Jesus Christ
Jesus of Nazareth, ( In Greek: Χρίστος translit. Christós – anointed, messiah)
(c.1 or 6-4 BC, Bethlehem, Judea – 30/33 AD, Jerusalem, Calvary or Golgotha Judea, Roman Empire) (crucifixion).
Nationality: Israel (Judea, Roman Empire)
Category: Votaries оf Spirit
Occupation: Spiritual teachers
Specification: Christianity
Unique distinction: Founder of Christianity, The Son of God and God incarnate in the Christian religion. Birthday Is Holiday 25 December (7 January), Christmas.
(c.1 or 6-4 BC, Bethlehem, Judea – 30/33 AD, Jerusalem, Calvary or Golgotha Judea, Roman Empire) (crucifixion).
Nationality: Israel (Judea, Roman Empire)
Category: Votaries оf Spirit
Occupation: Spiritual teachers
Specification: Christianity
Unique distinction: Founder of Christianity, The Son of God and God incarnate in the Christian religion. Birthday Is Holiday 25 December (7 January), Christmas.
Quotes:
1. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
2. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
3. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
4. Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
5. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
6. Let me into your lives, your world. Live on me, so that you may become truly alive.
7. Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.
8. For what shall it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and suffers the loss of his soul?
9. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
10. But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.
11. If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
12. If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 13. Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
14. With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
15. Judge not, that ye be not judged.
16. Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
17. Arise, and be not afraid.
18. Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
1. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
2. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
3. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
4. Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
5. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
6. Let me into your lives, your world. Live on me, so that you may become truly alive.
7. Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.
8. For what shall it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and suffers the loss of his soul?
9. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
10. But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.
11. If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
12. If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 13. Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
14. With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
15. Judge not, that ye be not judged.
16. Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
17. Arise, and be not afraid.
18. Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Achievements and contributions:
Social and professional position: Who is Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is the founder of Christianity, the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. In Christianity, Christ is the Son of God and God incarnate.
The main contribution to (Best known for): Jesus Christ is the Saviour of men and the founder of Christianity.
Contributions: Jesus Christ is the founder of Christianity, the Saviour of men, and the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. The English word “Jesus” comes from the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, a common name that means “saviour. “Christ” is a title and it comes from the Greek form of the Hebrew Messiah, meaning “anointed one.”
The Christian doctrinal statements, which contained in The Apostles’ Creed (ca.180 AD, 390 AD) and in The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (325, 381 AD).
The main contribution to (Best known for): Jesus Christ is the Saviour of men and the founder of Christianity.
Contributions: Jesus Christ is the founder of Christianity, the Saviour of men, and the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. The English word “Jesus” comes from the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, a common name that means “saviour. “Christ” is a title and it comes from the Greek form of the Hebrew Messiah, meaning “anointed one.”
The Christian doctrinal statements, which contained in The Apostles’ Creed (ca.180 AD, 390 AD) and in The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (325, 381 AD).
The Christian views of Jesus centre on the belief in:
1. God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and God incarnate.
2. Christ was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
3. Jesus is the Messiah whose coming was promised in the Old Testament.
4. The Atonement of Christ. Sinless Jesus voluntarily died on the cross and provided salvation and reconciliation with God.
5. The death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.
Christian doctrine holds that by his crucifixion and resurrection, he paid for the sins of all mankind. The resurrection of Jesus was central to the early church.
6. Performance of miracles. In the Gospels, there are descriptions of 34 miracles performed by Jesus. Over the course of his ministry, Jesus is said to have performed various miracles, including healing, walking on water, calming a raging storm, turning water into wine, multiplying a small meal, and raising several people, such as Lazarus, from the dead. He performed miracles not for the sake of glory but because of his pure unselfish love and compassion.
7. One holy catholic and apostolic Church.
8. The future Second Coming of Jesus, the Day of Judgement and salvation of the faithful. Jesus’ teachings departed significantly from the Jewish law of his day.
The teachings of Jesus focused primarily on the “Kingdom of God” and were usually relayed through parables and illustrations. He taught: “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt.6:33) and “You see, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Lk.7:21).
He proclaimed the “Good news” that the coming Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, and established the Christian Church.
Some of Jesus’ most famous teachings come from the Sermon on the Mount, which contains the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”) and the Beatitudes (from Latin beatus, meaning “blessed” or “happy”). The message of Jesus was one of humility, charity, and brotherly love. He taught transformation primarily of the inner person. Jesus presents the Beatitudes, not as prescriptions, but in a positive sense, virtues in life that will ultimately lead to reward.
