Christianity is a world religion, ranking first in the number of its followers. It arose in Palestine in the 1st century. n e. This is the period when the state was conquered by the Roman Empire.
The creator of Christianity is the Lord Jesus Christ, a man whose birthplace is the city of Nazareth. Believers are convinced that this person is the Son of God, which is described in the Old Testament as the Savior of the world.
For most Christians, the question of the existence of Jesus Christ is quite important. After all, this personality for them is the foundation of Faith. And only after people consider His teachings, deeds and religious doctrines. Faith in Jesus Christ unites people. Even those belonging to various Christian denominations, churches and trends.
Having evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ is of great importance to believers. It is important for them to know that such a person lived on earth, died for human sins, and rose again, ascending to heaven. This gives confidence that Jesus Christ will certainly come and will judge both the living and the dead.
Modern scholars can neither deny nor affirm the divinity of Jesus. However, today we can say that science has reliable data on the existence of this person. Most of the knowledge about specific events that occurred in the life of Jesus is in Christian sources. The Gospels also give us a lot of information - books written by the first followers of this faith. They contain the history of the life of Jesus Christ, biographical information about him, as well as information about the death of this person. Such narratives are included in the text of the New Testament. This is the second part of the Bible, which is the scripture for Christians. Today, even unbelieving scholars have confidence in these works.
To confirm the existence of Jesus Christ, it is necessary to find evidence of the existence of this person in the following areas:
- archeology;
- early non-Christian writings;
- early Christian writings;
- early manuscripts of the New Testament;
- the historical influence of this religious trend.
Handwritten finds
Is there evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ? In favor of the historicity of this person and in support of the whole series of information contained in the Gospel, some sources at the disposal of modern science testify.
For example, archaeologists obtained data confirming the appearance of the Gospel not in the second, but in the first century. This was indicated by papyrus lists of books included in the New Testament. They were discovered in Egypt at the beginning of the 20th century, during the archaeological excavations.
The oldest manuscripts discovered date back to the first half of the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Of course, for the emergence of Christianity on the banks of the Nile, a certain time was needed. That is why the creation of directly New Testament manuscripts must be attributed to the 2nd half of the 1st century. This period is consistent with their content and church dating.
The earliest passage of the New Testament found, the authenticity of which no one doubts, is a small papyrus fragment. It contains only a few verses from the Gospel of John. Experts believe that this text was created in 125-130 years. in Egypt, but in order for it to come with Christianity to a small provincial town, where it was discovered, it took a lot of time.
These findings became a good reason for believers to perceive the New Testament modern texts from the Gospel as the work of the apostles - companions and disciples of the Lord.
But this is not all the evidence obtained by archaeologists of the existence of Jesus Christ. The find found near Qumran, located on the shores of the Dead Sea, in 1947 acquired great importance for the entire history of religion. Here, scientists discovered ancient scrolls that contained biblical Old Testament and other texts. Other indirect historical evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ was discovered in large numbers. They were manuscripts of books containing the Old Testament. Some of them corresponded dozens of times. Ancient texts turned out to be close to the modern translation of the 1st part of the Bible. During excavations in Qumran, other finds were discovered. They became texts thanks to which the researchers obtained additional information about the Jewish community leading religious life in the period from the middle of the II century BC. e. and up to the 60s of the 1st century AD e. Such data is fully confirmed by many of the facts reflected in the New Testament.
Scientists suggest that the Qumranites hid their scrolls in caves. By this they wanted to protect the manuscripts from being destroyed by the Romans during the suppression of the Jewish rebellion.
Scientists have established the fact that the settlements located on the coast of the Dead Sea were destroyed in 68 BC. e. That is why the biblical manuscripts of Qumran refute the version that the New Testament was created at a later time. At the same time, the assumption that the Gospel was written before the year 70 AD began to look more convincing. e., and the books of the second part of the Bible - until 85 A.D. e. (except for "Revelation", which saw the light at the end of the 1st century A.D.).
Confirmation of accuracy of the event description
There is other scientific evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ. Archaeologists have been able to refute the claims of the mythological school that the Gospel was written by people who did not know the geography of Palestine, its customs and cultural characteristics. For example, the German scientist E. Zellin confirmed the close proximity of Sychar and the well of Jacob. This is what was pointed out in the Gospel.
