Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus, commonly known as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ, was a Jewish preacher and religious leader in the first century. He is the most important figure in Christianity, the world's most popular religion. Most Christians believe Jesus is God, the Son incarnated, as well as the long-awaited messiah (Christ) foretold in the Hebrew Bible. Almost all modern antiquity scholars agree that Jesus existed historically, though the search for the historical Jesus has raised questions about the historical reliability of the Gospels and how closely the Jesus depicted in the Bible reflects the historical Jesus, as the Gospels contain the only records of Jesus' life.
More About Jesus
Jesus was a Galilean Jew who was baptised by John the Baptist and went on to start his ministry afterwards. His teachings were passed down orally at first, and he was frequently referred to as "rabbi." Jesus battled with fellow Jews about the best way to serve God, performed miracles, spoke in parables, and recruited disciples.
On the orders of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, he was captured and convicted by Jewish authorities before being handed over to the Roman authority and executed. His disciples believed he was resurrected from the dead after his death, and the society they established became the early Church. The Christian faith holds that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin called Mary, performed miracles, founded the Christian Church, died by crucifixion as a sin offering, resurrected from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, from where he will return.
Christians commonly think that Jesus makes it possible for individuals to be reconciled to God. According to the Nicene Creed, Jesus will judge the living and the dead either before or after their physical resurrection, which is linked to Jesus' Second Coming in Christian eschatology.
How Old is Christianity?
Christianity is an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion founded on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's most populous religion, with 2.4 billion members approximately. Christians believe that Jesus is the Christ, whose arrival as the Messiah was predicted in the Hebrew Bible (called the Old Testament in Christianity) and documented in the New Testament. They make up the majority of the population in 157 nations and territories. Christianity's Western and Eastern branches, as well as its beliefs on justification and the nature of salvation, ecclesiology, ordination, and Christology, remain culturally varied. With approximately 2.4 billion followers and 33% of the world's population professing to be Christians, Christianity is one of the world's most popular faiths.
Overall, Christians believe that Jesus is God's son and humanity's saviour and that His arrival as the Messiah was foretold in the Old Testament. For people to trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins, He suffered, died, was buried, descended into hell, and resurrected from the dead. "The gospel" refers to Jesus' incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. Which is a phrase that means "good news." The gospels are descriptions of Jesus' life and teachings that have been written down. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the four canonical gospels that are contained in the Bible.
Early Christian Civilization
Early Christianity acquired many of the common religious, cultural, and intellectual traditions of the Greco-Roman world after emerging from a tiny sect of Judaism in the first century CE. The rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire is regarded as "the triumph of Christianity" in conventional Western cultural histories. This alludes to Christianity's victory against paganism's purportedly erroneous ideas and practices.
It's crucial to remember, though, that Christianity did not emerge from anything. Jews believed to have an ancient heritage based on daily legal codes (the Laws of Moses) and revelations from God through Prophets. While recognizing numerous forces in the cosmos, Jews distinguished themselves from their neighbours by dedicating their devotion (sacrifices) to just one deity, Yahweh.
Following numerous national losses at the hands of the Assyrians in 722 BCE and the Babylonians in 587 BCE, its prophets predicted that God would return Israel to its previous freedom. God would choose a descendant of David, an 'anointed one' (Messiah in Hebrew, or Christos in Greek), to lead the righteous against Israel's adversaries in the 'final days' (eschaton). God would subsequently create a new Eden, which would become known as "the kingdom of God."
The Spread of Christianity
People claimed ethnic identity from forebears in Greco-Roman civilization; you were born into your habits and beliefs. Because your religion was in your blood, conversion (changing from one religious viewpoint to another) was uncommon. Ancestry and lineages were no longer important in Christianity. Paul claimed that all that was required for salvation was trust (Pistis, 'loyalty') in Christ. This new concept resulted in a religious movement that was no longer bound by geography or ethnicity. Christianity evolved to become a universally accessible religion.
Another innovation was the concept of salvation. The restoration of the nation of Israel had been defined as redemption by Jews. Pagans had no such idea, yet some were concerned about their afterlife existence. Paul said that Christ's death was a sacrifice that abolished death as a penalty for Adam's sin (the doctrine of atonement). Physical death was no longer a possibility for this first generation of Christians; when Christ arrived, they would be converted into "spiritual bodies" (1 Cor. 15). Christians acknowledged the death of the body but we’re promised a recompense in heaven when time passed and Christ did not come.