The Beatitudes:
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are pure of heart, for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
8. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
9. Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
10. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for, in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt.5:3-12 and Lk. 6:20-23).
Jesus’ two greater commandments are: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” and “You shall love your neighbours as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31).
The heart of the Christian faith with remarkable clarity is expressed in the First Letter of John: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John. 4:16).
Christian ethics is based on the Golden Rule: “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise”. (Lk. 6:31). “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; (Lk. 6:37).
A key characteristic of Jesus’s teachings is an emphasis on forgiveness and unconditional love.
The significant statements of Jesus’s teachings are:
1. The Absolute values and creative essence of every human individual created by God in His own image and likeness.
2. The Equality of all people in their relationship with God.
3. The Perfect Destiny of Man, which is the infinite, spiritual Self-improvement. “Be perfect” (Matt. 5:48).
Several other religions revere him in some way.
Hindus acknowledge him as an avatar of God. In Islamic tradition, Jesus (Isa) is highly regarded as born of the Virgin Mary and as a bringer of scripture, a worker of miracles and a prophet and also the Messiah.
Major works: Christ’s ministry and life are recounted in the four Gospels of the New Testament of Luke (60 AD), Matthew (60-65 AD), Mark (60-65 AD) and John (85-90 AD).
2. Christ was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
3. Jesus is the Messiah whose coming was promised in the Old Testament.
4. The Atonement of Christ. Sinless Jesus voluntarily died on the cross and provided salvation and reconciliation with God.
5. The death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.
Christian doctrine holds that by his crucifixion and resurrection, he paid for the sins of all mankind. The resurrection of Jesus was central to the early church.
6. Performance of miracles. In the Gospels, there are descriptions of 34 miracles performed by Jesus. Over the course of his ministry, Jesus is said to have performed various miracles, including healing, walking on water, calming a raging storm, turning water into wine, multiplying a small meal, and raising several people, such as Lazarus, from the dead. He performed miracles not for the sake of glory but because of his pure unselfish love and compassion.
7. One holy catholic and apostolic Church.
8. The future Second Coming of Jesus, the Day of Judgement and salvation of the faithful. Jesus’ teachings departed significantly from the Jewish law of his day.
The teachings of Jesus focused primarily on the “Kingdom of God” and were usually relayed through parables and illustrations. He taught: “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt.6:33) and “You see, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Lk.7:21).
He proclaimed the “Good news” that the coming Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, and established the Christian Church.
Some of Jesus’ most famous teachings come from the Sermon on the Mount, which contains the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”) and the Beatitudes (from Latin beatus, meaning “blessed” or “happy”). The message of Jesus was one of humility, charity, and brotherly love. He taught transformation primarily of the inner person. Jesus presents the Beatitudes, not as prescriptions, but in a positive sense, virtues in life that will ultimately lead to reward.
The Beatitudes:
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are pure of heart, for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
8. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
9. Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
10. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for, in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt.5:3-12 and Lk. 6:20-23).
Jesus’ two greater commandments are: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” and “You shall love your neighbours as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31).
The heart of the Christian faith with remarkable clarity is expressed in the First Letter of John: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John. 4:16).
Christian ethics is based on the Golden Rule: “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise”. (Lk. 6:31). “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; (Lk. 6:37).
A key characteristic of Jesus’s teachings is an emphasis on forgiveness and unconditional love.
The significant statements of Jesus’s teachings are:
1. The Absolute values and creative essence of every human individual created by God in His own image and likeness.
2. The Equality of all people in their relationship with God.
3. The Perfect Destiny of Man, which is the infinite, spiritual Self-improvement. “Be perfect” (Matt. 5:48).
Several other religions revere him in some way.
Hindus acknowledge him as an avatar of God. In Islamic tradition, Jesus (Isa) is highly regarded as born of the Virgin Mary and as a bringer of scripture, a worker of miracles and a prophet and also the Messiah.
Major works: Christ’s ministry and life are recounted in the four Gospels of the New Testament of Luke (60 AD), Matthew (60-65 AD), Mark (60-65 AD) and John (85-90 AD).
Ministry and life:
Family background: Most scholars conclude that Jesus was born in Bethlehem just before the death of King Herod the Great (37 BC – 4 BC) and was crucified after a brief public ministry during Pontius Pilate’s term as prefect of Judaea (AD 26 -36). Most scholars generally assume a date of birth between 6 and 4 BC.
