Who is Jesus
Did Jesus exist? Is there any evidence?
Evidence is available. Firstly, of course in the New Testament of the Bible. But secondly, also from ancient writings, such as the Jewish historian Josephus and several Roman historians, mentioned in the table below.
a) Found copies: 5000 in Greek, 10000 in Latin, and 9300 in other languages
Question 1
How do we know that what was written down in the New Testament has not been changed over the years? Look at the table above and compare the time lapse between the author’s year of writing and the earliest found copy, and the number of copies. What does that say about the credibility of the accuracy of the New Testament content?
Was Jesus fully human?
Besides Jesus’ claims that He was God (the second person in the Trinity), many Bible passages claim that Jesus was also fully human. Let’s look at those passages.
a) He had a human body, born from a woman. He got tired (John 4:6) and He was hungry (Matthew 4:2).
b) He had human emotions. He got angry some time (Mark 11:15–17), He showed love (Mark 10:21), and He was sad (John 11:32–36).
c) He had human experiences. He was tempted (Mark 1:13), He was learning (Luke 2:46–52), He worked (Mark 6:3), and He was obedient (Luke 2:51).
Jesus was more than human
Was he more than a man, a great human, a religious teacher? Read Matthew 16:13–16 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Who do people say the Son of Man is? 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 But what about you? he asked. Who do you say I am? 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 13 耶稣来到该撒利亚．腓立比的地区，就问自己的门徒：人说人子是谁? 14他们回答：“有人说是施洗的约翰，有人说是以利亚，也有人说是耶利米，或是先知里的一位。”15他问他们：“你们说我是谁？ 16西门．彼得回答：“你是基督，是永生 神的儿子
Question 2
Describe how much more than a human Jesus is.
What did Jesus say about himself
a) His direct claims
- That He was the awaited Messiah (Mark 14:61–62)
- That He is the Son of God (Mark 14:61)
- That He is God the Son (John 20:26–29)
- He said I and the Father are one (John 10:30)
b) His indirect claims
- He is able to forgive sins (Mark 2:5)
- He will judge the world (Matthew 25:31,32,40,45)
c) His teaching
- I am the bread of life (John 6:35)
- If the Son sets you free, you really will be free
(John 8:36, NLT)
- I am the light of the world (John 8:12)
- I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6)
- Come to me… (Matthew 11:28–29)
- Receive me – receive God (Matthew 10:40)
- Welcome me – welcome God (Mark 9:37)
- If you have seen me you have seen God (John 14:9)
Question 3
Make notes about these claims. Which three claims are most impressive to you, and why?
What evidence is there to support Jesus claims
• His teaching (Mark 12:31; Luke 6:31; Matthew 5:44)
• His life/works (John 2:1–11; 10:37–38)
• His character (Luke 23:34)
• His fulfilment of many Old Testament prophecies
• His conquest of death
Question 4
Jesus was innocent of any sin nor crime. Nevertheless, the Jewish establishment together with the Roman occupiers put Him to death. During the crucifixion Jesus said Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. 父啊，赦免他们！因为他们不知道自己所作的是甚么。(Luke 23:34). What does that say about Jesus character?
Evidence for the resurrection
a) His absence from the tomb
False theories: Jesus did not die (John 19:33–34; the Quran in Surah 4:157-158), disciples stole the body, authorities stole the body, robbers stole the body (John 20:1–9)
b) His presence with the disciples
- Did they hallucinate?
- Number of appearances over a six-week period; 11+ appearances and 500+ people saw Him alive
- Nature of appearances (Luke 24:36–43)
c) Immediate effect
- Birth 50 days after the resurrection and rapid growth of Christian church thereafter
d) Effect down the ages
- Experience of Christians down the ages
- Over 2.3 billion Christians in the world today
Question 5
How can a killed person who has been dead for some days, become alive again?
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Did Jesus exist? Is there any evidence?
