A clear look at the historical evidence and why the question matters.
Big Questions
- Did a man named Jesus live in and around Jerusalem about 2,000 years ago?
- Was the historical Jesus different from the divine figure described in the Gospels?
- Can we trust the historical records that mention Him?
Why this question matters
Extraordinary claims naturally invite skepticism. Some modern writers have argued that Jesus never existed and that the Gospels are fictional. Yet the Bible claims that Jesus of Nazareth lived, taught, performed miracles, died, and rose again—events that changed history and continue to influence lives today.
“Historically it is quite doubtful whether Christ ever existed at all, and if He did we know nothing about Him.” — Bertrand Russell
Evidence from ancient sources
Jesus is mentioned in a range of ancient writings—Christian, Jewish, and Roman. Even some non-Christian sources acknowledge His existence and report related events, though they do not accept His divinity.
Archaeology also supports details from the Gospels: towns like Nazareth, Cana, and Bethsaida have been excavated, and artifacts shed light on the culture and practices of the time.
How historians test reliability
Scholars use several criteria when evaluating ancient accounts. The most common are:
- Historical fit — Does the account match what we know about the era?
- Independent/early sources — Are there multiple independent sources close to the events?
- Embarrassing details — Does the account include awkward or unfavorable facts that a community wouldn’t invent?
- Dissimilarity — Are teachings or events distinct from earlier traditions?
- Semitism — Does the language/culture reflect first-century Judea?
- Coherence — Do the accounts form a consistent picture with other established facts?
On these counts, the life of Jesus performs well: multiple early, sometimes hostile, sources attest to core facts (birthplace, ministry, crucifixion, followers), traces of Semitic language and cultural detail appear in the accounts, and the narratives fit with what is known about the period.
In light of the above criteria, there are multiple independent sources—dating as early as the first 300 years after the death of Jesus—that confirm historical facts regarding His time and place.
Some of these historical writings about Jesus may seem awkward or even skeptical in tone, yet they still serve to affirm His existence. Traces of the Hebrew/Aramaic language (spoken by Jesus’ contemporaries) are found in these accounts, and the style and ideas differ from earlier Jewish traditions or borrowed concepts. These incidents align with established historical facts about Jesus.
To conclude, we have ample evidence to believe that Jesus truly came to this earth approximately 2,000 years ago and lived as prophesied and described in the Holy Bible:
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6–8)
From Fact to Faith
With such strong historical evidence for the life of Jesus, no one can reasonably deny His existence, His death, and His resurrection—truths that form the foundation of the Christian faith.
From the very beginning, as the Holy Bible records, when God created man, He made us in His own image—perfect and without fault. Yet He also gave us free will. Humanity fell from perfection when the first act of disobedience was committed, and this choice created separation between mankind and God.
We must acknowledge that we are all sinners—none of us is good by nature. One day, we will all stand before a Holy God. Sin separates us from Him, and its punishment is eternal death in hell. God’s justice requires that sin be dealt with, but His mercy offers us hope: God, in the form of Jesus Christ, came to earth to reconcile sinful humanity to Himself.
On the cross, Jesus paid our debt in full, removing the penalty of sin for all who believe in Him. We no longer have to pay the price—He paid it for us—offering eternal life to anyone who accepts Him.
But it is not enough to simply agree that Jesus died for us. We must truly repent, confess our sins to God, and turn away from our old ways. Jesus said:
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
By this, He meant that He is the only way to God, the only true God, and the only giver of eternal life.
If you are reading this today, I urge you: open a Bible, read God’s Word, and accept Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior. Believe in Him, trust His promises, and do not lose your soul to eternal separation from God. Jesus is coming again soon!
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
If you have a Bible, read it—God will speak to you through it, for He is its Author. Keep an open heart and mind to explore its authenticity.
If you wish to accept Jesus as your personal Savior, or if you would like someone to pray with you, please write to: reasoninggeneration@gmail.com —someone will be in touch with you.
Reasoning Generation 