Jesus was born to a devout woman named Mary and a carpenter – Joseph, the descendant and heir of the house of David. According to Matthew and Luke, Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, by a miracle of the Holy Spirit.
Education: Jesus is believed to have followed in his father’s footsteps and trained to be a carpenter. According to St. Justin at an early age, Jesus must have learned Deuteronomy 6:4, and Psalms Prophetic Books, as He constantly refers to them in His public life.
Jesus Christ was practically bilingual so Christ must have spoken Aramaic and Greek, and he was acquainted with Hebrew and Latin. Some have also suggested during this period Jesus travelled to India and Persia where he learned something of India’s spiritual tradition.
Jesus was born to a devout woman named Mary and a carpenter – Joseph, the descendant and heir of the house of David. According to Matthew and Luke, Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, by a miracle of the Holy Spirit.
Education: Jesus is believed to have followed in his father’s footsteps and trained to be a carpenter. According to St. Justin at an early age, Jesus must have learned Deuteronomy 6:4, and Psalms Prophetic Books, as He constantly refers to them in His public life.
Jesus Christ was practically bilingual so Christ must have spoken Aramaic and Greek, and he was acquainted with Hebrew and Latin. Some have also suggested during this period Jesus travelled to India and Persia where he learned something of India’s spiritual tradition.
Life and ministry of Jesus Christ
Christmas. On the night of Jesus’ birth, an angel appeared to some shepherds and announced the coming of a Saviour. When Jesus was born, a star appeared over Bethlehem.
Later on, Jesus was visited by 3 Wise men from the East offering gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. They believe Bethlehem’s star was a sign that the King of the Jews had been born.
Presentation at the Temple. On the 40th day, was presented in the temple, where the aged Simeon pronounced Him to be the light of nations.
King Herod tried to kill him by massacring all the male children in Bethlehem under the age of two. The family fled to Egypt and remained there until Herod’s death, whereupon they settled in Nazareth, a small town where Jesus probably trained as a carpenter under his father.
Of his childhood after the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke, nothing is known, except for one visit to Jerusalem with his parents. There a 12-year-old Jesus wanders off from his parents to discuss religion in the temple.
Three days later, they found him in the temple courtyard. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions. Jesus asked his parents “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Lk. 2:49).
Some have also suggested in his youth Jesus travelled to India and Persia where he learned some spiritual traditions.
Baptism. At about the age of 30 (circa 26 AD), he was baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, a charismatic and ascetic figure who called people to repentance and baptized those who responded.
At the moment when he was baptized, heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16-17).
Some have also theorized it was at that moment the human Jesus became divine. In any case, this event marked the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
Following his baptism, Jesus spent forty days and forty nights in the desert where he was tempted by the Devil who offered him three temptations – hunger, power and faith.
Each time, Jesus refused temptation with a quotation of scripture from the Book of Deuteronomy. The Devil departed and angels came and brought nourishment to Jesus.
After the baptism, several of John’s followers left to follow Jesus.
Jesus then selected several others until he had established a group of 12 Apostles. Two of these disciples, Matthew and John, are the traditional authors of the Gospels that carry their names. Jesus’ ministry lasted around three years according to the Gospel of John.
Transfiguration of Jesus. Upon Mount Tabor in the presence of three of His disciples, Jesus became radiant, his raiment became white and shining, and His face shone like the sun, he spoke with Moses and Elijah and was called “Son” by God. (Matt. 17:2). It was one of “the greatest miracles” in that it complemented baptism and showed the perfection of life in Heaven (Thomas Aquinas).
On Passover Jesus entered Jerusalem, where he shared the Last Supper with his disciples. Later Jesus and his followers entered the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.
His disciples were sleeping for the night when a crowd of Roman soldiers and Jewish officials showed up to arrest Jesus. He was betrayed to the Roman authorities by Judas Iscariot, who was paid 30 silver coins for his betrayal.
Arrested and tried, he was falsely accused of being an anti-government rebel, condemned to death and was crucified at Golgotha in Jerusalem on the orders of the Roman Prefect of Judaea, Pontius Pilate.
During two days and two nights, he was betrayed, denied by his disciple, abandoned by his people, falsely accused, tortured and crucified. Before his death on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Resurrection. Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb carved into the rock.
Jesus’ mother and one other woman came to his tomb the following Sunday morning. When they arrived, they saw that the stone covering the entrance to the tomb had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty.