In addition, in 1968, the burial of John, who was also crucified as Christ and died at about the same time, was discovered north of Jerusalem. All the data revealed by archaeologists correspond in detail to those descriptions contained in the Gospel and tell about the funeral rites of the Jews and their tombs.
In the 1990s, an ossuary was discovered in Jerusalem. On this vessel for the remains of the dead there is an inscription dated to the 1st century AD. e. In Aramaic, she indicates that Joseph, who was the son of Canafa, is in the ossuary. It is possible that the buried man was the offspring of the Jerusalem high priest. According to the Gospel, Kanafa condemned Jesus, and after he persecuted the first believers of Christianity.
Those inscriptions that were found by archaeologists fully confirmed the fact that the names of people mentioned in the New Testament were common in that era. Researchers have also denied that Pontius Pilate is not a real person. They found his name on a stone, which they found in 1961 in Caesarea, within the Roman theater. In this record, Pilate is called the "Prefect of Judea." It is worth noting that after 54, supporters of Pontius called him the procurator. But just as the prefect Pilate is mentioned in the Gospel and in the Acts of the Apostles. This was convincing evidence that the people who wrote the New Testament knew well and were aware of the details of the history they imprinted on paper.
Was there a city in which the Savior was born?
Until 2009, scientists did not have any strong evidence that Nazareth, who was the birthplace of the Lord Jesus Christ, existed at the time described in the Bible. For many skeptics, the lack of evidence for the existence of this settlement was the most important evidence that Christians believe in a fictitious person.
However, scientists on December 21, 2009 announced that they had discovered clay shards from Nazareth. By this they confirmed the existence, in the times described in the Bible, of this tiny settlement.
Of course, such finds by archaeologists cannot be considered direct evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, they reinforced the gospel accounts of the Lord's life.
Is the existence of Jesus Christ proved by all available archaeological facts? All findings of scientists do not contradict this fact. They confirm that the life story of Jesus Christ is based on real events.
Direct evidence
Despite the fact that archaeologists have found a lot of indirect evidence of the earthly existence of Jesus Christ, some skeptics continued to doubt this fact. However, relatively recently, scientists made a sensational find. It can be a significant addition to all available historical facts about the existence of Jesus Christ.
This find was the ancient ossuary, a vessel measuring 50 x 30 x 20 cm, made of light sandstone. He was discovered by one of Jerusalem's collectors on the shelves of a shop selling antiques. An inscription was made on the urn, which in translation from Aramaic meant "Jacob, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus."
In those days, the names of the deceased and sometimes his father were applied to the funeral vessels. The mention of a different kindred relationship indicates the special significance of this inscription. That is why scientists considered this fact a weighty argument in favor of the fact that the remains of the brother of Jesus Christ are in the vessel. The names of these people and their family ties are fully confirmed by the texts included in the New Testament.
If the statement of scientists is true, then this archaeological find can be considered direct and the most significant of all the evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ.
Relics
Is there any physical evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ? Believers consider relics as such that relate to biblical events and are associated with the last minutes of the Lord's life. These items are scattered around the world. The authenticity of some of these things is disputed, because among them there are instances represented by several variations.
It is believed that Elena, the mother of Byzantine emperor Constantine, was the first to become interested in the relics that are available today. She organized a trip to Jerusalem, where she discovered a cross and other relics. Over a long period, many of the items described in the gospel were either in Constantinople or in Jerusalem. However, a little later, some of them were lost in connection with the beginning of the Crusades and the Islamic conquest. The remaining relics were taken to Europe. Among them are the following:
- The cross on which Christ was crucified. Being wooden, it was split many times. Small pieces of this cross are kept in churches and monasteries around the world. The largest fragments are in Vienna and Paris, in Jerusalem and Rome, in Bruges and Cetinje, as well as in the Austrian city of Heiligenkreuz.
- The nails with which Jesus was nailed to the cross. There are three of them, and they are all stored in Italy.
- Thorn will return, which was put on the head of Christ by Roman legionnaires. This item is located in Notre Dame Cathedral and has been preserved pretty well. From time to time will bring back to the public. The thorns from it are found in many churches of the world.
