Was Jesus a Real Person?

For nearly two thousand years most of our world has considered Jesus a real man who had exceptional character, leadership and power over nature. But today some are saying he never existed.
Skeptics cite the “lack of secular history” for Jesus as evidence that he didn’t exist. Yet there is very little documentation for any person from the time of Christ. Most ancient historical documents have been destroyed through the centuries by wars, fires, and pillaging, or simply through weathering and deterioration.
These early non-Christian sources provide the following facts about Jesus Christ:

• Jesus was from Nazareth.
• Jesus lived a wise and virtuous life.
• Jesus was crucified in Judea under Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius Caesar at Passover time, being considered the Jewish king.
• Jesus was believed by his disciples to have died and risen from the dead three days later.
• Jesus’ enemies acknowledged that he performed unusual feats.
• Jesus’ disciples multiplied rapidly, spreading as far as Rome.
• Jesus’ disciples lived moral lives and worshiped Christ as God.

This general outline of Jesus’ life agrees perfectly with the New Testament.
Most non-Christian historians consider ancient New Testament manuscripts as solid evidence for Jesus’ existence. No other ancient historical person, religious or secular, is backed up by as much documentation as is Jesus Christ. In fact, more books have been written about Jesus than about any other person in history.
The Gospels portray Jesus as a man of humility, compassion and impeccable moral character. His followers present him as a real person for whom they willingly gave their lives. Consequently, slavery was abolished in Britain and America due to Jesus’ teaching that each human life is valuable.
Thousands of historical writings document Jesus’ existence. Within 150 years of Jesus’ life 42 authors mention him in their writings, including nine non-Christian sources.