According to the New Testament, Jesus rose on the third day after his death. Jesus’ resurrection makes it possible for people to have peace with God in this life and meet a favourable end in the next.
Ascension. On the 40th day after His resurrection, Jesus and the eleven were gathered near and gave them a command to go out and evangelize to all people, a cloud received Him out of their sight, and Jesus was taken up to heaven.
Resting place: A garden tomb located in what is now the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem.
Personal life: Christians and the majority of scholars believe, that Jesus was an actual historical figure, a preacher, teacher and healer. In Christianity, Christ is the son of God and God incarnates as well as the second person of the Holy Trinity. Jesus Christ said: “I and the Father are one” (Jn. 10:30).
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus was an itinerant preacher itinerant sage, charismatic healer and later the founder of an independent religious movement.
Later on, Jesus was visited by 3 Wise men from the East offering gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. They believe Bethlehem’s star was a sign that the King of the Jews had been born.
Presentation at the Temple. On the 40th day, was presented in the temple, where the aged Simeon pronounced Him to be the light of nations.
King Herod tried to kill him by massacring all the male children in Bethlehem under the age of two. The family fled to Egypt and remained there until Herod’s death, whereupon they settled in Nazareth, a small town where Jesus probably trained as a carpenter under his father.
Of his childhood after the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke, nothing is known, except for one visit to Jerusalem with his parents. There a 12-year-old Jesus wanders off from his parents to discuss religion in the temple.
Three days later, they found him in the temple courtyard. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions. Jesus asked his parents “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Lk. 2:49).
Some have also suggested in his youth Jesus travelled to India and Persia where he learned some spiritual traditions.
Baptism. At about the age of 30 (circa 26 AD), he was baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, a charismatic and ascetic figure who called people to repentance and baptized those who responded.
At the moment when he was baptized, heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16-17).
Some have also theorized it was at that moment the human Jesus became divine. In any case, this event marked the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
Following his baptism, Jesus spent forty days and forty nights in the desert where he was tempted by the Devil who offered him three temptations – hunger, power and faith.
Each time, Jesus refused temptation with a quotation of scripture from the Book of Deuteronomy. The Devil departed and angels came and brought nourishment to Jesus.
After the baptism, several of John’s followers left to follow Jesus.
Jesus then selected several others until he had established a group of 12 Apostles. Two of these disciples, Matthew and John, are the traditional authors of the Gospels that carry their names. Jesus’ ministry lasted around three years according to the Gospel of John.
Transfiguration of Jesus. Upon Mount Tabor in the presence of three of His disciples, Jesus became radiant, his raiment became white and shining, and His face shone like the sun, he spoke with Moses and Elijah and was called “Son” by God. (Matt. 17:2). It was one of “the greatest miracles” in that it complemented baptism and showed the perfection of life in Heaven (Thomas Aquinas).
On Passover Jesus entered Jerusalem, where he shared the Last Supper with his disciples. Later Jesus and his followers entered the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.
His disciples were sleeping for the night when a crowd of Roman soldiers and Jewish officials showed up to arrest Jesus. He was betrayed to the Roman authorities by Judas Iscariot, who was paid 30 silver coins for his betrayal.
Arrested and tried, he was falsely accused of being an anti-government rebel, condemned to death and was crucified at Golgotha in Jerusalem on the orders of the Roman Prefect of Judaea, Pontius Pilate.
During two days and two nights, he was betrayed, denied by his disciple, abandoned by his people, falsely accused, tortured and crucified. Before his death on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Resurrection. Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb carved into the rock.
Jesus’ mother and one other woman came to his tomb the following Sunday morning. When they arrived, they saw that the stone covering the entrance to the tomb had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty.
According to the New Testament, Jesus rose on the third day after his death. Jesus’ resurrection makes it possible for people to have peace with God in this life and meet a favourable end in the next.
Ascension. On the 40th day after His resurrection, Jesus and the eleven were gathered near and gave them a command to go out and evangelize to all people, a cloud received Him out of their sight, and Jesus was taken up to heaven.
Resting place: A garden tomb located in what is now the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem.
Personal life: Christians and the majority of scholars believe, that Jesus was an actual historical figure, a preacher, teacher and healer. In Christianity, Christ is the son of God and God incarnates as well as the second person of the Holy Trinity. Jesus Christ said: “I and the Father are one” (Jn. 10:30).
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus was an itinerant preacher itinerant sage, charismatic healer and later the founder of an independent religious movement.
