A Case for Christ
The question of Jesus’s historical existence
The central figure of Christianity is Jesus of Nazareth, and the question of His historical existence has been asked for centuries. Unlike mythical figures of antiquity, Jesus is deeply anchored in a specific historical setting, under Roman rule in Judea during the first century. The Gospels place Him during the reign of Herod, under the governance of Pontius Pilate, and in the context of Jewish expectations shaped by the Law and the Prophets.
While Christians affirm His divinity and role as the Son of God, even skeptics and historians outside the church agree that Jesus lived, taught, and was executed in the first century. His life left such an imprint that history itself divides into “before Christ” and “after Christ.” To examine a case for Christ is not only to look at faith claims but also at historical testimony—both from within the Bible and outside of it.
The reliability of the Gospels
The Gospels are the primary documents that provide biographical accounts of Jesus. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each present Him from different perspectives, yet with remarkable consistency in their central message. The internal evidence suggests that these writings reflect early and eyewitness testimony. Luke begins his Gospel by stating that he carefully investigated everything from the beginning and relied on “those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word” (Luke 1:2).
Scholars such as Craig Blomberg have argued that the Gospels were written too close to the events they describe to allow myth or legend to overtake memory. The resurrection of Jesus, which some assume developed as a later doctrine, is attested to in 1 Corinthians 15:3–5, which most scholars date to within a few years of Jesus’s death. Paul writes, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” This early creed demonstrates that belief in Jesus’s death and resurrection was foundational from the very beginning.
External witnesses to Jesus
Even if all Bibles were destroyed, external sources would still testify to the existence of Jesus. Roman historians such as Tacitus referred to His crucifixion under Pontius Pilate, and Jewish sources like Josephus recorded His impact on the people of Israel. Tacitus, writing in the early second century, stated that “Christus… suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilate.” Josephus, though not a Christian, described Jesus as a wise man who performed surprising deeds and gained followers.
These external accounts confirm key details: Jesus lived in the first century, taught publicly, was crucified, and left behind a following that spread rapidly throughout the Roman world. Even critics of Christianity cannot escape the historical footprint of Jesus.
Archaeology and the Bible’s historical credibility
Archaeological discoveries have continually confirmed the historical framework of the Bible. Cities, rulers, and cultural details described in Scripture have been verified through excavations and inscriptions. For example, the discovery of a first-century ossuary bearing the name “Joseph son of Caiaphas” supports the Gospel account of the high priest who presided over Jesus’s trial. Similarly, the Pilate Stone, found in Caesarea Maritima, confirms the existence of the Roman governor mentioned in all four Gospels.
While archaeology cannot prove the divinity of Christ, it strengthens confidence in the Bible as a historically reliable source. This matters because the Gospel is not set in myth but in real history. As Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” The Christian faith rests on the conviction that these events truly happened.
The Gospel significance of the evidence
The case for Christ is not merely about proving historical facts; it is about understanding their meaning. Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection are at the center of God’s redemptive plan. Unlike manna in the wilderness that sustained Israel for a time, Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). The Gospel is bigger than a record of events—it is God’s revelation of His Son as Savior and Lord.
The historical evidence supports what Christians confess: that Jesus Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose again. But beyond evidence, the Gospel calls for response. As Paul wrote in Acts 17:30–31, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
The eschatological hope in the case for Christ
The case for Christ also points forward to the future. Revelation presents Jesus not only as the crucified Lamb but also as the returning King. The historical Jesus who walked in Galilee is the same risen Lord who will one day return to judge the nations and dwell with His people forever. Revelation 1:7 proclaims, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.”
Believers are called to live in light of this hope. The evidence for Jesus’s existence and resurrection grounds our faith in history, while the promises of His return anchor our hope in eternity. The case for Christ, therefore, is not only about who He was but about who He is and who He will be when God’s redemptive plan reaches its fulfillment.
Conclusion
The case for Christ is strong, supported by both internal biblical testimony and external historical sources. The Gospels provide early, reliable accounts of His life and resurrection. Roman and Jewish historians corroborate the key events of His ministry and death. Archaeology continues to affirm the Bible’s accuracy in describing the world of the first century. Yet the evidence does more than satisfy historical curiosity—it confirms that the Gospel rests on real events, showing that God entered history in the person of Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, the case for Christ is not only a matter of past evidence but of present faith and future hope. The Jesus who was crucified under Pontius Pilate is the risen Lord who offers forgiveness, life, and eternal union with His people. To make a case for Christ is to see Him not only as a figure of history but as the center of God’s eternal plan of salvation.
Bible verses about the case for Christ
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 – “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
Luke 1:2–3 – “Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also… to write an orderly account for you.”
John 6:35 – “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’”
Acts 17:30–31 – “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
1 Corinthians 15:14 – “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”
Revelation 1:7 – “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.”
Matthew 26:64 – “Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”
John 20:29 – “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”
Romans 10:9 – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
