Im Aaron and Im an atheist looking for answers. my starting questions is why are you christian even tho there is no good evidence for the existence of God let alone the christian God. How do you know your religion is right? and how can you believe if the bible is full of errors and contradictions?
There were many people who knew Jesus and saw him after he had risen from the dead and who watched him ascend into heaven. Men and women. First hand witnesses who all saw with their own eyes.
Most of the disciples, save John I think, were tortured and killed for their belief in Jesus because they knew what they knew to be true and would not deny Him. They scattered out to form the first churches, church planting everywhere despite the fear of death they faced in doing so. Innocent men willing to die that terrible death of crucifixion or stoning and clubbing pierced with spears, stabbed and burnt alive for Jesus, most just unschooled ordinary men, mostly fishermen, willing to die for Jesus because they were absolutely sure of who Jesus is , his love for them and of their future with him. Everything Jesus had said to them had come true. Because these men knew Jesus, had heard all he taught them and so they were able to pray to him and hear his voice and so pass on the message.
Many of those first believers probably knew Jesus when he walked on earth. Thousands followed him.
It is difficult for someone who has not heard Gods voice to understand him. However Jesus died for everyone, for all. All are welcome.
It says if you seek, you will find. Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Most of us think along with our brains.We are conditioned at a very young age, even before birth through schooling and adult hood to think academically about things. We need the facts. Jesus however looks into and speaks to our hearts. It is something new for us. He knows if you are sincere or not. And you don't need to be at a great meeting, you can be alone with just you and Him, the great I am, the one who made you, the one who died for you. ( Church will help you to grow because God still gives messages to people today through the work of the Holy Spirit. )
Everything that is good comes from God. It is either from God or not and because God can only do good, everything that is good is from Him. So every beautiful thing, be it creation or an act of pure love, is from God. Even in people who do not know him.
John 1:5
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Jesus reveals himself first.It is up to us how we react.. Jesus will never force you, it is up to you . There are rules like every good father. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit who reveals Jesus to us and helps us to understand the Word. To feel the Holy Spirit is so wonderful and complete. It brings the truth and healing. (Many people are healed today.) You can not explain it. But after you have experienced it you know it is the truth.