Opponents of Christian faith claim that Jesus Christ did not die on the cross. They say that he only fainted and when he was laid in the cool grave his body revived and his disciples came took the body and nursed him. Why do they struggle to put forward such claim? It is because without Jesus death and resurrection; there is no salvation for humanity.

Apostle Peter advised believers to be prepared to answer such critics "...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," (1 Peter 3:15). Since our hope is in Jesus death and resurrection; it is our duty to provide such evidence to our critics that our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross.

The major source of evidence is the eye witnesses. “At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there” Mark 15:33-41). In this passage we have evidence from three groups of people. First, the Jews (his accusers who were there to make sure he is dead). Second the centurion who was responsible for the execution and third the women who stood at a distance. These three can present their evidence in a court of law and prove that Jesus died on the cross.

Let’s carry the argument further. “It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid” (Mark 15:42-47). Here we have evidence from the highest authority on the land. Joseph of Arimathea representing the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council) and Pilate representing the Roman government. The centurion in charge of the execution squad gave what we can call now death certificate to his boss the governor.

What other evidence do they want other than what I have quoted from the Holy Scripture?

“Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried :”( Apostles creed).