Exploring Faith? Start with Jesus
Start with Jesus
Your journey begins here.
If you’re exploring Christianity, feeling uncertain about faith, or just wondering what’s actually true—this is the place to start.
Don’t begin with religious rules.
Don’t begin with institutions.
Start with Jesus.
More than a symbol, teacher, or legend—Jesus of Nazareth is the center of the Christian faith. Everything rises or falls on who He really is.
This page will walk you through four simple but essential questions:
Who is Jesus?
Why is He important?
How do we know this is true?
What is His message—for you?
Let’s begin with the most important question of all:
Who Is Jesus?
Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish teacher who lived in the 1st century, in what is now modern-day Israel. He’s not a mythical figure—He’s a documented person in history. But Christians believe He’s far more than a man. They believe He’s God in human form, sent to rescue a broken world.
So how do we know He actually existed?
Historical Proof of His Existence
Even scholars who aren’t Christians agree: Jesus was real.
There are at least 14 independent sources written within a century of His life—both Christian and non-Christian—that mention Him.
These include:
The letters of Paul, written just 20–30 years after Jesus' death
The four Gospels, eyewitness-based biographies of Jesus
Josephus, a Jewish historian who referenced Jesus and His brother
Tacitus, a Roman historian who confirmed His execution by Pontius Pilate
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The consensus is clear: Jesus really lived.
Historical Proof of the Crucifixion
Among historians, one of the most agreed-upon facts about Jesus is this:
He was crucified under Roman rule.
Tacitus (116 AD) confirms Jesus’ death under Pontius Pilate
The Talmud, a Jewish source, refers to His execution
Early Christian and secular writers alike mention the crucifixion
Archaeological findings, like the remains of a crucified man from 1st-century Jerusalem, support the Gospel descriptions
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Even critics of Christianity recognize:
The man called Jesus lived, and He died—on a Roman cross.
If you’re anything like I was—doubting His very existence or simply never giving it serious thought—pause for a moment. Historically speaking, Jesus really did exist, walked this earth, dies on the cross and is remembered to this day by both followers and historians.
Why Is Jesus Important?
Knowing that Jesus existed and died is only the beginning.
The real question is: Why does it matter?
Across history, billions of people have staked their lives and legacies on this one man. But not just because He was crucified. Because they believed He rose again—and that His life changes everything.
Historical Significance
Jesus' teachings reshaped the world—laws, ethics, art, literature, science, and human rights have all been influenced by His life. But history remembers Him most because of what His followers believed happened after His death:
He rose from the dead.
The resurrection is the central claim of Christianity.
If it didn’t happen, as Paul said, the whole faith falls apart (1 Corinthians 15:17).
But if it did—everything changes.
Why This Can’t Be Ignored
Even if you're skeptical of miracles, consider this:
His followers died for this claim.
Many of Jesus' disciples were executed for refusing to deny that He rose again.
People don’t suffer and die for what they know to be a lie.
He was written about by both friends and critics.
His story appears in Roman records, Jewish writings, and early letters.
Some authors, like Paul, once persecuted Christians—until they encountered Jesus and changed everything.
His impact was immediate and global.
From a crucified man in a remote province… to a movement that overtook the Roman Empire within 300 years.
It’s one thing for a movement to grow slowly over centuries.
But Jesus’ followers exploded in number within a generation—not because they won power, but because they were convinced something had happened.
Something they saw.
Something they couldn’t deny.
Something—or Someone—worth dying for.
How Do We Know This Is True?
It’s one thing to hear about Jesus.
It’s another to trust what’s written about Him.
So how do we know that the accounts of His life, death, and resurrection are real—not just legends, myths, or religious exaggeration?
The answer?
Evidence. A lot of it.
Historical and Archaeological Accuracy
The Bible—especially the New Testament—is filled with historical details that have been confirmed by archaeology and ancient records:
Real people (like Pontius Pilate, Herod, and Caesar Augustus)
Real cities (like Jericho, Capernaum, and Nazareth)
Real events (like the destruction of the Jewish Temple, wars, customs, and political structures)
Archaeological finds—from inscriptions to ancient weaponry—support what the Bible records. This isn’t myth. It’s anchored in real history.
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2. Textual Reliability of the Bible
The Bible isn’t just historically grounded—it’s textually trustworthy:
The New Testament has over 24,000 ancient manuscripts, far more than any other ancient text.
Some fragments are dated within 40 years of the original writings.
Scholars estimate that the New Testament is 99.5% textually accurate—with variations so minor they don’t affect any core beliefs.
By contrast, most ancient texts (like Caesar’s Gallic Wars) survive in only a handful of manuscripts copied centuries later.
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Because of the vast number of manuscripts, their early dates, and the high degree of textual accuracy, the Bible stands out as the most historically reliable book from the ancient world. This does not mean every part is without debate, but overall, its core historical claims are well supported.
3. Eyewitness Accounts
Most of the New Testament was written by eyewitnesses—or those directly connected to them:
Luke begins his Gospel by saying he investigated everything “carefully” to provide an accurate account (Luke 1:1–4).
Paul, Peter, John, and James all wrote as people who saw Jesus—both before and after His death.
These authors were persecuted, imprisoned, and martyred—yet never changed their story.
That kind of consistent, costly witness builds trust—not just belief.
What Is His Message? (The Gospel)
Now that we’ve looked at who Jesus is, why He matters, and how we know it’s true… here’s the heart of it all:
Jesus didn’t come to create a religion.
He came to restore what was lost—our relationship with God.
The world is broken. We feel it in our lives, our relationships, and even in ourselves.
The Bible calls this brokenness sin—our tendency to turn away from God and try to run life our own way. Sin separates us from the God who made us and loves us.
But God didn’t leave us in our separation.
The Good News of Jesus — In Simple Steps
God is holy, just, and loving
He created us for relationship, but His justice cannot ignore sin.Humanity sinned and broke that relationship
Our sinful nature separates us from God—and we can’t fix it ourselves.God sent Jesus, His Son
Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn’t live.Jesus died on the cross for our sins
He took our guilt and punishment, satisfying God's justice.Why didn’t God make us without sin?
Because love requires free will—and free will means the ability to choose (and reject) God.Jesus rose from the dead
His resurrection proves His victory over sin and death.Through faith in Jesus, we can be saved
We receive forgiveness, healing, and restored relationship with God.God remains holy and just
Yet through Christ, He offers us grace and welcomes us back.
“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
What Now?
You don’t have to have all the answers to begin.
You just need to be honest—and willing to take a step.
That step might be:
FAQ: Starting with Jesus
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Yes. Jesus didn’t come to build a religion—He came to restore a relationship. You don’t need to clean yourself up or “get religious” first. Just start with curiosity and honesty. That’s enough.
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Jesus is one of the best-attested figures of the ancient world. More than a dozen independent sources—both Christian and non-Christian—mention Him, including Roman and Jewish historians like Tacitus and Josephus.
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Jesus didn’t just teach about truth—He claimed to be the truth. He didn’t point to a path—He said, “I am the way.” He backed up His claims with fulfilled prophecy, miracles, and ultimately, His resurrection.
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Yes. The New Testament has more manuscript support and historical reliability than any other ancient document. It was written early, by eyewitnesses, and aligns with archaeology and history.
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Doubt isn’t the opposite of faith—it can be the beginning of it. Ask your questions. Explore. Jesus never turned away an honest seeker—and He won’t start with you.
