesus restores your relationship with God. Following his teachings restores humanity to what God intended for us.
Would you consider putting your faith in Jesus? If you'd like to talk more, contact Pastor Jim.
We invite you to believe in Jesus. Jesus himself says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Believing in Jesus restores your relationship with God. Following his teachings restores humanity to what God intended for us.
Would you consider putting your faith in Jesus? If you'd like to talk more, contact Pastor Jim.