Not everyone believes in the existence of a superhuman controlling power. The topic did Jesus exist is worth discussing given the different views people have about it. What many people want to understand is, did Jesus exist?
Substantial evidence shows that Jesus did exist. The most detailed record that shows the life of Jesus comes from the four Gospels in the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books suggest that Jesus was born on earth, lived among humans, died, and was resurrected.
Does Jesus exist in the Old Testament? How does the New Testament prove that Jesus existed? These are some of the questions that this article will answer. By the end of it, you will also learn if there is evidence beyond the Bible that shows that Jesus existed.
Does Jesus exist in the Old Testament?
Though Jesus is not described by name in the Old Testament, there are hints that He exists. Scholars that believe in the existence of Jesus suggest that the theme of the entire Bible is Jesus Christ. Jesus himself confirmed that he is in the Old Testament on different occasions. On one occasion, some religious leaders challenged Jesus when he said that the Old Testament was talking about him.
And Jesus quoted John 5:46, which says, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe me for he wrote of me. According to Christ, God’s work with man since time began pointed to him. Colossians 1:15 names Christ as the Father’s agent of creation.
Hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament talk about Jesus Christ. Some of them include the prophecy of his birth as written in Isaiah 7:14 and his ministry on earth as explained in Isaiah 61:1.When he was born; he fulfilled those prophecies in the New Testament.
How does the New Testament prove that Jesus existed?
The New Testament comprises different documents written by people who had personal contact with Jesus. This testament proves that Jesus existed in the Four Gospels, Matthew, John, Luke, and Mark.
Matthew and John were among the disciples of Jesus, and they wrote the Gospels with first-hand knowledge of who Jesus was and what he had done during his time on earth. Luke wrote the book of Luke from the perspective of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Luke 1:35 talks about how the Son of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, would be born by a Virgin in Bethlehem. Luke 3:23 also implies that Jesus exists since it talks about Jesus beginning his ministry at 30. Mark wrote the book of Mark from the perspective of Simon Peter, among the twelve disciples.
Is the Bible enough to prove that Jesus existed?
The Bible is enough to prove the existence of Jesus since it contains hundreds of references to Christ. Though the writing of the Gospel dates hundreds of years after the death of Jesus, many scholars still consider them very reliable evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ.
Some of the verses in the Bible that indicate the existence of Jesus include Micah 5:2, which calls him the ruler of Israel, Genesis 3:15, which talks about Jesus’ ministry of healing and hope and Psalms 16:9, which talks about his resurrection. Since numerous scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments speak about Jesus, the Bible is enough to prove that he, indeed, existed.
Is there evidence beyond the Bible showing that Jesus existed?
Apart from the Bible, some evidence about the existence of Jesus can be drawn from secular historical sources. Some Jewish and Roman historians mentioned the existence of Jesus in passages that collaborate with portions of the New Testament which describe the life of Jesus.
For instance, during the first century, Roman Tacticus, a famous historian, mentioned Christians that suffered under Pontius Pilate during the time of Tiberius. According to Annals 15:44, a man called Christ existed during the first century.
There was also another historian called Josephus that revealed that Jesus existed as a man. Josephus lived during the first century and wrote about the existence of Jesus decades after his death. Some Archeologists also collaborated on the New Testament story of Jesus after finding evidence of Roman Crucifixions like the one described in the Bible.
Are there bible scholars that believe Jesus did not exist?
Most Bible Scholars believe that Jesus existed based on the considerable evidence in the Bible. Though they believe that Jesus was a historical figure, interpretations of certain events related to Jesus vary, including resurrection and miracles. However, some secular scholars believe that Jesus did not exist. Some argue that he was not a real person.
References
- Christ Created and Sustains the World
- Did Jesus really exist
- The Life of Jesus
- Did Jesus Exist? Searching for Evidence Beyond the Bible
- Is Jesus in the Old Testament
- Tacitus — Ancient Roman Historian — Reports on Jesus
- Josephus on Christianity
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
