Who is Jesus Christ?

Jesus, as revealed in the Bible, is the promised Messiah, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world. He fulfills Old Testament prophecies, offers salvation through His death and resurrection, and reigns as the eternal King. The Scriptures declare His identity clearly, calling humanity to believe in Him:

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Through Jesus, the love, grace, and salvation of God are extended to all.

Jesus in the Bible

1. The Promised Messiah

The Bible reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah:

  • Born of a Virgin
    “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).
    Fulfilled:
    “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
  • Born in Bethlehem
    “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2).
    Fulfilled:
    “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king…” (Matthew 2:1).
  • The Suffering Servant
    “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
    Fulfilled:
    “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him” (Luke 23:33).

2. The Son of God

The New Testament proclaims Jesus as the divine Son of God:

  • At His baptism:
    “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
  • Jesus declared:
    “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30).
  • Paul affirmed:
    “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9).

3. The Savior of Humanity

Jesus came to save humanity from sin and death:

  • For Our Sins
    “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
    “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
  • His Death and Resurrection
    “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day” (Luke 9:22).
    Fulfilled:
    “He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee” (Luke 24:6).

4. The King of Kings

Jesus is the eternal ruler and King:

  • Prophecy of His Rule
    “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
  • His Eternal Reign
    “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:33).

5. The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to God:

  • “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
  • Peter echoed this:
    “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

6. The Light of the World

Jesus brings spiritual light to a dark world:

  • “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

7. The Lamb of God

Jesus is described as the sacrificial Lamb who takes away sin:

  • John the Baptist proclaimed:
    “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
  • Paul explained:
    “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

8. Fulfilled Old Testament Prophecies

Jesus’ life fulfills countless prophecies, including:

  • His Betrayal for 30 Pieces of Silver
    “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver” (Zechariah 11:12).
    Fulfilled:
    “And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15).
  • Crucifixion Details
    “They pierced my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16).
    Fulfilled:
    “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him” (Luke 23:33).

Jesus outside the Bible

These references, compiled by Bryan Windle, a Staff Researcher with Associates for Biblical Research, offer compelling and corroborative evidence of Jesus’ historical existence, his crucifixion, and the early growth of the Christian movement. Even from non-Christian and occasionally hostile perspectives, they present a strong case for the historicity of Jesus.

1. Early Christian Writers

  • Key Information: The explosive growth of Christianity in the first century is difficult to explain if Jesus didn’t exist. Early Christian writers, such as Ignatius and Clement of Rome, provide corroborative accounts of Jesus’ teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection, affirming his historical existence and influence.
  • Importance: These writings show Jesus’ profound impact on a rapidly growing religious movement despite harsh opposition and persecution.

2. Thallus

  • Key Information: Thallus (circa 55 AD) described the darkness and earthquake during Jesus’ crucifixion, later quoted by Julius Africanus. Thallus attributed the darkness to an eclipse, though Africanus disputed this explanation.
  • Importance: This is one of the earliest non-Christian references to events surrounding the crucifixion, showing independent acknowledgment of unusual phenomena at the time of Jesus’ death.

3. Lucian of Samosata

  • Key Information: Lucian, a 2nd-century Greek satirist, mocked Christians for worshiping Jesus, whom he referred to as a “distinguished personage” crucified for introducing new religious rites.
  • Importance: Lucian’s writings provide evidence of the widespread acknowledgment of Jesus as a historical figure and the devotion of his followers, even from a hostile perspective.

4. Pliny the Younger

  • Key Information: Pliny the Younger, a Roman governor in Bithynia (circa 81 AD), wrote to Emperor Trajan describing Christians worshiping Christ as a god. He sought guidance on how to deal with Christians who refused to renounce their faith.
  • Importance: His letter confirms that Jesus was a historical figure venerated as divine by his followers within a generation of his death.

5. Mara Bar-Serapion

  • Key Information: Writing from prison in the 1st century, Mara referred to the Jews’ execution of their “wise king” and drew parallels to the deaths of Socrates and Pythagoras. He noted the consequences of these executions for the respective societies.
  • Importance: Though Jesus is not named directly, the reference aligns with descriptions of Jesus and his teachings, especially his “new laws,” such as forgiving enemies.

6. Celsus

  • Key Information: Celsus, a 2nd-century Greek philosopher, criticized Christianity but acknowledged several key claims about Jesus, such as his virgin birth, miracles, and self-claimed divinity.
  • Importance: His writings, while antagonistic, confirm that these central beliefs about Jesus were well-established by the mid-2nd century.

7. Suetonius

  • Key Information: Suetonius, a Roman historian, mentioned disturbances caused by “Chrestus” (likely a reference to Christ) among the Jewish community in Rome during Emperor Claudius’ reign, leading to their expulsion.
  • Importance: This aligns with the biblical account in Acts 18:2, confirming the historical reality of conflicts arising from Jesus’ teachings.

8. Josephus

  • Key Information: Josephus, a Jewish historian, mentioned Jesus twice in Antiquities of the Jews:
    • A “wise man” known for his virtuous conduct and teachings.
    • Crucified under Pontius Pilate.
    • Believed by his disciples to have risen from the dead.
  • Importance: As a non-Christian source, Josephus’ account corroborates New Testament claims about Jesus’ life, execution, and the belief in his resurrection.

9. Tacitus

  • Key Information: Tacitus, a Roman historian, wrote in Annals about Nero blaming Christians for the Great Fire of Rome. He described Jesus (referred to as “Christus”) as crucified under Pontius Pilate during Tiberius’ reign. He also mentioned the “mischievous superstition” that arose again after Jesus’ death, likely referring to the resurrection belief.
  • Importance: Tacitus is regarded as one of the most reliable sources, affirming Jesus’ crucifixion, the spread of Christianity, and its societal impact.

10. Phlegon

  • Key Information: Phlegon recorded an eclipse and earthquake during Jesus’ crucifixion, aligning with biblical accounts. He also mentioned Jesus’ resurrection and miraculous acts.
  • Importance: This further supports the occurrence of extraordinary events surrounding Jesus’ death and emphasizes the belief in his resurrection.