Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus Christ, is the central figure of Christianity. Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Messiah (The Christ), and the Saviour of humanity. His life and teachings, as recorded in the New Testament, form the foundation of Christian faith. Jesus was both fully divine and fully human, and His life, death, and resurrection are seen as the means by which God offers salvation to all who believe in Him.
Jesus' earthly ministry centred around preaching the kingdom of God, healing the sick, performing miracles, and offering a radical message of love, forgiveness, and redemption. His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection are believed to provide forgiveness for sin and eternal life for those who trust in Him.
Biblical Evidence for the Existence of Jesus
Historical and Biblical Evidence
The New Testament: The primary sources that speak about Jesus are the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—which provide accounts of His life, teachings, death, and resurrection. These books were written by those who either knew Jesus personally or were close to those who did.
External Sources: Several ancient historians and writers outside of the Christian tradition also reference Jesus, affirming His existence.
Tacitus (c. 56–120 AD): A Roman historian, Tacitus mentions Jesus in his Annals, referring to His execution by Pontius Pilate during the reign of Emperor Tiberius.
Josephus (c. 37–100 AD): A Jewish historian, Josephus, in his Antiquities of the Jews, makes references to Jesus, confirming His existence and the claim that He was called the Messiah.
Pliny the Younger (c. 61–113 AD): In a letter to Emperor Trajan, Pliny describes early Christian worship of Jesus, showing that He was a historical figure worshipped by a growing movement.
Biblical Evidence for Jesus as God
Jesus' Divinity
John 10:30: Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” This is a clear statement of His divine identity. The Jews who heard Him understood this as a claim to be God, and they attempted to stone Him for blasphemy (John 10:33).
John 14:9: When Philip asks Jesus to show the Father, Jesus responds, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” This highlights the unity of Jesus with God the Father.
John 8:58: Jesus says, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” The phrase "I am" echoes the divine name God used in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM"), which was understood by the Jews as a claim to divinity. Jesus' use of this phrase caused His audience to accuse Him of blasphemy.
Jesus' Authority Over Nature
Mark 4:39-41: When a storm threatens to drown His disciples, Jesus calms the storm with a simple command: “Quiet! Be still!” The disciples are amazed, asking, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” This act demonstrates Jesus' authority over nature, a power attributed only to God.
Jesus Forgives Sins
Mark 2:5-7: When Jesus heals a paralytic, He first says, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” This provokes the religious leaders because only God has the authority to forgive sins. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, asks, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?” By forgiving the man’s sins, Jesus is claiming a divine prerogative.
The Resurrection
John 2:19-22: Jesus foretells His resurrection, saying, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” He was referring to His own body as the temple. His resurrection from the dead is the ultimate confirmation of His divine nature. As God, He has power over death itself.
Matthew 28:6: The angel at Jesus' tomb declares, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” The resurrection is central to Christianity, confirming Jesus as the Son of God and Saviour.
Biblical Evidence for Jesus as Saviour
Jesus' Mission: To Save Sinners
Matthew 1:21: The angel tells Joseph that Mary will give birth to a son, and “you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus' very name means "The Lord saves," highlighting His mission to redeem humanity.
Luke 19:10: Jesus Himself says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” His purpose on earth was to save humanity from sin and death.
Jesus’ Atoning Death
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus’ death on the cross is seen as the ultimate act of God’s love, offering forgiveness to all who believe in Him.
Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus' sacrificial death is the means by which God reconciles sinful humanity to Himself.
Jesus as the Only Way to Salvation
John 14:6: Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This affirms that salvation is found only through Jesus.
Acts 4:12: The apostle Peter declares, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Jesus’ Sacrifice is a Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies
Isaiah 53: This chapter in the Old Testament describes the suffering servant who would bear the sins of many. Christians believe this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus’ sacrificial death.
1 Peter 2:24: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
Conclusion
In the Bible, Jesus is revealed as both fully human and fully divine. He is not only a historical figure whose existence is confirmed by external sources, but also the Son of God, sent to save humanity from sin. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He offers the hope of eternal life to all who believe. The Bible presents Jesus as the promised Messiah and the Saviour, whose power over nature, authority to forgive sins, and victory over death affirm His divinity. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus provides the way to salvation for all who trust in Him.