How do people know Jesus "Miracles" really happened?

Question

Some christians say the stories of Jesus walking on water or turning water to wine is "proof" that he was the son of god, but how can people be sure that the "Miracles" of Jesus really happened? How do people know that stories in the bible were true and not gossip. I mean, the truth is easily distorted and exaggerated.For example, once I did a cheap levitation trick in school to several people. I only went up about 3 inches. Then stories started to spread. One of the people I showed it to said I rised about a foot into the air. Then I overheard another person (that I've never seen before) tell stories of seeing me flying across the hallway( Which I obviusly never did). About a week later, a freind told me that people said they saw me walk on walls like Criss Angel which was another lie. Similar events could have happend before, especialy 2,000 years ago when people were much more gullible. How can we be sure the same thing did not happen to jesus?

I'm not saying Jesus did not exist, I just do not think he was the son of god.

Answer 1

To answer a few of the answers listed above me:

1. Roman records prove Jesus existed.

False. There are no contemporary records that Jesus existed. The earliest possible reference to Jesus by a non-Christian was about 60 years after he supposedly died by a Jewish historian. Most scholars think it is mostly a forgery.

2. 500 people witnessed the risen Christ.

Wrong, one person (Paul) SAID that 500 people witnesed Christ. Even Mormanism has 11 sworn affidavits saying Joseph Smith was telling the truth. In this case, Paul only claims 500 people saw him.

3. The authors of the bible testify to the miracles.

There is a problem here. We have no idea who they are. Mark, Luke, Matthew and John are names that were chosen in 180 AD, about 100 years after the fact.

Mark never met Jesus, neither did Luke. Since Matthew copied from Mark, it makes sense he didn't see him either. John was written almost 70-80 years after the fact and there is no reason to believe he met Jesus either. Paul admits he never met Jesus.

Pretty crappy witnesses.

4. The bible says he performed miracles

I shouldn't have to explain why this is a stupid reason.

5. Faith

If I have "faith" that a unicorn exists in my backyard I am crazy. If I have "faith" a man walked on water 2,000 years ago I am a Christian. Does this make sense to anyone?

6. No one would die for a lie

Many early Mormons died for a lie. Muslims die for a lie every day, and have since the beginning. The Bob Jones cult committed mass suicide. David Koresh got his folks to nearly do the same.

This claim is a bald-faced lie...many contemporaries of false god-claimers have given their lives.

7. The Apostles were martyred for their beliefs?

Oh really? Please point out in the bible where it says this happened! (Hint, it's not in there). The stories about the martyrdom of apostles were written about 200 AD, at a time when Christians really were being killed, so they wrote stories that reflected that. None of those stories are in the bible. There is no reason to think these folks died of old age.

eh...that's enough. It should be obvious enough without addressing every point.

Answer 2

You're looking at this from a modern-day human standpoint. They were A LOT closer to perfection than we are today. Several of Jesus' miracles were performed in front of other people. If you look at the gospel accounts, and compare the details, you'll see that they're very similar. It was obviously different men that wrote each book, but the details are the same because they were the ones that witnessed the miracles and events happening. Think about a court case. Let's say a prosecuter has three witnesses. All are willing to testify against the defendant. They all saw the defendant steal a woman's pocketbook. Now, would you believe the three witnesses that are in agreement with each other about what they saw? Suppose there was only one witness. It would be a little harder to accept that as "proof" that the defendant stole the purse, but, with three witnesses, it's basically a guarantee of "proof." Why? One, because they have nothing to lose. Two, they all saw the same thing, therefore, they're accounts of what took place are very similar. Think about it, if you were given the assignment to write the Bible, wouldn't that be a very weighty responsibility? Wouldn't you make sure that everything was as accurate as possible? In the same way, those three witnesses would make sure all their facts were straight before testifying. Just a thought. Good post. Peace!