Conclusion
In the first century, Jesus was a Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the most influential individual in Christianity, the most widely practised religion on the planet. According to Christian belief, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin named Mary, performed miracles, died by crucifixion, ascended into Heaven, and performed miracles. It is the world's largest religion, with 2.4 billion followers.
Christians believe that Jesus is God's son and the saviour of humanity. After originating from a small branch of Judaism, early Christianity absorbed many of the Greco-Roman world's religious, cultural, and intellectual traditions. The ministry of Jesus, a Jewish teacher and healer who foretold the advent of God's kingdom, marked the beginning of Christianity.
FAQs on Jesus Christ and Christianity
1. What is the fundamental connection between Jesus Christ and the religion of Christianity?
Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity. The religion is based entirely on his life, teachings, death, and resurrection. Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah (or Christ) whose coming was prophesied in the Old Testament. His teachings on love, compassion, and salvation form the core principles of the Christian faith. The name 'Christianity' itself is derived from the title 'Christ'.
2. Who is considered the founder of Christianity, and how did it begin?
Christianity originated with the ministry of Jesus Christ, a Jewish teacher who lived in the Roman province of Judea in the 1st century AD. While Jesus is the foundational figure, his followers, particularly his twelve Apostles, were instrumental in spreading his teachings after his death. It began as a sect within Second Temple Judaism but quickly grew into a distinct religion, especially through the missionary work of figures like Paul the Apostle.
3. What are the core beliefs that define Christianity?
While there are many denominations, most Christians share a set of core beliefs. The most important of these include:
Monotheism: Belief in one God who is the creator of the universe.
The Trinity: Belief that God exists as three distinct persons—the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit—who are united as one being.
The Divinity of Jesus: The belief that Jesus is the Son of God, both fully divine and fully human.
Salvation: The belief that salvation from sin and the promise of eternal life are granted through faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death. This concept is detailed in the idea of salvation by grace through faith.
The Resurrection: The belief that Jesus was resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion, demonstrating his victory over sin and death.
4. What is the Holy Bible, and what are its main sections?
The Holy Bible is the sacred scripture of Christianity, believed by Christians to be the inspired word of God. It is divided into two main parts:
The Old Testament, which largely corresponds to the Hebrew Bible and records the history of creation, the covenant between God and Israel, and prophecies of the coming Messiah.
The New Testament, which documents the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the growth of the early Christian church.
5. What is the importance of the life and death of Jesus in Christian belief?
In Christian belief, Jesus's life serves as the perfect moral and spiritual example for humanity to follow. His death by crucifixion is considered the ultimate sacrifice, an atonement for the sins of humanity. This act, followed by his resurrection, is the cornerstone of Christian faith, representing God's love and the promise of forgiveness and eternal life for believers. The event preceding his death, known as the Last Supper, is also a pivotal moment in Christian tradition.
6. Why did Christianity, which began as a small movement, spread so widely throughout the Roman Empire and beyond?
The rapid spread of Christianity can be attributed to several key factors. The message of salvation and equality resonated with many people, including the poor and marginalised. The extensive Roman road network and a common language (Greek) facilitated travel and communication for missionaries. The dedicated efforts of the Apostles, especially Paul, were crucial in establishing churches across the empire. Eventually, the religion gained acceptance and was later adopted as the state religion of the Roman Empire, which significantly accelerated its growth.
7. How does the Christian understanding of Jesus differ from the Jewish perspective?
The primary difference lies in the identity of Jesus. Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and the central figure in salvation. In contrast, Judaism views Jesus as a historical Jewish teacher but does not consider him to be the Messiah or a divine being. Jewish theology holds that the Messiah is yet to come and will fulfil specific prophecies, such as restoring the Jewish kingdom and bringing universal peace.
8. How did the birth of Jesus Christ influence the global system of dating years?
The birth of Jesus Christ is the event that divides world history into two main eras in the Gregorian calendar. The system, created by Dionysius Exiguus in 525 AD, designated years as AD (Anno Domini, meaning 'in the year of the Lord') for the period after Jesus's birth and BC (Before Christ) for the period before. Although secular alternatives like CE (Common Era) and BCE (Before the Common Era) are now widely used, they still pivot on the same historical point. You can learn more about the meaning of BC, AD, CE and their historical significance.
