Fact number one is that history records the resurrection of Jesus. The gospels record that Jesus died, some followers discovered an empty tomb, and then people saw and touched the risen Jesus. The fact that Jesus was executed via crucifixion is a historical fact, virtually undisputed by historians. It is reasonable to conclude that the tomb was found empty three days following Jesus’ burial because the tomb was secure and guarded thus making theft improbable, and if the witnesses had lied about the empty tomb, the Jewish or Roman authorities would have quickly produced the body of Jesus. We know that people witnessed Jesus alive after his death because the details of these accounts were written while those involved were still alive. Had the written accounts been false, those said to have witnessed Jesus would have set the record straight thus ending the Christian movement almost immediately.

Fact number two is the dedication of the disciples. Here were a bunch of guys who thought Jesus was the Messiah, only to have their hopes dashed when he was executed. They all went back to their old jobs and their old way of life, almost as if this whole three-year experience with Jesus was just a speed bump in life. Something must have happened to spur this bunch of characters into action. And, it could not have been a get together where they all decided to make up a story about Jesus’ resurrection so they could start a new religion. All but one of the remaining disciples died expressly because they truly believed Jesus rose from the dead. Yeah, people will die for a cause, but people do not die for what they know to be a lie!