Historical References Part 3: Christian Sources

The Christian sources for Jesus are diverse and substantial. They include the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—written between 40 and 70 years after Jesus’ death. The Pauline Epistles contain early creeds and hymns that predate the Gospels, some formulated within years of the crucifixion. The Acts of the Apostles provides a historical account of the early Christian movement. And the Apostolic Fathers—early Christian leaders who personally knew the apostles—provide direct links to eyewitness testimony.