For generations many have asked this question. Most people think he was just another good holy man among many from history. Islam think he's only another prophet second to Mohammad. His own people thought he was possessed by Satan. Certain cults think he is the Archangel Michael.
Evidence of Jesus outside the Bible
Regardless of the opinions about him, all people are in agreement that he actually lived nearly 2000 years ago. Numerous historians from the time period wrote about Jesus. Here are just a handful of their writings.
Tacitus (56-120AD)
At the heart of Josephus' and Phlegon's writings lies the controversy of Jesus. For how can a simple man, or even a great teacher, rise from the dead after 3 days? If he is not a simple person or just a teacher what is he then?
Reference: 1) Josephus' Account of Jesus 2) Is There Any Evidence for Jesus Outside the Bible?
Regardless of the opinions about him, all people are in agreement that he actually lived nearly 2000 years ago. Numerous historians from the time period wrote about Jesus. Here are just a handful of their writings.
Tacitus (56-120AD)
- Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular.
- “They (the Christians) were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food—but food of an ordinary and innocent kind.”
- “What benefit did the Athenians obtain by putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as judgment for their crime. Or, the people of Samos for burning Pythagoras? In one moment their country was covered with sand. Or the Jews by murdering their wise king?…After that their kingdom was abolished. God rightly avenged these men…The wise king…Lived on in the teachings he enacted.”
- “Now Phlegon, in the thirteenth or fourteenth book, I think, of his Chronicles, not only ascribed to Jesus a knowledge of future events . . . but also testified that the result corresponded to His predictions.” (Origen Against Celsus, Book 2, Chapter 14)
- “And with regard to the eclipse in the time of Tiberius Caesar, in whose reign Jesus appears to have been crucified, and the great earthquakes which then took place … ” (Origen Against Celsus, Book 2, Chapter 33)
- “Jesus, while alive, was of no assistance to himself, but that he arose after death, and exhibited the marks of his punishment, and showed how his hands had been pierced by nails.” (Origen Against Celsus, Book 2, Chapter 59)
- About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared. - Jewish Antiquities, 18.3.3 §63
At the heart of Josephus' and Phlegon's writings lies the controversy of Jesus. For how can a simple man, or even a great teacher, rise from the dead after 3 days? If he is not a simple person or just a teacher what is he then?
Reference: 1) Josephus' Account of Jesus 2) Is There Any Evidence for Jesus Outside the Bible?
Jesus in Archaeology
Jesus existence seemed to runs into problems due to the presence of many characters such as the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and the high priest Caiaphas, who both played key roles in Christ's execution, thereby allowing the resurrection three days later. For the longest time this lack of historical records remained the largest stumbling block for Christianity. However, in 1961, an Italian archaeologist named Antonio Frova uncovered a fragment of a plaque that was used as a section of steps leading to the Caesarea Theater that has come to be called the Pilate Stone. Likewise, the existence of Caiaphas was uncertain until 1990, when an ossuary (bone box) was discovered bearing his inscription. Archaeologists have also discovered what they believe to be Simon Peter's house and a cave where John the Baptist did his baptizing. |
However the biggest discovery came with the James ossuary. The box was put on display at the Royal Ontario Museum from November 15, 2002 to January 5, 2003. Close-up of the Aramaic inscription: “Ya'akov bar Yosef akhui di Yeshua” (“James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus”)
All these simply confirms the existence of Jesus of Nazareth the Bible speaks of, as being the Messiah sent by God, by confirming the very real presence of the major players in the Biblical accounts.
Who did Jesus say He was?
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Therefore Jesus claimed to be not only equal with God but that He is God. In his last words before His ascension to heaven, He showed that God was in three distinct persons but one God and that Jesus was God the Son personage. This is where Christians have the Trinity of God. Three persons but yet one God. In fact the very name of God, predicts Jesus sacrifice.
Who did Demons say Jesus was?
Sometimes people say your worse enemy is your best witness. It was obvious demons knew who was who from God.
Sometimes people say your worse enemy is your best witness. It was obvious demons knew who was who from God.
