DID JESUS EXIST? Evidence for the Existence of Jesus Christ One of the most important historical questions of course is the question of whether or not Jesus Christ ever actually existed. Well, archaeologists have discovered 1st century artifacts which bear His name, proving at least that someone of that name existed and lived around the time the Bible says that Christ lived. with reference to BC and AD seems to suggest the existence of a prominent person by that name. The Jewish historian Josephus, who was not a believer in the divinity of Jesus Christ, makes mention of Him, as well as His brother James. In Antiquities he wrote, "But the younger Ananus who, as we said, received the high priesthood, was of a bold disposition and exceptionally daring; he followed the party of the Sadducees, who are severe in judgment above all the Jews, as we have already shown. As therefore Ananus was of such a disposition, he thought he had now good opportunity, as Festus was now dead and Albinus was still on the road; so he assembled a council of judges and brought before it the brother of Jesus the so-called Christ, whose name was James, together with some others and having accused them as law-breakers, he delivered them over to be stoned." So it seems clear, historically at least, that Jesus Christ did exist and lived in Israel just as the Bible teaches. Perhaps the greatest evidence for the historical accuracy of the New Testament however is the fact that there were so many eye witnesses to the events recorded. It must be remembered that many of the witnesses to the New Testament events were hostile witnesses who would certainly not have put up with any inaccuracies, especially if they served to prolong a religion they despised. Did Jesus exist outside the Bible? This is a fact: Did you know that there is more proof that Jesus Christ existed than there is that Julius Caesar ever existed? It's true! both Jewish and Romans, mention Jesus in their writings. Tacitus, who lived in the first century, wrote "this sect (of Christians) came from Judea and was founded by Jesus Christ, who was put to death of the cross." Suetonius, a Roman, historian, who wrote the lives of the Cesars, mentions the sect "under one Christus." This writer, although an enemy of Christianity, still recognized it. Lucan, who lived near the close of the first century, mentions the Christians and describes their belief. He tells us "of all the great men Judea has brought forth, their crucified Master exceeds in his philosophy and teaching all before him." A magnificent tribute from a heathen! Josephus, (mentioned earlier above) the greatest of Jewish historians, writing about the middle of the first century, says: Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man - if it be lawful to call him a man - for he was a doer of many wonderful works, a teacher of such men as received the truth." He further relates his preaching, trial condemnation, crucifixion and resurrection and refers to the prophecies concerning him as having been fulfilled in all these matters. Did Jesus exist outside the Sacred Writings? Well, according to those mentioned above, someone with the name Jesus Christ existed.
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