The main Resource makes a clear claim: Christianity stands or falls on Jesus.
This page shows some of the Bible passages underneath that claim. They do not ask you to switch off your questions. They show what Christianity is actually claiming so you can examine it for yourself.
God came to us in Jesus
John 1:14
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14, NIV
John does not present Jesus as simply another person teaching us about God. He says that in Jesus, God entered human life.
Jesus claimed to be the way to God
John 14:6–9
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6, NIV
Jesus does not describe himself as one spiritual option among many. He connects knowing him with knowing the Father, and says that the way to the Father is through him.
Jesus claimed authority to forgive sin
Mark 2:5–12
When Jesus tells a paralysed man that his sins are forgiven, the religious teachers ask, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus then heals the man in front of them.
The point is bigger than the healing. Jesus is claiming an authority they believed belonged to God.
Sin, justice and forgiveness
Romans 3:23–26
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23, NIV
Paul says everyone is affected by sin, but he also says God is just. God cannot simply pretend sin does not matter. Romans 3 explains that through Jesus, God can remain just while also making forgiveness possible.
Jesus gave his life for us
Mark 10:45
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45, NIV
Jesus speaks about his death before it happens and says he will give his life for others. Isaiah 53 and 1 Peter 2 develop the same idea: the consequence of our sin is carried by another.
The resurrection was eyewitness testimony
1 Corinthians 15:3–8
Paul says Jesus died, was buried, was raised and then appeared to Peter, the twelve, more than five hundred people, James, the apostles and finally Paul himself.
The first Christians were not simply saying that Jesus remained important to them. They testified that they had seen him alive after his death.
Christianity stands or falls on the resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:14–17
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.” 1 Corinthians 15:17, NIV
Paul does not leave Christianity resting on inspiring ideas. If Jesus was not raised, Christian faith is false. If he was raised, the resurrection validates what Jesus claimed about himself.
Acts 17:31 makes the same point: Paul says God has given proof concerning Jesus by raising him from the dead.
Faith is trust in what we have reason to believe
John 20:29–31
Thomas saw the risen Jesus for himself. Most of us will not. John says his account was written so that people who were not there could examine the testimony and believe.
Hebrews 11 describes faith as confidence in what is hoped for and assurance about what is not seen. “Not seen” does not mean “without evidence.” Christian faith is trust placed in Jesus on the basis of what we have reason to believe is true.
Further reading
Luke 1:1–4 — Luke explains that he investigated the events carefully and drew on eyewitness testimony.
Isaiah 52:13–53:12 — the servant who suffers for the wrongdoing of others.
John 1:1–18 — who Jesus is and why his coming matters.
John 20 — the resurrection appearances and believing without having personally seen.
Acts 2:22–36 — Peter publicly declares that God raised Jesus and that the disciples were witnesses.
Acts 4:18–20 — Peter and John refuse to stop speaking about what they had seen and heard.
Acts 17:22–31 — Paul presents the resurrection as God’s proof concerning Jesus.
Romans 1:1–4 — Jesus and the resurrection.
1 Peter 2:21–25 — Jesus bearing our sins.
1 Corinthians 15 — the eyewitness testimony and why Christianity depends on the resurrection.