Is Jesus still alive?

Is Jesus Still Alive?

Definition and Central Question

The subject of whether Jesus is alive rests on the claim that He was physically resurrected and continues His existence following that event. This question addresses both historical and theological considerations, relying on documented testimony, spiritual doctrine, eyewitness accounts, and personal transformation throughout history.

1. Scriptural Basis

From the outset, the Bible portrays Jesus’ resurrected state as a real, physical event. After the crucifixion, followers discovered an empty tomb. As stated in Matthew 28:6, “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” The foundational teaching appears again when Jesus declares in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Repeated post-resurrection appearances are recorded:

• Luke 24 recounts how He walked with disciples on the road to Emmaus.

• John 20:19–29 indicates He appeared to the disciples, inviting Thomas to see and touch Him.

These passages synchronize with the earliest Christian confession that Jesus, though once dead, is now alive. They point beyond mere spiritual presence, emphasizing bodily resurrection.

2. Historical Attestation

Multiple New Testament writers affirm the resurrection. Paul, writing in 1 Corinthians 15, lists numerous witnesses, noting that many were still living to verify the account. This public anchoring of the resurrection in eyewitness testimony sets it apart from myths or legends formed in secrecy.

Early Christian apologists—such as Ignatius of Antioch in the early second century—highlighted the resurrection as the core proof of Jesus’ identity. Secular sources, while not endorsing doctrinal claims, acknowledge that followers genuinely believed Jesus rose from the dead. Josephus (Antiquities 18.3.3) references Jesus’ influence and the early Christian community’s devotion to Him as the Christ.

3. Fulfillment of Prophecies and Unified Scriptural Message

The concept of Jesus being alive also ties to Messianic prophecies found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Psalm 16:10 is seen as foretelling that God’s Holy One would not see decay. According to Acts 2:32, Peter connects this Psalm with Jesus’ resurrection, emphasizing its direct fulfillment. Across the biblical narrative, consistent references teach that God promised to vindicate His Messiah.

Although penned over many centuries by various authors, these Scriptures hold a consistent theology that ties Jesus’ death and resurrection back to God’s sovereign plan of redemption (Isaiah 53, for instance, describing the suffering and ultimate triumph of the Servant).

4. Philosophical and Theological Considerations

A central theological claim is that the eternal Son of God, who entered the world in human form, would naturally transcend death. Biblically, Jesus’ resurrected life demonstrates victory over mortality. This ties to the teaching in John 14:19, “Because I live, you also will live.”

Philosophically, if God is the Creator of matter, then raising a body from the dead is not illogical. The convergence of fulfilled prophecy, the transformation of skeptics (like Paul), and the growth of a movement proclaiming the resurrection in the very city where it was contested, all undergird the plausibility of Jesus still being alive.

5. Archaeological and Documentary Corroborations

• Archaeological sites—such as first-century tombs from the region—illustrate the historical backdrop of Jesus’ burial customs.

• The Dead Sea Scrolls, while not mentioning Jesus directly, confirm the transmission quality of Hebrew Scriptures that predicted a coming Messiah.

• Early manuscript fragments, including papyri like P52 (John Rylands Papyrus), show how soon after the events the gospel accounts were circulating.

These data points outline the reliability of the biblical text: they support the integrity of the message that the tomb was empty and Jesus rose.

6. Personal and Community Transformations

Throughout history, countless individuals have testified to personal encounters with the risen Christ. The earliest disciples went from hiding in fear to boldly proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection, most facing persecution or martyrdom.

Modern accounts of conversion often cite a deep sense of relationship with a living Savior. Many in various cultures share experiences of prayers answered in ways they attribute to Christ’s ongoing work. While personal testimony is subjective, the collective effect spans millennia, reinforcing a perceptible continuity in the claim that Jesus is still alive and at work.

7. Implications for Salvation and Purpose

According to the New Testament, Jesus’ ongoing life is central to salvation. As Romans 6:9 states about Christ, “He cannot die again.” This underscores the continuity of His priestly role and the assurance that those who believe in Him participate in this victory over death. Consequently, for believers, Jesus’ life becomes the foundation for hope, transformation, and the ultimate goal of glorifying God.

Conclusion

The consistent message of Scripture, archaeological insights into first-century Judea, historical documentation of eyewitness accounts, and the lived experience of believers across centuries converge to affirm that Jesus is indeed still alive. Far from being a mere symbolic or metaphorical idea, the claim is that He physically rose and remains the victorious Messiah. This hinges not only on the testimony of the early disciples but also on the ongoing spiritual reality experienced by individuals today.