Gary Habermas, a Christian apologist and philosopher, points out that there is now an amazing amount of agreement among ancient historians irrespective of their beliefs about Jesus' resurrection (The Historical Jesus, 158).
At least 12 facts are considered to be knowable history:
1. Jesus died by crucifixion.
2. Jesus was buried.
3. Jesus' death caused the disciples to despair and lose hope, believing that his life was ended.
4. Though not as widely accepted, many historians hold that the tomb in which Jesus was buried was discovered to be empty just a few days later.
5. Liberal scholars further agree that the disciples had experiences which they believed were literal appearances of the risen Jesus.
6. Because of these experiences, the disciples were transformed from doubters who were afraid to identify themselves with Jesus to bold proclaimers of his death/resurrection.
7. This message was the center of preaching in the early church
8. This message was especially proclaimed in Jerusalem where Jesus died and was buried shortly before.
9. As a result of this preaching the church was born and grew.
10. Sunday became the primary day of worship because on that day Christ rose from the dead.
11. James, who had been a skeptic, was converted to the faith when he also believed that he saw the resurrected Jesus.
12. A few years later, Paul was converted by an experience which he, likewise, believed to be an appearance of the risen Jesus.
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