Thomas Arnold, Oxford University professor and author of the three-volume History of Rome stated:
“I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence…than Christ died and rose again from the dead.”
the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem (probably not the actual tomb of Christ but a beautiful spot)
Harvard law professor and author of A Treatise on the Law of Evidence Dr. Simon Greenleaf wrote:
“All that Christianity asks of men is that they would be consistent with themselves; that they would treat its evidences as they treat the evidence of other things…the result will be an undoubting conviction of their integrity, ability and truth.”
Four convincing proofs Jesus lives:
1. The Empty Tomb
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee “…found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” (Luke 24:2, 3)
Why didn’t the enemies of Jesus retrieve His body from the tomb, disproving the resurrection and thereby nip the Christian faith in the bud?
Because His body wasn’t there!
2. The Changed Disciples
Prior to the resurrection the disciples ran in fear during Christ’s arrest, trial and beating. Peter denied Him three times.
Luke 22:56, 57 states: “A servant girl saw him (Peter) seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, ‘This man was with him.’ But he denied it. ‘Woman, I don’t know him,’ he said.”
The disciple’s personal witness of the risen Lord dramatically changed them. They became passionate advocates for Christ.
If the disciples hadn’t seen Jesus alive would they have suffered persecution, and hardship? Would 11 of the 12 disciples have died for their faith?
Of the 12, 6 were crucified, 2 died by sword, 1 by arrows, 1 by spear, and 1 was stoned to death.
(Some try to argue that many have died for false beliefs. The difference is that the disciples knew whether or not the resurrection was true—they saw the evidence personally.)
3. Our Calendar
In Revelation 21:5 Jesus said, “I am making everything new!”
Remarkably, our dating system and calendar are based on the starting point of Jesus Christ’s life. Every time you write the date, you declare His resurrection!
AD is short for Ano Domini; Latin for “In the year of the Lord.” BC stands for Before Christ.
Before the resurrection, Christ was an obscure Jewish teacher with a small band of followers.
After the resurrection, He became the focal point of history with millions of followers.
History is his-story.
4. Transformed Lives
The most exciting of these proofs Jesus lives is countless transformed lives. Jesus overcame death and empowers people to overcome constraints and burdens.
The Bible says when a person becomes born again they are raised from spiritual death to spiritual life.
“When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!” (1 Corinthians 5:17)
Hundreds of thousands testify to the power of Jesus to transform lives.
Drug addicts and alcoholics reformed
Gang members turned peaceful and law abiding
Depressed and suicidal people receive joy
Families restored
The 2,500 inmate, Carcel Bellavista prison in Medellin, Columbia, is one example.
This was previously a place of unspeakable and violent brutality, where men were routinely butchered and visiting women raped. Guards had to smuggle drugs and weapons or lose their lives.
Until inmate Oscar Osario, a self-taught reader using a Bible, converted to Christianity. He and his family’s lives were changed.
He returned to work in the prison that once confined him and held Bible studies under constant threat. Through his ministry, a miraculous reduction occurred in the monthly murders from 50 to zero!
In two years 300 men became Christians, including 30 guards and the warden.
Bible verses now cover the walls and prisoners loudly proclaim “Viva Cristo” or “Christ lives.”
If you liked this article, check out a similar article I wrote on Ten Reasons Why the Resurrection Matters