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Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?
Christianity makes an enormous claim: a dead man got back up. Instead of asking you to borrow somebody else's faith, this message asks you to look at the evidence for yourself, including what sources outside the Bible can and cannot tell us about Jesus, His crucifixion, and the earliest Christian resurrection claim.
Watch the MessageExamine the EvidenceDid Jesus really rise from the dead?
That is not a small question. Christianity stands or falls on it. So instead of asking you to simply believe what Christians say, let’s look at the evidence. What do historians tell us about Jesus? How early did people claim He was alive again? Who said they saw Him? And what explanation best fits what we know?
You do not have to be afraid of the questions. Follow the evidence.
Did Jesus really rise from the dead? The resurrection is a question worth examining.
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What evidence is there that Jesus rose?
“Of first importance”: Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised, and appeared to witnesses. 1 Corinthians 15:3-5
1. Jesus entered history
The message points beyond the New Testament to Josephus, Tacitus, Pliny, Suetonius, and Lucian as references connected to Jesus and early Christianity.
2. Jesus was crucified
Tacitus, a Roman historian critical of Christianity, connects Christus, Pontius Pilate, and execution.
3. Christians worshiped the crucified Jesus
Pliny reports Christians singing to Christ “as to a god,” while the Alexamenos graffiti mocks worship of a crucified God.
4. Resurrection was proclaimed early
Paul says he passed on what he had received. The resurrection claim is presented as early Christian proclamation, not a story added centuries later.
5. Named people claimed they saw Him
Peter, the Twelve, more than 500, James, and Paul are named in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8.
6. Frightened followers became public witnesses
The disciples move from fear and scattering to publicly proclaiming that God raised Jesus from the dead.
Is there evidence for Jesus outside the Bible?
Yes. The evidence for Jesus does not begin and end with the New Testament. Roman and Jewish historians who were not Christians wrote about Jesus, His crucifixion under Pontius Pilate, the movement that followed Him, the worship of Christ—and even His resurrection.
That matters. These are historical witnesses outside Scripture, written by people who were not Christians. They give us historical evidence that can be examined alongside the testimony of the New Testament.
History gives us evidence. We investigate that evidence, weigh it honestly, and decide what best explains it. So what evidence do we have for Jesus?
What does Tacitus tell us?
Tacitus was one of Rome’s important historians—and he was certainly no Christian advocate. Writing around AD 116, he records that Christus suffered the “extreme penalty” during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of Pontius Pilate.
That is significant independent testimony to the crucifixion. Anyone who argues that Jesus never died on the cross has a mountain of historical evidence to overcome. The crucifixion isn't simply something Christians wrote in the Bible; a hostile Roman historian records Christ’s execution under Pilate.
What does Josephus tell us?
Josephus was a first-century Jewish historian. Writing in Antiquities around AD 93–94, he describes Jesus as a wise man and doer of remarkable works, records His condemnation under Pilate, and writes that “he appeared to them alive again the third day.”
Don't miss that. Josephus includes the resurrection in his historical account. Those who deny the resurrection have this evidence to wrestle with. Those who receive the resurrection can stand on this evidence. The question is what you will do with it.
What does Pliny the Younger tell us?
Around AD 112, the Roman governor Pliny the Younger wrote to Emperor Trajan because he was dealing with Christians and wanted to know how Rome should handle them.
In describing their practices, Pliny reports that Christians gathered on a fixed day and sang hymns to Christ “as to a god.” This is evidence from a Roman official that Christians were worshiping Jesus as God. Almost two thousand years later, we are still doing exactly that—we worship Jesus Christ as Lord.
What does the Alexamenos Graffito show us?
Someone in ancient Rome scratched a crude picture meant to ridicule a Christian named Alexamenos. It depicts a crucified figure with a donkey’s head and Alexamenos standing before him in worship. The mocker meant it as an insult: Alexamenos worships his god.
But look at what the mockery preserves. A Christian is pictured worshiping the crucified Christ, with his hand raised toward Him. What was intended as ridicule became historical evidence of Christian worship. They worshiped the crucified Christ then. We still lift our hands and worship Jesus today.
Follow the evidence
Tacitus. Josephus. Pliny. The Alexamenos Graffito.
Different sources. Different perspectives. None of them Christian Scripture. Yet together they add to a historical case that cannot simply be waved away.
And that is the point of Valid Faith. You don't have to be afraid of the evidence. Investigate it. Ask hard questions. Follow it wherever it leads.
The resurrection is not asking you to believe something without evidence. There is evidence. The question is what you will do with it.
Read the historical sources and examine the evidence for yourself.
Tacitus, Annals 15.44 Josephus, Antiquities 18 Pliny to Trajan Alexamenos Graffito
This is not only history. This is the gospel.
Jesus died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again. Because Jesus lives, forgiveness, new life, hope, and eternal life are real, and death does not get the final word.
Confess Him
Romans 10:9 connects confessing Jesus as Lord with believing that God raised Him from the dead.
Take your next step
Don't leave wondering what comes next. Start a conversation and let someone walk with you.
Live with Him
Talk to Him. Follow Him. Trust Him. Walk with Him. Jesus is alive.
Keep investigating
30 Honest Questions
Questions about God, science, the Bible, suffering, doubt, church hurt, and more.
Explore 30 Honest QuestionsWeek 3 resources
Use the sermon resources to keep studying.
Questions people ask about the resurrection
Is there evidence for Jesus outside the Bible?
Yes. This message examines non-Christian historical references connected to Jesus, His crucifixion, and early Christian worship.
Was the resurrection claim added much later?
1 Corinthians 15 presents Paul passing on a resurrection proclamation he had already received, placing the claim early in the Christian movement.
Why does the resurrection matter personally?
The message does not stop with evidence: if Jesus is alive, forgiveness, new life, hope, and eternal life become a personal invitation to respond.
Week 1: Must I Turn Off My Brain to Be a Christian? · Week 2: Can the Bible Be Trusted?
Talk with Pastor Chris
If this message raised a question about Jesus, the resurrection, doubt, or faith, Chris would be glad to hear what you're thinking. You do not need to have the right words before reaching out.
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