Results: Did Jesus really exist?

Were you aware that there are multiple sources, other than the Bible, that prove the existence of a man named Jesus, known as the Christ, whom the Christian religion is named and whose teaching is followed by Christians worldwide?

Obviously, there is a great amount of mention of Jesus in the Bible, whose birth this upcoming Christmas holiday is celebrating. The popular story is shared in Mark 2:1-21. Were you aware of the story of the birth of Christ?

Tacitus, one of the greatest Roman historians, specifically mentioned Jesus in his writings. In 64 C.E. he mentions Christians, "The founder of this name, Christ, had been executed in the reign of Tiberius by the procurator Pontius Pilate". Does it lend credibility to the Bible that historians of the time, who were against the Christian movement, confirm the biblical accounts by their own reports?

Josephus, a Jewish historian, who personally despised the Christian religion, in his book, "Jewish Antiquities", in 62 C.E. made mention of James "the brother of Jesus-who-is-called-Messiah". The only reason James was mentioned in Josephus' writings was because his death (as recorded in Acts 12:2) resulted in Ananus, the high priest of the time, losing his position. And James was such a common name at the time, that Josephus had to take extra effort to identify which James he was speaking of - hence the mention of Jesus. Does this identification lend more belief to the existence of Jesus?

Later in these same writings, Josephus mentions Jesus again, saying, "Around this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who did surprising deeds, and a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing among us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who in the first place came to love him did not give up their affection for him, for on the third day, he appeared to them restored to life. The prophets of God had prophesied this and countless other marvelous things about him. And the tribe of Christians, so called after him, have still to this day not died out." Does the fact that the crucifixion of Jesus at the hands of Pontius Pilate, as recorded in Mark 15:15, is recorded elsewhere in non-Christian texts lend credibility to this historical event, as recorded by Josephus - a Jewish historian?

These are just a few examples of the evidence surrounding Jesus' life besides biblical accounts. If Jesus can be proven to have been a real historical figure, would it stand to reason that it would be worthwhile to research if he was truly God's Son, as he claimed to be - sent to save us from our sins so we can have the hope of heaven?

I'll end with a single Scripture relating to this. Some may feel that it is harsh and hateful, but in reality, it is a warning out of compassion and love. Jesus said in John 8:24, " I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins." Do you believe this is true?