Matthew 8:28-30 (KJV)
28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Mark 3:11 (KJV) And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. Mark 5:2-7 (KJV) [Demons recognizing and worshipping Jesus] 2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and WORSHIPPED HIM, 7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. Luke 8:27-28 (KJV) 27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. |
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The Heart of the Matter
Islam says that God is one and God could never have a wife, much less a son and that Jesus was not divine. Other religions only say he was an enlightened individual. Baha'i thinks Jesus was just another prophet like Moses, Mohammad, or Buddha. Mormons say that Jesus was one of many gods and brother of Satan, product of Elohim and a goddess. Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventist say Jesus is only the archangel Michael. Others say he was just an ordinary man. Yet Jesus of the Bible claimed to be divine (John 1:1,14;8, Col 2:9), one with God (from everlasting to everlasting), and the Son of the God of Israel. So either Jesus was some crazy man or Jesus was who He said He was. Obviously no crazy man could do what Jesus did. He healed the sick, made the blind to see, lame to walk, the mute to speak, and even the newly dead to live again. But every prophet of Israel's God was able to do all of these things, with no exceptions. However Jesus then surpassed all the prophets, when He brought Lazarus back from the dead after he had been dead for 4 days and already buried. But to prove that He is God, He did something even more unheard of. Jesus died , was buried, and then raised Himself from the dead after 3 days. Not a single prophet of God has ever done this. They were always able to raise others but never themselves. This act alone has placed Jesus at a level beyond that of the prophets and holy men. Is it little wonder that Jesus said: |
John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. |
Understanding the Trinity of God (Yahweh)
Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness: ... Genesis 1:1-2 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: Luke 3:21-23 21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. John 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and THESE THREE ARE ONE. |
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Before Abraham there was only God and God was one. However, it was already evident in Genesis 1 that there were multiple persons of God, yet one God. Notice the "Let us create man in our image after our likeness", instead of a pronoun of singularity of "me" and "my". No, this isn't a translation mistake. The Hebrew that this part of the Bible is written in, does indicate plurality.
How could one God be speaking to Himself? Is God schizophrenic? Of course not, because if He is and we are made in the image of God, we'd all be schizophrenic too. Example of a real life Trinity:
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Simply put Jesus was part of the God head that most relates to humans, because He set aside his godhood and took on human form. In doing so He could pay the extremely high price required to make all men right with God, if they but believe in Him. It is a free gift held out to ever person. All one needs to do accept it.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Mark 16:16 [Jesus speaking the Great Commission] He that BELIEVETH and is baptized SHALL BE SAVED; but he that BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt BELIEVE in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, THOU SHALT BE SAVED. 1Corinthians 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached TO SAVE THOSE WHO BELIEVE. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; |
Problem of accepting Jesus as anything else but God
As state above, occults deny the Trinity and/or deny Jesus could be divine (being fully God). The problem when you talk with these people, as I have, is they also agree with the Biblical premise that one must believe and trust in the Jesus of the Bible. However the Jesus they are referring to is not the eternal, divine, everlasting Jesus within the pages of the Bible. Mormons believe Jesus is a god among a pantheon of gods who was born a god, along with his brother Lucifer by God the Father (Elohim) and the thousands of goddesses he has sex with, all of whom were made gods by other more ancient gods. Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventist Believe Jesus is the archangel Michael.
The simple fact that their Jesus is not divine, puts their faith on shaky ground. For they believe in a being who can not pay for all their sins, if any at all. If he is only human, or an angel, or a god among many, Jesus would not be qualified to take up any of our sins upon Himself. If he were not God, Jesus can not forgive any of our sins because sin is a crime against God. This is why you'll find occults might agree that believing in Jesus might forgive some of your sins, but not all of your sins.
As state above, occults deny the Trinity and/or deny Jesus could be divine (being fully God). The problem when you talk with these people, as I have, is they also agree with the Biblical premise that one must believe and trust in the Jesus of the Bible. However the Jesus they are referring to is not the eternal, divine, everlasting Jesus within the pages of the Bible. Mormons believe Jesus is a god among a pantheon of gods who was born a god, along with his brother Lucifer by God the Father (Elohim) and the thousands of goddesses he has sex with, all of whom were made gods by other more ancient gods. Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventist Believe Jesus is the archangel Michael.
The simple fact that their Jesus is not divine, puts their faith on shaky ground. For they believe in a being who can not pay for all their sins, if any at all. If he is only human, or an angel, or a god among many, Jesus would not be qualified to take up any of our sins upon Himself. If he were not God, Jesus can not forgive any of our sins because sin is a crime against God. This is why you'll find occults might agree that believing in Jesus might forgive some of your sins, but not all of your sins.
Matthew 3:16-17
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 1 John 2:22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. Hebrews 2:16 For verily he(Jesus) took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Jude 1:4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. |
The Bible is clear from both God's own words and Jesus own lips that He was one with the Father, making one God in three persons. To deny this or say he was less, is to deny the ability of Jesus to save you from all your sins. And if you Jesus can't save you from your sins then what do you have saving you from your sins?
Conclusion
So either Jesus was some crazy person or He was who He said He was. And Jesus said He is God and offers the ONLY way to Heaven. The only way to take Jesus up on his offer of Heaven is to accept the free gift of salvation by believing and trusting in Jesus alone. This includes believing in that He was God himself. Pray this prayer and believe in Jesus today.
So either Jesus was some crazy person or He was who He said He was. And Jesus said He is God and offers the ONLY way to Heaven. The only way to take Jesus up on his offer of Heaven is to accept the free gift of salvation by believing and trusting in Jesus alone. This includes believing in that He was God himself. Pray this prayer and believe in Jesus today.
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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