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Where Is God’s Church Today?
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Jesus said, “I will build My Church…†There is a single organization that teaches the entire truth of the Bible, and is called to live by “every word of God.†Do you know how to find it? Christ said it would:

  • Teach “all things†He commanded
  • Have called out members set apart by truth
  • Be a “little flockâ€

Jesus Christ’s Life: The Facts

Your classmates and acquaintances have all heard the name “Jesus Christ.†Some would probably say they believe in Him. Others wonder if He actually existed. Growing numbers consider Him irrelevant. They claim that in this technologically advanced age, Jesus is a figure that no longer fits into this world’s modern thinking.

Most of those who admit Jesus walked the Earth are not willing to do what He says. In their minds, it is utterly impractical and somewhat archaic to live by His teachings.

Similarly, those who doubt His existence refuse to believe what the Bible says He accomplished while on Earth. To them, it sounds too good to be true.

Understand. Jesus Christ did and does exist. There are incontrovertible facts that prove this. He lived on Earth and did all that He was sent to do. He performed many miracles and did what seemed impossible at the time—and would still be considered impossible today.

In a previous Bible study, we learned about the true Jesus—who He was, what He came to do, and about His Return. This study takes a closer look at the facts that back up His existence from both secular and biblical sources. It leaves the reader with no doubt that Christ was a real person who lived and walked on Earth.

It is important for those living God’s Way to “prove all things†(I Thes. 5:21). To do this, you must rely on accurate documentation or information given by those who witnessed firsthand a particular event or events. Factual testimony through witnesses, records, documents or objects must be examined and used as foundational evidence for one’s beliefs.

The same is true with proving the existence of Christ. In the end, you must decide whether there is reliable evidence to show that He actually existed—and that people saw and interacted with Him.

As mentioned previously, it is best to take notes and look up each scripture while reading the following Bible study. You could also use note cards, which allow you to jot down important points for later use.

Fetch your Bible, a pen, some paper, and note cards as we begin on a path to establishing the existence of Christ as well as important facts about His life.

(1) What is the best resource for information on Christ’s life? John 5:39, 1:1, 17:17.

The Bible is the most reliable source for information about Jesus and bears records of His time on Earth. It reveals that Christ is the Word and also that the Word is truth.

If you have not done so, be sure to study the booklet Bible Authority…Can It Be Proven? at rcg.org/bacibp. It proves the Bible’s validity and helps build a solid foundation for proving all of God’s truth.

(2) Can Christ’s human existence be proven by sources other than the Bible?

Evidence that Jesus walked the Earth is also recorded in writings of secular historians. These writers were not Christians; they simply recorded facts about Jesus from a historical perspective. This is important because it means they generally wrote objectively and stated what occurred without bias. Notable writers included Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian of the first century who famously recorded many events covered in the Bible, and Mara Bar-Serapion, a Syrian who wrote a letter comparing the deaths of Pythagoras, Socrates and Jesus Christ. Roman historians Tacitus, Suetonius and Pliny the Younger are additional examples.

Hundreds of millions of followers from other religions also acknowledge Christ’s existence. Muslims regard Him as a prophet of God and those of the Baha’i faith believe He is a manifestation of God.

(3) Was Jesus the promised Messiah? Isaiah 35:5-6, 53:7, 61:1-2; Psalm 22:17-18; Micah 5:2; Matthew 11:2-6.

Christ’s ministry proved this. When John the Baptist inquired as to whether He was the Messiah, Jesus pointed to His works as evidence of who He was. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and preached the gospel to the poor. From His place of birth to His method of death, He fulfilled what was prophesied to occur.

(4) Why did Jesus come to Earth in human form? Matthew 1:23; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:16-18; I Peter 2:21.

As a human being, Jesus experienced the sufferings, trials and temptations mankind feels on a daily basis. Because of this, He can better relate to us as our perfect High Priest.

He also became human in order to be sacrificed for our sins. He demonstrated humility by being willing to take on the form of a servant. In effect, for a time, the Creator became like what He created.

