Some people try to use the argument that Jesus never existed - that He is only recorded in the Bible. And since they do not believe in the Bible, why should they believe Jesus existed at all? But other than the historical proof of all these Bible prophecies we have presented on this site that proves the Bible - and aside from the fact of all the miracles and healings that are occurring today "In the name of Jesus" - and not trying to explain the constant inner tug of the Holy Spirit most every Christian feels after turning his/her life over to Jesus. There are many ancient secular writers who give reference to Jesus. The following is condensed from Josh McDowell's book "A Ready Defense".
Cornelius Tacitus (born A.D. 52-54) - A Roman historian, in A.D. 112, Governor of Asia, son in law of Julius Agricola, who was Governor of Britain A.D. 80-84. Writting of the reign of Nero, Tacitus alludes to the death of Christ and to the existence of Christians in Rome:
"But not all the relief that could come from man....availed to relieve Nero from the infamy of being believed to have ordered the conflagration, the fire of Rome. Hence to suppress the rumor, he falsely charged with the guilt, and punished with the most exquisite of tortures, the persons commonly called Christians, who were hated for their enormities. Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius...."
Tacitus has a further reference to Christianity in a fragment of his "Histories", dealing with the burning of Jerusalem Temple in A.D. 70, preserved by Sulpicius Severus.
Lucian of Samosata - A satirist of the second century, who spoke scornfully of Christ and the Christians. He connected them with the synagogues of Palestine and alluded to Christ as:
"the man who was crucified in Palestine because He introduced this new cult into the world....Furthermore, their first lawgiver persuaded them that they were all brothers one of another after they have transgressed once for all by denying the Greek gods and by worshipping that crucified sophist Himself and living under His Laws."
Lucian also mentions the Christians several times in other writings.
Flavius Josephus (born A.D. 37) - A Jewish historian, became a Pharisee at age 19; in A.D.66 he was the commander of the Jewish forces in Galilee. After being captured, he was attached to the Roman headquarters. He says in a hotly contested quotation:
"Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call Him a man, for He was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to Him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned Him to the cross, those that loved Him at the first did not forsake Him; for He appeared to them alive again in the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning Him. And the tribe of Christians so named for Him are not extinct at this day."
The Arabic text of this passage is as follows:
"At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And His conduct was good, and He was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and other nations became His disciples. Pilate condemned Him to be crucified and to die. And those who had become His disciples did not abandon His discipleship. They reported that He had appeared to them three days after His crucifixion and that He was alive; accordingly, He was perhaps the Messiah concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders." The above passage is found in a Arabic manuscript. Bishop Agapius in the tenth century writes: We have found in many books of the philosophers that they refer to the day of the crucifixion of Christ" We also find from Josephus a reference to James the brother of Jesus, in Antiquities XX 9:1.
There are at least five more ancient secular historians who wrote about Christ, Pilate, and the events of the crucifixion. Giving us more than enough written proof, outside of the Bible, if that is what you are looking for - that Christ did walk the earth, performed miracles, was crucified, and rose again in three days.
By George Konig
Nov. 28, 2004
www.georgekonig.org
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