The study of early Church History is not mythology. It is not legend. It is a discipline grounded in abductive reasoning—where we infer the most reasonable explanation based on the available evidence. We don't get certainty, but we can get clarity. And if we’re honest, sometimes the truth is as disruptive as it is undeniable.
This Easter, I want to challenge you to reflect on 30 historical data points. These are not imaginative embellishments or religious sentiments—they are grounded in archaeological evidence, non-Christian historical accounts, and the writings of eyewitnesses and their immediate disciples. These events, taken together, demand an explanation.
What is the best explanation for all this? Let’s explore.
The Event That Changed the World
The Gospel accounts claim to be eyewitness testimonies about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection around AD 30–33. Scholars date the Gospels between AD 50–70—well within the lifetime of many who knew Jesus personally.
Crucifixion was real. Archeologists have found heel bones with nails in Israel and England, confirming it was a brutal form of execution.
Tacitus, a Roman historian, confirms that Jesus was executed by Pontius Pilate—who governed Judea between AD 26–36, the same timeframe in which the Gospels say Jesus was crucified.
Tiberius was Emperor at the time. He was paranoid and ruthless, known for purging anyone who seemed remotely treasonous (Tacitus, Annals).
Jesus’ followers fled in fear. Crucifixion was public, humiliating, and intended to make an example. The Gospels say His closest followers went into hiding, terrified.
Then something changed. The same followers who fled began boldly proclaiming that Jesus had risen from the dead—even when it cost them everything.
From Cowards to Martyrs
Peter, the most prominent disciple, was crucified under Nero (Clement of Rome, AD 95).
Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, awaited execution in Rome around AD 62, still unwavering in his belief in the risen Jesus.
Multiple sources confirm their deaths. Clement, Tacitus, and Suetonius—all non-biblical writers—record their martyrdom.
Christianity was illegal. The Roman world believed in gods like Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. Christianity was a threat to the religious and political status quo.
Emperors were worshipped as divine. Temples and statues honored them. In contrast, Jesus—a poor man from Nazareth—was proclaimed the true Son of God.
Jesus had no political power. He was from a backwater village, Nazareth. He never held office, never led an army, never owned land.
He died a criminal’s death, accused of calling Himself “King of the Jews”—a title punishable by death under Roman law.
Jewish authorities tried to stop the movement. Acts says Caiaphas, the high priest (whose bone box we’ve found), led this opposition.
Caligula also demanded worship. Around AD 40, he ordered temples to himself across the empire—including Judea.
By AD 49, riots in Rome between Jews and Christians over Jesus led Emperor Claudius to expel them both. But why such contention over a “dead messiah”?
Families Changed, Culture Collapsed
James, Jesus’ own stepbrother, thought Jesus was mad. Yet later, he was stoned to death in AD 62 for proclaiming Jesus had risen (Josephus, Antiquities).
By AD 64, Nero began a genocide. Tacitus writes Christians were hated for their “abominations” and for believing a “deadly superstition”—the resurrection.
Jewish Christians changed their Sabbath. Worship moved from Saturday to Sunday to commemorate the resurrection—a massive cultural shift.
Graffiti mocking Christians has been found in Pompeii, pre-AD 70, confirming the public ridicule believers endured.
Christians were despised. They refused to sacrifice to Roman gods—required to bathe, do business, or enter politics. They were seen as undermining the pax deorum—the peace of the gods.
By AD 85, synagogues cursed Christians. A prayer was introduced: “May the Nazarenes perish in a moment.” Why risk alienation unless they truly believed?
Domitian exiled church leaders. John, Jesus’ last living disciple, wrote from the island of Patmos—standard Roman punishment.
Still, they wouldn’t shut up. Proclaiming Jesus as risen, Lord, and Saviour was treason—yet they kept going. They would rather die than deny it.
In AD 110, Ignatius of Antioch—a disciple of John—was thrown to lions in Rome. His own letters before death testify to his unwavering belief in the risen Jesus.
By AD 112, pagan temples were empty. Pliny the Younger wrote to Emperor Trajan asking how to stop this Christian movement overtaking Bithynia.
Underground Faith, Unshakable Belief
In 2022, an underground city was found in Midyat, Turkey, with early Christian churches and Roman-era lamps. These believers had gone underground—literally—to survive.
In AD 135, Emperor Hadrian tried to erase Christianity by building a pagan temple to Venus directly over Jesus’ tomb. If it wasn’t already venerated, why cover it up?
Hadrian also promoted Antinuous, his deceased companion, as a divine figure who could offer immortality. Over 100 statues were built. A desperate attempt to counteract belief in the resurrection?
In AD 155, Polycarp, another disciple of John, was burned alive. His only “crime” was proclaiming that Jesus was alive.
A Movement Without Advantage
By AD 311, Christians had endured nearly three centuries of waves of violent persecution. And yet, Christianity kept growing. Why?
Let’s be clear: there was absolutely no social benefit to being a Christian in the first century.
Jews who became Christians were cast out of synagogues and cursed.
Gentiles were called “haters of humanity,” accused of incest (for calling each other brothers and sisters), cannibalism (communion), and atheism (for denying the Roman gods).
Christians were killed, tortured, exiled, burned, crucified, thrown to lions—all for one belief: Jesus rose from the dead.
And yet, this belief didn’t die out. It surged. By AD 112, pagan temples were empty. By AD 135, emperors were scrambling to hide the tomb. By AD 155, leaders were still dying for this claim.
What’s the best explanation?
The Challenge of the Empty Tomb
You might say, “People die for lies all the time.” True. But they don’t die for something they know is a lie. These were eyewitnesses. They didn’t just hear it—they said they saw Him, touched Him, ate with Him.
You might say, “Well, maybe it was hallucination.” But hallucinations don’t happen in groups. And they don’t last 40 days.
You might say, “Maybe the body was stolen.” By who? The terrified disciples? The Romans or Jews, who had every reason to display the body? No body was ever produced. That’s why the movement could not be stopped.
If this didn’t happen, Christianity falls like a house of cards. But if it did happen… there’s no more important event in human history.
What Should You Do?
Perhaps that’s why our entire dating system was reordered around the life of Jesus.
Perhaps that’s why the Bible remains the best-selling book of all time.
Perhaps that’s why the world pauses every Easter—not just for chocolate eggs, but to remember an empty tomb.
If you’re even open to the possibility that Jesus really did rise from the dead, I encourage you:
Pray. Say something like:
"Jesus, if you really did rise from the dead, reveal Yourself to me in an unmistakable way."
If you’re sincere, I believe He will.
Jesus doesn’t ask you to be perfect. He asks you to repent—to turn from the selfishness that stains the soul—and to believe in Him. He offers the Holy Spirit, power to cleanse and renew you from the inside out.
Not religion. Not rules. But a new nature. A hope beyond death. A love that cannot be shaken. A resurrection that starts in your heart and leads to eternal life.
No other faith offers assurance like this—based on a public, historical event.
If you’re curious, grab a copy of the Gospel of John. It’s where I started. Or check out my five-part YouTube series: The Evidence for the Resurrection.
This Easter don’t just eat the chocolate. Ask the hard questions. Consider the evidence. And follow it wherever it leads.
You might just meet the risen Christ.
