The Evidence Shows Jesus Historically Existed

The evidence is very conclusive that Jesus was a historical figure. We have very good evidence in suggesting that our testimony is reliable and certainly accurate. 1. Paul 1 a) First of all, Paul attests to the historicity of Jesus [1] [2] [3]. Now, Paul can be considered an extremely reliable testimony on Jesus' historicity. First of all, his first work, 1 Corinthians 15 dates right to 37 AD, or at least within five years of the Resurrection [4] [5] (maximum of 38 AD) a mere four years after the death of Jesus. This is ridiculously close to the lifetime of Jesus and there can be simply no question as to whether or not Paul had certainty in ascribing the events he documents. Furthermore, there is more evidence that shows Paul is unbelievably more of an authority and evidence for Jesus' historicity than we've discussed. Let's take a look. 1 b) Paul tells us that he was a persecutor of the early Church during the time when Jesus was actually still alive with his ministry [6], and thus Paul was directly engaged in the ministry of Jesus and was literally hunting it down. If Jesus did not exist, then his ministry did not exist, which is an absolutely ludicrous idea as Paul was directly affiliated with it in a violent manner. There is no possible way Paul could have gotten Jesus wrong because of this. 1 c) Paul even knew the FAMILY of Jesus, such as James who was a brother of Jesus [7]. Not only was Paul affiliated with James, he was even on the same council as James [8], who acknowledged Jesus during that council meeting [8]. If there was ANYONE who can confirm Jesus existed, it is his family who literally lived together with and grew up with Jesus, and Paul gives us that confirmation. "We have one author who knew Jesus' relatives, and knew His disciples, Paul... [We know that] because we have Paul's letters." -Bart Ehrman, American New Testament Scholar [9] 2. We have various secular records of Jesus 2 a) Josephus was Jewish literary writer of Palestine in the first century, and he mentions Jesus twice. -Jewish Antiquities 18.3.3 [10] -Jewish Antiquities 20.9.1 [10] 2 b) Tacitus references Jesus, writing around 107 AD -Annals 15.44 [11] 2 c) Clement of Rome, writing in the first century, mentions Jesus -1Clem prologue:1 [12] These are just a few examples we have of non-Biblical authors who attest of Jesus' historicity. We have others like Justin Martyr, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, etc, etc, etc [13]. 3. Matthew Now, Matthew was one of the 12 Apostles [14], and so if Matthew tells us Jesus existed, then it simply cannot be put into question. Amazingly enough, he did [15] [16]. So, the only thing we need to do is validate that Matthew is in fact the author of the Gospel of Matthew. This can be done beyond question if we simply look at both the internal and external evidence of the Gospel of Matthew on his authorship. Internal Evidence: We have good internal evidence that Matthew wrote the Gospel of Matthew. Now, in the Gospel of Matthew, numerous financial transactions are recorded, including in Matthew 17:24-27, Matthew 18:23-35, Matthew 20:1-16, Matthew 26:15, Matthew 27:3-10, Matthew 28:11-15 [17]. Furthermore, in Mark 12:15 and Luke 20:24, the Greek word for denarion is used for the money [18] [19], however in Matthew, a more advanced Greek word appears for state coin. Now, why is all this information relevant? Because actually, we are told Matthew is a TAX COLLECTOR [20]. This is completely in line with all our evidence that the author of the Gospel of Matthew is interested in and is capable of advanced financial information, such as a tax collector would be, which perfectly fits Matthew's character, the evidence shows Matthew is the author. We have more internal evidence, though. Inn Luke 5:29 we are told that Matthew made a great feast in his house where Jesus then reclined and ate. Likewise Mark 2:15 says (his house). However, in the account in Matthew"s Gospel (9:10) we read that Jesus and the disciples reclined at the house [21]. This shows us that Matthew is the author as the author references his own has as if it were his own in contrast to the other Gospel writers, who wrote of what happened in Matthew's house. This all conclusively shows Matthew is the author of the Gospel of Matthew. External Evidence: We have very, very good external evidence that demonstrates Matthew wrote the Gospel attributed to him. Preserved in Ecclesiastical History, Papias writes from 125 AD; "Matthew compiled the sayings [logia of Christ] in the Hebrew language and each interpreted them as best he could." [22] In 180 AD, Iraenius writes; "Matthew published his Gospel among the Hebrews in their own language, while Peter and Paul were preaching and founding the church in Rome." [23] In 200 AD, Tertullian writes ; "that the documents of the Gospels were written by the Apostles Matthew and John and the "Apostolic men of Matthew and Luke" [24] We also have references from other authors, like Origen and Pant"nus [21]. In recognition of all our internal and external evidence on the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew, we can affirm that it indeed was written by the true and original Matthew, and thus is a direct eyewitness testimony account of Jesus as an Apostle. Conclusion: As we have scavenged through the evidence, it becomes practically undeniable to claim that Jesus did not historically exist, as we have attributions to His historicity that make the questionof His existence quite literally undeniable, from Paul, various early secular writers, and the Apostle Matthew. 1. http://biblehub.com... 2. http://biblehub.com... 3. http://biblehub.com... 4. http://www.evidenceunseen.com... 5.http://www.reasonablefaith.org... 6. https://www.biblegateway.com... 7. http://biblehub.com... 8. https://www.biblegateway.com... 9. 10. http://www.bede.org.uk... 11. http://www.tektonics.org... 12. http://www.earlychristianwritings.com... 13. https://carm.org... 14. https://www.biblegateway.com... 15. http://biblehub.com... 16. http://biblehub.com... 17. http://discipleoftheword.com... 18. http://biblehub.com... 19. http://biblehub.com... 20. https://www.biblegateway.com... 21. http://www.answering-islam.org... 22. Paul L. Maier translation found in Eusebius: The Church History Translation and Commentary, [Kregal Publications, 2007]. p. 114. 23. Irenaeus quoted in Eusebius, Church History, V.8.2 24. https://ntmark.wordpress.com...