One of Christ’s names is Emmanuel, which means God with us. His life on Earth provided a real example of true obedience to God. We can learn from it and follow in His steps.

(5) During what time period was Christ born? Was it during the winter months as many in professing Christianity believe? Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-18; Song of Solomon 2:11.

The Bible does not give the exact month and day on which Jesus was born. More important was the timing of His death.

We do have clues, however, as to the general timing of His birth. The Bible states that Jesus was born “in the days of Herod the king.†Other verses show that He was not born during the winter months. One significant clue confirming this is the fact that shepherds were out in the fields with their flocks. Customarily, sheep were taken into folds (or protective enclosures) around November and remained there until March as the winter period in Israel (where Christ was born) was rainy. This means that His birth almost certainly occurred between April and October. Most likely, it was in early autumn.

(6) In what town was Jesus born? Micah 5:2; Luke 2:3-7.

Jesus was born in the city of Bethlehem, which is also known as the “city of David.†The location of His birth is important because it was a fulfilment of prophecy. Joseph and Mary, Christ’s earthly parents, lived in Nazareth. At the time of Jesus’ birth, circumstances required Joseph and his family to travel to Bethlehem, which played a role in Christ being born there.

(7) What was His early life like? Matthew 2:13-23, 13:55; Mark 6:3.

Early in His life, Jesus traveled extensively with His human parents. His birth caused the reigning king of Judah to seek to kill Him. Therefore, God warned Joseph to take Him to Egypt. As the stepson of a carpenter and a carpenter Himself, Jesus learned building principles and a strong work ethic at an early age. Not much is said about Jesus growing up, which means He likely grew up as any other typical Jewish boy in Nazareth at that time.

(8) What characteristics did He have as a child? Luke 2:40-52; John 8:29; Galatians 5:22-23; Hebrews 4:15; I Peter 2:22.

Though not much was recorded in the Bible regarding His early characteristics, various passages bring a glimpse into the kind of character a young Jesus demonstrated. He was enthusiastic with being about His Father’s business. Through His interactions with scholars at that time, He demonstrated great understanding and wisdom. Because He was perfect, we can know that He exhibited love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control.

(9) Into what kind of religious environment was Christ born? Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Matthew 5:20, 22:23, 23:4; Mark 7:5.

During Christ’s time, there was a lot of religious confusion. The entire region was under Roman rule. Romans followed pagan practices similar to the traditional holidays kept today. Therefore, the Jews of the time were surrounded by the worship of foreign gods.

Within the Jewish community in Judea, people attempted to keep a form of God’s Law, but they applied their own ways and standards. As a result, two primary sects formed within their society—the Pharisees and Sadducees. The Pharisees were the most zealous. They not only tried to keep the law based on human reasoning, but also added many additional laws beyond what was commanded—which was itself a violation. The Sadducees focused more on written laws, yet still lacked understanding. Jesus cleared up confusion about what God expected for His disciples.

(10) What was the political situation during Christ’s time? To whom were the Jews looking to be saved? Luke 24:21; Acts 1:6.

Because Christ was born at a time of Roman rule over the Jews, many sought deliverance or freedom from oppression. As a conquered people, they were subject to Roman law, including heavy taxes. They desperately yearned to regain the independence that they had enjoyed prior to their Babylonian captivity.

The coming Messiah was seen as one who would bring deliverance by overthrowing the Roman system. Yet Jesus did not come to conquer the Roman people. This is a major reason many Jews did not accept Him. They thought that the prophesied Messiah would come to redeem physical Israel. Yet Christ came instead to conquer sin.

Much has been covered about the existence and early life of Jesus. We looked at the Bible and listed secular sources that prove He did come to Earth in the flesh. We learned some of the reasons why He came and how His coming was a fulfillment of Scripture. His early life was covered along with the environment in which He grew up.

Jesus was a real person who walked this Earth. He was not a fable or an imaginary fictional character. As a youth in God’s Church, you are now better equipped to prove His existence.

For additional understanding—including an in-depth examination of the life, ministry and teachings of Jesus—read our book The True Jesus Christ – Unknown to Christianity.