- Spear of Longinus. With this item, the legionnaire checked the death of Christ. The spear is presented in several variations, which are located in Rome and Armenia, as well as in the Vienna Museum. In this relic is a nail, which is considered another extracted from the body of Jesus.
- Blood of Christ. In the Belgian city of Bruges, there is a crystal vessel with a piece of cloth. It is believed that it is saturated with the blood of Christ. This vessel is stored in the Temple of the Holy Blood. There is a tradition. According to him, the blood of Christ was collected by the Roman centurion, who pierced the body of Jesus with a spear.
- Shroud of Christ. One of the variations of this relic is the Shroud of Turin. The shroud is the canvas in which the body of Christ was wrapped. Not everyone recognizes the authenticity of this thing, but there is no substantial evidence against it.
Other finds
There are some other relics. Among them:
- a tablet with the name of the Lord, which was nailed to the cross;
- the handkerchief of St. Veronica, with which she wiped the blood and sweat of Christ, carrying the cross to Calvary;
- the cup from which the Savior drank during the Last Supper;
- a scourging column to which Christ was chained in the court of Pilate to beat with whips;
- the clothes the Savior was in;
- ticks, stairs, etc.
Non-Christian Scriptures
Facts about the existence of Jesus Christ can be found in "external" sources. Mention of the Lord is found in two passages of “Jewish Antiquities.” They remarkably reflect the Savior’s personality, describing him as a wise man leading a laudable life and famous for his virtue. Moreover, according to the author, many Jews and representatives of other nations followed him, becoming his students. Another mention of Jesus in the "Antiquities" is given in connection with the condemnation of the execution of Jacob.
The mention of Christians and of Christ can be found in the writings of the Romans, dating from the II century. There is a story about Jesus in the Talmud. This is a kind of commentary on the first part of the Bible, which for Jews is an authoritative source of wisdom. The Talmud says that Jesus of Nazareth was hanged on Easter Eve.
Christian scriptures
Among the indirect evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ, the following points can be distinguished:
- The authors of the New Testament describe, as a rule, the same events, citing the same statements by the Savior and His apostles. The difference in the text can be seen only in some irrelevant details. All this becomes a confirmation of the absence of collusion between them.
- In the event that the New Testament was an artistic invention, its authors would never have mentioned the shadow sides of the character of the preachers, their behavior and activities. But the gospel contains messages that discredit even the apostle Peter. This is his lack of faith, renunciation and attempt to dissuade the Savior from the path of suffering.
- Most of the disciples of Christ, including those who were the authors of the New Testament, ended their lives martyrly. They testified to the truth of their own gospel with blood, which can be recognized as the most convincing and supreme evidence of the reality of the events.
- A very distinctive person is the person of Christ. It is so magnificent and bright that it is simply impossible to invent it. According to one of the western theologians, only a man who himself was Christ could invent Christ.
Facts from the History of Christianity
Evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ can also be found in the gospel.
- The apostles suffered deprivation, boldly going to death. In the event that such a phenomenon was fanaticism, then it could not spread simultaneously to all students. If the stories of the apostles that they saw the risen Jesus were fiction, then they would hardly have sacrificed their lives.
- Jesus did not use his influence on the people. And this despite the fact that the crowd at the entrance to Jerusalem greeted him with palm branches and glee. A simple man, being in the place of Jesus, would have acted differently. He would certainly be seduced by fame and money, raising a rebellion against the Romans.
- There are no examples in the history of Christianity when the Savior would pass on his gift to all his disciples at once. The apostles healed the sick only on behalf of Christ.
- If Jesus were a mythological person, then he would hardly have been from a small Nazareth. It is also difficult to imagine that a fictional leader was crucified. After all, such an execution was considered shameful.
- There is not a single founder of religion on earth who calls himself God. Only Jesus did this.
Old Testament Predictions
There are many points in the first part of the Bible that describe the life and death of Jesus Christ. For example, it predicts His birth from the Virgin, as well as years of service to people and His death.
All this was written a century before the time that was later reflected in the Gospel. Artificial prophecies in the text of the Old Testament could hardly have been introduced later. All of this is clear evidence of the divinity of Jesus Christ.