The Historicity of the life of Jesus

Jesus of Nazareth is universally considered one of the most verifiable and prominent figures in ancient history due to the convergence of multiple historical sources that attest to his existence. Not only is He referenced in the New Testament, but also in writings by historians such as Flavius Josephus and Tacitus, providing non-Christian corroboration of His life and impact. The relatively close timeline of the Gospel accounts to Jesus’ death, along with the rapid spread of early Christianity despite intense persecution, further supports the historical authenticity and significance of His earthly life and influence. The profound cultural and religious impact of Jesus Christ on across all nations over about the past two millennia, underscores His prominence as the most pivotal figure in world history.

The events of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection are among the most discussed and analyzed aspects of all historical scholarship. The crucifixion of Jesus is widely accepted by historians as a historical fact, supported by multiple sources, including the Gospels and non-Christian accounts, which consistently affirm that He was executed in Jerusalem in the 1st century under Roman authority. Despite the supernatural elements of the narrative, many accurate details from many sources support the gospel’s credibility. The resurrection, while a matter of theological belief, is supported by early Christian testimonies and the rapid growth of the Christian movement, which many scholars agree would be unlikely without a foundational event that the early followers knew to be a resurrection.

The Problem and Solution of Sin

All people are inherently sinful, and the consequence of sin is death. The Bible teaches a people, we are all as an unclean thing, and that all our personal righteousnesses is as filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6). That “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). That from the womb of our mother’s, we are “shapen in iniquity” and conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5). That the heart of people is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). God almightly may be rich in mercy toward all (Matthew 5:45), and slow to anger, but given that He is also just, He will not at all acquit the wicked (Nahum 1:3).

All have sinned, and the Word of God declares that the soul that sins shall die. (Ezekiel 18:20). Death always involves separation, and is the most awful reality of life we all must face for ourselves and others. Because the wages or consequences of sin is death (Roman 6:23), the inherent sinful nature of mankind is at the root cause of all evil and suffering. The gospel is so important, because it reveals how the only solution for sin and death (to appease a just and holy God), is the sinless sacrifice that Christ was able to make for us (1 Peter 22-23). This is the only way to eternal life.

• From conception, all people are inherently sinful by nature
• To satisfy a just and holy God, the cost or result of sin is death
• For eternal life, a sinless substitutionary sacrifice is the only answer

“Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).

With so many diverse religions and systems of beliefs in the world, the fundamental and inescapable law of non-contradiction stipulates that opposing statements cannot simultaneously all be right in the same sense. In determining the correct path, therefore, the gospel of Christ provides the only feasible means for mankind to overcome the dire dilemma’s of our own mortal existence while ultimate justice can still be served. In the end, the biblical outlook of the future, after the second coming of Christ to the earth, envisions a glorious new heavens and new earth, where there is no more sickness, sadness, or death. This is the good news of the gospel!

Salvation is a free gift. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). By repenting of sin and believing on the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, (ascended in heaven), you can have forgiveness and eternal life spiritually in the present and forever in the body to come. Wherever you currently are, you can be saved, by grace through faith, by calling out personally in your need to Jesus. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13). If your faith and desire to turn from sin is earnest, God will respond by His Spirit to sanctify you unto born again salvation, as a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), that is no longer under the wrath of God’s condemnation. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16).

By the grace of God, He came to save sinner’s from death and hell in the afterlife. He came to bring freedom and the hope of eternal glory. Those who believe in Christ are free indeed, but those that do not are still slaves and are already condemned in denial with an inherent sin nature. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:17-21).

Eventually, all of creation will be transformed towards a perpetuate state of glory, peace, and joy, with no more corruption, injustice, or oppression, but instead the righteousness King will reign over all the earth (Zechariah 14:9), and all of God’s people from all backgrounds will be fully redeemed to receive all of the wonderful promises given in Christ (Galatians 3:29).