Evidence is available. Firstly, of course in the New Testament of the Bible. But secondly, also from ancient writings, such as the Jewish historian Josephus and several Roman historians, mentioned in the table below.
| work | when written | earliest found copy of manuscript | time lapse (years) | copies |
| Herodotus | 488–428 BC | AD 900 | 1300 | 8 |
| Thucydides | 460-400 BC | AD 900 | 1300 | 8 |
| Tacitus | AD 100 | 1100 | 1000 | 20 |
| Ceasar (de bello gallico) | 58-50 BC | AD 900 | 950 | 9-10 |
| Titus Livius (Roman History) | 59 BC-AD 17 | 900 | 900 | 20 |
| New Testament | AD 40-100 | part AD 130 full AD 350 | 30-310 | 24300 a) |
Question 1
How do we know that what was written down in the New Testament has not been changed over the years? Look at the table above and compare the time lapse between the author’s year of writing and the earliest found copy, and the number of copies. What does that say about the credibility of the accuracy of the New Testament content?
Was Jesus fully human?
Besides Jesus’ claims that He was God (the second person in the Trinity), many Bible passages claim that Jesus was also fully human. Let’s look at those passages.
a) He had a human body, born from a woman. He got tired (John 4:6) and He was hungry (Matthew 4:2).
b) He had human emotions. He got angry some time (Mark 11:15–17), He showed love (Mark 10:21), and He was sad (John 11:32–36).
c) He had human experiences. He was tempted (Mark 1:13), He was learning (Luke 2:46–52), He worked (Mark 6:3), and He was obedient (Luke 2:51).
Jesus was more than human
Was he more than a man, a great human, a religious teacher? Read Matthew 16:13–16 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Who do people say the Son of Man is? 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 But what about you? he asked. Who do you say I am? 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 13 耶稣来到该撒利亚．腓立比的地区，就问自己的门徒：人说人子是谁? 14他们回答：“有人说是施洗的约翰，有人说是以利亚，也有人说是耶利米，或是先知里的一位。”15他问他们：“你们说我是谁？ 16西门．彼得回答：“你是基督，是永生 神的儿子
Question 2
Describe how much more than a human Jesus is.
What did Jesus say about himself
a) His direct claims
- That He was the awaited Messiah (Mark 14:61–62)
- That He is the Son of God (Mark 14:61)
- That He is God the Son (John 20:26–29)
- He said I and the Father are one (John 10:30)
b) His indirect claims
- He is able to forgive sins (Mark 2:5)
- He will judge the world (Matthew 25:31,32,40,45)
c) His teaching
- I am the bread of life (John 6:35)
- If the Son sets you free, you really will be free
(John 8:36, NLT)
- I am the light of the world (John 8:12)
- I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6)
- Come to me… (Matthew 11:28–29)
- Receive me – receive God (Matthew 10:40)
- Welcome me – welcome God (Mark 9:37)
- If you have seen me you have seen God (John 14:9)
Question 3
Make notes about these claims. Which three claims are most impressive to you, and why?
What evidence is there to support Jesus claims
• His teaching (Mark 12:31; Luke 6:31; Matthew 5:44)
• His life/works (John 2:1–11; 10:37–38)
• His character (Luke 23:34)
• His fulfilment of many Old Testament prophecies
• His conquest of death
Question 4
Jesus was innocent of any sin nor crime. Nevertheless, the Jewish establishment together with the Roman occupiers put Him to death. During the crucifixion Jesus said Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. 父啊，赦免他们！因为他们不知道自己所作的是甚么。(Luke 23:34). What does that say about Jesus character?
Evidence for the resurrection
a) His absence from the tomb
False theories: Jesus did not die (John 19:33–34; the Quran in Surah 4:157-158), disciples stole the body, authorities stole the body, robbers stole the body (John 20:1–9)
b) His presence with the disciples
- Did they hallucinate?
- Number of appearances over a six-week period; 11+ appearances and 500+ people saw Him alive
- Nature of appearances (Luke 24:36–43)
c) Immediate effect
- Birth 50 days after the resurrection and rapid growth of Christian church thereafter
d) Effect down the ages
- Experience of Christians down the ages
- Over 2.3 billion Christians in the world today
Question 5
How can a killed person who has been dead for some days, become alive again?
Save this worsheet by pusing the EMAIL-button
Close in prayer.
CLEAR EMAIL