Jesus Rose From The Dead. Fact Or Fiction?

Can we know for sure that the resurrection is real?

Commonly referred to as, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” it is of paramount importance to know for certain if Jesus actually did arise from the dead. Many have challenged or questioned the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a fair question for anyone to ask. Christianity as we know it hinges on the resurrection being true. Did Jesus really die and then resurrect Himself? Were there really witnesses? How do we know for sure? After investigating these questions for myself, I can say with complete assurance that I know with absolute certainty that Jesus did rise from the dead. I know this is true more than I know my own existence is true. I know my own existence is true, because I can see a clear path of damage when I look behind me, But, even more so, I can tell you there is absolutely no question that Jesus raised from the dead on the third day after He was crucified. The empirical evidence is very good.

Of course, the Gospels in the bible chronicle the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. But, we can also draw from other historians of the day such as Josephus, Tacitus, and others. I found the actions of the apostles and the witnesses to be the most convincing evidence.  These actions eliminate any possibilities that the historical account of the resurrection is some elaborate fabricated conspiracy story that has stood the scrutiny of fact checking for over 2000 years.

For example, how scared were the disciples of Jesus after the crucifixion? They were petrified of others to the point that they hid from everyone behind locked doors. After Peter and others saw the resurrected Jesus, they came out of their hiding places and fearlessly preached in public about Jesus. What a change in character! What would explain this change in character? The penalty for preaching the resurrection of Jesus was death. What changed in the apostles to give them such boldness and such a presence of authority? Something gave the apostles a fresh new character make-over. It was Jesus, who conquered death and offered eternal life to those who believe in Him that restored the faith in everyone who witnessed the resurrected Lord Jesus.

Not only the apostles, but anyone who proclaimed the truth of the resurrection was to be killed. Nobody was allowed to worship Jesus, talk about Jesus, or preach Jesus. Punishment was death and yet hundreds of people were willing to be killed for admitting they witnessed seeing Jesus after the crucifixion. The Romans would literally come to you and tell you to deny the resurrection, or be imprisoned and murdered. They would chop your head off, throw you in hot oil, and crucify you for confessing your faith in Jesus or giving your testimony of seeing the resurrected Jesus. There is no explanation for that. You can’t come up with any good reason why so many people would throw their lives away testifying their witness of seeing the resurrected Jesus. Sure some people are crazy and it is conceivable that two or three people would no doubt hope to gain attention. But thousands of people?

James, the brother of Jesus, was a very openly skeptical critic of his brother. He ended up dying for his faith in Jesus. Paul, who persecuted the early church more than anyone, became the most vocal of all the apostles, writing more books in the New Testament than any other writer. What changed Paul’s mind? Jesus met Paul (then called Saul of Tarsus) on the road to Damascus. After Paul met the resurrected Lord, Paul endeavored to spread the Gospel till his death. Paul was stoned, endured beatings, imprisonment, and was ultimately beheaded by Nero, the Roman Emperor for his faith in Jesus. Over 500 witnesses saw Jesus appear to Paul on the Road to Damascus. Many of these witnesses were brutally murdered for their testimony.

Peter, who denied knowing Jesus three times before the cock crowed (before Christ was crucified), suddenly became emboldened to fearlessly share the Gospel after the resurrection. Interestingly enough, Peter was not so emboldened even after witnessing the transfiguration. It took the resurrection to calm Peter’s fears. Peter played a significant role in the early church writing many books, most of which are not canonized books. He went to Rome and preached the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. Peter endured many hardships for his faith in Jesus and ultimately was crucified on a tree upside down. Peter didn't consider himself worthy to be murdered in the same manner Jesus was murdered, so he requested to be placed upside down! Peter suffered greatly for his faith in Jesus.

There is story after story like these where people died for their faith in Jesus. The apostles were not making money preaching the resurrection of Jesus. They didn't have huge book contracts on the line or any other worldly thing that could motivate a person to risk their life believing in Jesus. People were willing to give their lives up because they knew the truth and they had the promise of eternal life. 

Two thousand years later, there are still parts of the world where having faith in Jesus will get you imprisoned and killed. Christian pastors in the country of Iran and others are constantly in the news for being imprisoned, beaten, and humiliated for their faith in Jesus.

More evidence

Other evidences include the fact that the Bible used women as witnesses. This was not done back in the day of Jesus. The women were like second class citizens, so you wouldn't use women to bolster your claims. Women literally had no voice in a court room. So, if you were going to lie about something and gather witnesses for the event, you would use men, not women to collaborate your story. But, Jesus has tremendous respect for women, which is clearly seen throughout His ministry. Jesus first appeared to women. When Mary went to the apostles to report the empty tomb, the apostles didn't even believe her. Peter ran to go check for himself. Throughout the Gospels, women were used as witnesses. In my opinion, God favored these women. I'm sure the apostles didn't like this. Nevertheless, they had to record the truth of what happened.

There is much more evidence as well. Countless numbers of people have died for testifying in the historical fact of the resurrection. Check it out! Investigate for yourself. John 10:17-18 says, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” 1 Corinthians 15:17-18 says, "And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished." Paul goes on to say that if the resurrection isn't real, then we have no other reason to live except for ourselves (1 Cor 15:32). So, Christianity completely hinges on whether or not the resurrection really took place. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:3-4, "“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” As Christians, that is our promise!

I challenge any unbeliever to study this topic. The reliability of the Bible as a historical document has been demonstrated over and over. Historians and archaeologists continually affirm the accuracy of the Bible in matters of history. Even if you don't believe in the Bible, there are many other historians who have documented evidence surrounding the resurrection of Jesus such as the historians I previously mentioned.