Jens
The Easter Story
The fact that Jesus lived on this earth and that he died by crucifixion is academically well established also by ancient sources outside of the Bible. There are historical evidences, dating back to just a little over 20 years after His death, which is much less time than the first biography of Alexander the Great, written about 400 years after his death!
What about the resurrection?
Perhaps the most remarkable reference to Jesus outside the Bible can be found in the writings of Josephus, a first century Jewish historian. In the “Testimonium Flavianum”, the relevant portion declares: About this time, there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he ... wrought surprising feats.... He was the Christ. When Pilate ...condemned him to be crucified, those who had … come to love him did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he appeared ... restored to life ... And the tribe of Christians ... has ... not disappeared.[1]
Some of the greatest proof of the resurrection is the change that it brought to the people who followed Jesus for three and half years during His time on Earth until His death. Yet something made them keep believing in Him subsequently. Were there any eyewitnesses who saw Him being alive again?
Eyewitnesses
There are multiple early first century accounts in the documents that make up the New Testament with eyewitnesses such as:
Mary Magdalene: She turned around and saw Jesus standing there… Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ (Jn 20:14 & 16).
Peter: The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Peter (Simon Peter) (Lk 24:34).
Two Disciples on the Emmaus Road: And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. …And it happened while they were conversing and discussing, that Jesus himself approached them, and began traveling with them (Lk 24:13-16).
The Disciples (first without Thomas) On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together. They had locked the doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders (who crucified Jesus). Suddenly Jesus came in and stood among them. He said, ‘May peace be with you!’ Then he showed them his hands and his side. Thomas, one of the 12 disciples, was not with the other disciples when Jesus came. (Jn. 20,19-24)
All of the Disciples: A week later, Jesus’ disciples were in the house again. Thomas was with them. Jesus came in and stood among them. He said, ‘May peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me but still have believed.’ (Jn 20:26-28)
Seven Disciples at the Sea of Galilee: After this, Jesus appeared to his disciples again. It was by the Sea of Galilee. Simon Peter and Thomas were there together. Nathanael from Cana in Galilee and the sons of Zebedee were with them. So were two other disciples (Jn 21:1-2).
Over Five Hundred People: After that he was seen by over five hundred people at once, of whom the greater part are still alive (1. Cor. 15:6).
James (son of Joseph and Mary, brother of Jesus): Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles (1. Cor. 15:7).
Later he appeared also to the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:3-5).How long was Jesus on Earth before He went to Heaven?
After his suffering and death, he appeared to them. In many ways he proved that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of 40 days. During that time he spoke about God’s kingdom (Acts 1:3).
Summary
These appearances convinced His disciples, beyond any doubt, that He had risen from the dead. And billions of Christians throughout the centuries have testified of personal encounters with Jesus and the power of prayer ever since.
Copyright © 2023 Aktive Direkt Hilfe e. V. - [1] https://www.bethinking.org/jesus/ancient-evidence-for-jesus-from-non-christian-sources
Interim Report 2023: Photos from the Kongo
Photos from the Congo, Easter 2023
Kinshasa
Francois brings food supplies such as oil, rice etc. to the COLK orphanage which we support from time to time
Mabala
Acacia seedlings in front of our four new classrooms
Students learn how to measure a tree- line for the acacia trees on our field
Plateau de Bateke
Jean’s Micro Finance Project
Jean with sweet potatoes
Harvest of sweet potatoes
His manioc field
First steps of Jean’s Vocational Training Center
Building materials for the construction of a CHICKEN COOP. Making bricks and ...
Nsioni - Congo centrale
Joseph’s Micro Finance Project
Joseph’s fishponds and rice fields
Fresh fish ...
... and drying fish from his ponds
Mother and baby pigs
Building a pigpen
First steps of Joseph’s Vocational Training Center
Joseph’s “repair-shop”
Selected corn for seeds
Iron bars for workshop
Construction of workshop
Article about Joseph and his bread-baking oven
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A big THANK YOU for all your support which makes these projects possible.
Let us continue to Change the World with Love,
Wolfgang, Lenka and team
ADH has two new promising projects in the pipeline
Our plan for 2023 is to build two Vocational Training Centers in two different locations, fulfilling a long-time dream! We are planning to train young adults from each of these areas in a one-year course to learn a trade along the lines of agriculture, including animal husbandry, fish farming, beekeeping etc. At the end of their training, each graduate will receive a package with seeds, possibly a baby animal, and – thus equipped – will return to their village to open up their own workplace with what they have learned in our Centers. One project will be overseen by Jean who has been our local project manager since 2011. The Center will be located east of Kinshasa, on the Plateau de Bateke. The other project will be headed by Joseph, whom we have known since the beginning of our activities in the Congo in 2003. This Center will be located in Nsioni, almost 500 km west of Kinshasa, towards the Atlantic Ocean. Both men have done well with our recent microfinance projects, which gives us confidence that these two new projects should work out satisfactorily as well.