93 AD – Josephus Confirms Early Believers Had Faith That Drew Attention - But Will Ours Do the Same cover art

93 AD – Josephus Confirms Early Believers Had Faith That Drew Attention - But Will Ours Do the Same

93 AD – Josephus Confirms Early Believers Had Faith That Drew Attention - But Will Ours Do the Same

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 93 AD – Josephus Confirms Early Believers Had Faith That Drew Attention - But Will Ours Do the Same Metadata Package: Outsider historian Josephus couldn’t ignore the Christians. In the late first century, his writings gave Rome’s perspective on the Jewish world—and in the process, confirmed the visible presence of Jesus’ followers. This episode explores what Josephus recorded, why it mattered to first-century faith, and how his testimony still challenges us today. Extended notes unpack Josephus’ references to Jesus, his view of Christians, and how early believers could not help being noticed. Make sure you Like, Share, Subscribe, Follow, Comment, and Review this episode and the entire COACH series. Keywords: Josephus, early Christians, 80 AD, Jewish War, Antiquities, Flavius Josephus, Rome, first century church, Christian witness, New Testament context, Jesus in history, Church history Hashtags: #ChurchHistory #Josephus #EarlyChurch #ChristianWitness Description: In the late first century, the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus sat down to record Rome’s wars and the story of his people. He never claimed to follow Jesus, yet his pen confirmed what the early church was already proclaiming—that Christ lived, His followers multiplied, and their faith could not be hidden. From his accounts of James the brother of Jesus, to references that point directly to the existence of Christians in the first century, Josephus gives us a powerful reminder: even an outsider could not tell the story of his age without mentioning them. In this episode, we’ll explore what Josephus recorded, why it matters for understanding the New Testament world, and how his writings reflect the undeniable impact of Christianity. If Christians then could not help but be noticed, what about us today? Like, share, and subscribe to COACH for more stories of faith’s foundations! Chunk 1 — Cold Hook It is 93 AD in Rome. The city still bears scars from Nero’s fire, and whispers of rebellion echo from Judea. At a desk sits Flavius Josephus [FLAY-vee-us jo-SEE-fus], a Jewish general turned Roman citizen. Before him are scrolls of memory—sieges, betrayals, the destruction of Jerusalem’s temple. His pen scratches across parchment, capturing not only the fate of his nation but also the rising presence of a strange new sect. Followers of a crucified man called Jesus. Outsiders, yes—but visible enough that Rome and Judea alike could not dismiss them. Josephus does not write as a believer, yet his words carry a weight that history cannot ignore. They show a world where the church’s faith could not stay hidden. But what exactly did this historian record—and why has his testimony endured for nearly two thousand years? [AD BREAK] Chunk 2 — Intro From the That’s Jesus Channel, welcome to COACH — where Church origins and church history actually coach us how to walk boldly with Jesus today. I’m Bob Baulch. On Monday, we stay between 0–500 AD. In this episode, we explore the late first century when Josephus’ writings recorded events involving Christians, showing their faith could not be ignored even by outsiders. Chunk 3 — Foundation Flavius Josephus [FLAY-vee-us jo-SEE-fus] was born in Jerusalem around 37 AD, just a few years after Jesus’ crucifixion. He was a priest by birth, trained in Jewish law, and became a commander during the Jewish revolt against Rome. When Jerusalem fell in 70 AD, Josephus surrendered and surprisingly gained the favor of the Roman general Vespasian [ves-PAY-zhun], who would soon become emperor. From that point forward, Josephus lived in Rome as both a survivor and a voice for his people. By the late 70s, Josephus had completed The Jewish War—a sweeping account of the revolt, the fall of the temple, and the devastating loss of Jewish life. Later, in the 90s, he would add Antiquities of the Jews, tracing Jewish history from creation down to his own era. These works were not only attempts to explain Jewish life to Roman readers, but also defenses of his people’s faith and endurance. What makes Josephus’ writings so valuable to Christians is not that he believed in Jesus—he did not. It is that he could not tell the story of his century without mentioning Him. In his Antiquities, Josephus refers to James, calling him “the brother of Jesus who is called Christ.” Even in a work written for Rome’s elite, the name of Jesus appears. Chunk 4 — Development Josephus’ works give us more than passing references. In The Jewish War, he sets the stage of a land filled with messianic hopes, uprisings, and prophets who promised deliverance. Against this backdrop, the followers of Jesus did not vanish with His crucifixion. Other sources tell us they spread across cities, gathering in homes and drawing the attention of leaders. Josephus’ own focus was different, yet he still left behind brief lines that confirm their presence. In Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus records the ...
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