Why I believe in JESUS CHRIST.

Historicity.
Usually when I tell people that there is extensive historical data about the man that was JESUS CHRIST, the response is that there a number of people who may have existed, to whom miracles and teaching are attributed. What is generally overlooked is that this phenomenon occurred throughout history. But there are none about which there were, within 30 to 60 years, letters, written by eyewitnesses and other adherents were passed around to other followers, with details about his life, actions, teachings and miracles.

Roman and Jewish histories record the existence, crucifixion, and that inexplicable things were performed by a man by the name of Jesus of Nazareth (or by the same name in different languages, such as Yeshua, the Hebrew and Aramaic name for Jesus, meaning "Yahweh saves" or "The Lord is salvation").

Also his resurrection, recorded by more than one eyewitness, confirmed by repeated miraculous appearances and actions, especially where there were dozens, or hundreds, of people that could easily have stood up and proclaimed “I was there, and that is not what happened” and yet more especially if they knew that either the body had been taken and hidden or destroyed, or if they knew HE had not actually died, but only swooned and then walked among them as normal man.

The Bible.
A raw accounting of events, doesn’t gloss over the failings of the characters, like David’s murder of Uriah, one of his top generals. It tells of the nature of mankind flawlessly. Concupiscence, depravity, whatever the term, every one of us does things that hurt others, or they will be embarrassed by, or at least they should be. Some of us actually want to see the world, and every one in it, burn in hell, even if they don’t call it that.

Dedication.
it is difficult to deny that Nero, and others in power, tortured and killed thousands of HIS followers. This would not be unique except that, unlike most executions, these martyrs were offered the opportunity to reject the teachings and avoid the consequences. In some cases when victims did deny the faith, this was used as evidence that The Way, (what the followers of CHRIST called it before they were given the label “Christians”.) was false. Also, of the 12 whom history of various cultures agree were HIS closest followers, all but 1 were martyred for their faithfulness to HIM. This after abandoning HIM because they thought HE was dead and gone forever. It wasn’t until they experienced the impossible, HIM, in person, appearing in the room when the doors were locked, showing them his wounds, eating fish with them instructing them, and then disappearing, as abruptly as he appeared. This, and the sheer numbers of believers that were persecuted and martyred, within just a few years after HIS life, shows that they had more to go on than just nice, persuasive teachings by a charismatic teacher. I am convinced that nothing short of the claims made in the Bible being true could produce such results.

Constancy.
GOD does not compromise, the people that I know who have, and maintain, misguided expectations, do not get the experience they seek from the faith, and many of them fall away or never knew and/or believed the Bible’s teaching. But those that eventually do come to rely on Biblical teaching and GOD, persevere even through profound adversity.

HE changed everything. Before CHRIST, the Jewish milieu summarized by the phrase “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”, was considered restrained, whether meant literally or figuratively referring to money. Most cultures considered escalated revenge a matter of honor, and a deterrent. When HE said to “turn the other cheek”, it was revolutionary. Also Encyclopedia Britannica states “It can be said, however, that the modern concept of a hospital dates from 331 ce when Roman emperor Constantine I…”, The difference with the “new” hospitals was that Christians saw the sufferer as a member of the community. Even the keeping of time became divided into BC and AD. Sure, this nomenclature has been revised to BCE and CE, but the division remains the same. The church initiated this.

Experience.
GOD uses seemingly ordinary events to perfectly touch hearts. I accepted CHRIST tentatively, thinking that eventually the truth of the faith would either be supported or shattered. I waited, tested, doubted, explored alternatives. resisted, even rebelled, not in any particular order. Eventually, I came to be unable to honestly deny HIM. Yes, I have also seen a miracle or two.

GOD will reveal HIMSELF to you, too. If you sincerely want to know what the real truth is. That is, truth that is true regardless of anybody’s beliefs or opinions.

Try it.
Consider it possible that HE is real, and ask him to, if HE is real, show you that HE is real. Give it time. HE will speak to you through some means, and I do not mean a voice in your head, although that is possible too, it may be a simple event that touches your heart. But HE will never breach your ability to deny HIM. Even the greatest miracles of all, the virgin birth and HIS resurrection, can be denied, if one so chooses. At some time, HE will cast this aside though, then “’As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.” Romans 14:10-11

When he reaches out to you, accept HIM as your LORD, be redeemed, receive HIS salvation!