Rachel :)

Answer 3

Historically, the miracles of Jesus are better attested than many other ancient truths we take as certainty. If people are questioning if the holocaust happened, and that event is only 60-70 years old, I am not the least bit surprised people are doubting something that happened 2000 years ago. But if we are going to doubt the miracles of Jesus which are better attested than most historical happenings even a 1000 years later, then we should be casting the same doubt on all of history. Why not question if anything you ever learned in history is true? From that point, we get into a debate of epistemology.

Answer 4

Some of the Miracles of Jesus were witnessed only by a few, and an argument could be made that they were false. But many witnessed the Crucifixion, and many witnessed Jesus alive and walking around after that--one time appearing before 500 people or so. These records are made not only in the Bible but from other sources as well.

On your exaggeration note, remember that today the telling of tall tales is entertainment--but during the time of Jesus, the accuracy of a story was held with great regard. The process of witnessing was done in front of many people, mostly village elders, so that no one would be able to claim something false.

Answer 5

The book of Acts is the recorded history of the early church. They are actual events that took place in Rome. So, I will give you a Bible reference, but know that this is not fiction, but actual history that can be found written by other historians of that time.

This text is a portion of Paul's defense before King Agrippa and Festus.

Acts 26:24-31
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”

Paul is stating in a court of Law that King Agrippa knows these things are true (concerning Jesus' death, resurrection, and all the things that had been miraculously happening). Paul said these things were not done in a corner, but in the open, and King Agrippa was an eye-witness to these accounts as well.

Now, in a court of Law, if this was not true, would it not make sense that the King would have said "No I don't? I don't know what you are talking about." Actually, just the opposite happened. King Agrippa responds to Paul by saying "You almost convince me to become a Christian."

I'm sure this won't convince you of anything. I just wanted to share the reality that there are reasonable answers to the faith we have in Jesus and His life and miracles.

Answer 6

Because once a person is born of God, person is anointed with the spirit of Truth who leads into all truth and isn't a liar... 1 John 2:27.

The Holy Spirit confirms bible truth in the new Christian just the same as the Holy Spirit confirmed the bible truth to those involved with putting the bible books together.

There are a lot of false gospels out there and they are called apocryphal. The books need to be confirmed true from God in our spirit. It is confirmed through the Holy Spirit in our spirit. It has to be confirmed by the Bible LORD God.

Answer 7

Calling one out of the tomb before many witnesses is hard to fake. Curing one blind from birth is also pretty convincing. However it is only the transforming power of God in the soul making a person to be "born" again that one can truly believe that Jesus is who He says He is. When ones eyes have been opened to see Jesus as the Almighty then one knows that these miracles were really small things for Him.

Answer 8

Then we're in unhealthy form if you're proper. There must be recognise extra demise in line with Revelations 20:15, Rev 21:four and not more tears or crying and so forth however now we have tons of those. When he returns it is within the identical method the disciples SEEN him ascend. Matt 24:30, Acts one million:eleven.

Answer 9

Archeologists and Historians would say that because it was recorded multiple times it almost assuredly occured.

Today, the Catholic Churches determines a miracle as something without a logical explanation. They seem to be less frequent, but those sighted often spectacular, like multiple or even multitudes of people seeing the same vision at the same time or healing from terminal cancer.

Answer 10

For christians, it is matter of faith in what their bible says. The bible to a christian is infallible, there is no error in it. It is their sole source of authority. It is the word of god, which god spoke and it was written down by men. In their thinking, there are no ifs, ands or buts. They do not question the authenticity of the bible. They trust their bible as much as they trust god. It is not something that is not even questioned, for to the christian (the bible) is absolute truth.
I know many benevolent, peaceful christians that follow the teachings of Jesus. Especially his teachings on love(even loving ones enemies), non-judging, forgiveness toward all beings, and praying for those who persecute them and praying for those who do not believe as they do. It is important to a christian to daily pray for the peace of Jerusalem too.

Hope this helps, a little.