1. Eyewitness Testimony– The Gospels are based on firsthand accounts from Jesus' disciples (Matthew, John, Peter), His brother James, and Paul (1 Cor. 15:3-8). Written within 30-60 years of Jesus’ death, these accounts reflect early, reliable sources.
2. Manuscript Evidence – The New Testament has 5,800+ Greek manuscripts, some dating within decades of the originals (e.g., John Rylands Fragment, c. 125 AD), far surpassing other ancient texts in reliability.
3. Historical Corroboration – Secular historians Josephus (c. 93 AD), Tacitus (c. 116 AD), Pliny the Younger (c. 112 AD), and Suetonius (c. 120 AD) confirm Jesus' crucifixion and the early spread of Christianity.
4. The Gospels Were Written in the Eyewitnesses’ Lifetimes – Mark (c. 55-70 AD), Matthew (c. 60-80 AD), Luke (c. 60-85 AD), and John (c. 80-100 AD) were all written while eyewitnesses were still alive to verify or challenge them.
5. Archaeological Evidence – Discoveries like the Pilate Inscription (1961), Caiaphas’ Ossuary (1990), the Pool of Bethesda (1888), and the Dead Sea Scrolls (1947-1956) confirm biblical accuracy.
6. Transformation of the Disciples – Jesus' followers, once fearful, became bold preachers, enduring persecution and death (Peter crucified, Paul beheaded, James stoned), proving their sincerity in believing Jesus rose from the dead.
7. Moral and Philosophical Superiority – Jesus’ teachings (love your enemies, forgiveness, equality) were revolutionary and remain unmatched in ethical depth, shaping modern civilization.
8. Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus – Over 300 Old Testament prophecies, including His birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), His crucifixion (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53), and His resurrection, were fulfilled, with statistical odds of 1 in 10^17 for just 8 of them.
9. The Resurrection Is the Best Explanation – The empty tomb, eyewitness reports, and rapid rise of Christianity are best explained by Jesus actually rising from the dead, rather than hallucinations, hoaxes, or conspiracies.
10. Experiential and Personal Transformation – Millions testify to life-changing encounters with Christ, from the early church’s explosive growth to modern-day conversions of atheists, addicts, and skeptics.