As we begin this New Year, in trying to be better Disciples of Christ, we thought it might help strengthen our faith walk if we look briefly at the historical evidence of our faith. So, let’s briefly take a look at the historical Jesus — of what we know historically about this one named Jesus.
Jesus was a real person, who actually lived in history. Not only do we have the record of the Gospel texts and the letters of Peter, Paul and John, but we also have the Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th Edition, which devotes 20,000 words to the person of Jesus the Christ and never once hints that He did not exist.
We also have several non-Christian sources that mention Jesus. Tacitus, a Roman historian (55-120 AD): “Christus (Christ)… suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilate.” (Annals 15:44)
Josephus, a Jewish historian (38-97 AD), wrote: “Pilate condemned Him (Jesus) to be crucified and to die.”
His disciples reported that He appeared to them three days after His crucifixion and that He was alive.
We have reliable eyewitness testimony to Jesus’ life in the New Testament documents. There are eight writers who claimed to be either eyewitnesses or to have had contact with eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James, and the writer of Hebrews.
These men claim to have written carefully researched accounts of their testimonies: Luke 1:1-4, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who, from the first, were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good, also, to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
2 Peter 1:16, “For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and His coming again. We have seen His majestic splendor with our own eyes.”
Our faith is a sure faith, and as we walk by faith, we can have complete assurance that it is supported by historical fact and documented evidence that collaborates, validates and justifies our faith. All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
Pastor Mark