was Jesus a real historical figure? how do you know for sure?

Question

i want real answers....not just..."have faith brother..." how are we to be sure if jesus ever existed. give me proof. and mybe i will believe. maybe i won't...this is a test!!!

(...entertaining angels...?)

Answer 1

There are historical documents testifying to his existence.

Just as there are historical documents testifying to the existence of Ptolemy.

People think that the Bible is not an historical document. Okay, that's fine. But they have no problem believing that Rameses was a pharaoh of Egypt, and he's mentioned in the Bible. Just an example.

You can choose to discard the historical document that is the Bible on account of the fact that people base their faith on it. This doesn't change the fact that it is a collected book that has survived for a couple of thousand years, though. History is defined, in part, as written documents. I mean, we could argue that (again) Ptolemy never existed, since the documents that mention him are so old and unreliable, since people were so stupid and gullible back then (a common charge against the Bible). Really, we have no other "proof" than things we have read and heard.

But regardless of all of this, dude, just ask God to reveal himself to you. If you truly want him to, and you ask in earnestness and humility, he will do it. You don't have to be convinced. You don't need to have it proven through historical evidence. It will become abundantly clear when it comes from God. Just ask him.

Answer 2

What kind of "proof" do you want? If it is historical evidence for Jesus' existence, then look no further than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But these aren't the only sources that tell of Jesus' existence. 1 Corinithians 15 tells of how Jesus died and rose from the dead and then appeared to over 500 people. In Jewish and Greek culture, eyewitness accounts of such things were considered to be the best type of proof for something. Flavius Josephus in Antiquity of the Jews in Book 18 and Chapter 3 speaks of Jesus, giving credence to his miracles and teachings. Josephus himself was not a Christian, but a Jew.

Those who want to doubt that Jesus existed would also have to doubt that Tiberius Caesar, the Roman Emporer ar the time, existed. Although I cannot empirically prove that Jesus existed, I can know beyond resonable doubt that he did based on the evidence given. It is pretty naive to say that Jesus didn't exist because there is no evidence, and if one does, then he has to be consistent, and reject evidence for other historical claims such the existence of George Washington.

Answer 3

I am not a Christian, do not have "faith" and am not going to quote the Bible as my "source" (what kind of circular reasoning is that?). There seems to be little doubt among serious scholars that Jesus was an actual person would lived about two millenia ago. His name and execution are recorded in Roman documents from the time period. The fact that he existed, however, is not proof that he was the son of God as claimed in the Bible. That's for you to figure out for yourself.

Answer 4

do you need proof that anyone else in history has existed?...do you believe that any of these people existed? Anthony..Cleopatra...Julias Caesar etc etc,did you know that Jesus can be found to exist outside of just the bible record of him ,so why doubt if he was ever alive? but here is the question was he who he said he was...he was either the Son of God or a mad man to believe that he was a equal to God who could forgive peoples sins, who could heal the sick and raise the dead.. I believe he is the Christ, Son of the living God just as he said, but you must decide for yourself.

Answer 5

Holy book is meant to prove a religion.

Basically, u have to read ur holy book and learn, think and measure it using ur intelligent that God has given u, so that u can differentiate what is right and what is wrong.

every religion is based on holy book, it is the prove given by God.
thus u have to research on its contains.. as a whole not only part of it.

First u have to understand that, God is all-knowing as he is the creator, and God wont make a slightest mistakes, discrepancies or contradictions at all because he is God. Thus, u have to refine wether the Holy book is truly God words for u to believe the holy book.

After that, only u can believe everything that was said by God. As only God knows everything that happened and future.

Muslim and Christians believe Jesus does exist, based on Bible and Quran.

thus, i suggest u to read and compare between Bible and Quran.

u can try the link below, who Jesus is in Quran:-

http://www.inter-islam.org/HazIsa.html
http://www.lordswords.com/
http://wings.buffalo.edu/sa/muslim/library/jesus-say/contents.html

Answer 6

Position of Jesus (pbuh) in Islam:

(i)
Islam is the only non-Christian faith, which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus (pbuh). No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus (pbuh).

(ii)
We believe that he was one of the mightiest Messengers of Allah (swt).

(iii)
We believe that he was born miraculously, without any male intervention, which many modern day Christians do not believe.

(iv)
We believe he was the Messiah translated Christ (pbuh).

(v)
We believe that he gave life to the dead with God’s permission.

(iv)
We believe that he healed those born blind, and the lepers with God’s permission.

Answer 7

Just like anything other nonfictional book we read and believe. You read about Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and King Tut. Books have been written about them. The Bible has been written about Jesus.

Answer 8

HE is written about in the Official Annuls of The City Of Rome.

He was written about by The Ancient Jewish scribe by the name of Josephus.

The Year Date inmost of the World
is 2006 AD == After Christ (in Latin)

Answer 9

His name is written in more than one religion that was in existence back then.And he was a great Rabbi of the Jewish faith before he stated his preaching and making the other rabbis nervous for their own positions.

Answer 10

Keep your test. I've got all the proof I need. And if you really wanted to know, there are book other than the bible.