A lack of direct archaeological proof concerning Jesus Christ has led some to conclude Jesus never was. On the other hand, when historians apply the same criteria to Jesus that they use with other historical figures, they reach a different conclusion. We accept many ancient personages as being historical people even though, in comparison to Jesus, they have far less documentation. But there is more…
Jesus would have been a footnote in dusty books had He not been raised from the dead. Before the moment of His resurrection, Jesus was perceived as a prophet, a teacher, healer and an insurrectionist. His death should have marked the end of His career. It didn’t.
Because Jesus rose from the dead—an event unexpected by friends, family and enemies—He showed Himself to be the Saviour whom He had always claimed to be. The story of a living Lord as told in the Gospels, coupled with the unprecedented spread of His salvation message can be considered solid proof of His existence.
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“…Christ … was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me [Paul]… if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (The Bible, 1 Corinthians 15, excerpts).