This is an excerpt from Pastor Mark’s book “Alive: 21 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ ” as we countdown to Easter.
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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” – John 1:1
Reason #17: Jesus’ resurrection is unique in history.
For those who doubt or disbelieve that the Bible is historically accurate, the following quote from the ancient Jewish historian Josephus, born shortly after Jesus’ Resurrection, helps affirm it as historical fact:
“About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man.
For he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of such people as to accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks.
He was the Christ.
When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing amongst us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who had in the first place come to love him did not give up their affection for him.
On the third day he appeared to them restored to life, for the prophets of God had prophesied these and countless other marvelous things about him.
And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.” (1)
Be encouraged that God reveals Himself not only through His Word, but also through other historical texts. Have you ever read any other non-biblical texts that confirm Jesus’ life on earth?
- Flavius Josephus, “Jewish Antiquities,” in The New Complete Works of Josephus, trans. William Whiston (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 1999), 18.63–64, emphasis added. There is great controversy about the authenticity of this text. Kostenberger, Andreas J.; Kellum, L. Scott; Quarles, Charles L. (2009). The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament, pp. 104-108 is an excellent summary of the controversy.
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