04/20/2025
He Lives; Christ Jesus Lives today. The belief that Jesus Christ of Nazareth rose from the dead and exists today is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. The hymn writer famously expressed this belief by stating that Jesus "walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way." The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, emphasized the importance of the resurrection by noting that Jesus appeared to many witnesses, underscoring its authenticity. Among the many witnesses who saw Jesus included significant figures such as Apostle Peter, James the brother of Jesus, John, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Cleopas and his companion, and the other members of the Eleven. Paul mentioned that over 500 people witnessed the resurrected Jesus at one time, underscoring the widespread nature of these testimonies. Appearances of Jesus after his resurrection were reported in various locations such as the empty tomb, the road to Emmaus, and gatherings in Jerusalem and Galilee.
Early Christian writers, some of whom received teachings directly from the original Apostles, consistently testified about Jesus’s profound impact as a teacher, his miraculous deeds, his crucifixion under Pontius Pilate, and their unwavering belief in his resurrection from the dead.
Remarkably, many non-Christian sources from the era also reference Jesus and his followers. Jewish historian Josephus, in his work "Antiquities of the Jews," provides an account of Jesus. Roman historians such as Tacitus in his "Annals," Pliny the Younger in his correspondence with Emperor Trajan, and Suetonius in "Lives of the Twelve Caesars," also mention Jesus or early Christians. Additionally, Lucian of Samosata, the Greek satirist, commented on Christians and their beliefs, while the Talmud, a collection of Jewish texts, makes mention of Jesus and early Christianity. These accounts underscore the historical impact of Jesus and the belief in His resurrection. HE LIVES; CHRIST JESUS LIVES TODAY!! A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM IS THE KEY.