For Christians, the belief that Jesus Christ is God is central to their faith. But what is the basis for this belief? Is there any evidence outside of the Bible that supports the idea that Jesus is divine? In this blog post, we’ll explore the historical evidence for the divinity of Jesus Christ.
First, it’s important to note that the idea of Jesus as God was not something that emerged after his death. In fact, the earliest Christian writings, including the letters of the apostle Paul, indicate that Jesus was considered to be divine from the very beginning of the movement. This suggests that the belief in Jesus’ divinity was not a later development, but something that was present from the outset.
In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul writes that Jesus, although he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, and humbled himself to the point of death on a cross. This passage suggests that Paul believed that Jesus was God, and that he willingly gave up his divine status to become human and die for the salvation of humanity.
Second, there are several historical sources outside of the Bible that attest to the existence of Jesus Christ. The Roman historian Tacitus, writing in the early second century, mentions “Christus” (a Latinized form of “Christ”) in his account of the emperor Nero’s persecution of Christians. Tacitus refers to Jesus as the founder of the movement and notes that he was executed by Pontius Pilate. Similarly, the Jewish historian Josephus, writing in the late first century, mentions Jesus in his Antiquities of the Jews. Although there is some debate about the authenticity of Josephus’ references to Jesus, many scholars believe that the passages in question do provide some independent confirmation of Jesus’ existence.
Third, there are several pieces of evidence within the Bible itself that suggest that Jesus is divine. For example, in the Gospel of John, Jesus is referred to as the Word (or Logos) of God, who was with God from the beginning and was himself God. John 1:1-3 states: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.” This passage suggests that Jesus is not only a messenger of God, but is himself divine and co-eternal with God.
The Gospel of John also contains several instances where Jesus performs miracles that seem to indicate his divine power, such as healing the sick and raising the dead. In John 11:25-26, Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” This statement suggests that Jesus is not only a miracle-worker, but has power over life and death, a power that is traditionally associated with God.
Finally, there are the testimonies of those who knew Jesus personally, such as his disciples and other early Christian leaders. These individuals were willing to endure persecution and even death for their belief in Jesus as God, suggesting that they were convinced of the truth of this claim based on their firsthand experiences with him.
In conclusion, while the idea of Jesus as God may seem difficult to prove historically, there are several pieces of evidence that suggest that this belief was not simply a later invention of the Christian church. The fact that the earliest Christian writings and sources outside of the Bible confirm Jesus’ existence and status as a historical figure, along with the internal evidence within the Bible itself, provide a strong basis for the claim that Jesus is indeed divine. As Christians, we can find comfort and confidence in knowing that our faith is grounded in historical evidence and not just blind faith.