Dear friend, if you’re hearing the gospel for the first time, or if you’ve heard it before but wondered why Christians are so convinced, this message is for you. And if you are already a believer, let this be an encouragement to stand firm in the hope we have. The gospel is not just a set of religious claims we accept “because the Bible says so.” No—we believe because there is powerful, objective evidence that demands a verdict. Christianity is rooted in historical events that can be examined, not blind faith or wishful thinking. At the centre of it all is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. If that didn’t happen, our faith is worthless (1 Corinthians 15:14). But it *did* happen—and here’s *why* we know it.
The Evidence of Fulfilled Prophecy
Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the Old Testament prophets wrote detailed predictions about the coming Messiah—His birth, life, death, and resurrection. These weren’t vague fortunes; they were specific, and all of them came to pass in one man: Jesus of Nazareth.
- Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; fulfilled in Matthew 2:1).
- Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25).
- Betrayed for exactly 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:15).
- Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16; fulfilled in the crucifixion, John 19:18).
- Mocked and insulted while suffering (Psalm 22:7-8; Matthew 27:39-44).
- Lots cast for His clothing (Psalm 22:18; John 19:23-24).
- No bones broken (Psalm 34:20; John 19:33-36).
- Buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60).
- And crucially, the resurrection itself: these prophecies foretold that the Messiah would not remain dead, that His body would not decay in the grave, and that He would rise to new, prolonged life and victory. “You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption” (Psalm 16:10; explained as fulfilled in Acts 2:27-31). Isaiah 53 describes the Suffering Servant who dies for sins but then sees prolonged life and victory (Isaiah 53:10-12).
Scholars have calculated that the odds of one person fulfilling even a handful of these prophecies by chance are astronomically small—trillions to one. These prophecies, written centuries earlier, converged perfectly in Jesus. This isn’t coincidence; it’s divine proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
The Evidence of Eyewitness Testimony and Martyrdom
But the strongest evidence is what happened after the crucifixion. Jesus’ disciples—terrified and hiding after His death—suddenly became bold proclaimers, claiming they had seen Him alive again. They didn’t just say it; they staked their lives on it.
The risen Jesus appeared multiple times: to Mary Magdalene, to the women at the tomb, to two disciples on the Emmaus road, to the Eleven in the upper room (where doubting Thomas touched His wounds and declared, “My Lord and my God!”), to over 500 believers at once (many of whom were still alive decades later when Paul wrote about it and could be questioned—1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
These eyewitnesses weren’t expecting a resurrection—they thought it was over. Yet something transformed them from cowards into fearless witnesses. What was it? They saw the risen Lord.
And they paid the ultimate price. Eleven of the twelve original apostles (replacing Judas) were brutally martyred for refusing to deny what they had seen. Peter was crucified upside down in Rome. Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross. James (son of Zebedee) was beheaded. Thomas was speared in India. The others faced stoning, flaying, burning, or beheading. Not one recanted—even when a simple denial would have spared them horrific torture and death.
The only survivor was John, who was plunged into boiling oil in Rome but miraculously survived. He was then exiled to the island of Patmos, where he endured hardship but remained faithful, writing the Book of Revelation. Thousands of other first-century believers—ordinary men, women, and children—also faced lions in arenas, burning at the stake, or crucifixion rather than deny the resurrection.
People may willingly die for what they sincerely believe is true—like for family or country. But no one dies a torturous death for something they *know* is a lie. The apostles weren’t deceived or hallucinating; they knew whether they had seen the risen Christ or not. If it was a fabrication, they could have saved themselves by admitting the hoax. Yet they went to their graves proclaiming, “He is risen!” This kind of conviction only comes from eyewitness certainty.
The Apostolic Gospel: Salvation by Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone
This is the gospel the apostles preached everywhere: Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, died on the cross for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
His death paid the full penalty for sin; His resurrection proves God accepted the payment and conquered death.
Peter declared on Pentecost: “This Jesus God raised up… Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified… Repent and be baptism every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:24, 36, 38).
To “repent” here is not primarily about turning away from a list of individual sins you have committed—though that will follow as fruit. True repentance is a change of mind and heart: an acknowledgement that we are all born under the penalty of Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12), inheriting a sinful nature that separates us from the holy God who loves us. We are spiritually dead, enemies of God by birth and by choice, unable to save ourselves. Repentance is recognising our desperate need for a Savior—agreeing with God about our lost condition and turning to Him in humility, pleading for mercy through Jesus alone.
Paul summarised it: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is by grace alone—God’s unearned favour—through faith alone—simply trusting in Christ alone. No good works, religious rituals, church attendance, or law-keeping can earn it. Jesus did it all. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
What Happens When You Believe: The Miracle of the New Birth
When a sinner truly hears this gospel, believes the evidence, and trusts in the risen Christ, something supernatural happens in the heart. Jesus called it being “born again” (John 3:3-7).
The Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, opens your eyes to see Jesus as Lord and Savior, and regenerates your dead spirit—giving you new life. Your sins are forgiven, washed away by Christ’s blood. You are justified—declared righteous before God. You become a child of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, with new desires to love and obey Him. Old things pass away; all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). You receive eternal life—not just forever in heaven, but a transformed life starting now.
Believer, rejoice in this unshakeable foundation! Unbeliever, the evidence is before you. The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive. Don’t just hear what we believe—examine *why*. Today, turn from sin, trust in the risen Savior, and be born again. He offers you forgiveness, peace, and eternal life freely. Come to Him now—He is waiting.
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In Christ’s love,
The Reach NZ Ministry Team
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