...Jesus of Nazareth (c. 5 BC/BCE – c. 30 AD/CE), commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply Jesus, is the central figure of Christianity. Most Christian denominations venerate him as God the Son incarnated and believe that he rose from the dead after being crucified.[9][10] The principal sources of information regarding Jesus are the four canonical gospels,[11] and most critical scholars find them, at least the Synoptic Gospels,[12] useful for reconstructing Jesus’ life and teachings.[13][14][15][16] Some scholars believe apocryphal texts such as the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of the Hebrews are also relevant.[17] Most critical historians agree that Jesus was a Jew who was regarded as a teacher and healer, that he was baptized by John the Baptist, and was crucified in Jerusalem on the orders of the Roman Prefect of Judaea, Pontius Pilate, on the charge of sedition against the Roman Empire.[18] Critical Biblical scholars and historians have offered competing descriptions of Jesus as a self-described Messiah, as the leader of an apocalyptic movement, as an itinerant sage, as a charismatic healer, and as the founder of an independent religious movement. Most contemporary scholars of the Historical Jesus consider him to have been an independent, charismatic founder of a Jewish restoration movement, anticipating an imminent apocalypse.[19] Other prominent scholars, however, contend that Jesus' "Kingdom of God" meant radical personal and social transformation instead of...
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...Jesus Christ: Resurrection and Ascension {{Template:Jesus_Navigation}} The resurrection of Jesus, with its completion in the ascension, setting the seal of the Father’s acceptance on His finished work on earth, and marking the decisive change from His state of humiliation to that of exaltation, may be called in a true sense the corner stone of Christianity (compare 1Co 15:14,17). It was on the preaching of Christ crucified and risen that the Christian church was founded (e.g. Ac 2:32-36; 1Co 15:3,4). Professor Harnack would distinguish between "the Easter faith" (that Jesus lives with God) and "the Easter message," but the church never had any Easter faith apart from the Easter message. The subversion of the fact of the resurrection is therefore a first task to which unbelief addresses itself. The modern spirit rules it out a priori as miraculous. The historical fact is denied, and innumerable theories (imposture, theories of swoon, of hallucination, mythical theories, spiritualistic theories, etc.) are invented to explain the belief. None of these theories can stand calm examination (see the writer’s work, The Resurrection of Jesus). The objections are but small dust of the balance compared with the strength of the evidence for the fact. From the standpoint of faith, the resurrection of Jesus is the most credible of events. If Jesus was indeed such an One as the gospel history declares Him to be, it was impossible that death should hold Him (Ac 2:24). The resurrection...
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...The Significance of Jesus Christ UFDN 3001 December, 2006 The Significance of Jesus Christ The purpose of this paper is to attempt to answer the questions ‘What is the significance of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension?’ and ‘How dramatically would Christianity change if someone could prove that Jesus never did become a human being’. The Birth Throughout the entire Old Testament God was worshipped as a God. Offerings were made, and God was happy, giving covenants. People sinned and God punished them. Priests talked to God and people attempted to serve him. But nobody knew God. So God made a plan, he began to tell people that someday they would know him. In fulfillment of prophecy he did come. Now if God were to come to earth today, people would expect something amazing, something that would tell them he is God. Essentially that is what happened more than 2000 years ago. God spoke to a virgin named Mary and told her “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus” (Luke 1:31). As most peoples knowledge of procreation, it is impossible to become with child if a woman is a virgin, unless it is the Son of God. The creation of Jesus was a miracle, emphasizing Gods involvement. The Life The life of Jesus was humble yet very significant in that he wanted to relate to people. By relating he lived and by living he experienced love, pain, hunger, exhaustion, joy, frustration...
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...The Birth of Jesus Christ This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledge to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, " Joseph Son of David, Do not Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is From the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name , his JESUS, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will Be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel which means, "God With Us" When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until...... She gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, During the time of king Herod, Magi from The east came to Jerusalem and asked, " Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship...
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...THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST by K. R. Blades | The apostle Paul uses the above expression at least 7 times in his epistles to us, and with it speaks of something that often times is not fully appreciated by Christians as it ought to be. The expression strikes many as a peculiar one. “Faith” is something that we think of with respect to ourselves. We place OUR faith IN Christ. Therefore, to find Paul talking about “the faith OF Jesus Christ,” or CHRIST'S faith, seems puzzling. Because of this, unfortunately, many times the expression is treated as if it were a misstatement. Christians are told, or led to think, that the expression really does refer to our faith IN Christ, but it has just been mistranslated. The impression is given that the expression is just a funny wording in the original Greek. It really does say “the faith OF Jesus Christ,” but it's to be looked upon as just a funny way of referring to our faith IN Him. And with this, many English translations make the expression refer to our faith IN Christ, though some do at least acknowledge in a foot note that literally the expression is “the faith OF Jesus Christ.” However, unfortunately, by doing this a wonderful truth is largely obscured, if not completely obliterated. A wonderful God be thanked truth which is marvelously conveyed in the expression “the faith OF Jesus Christ.” There are two things that ought to make it apparent that Paul's reference to “the faith of Jesus Christ” is referring to something special with...
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...RefJ. Tuzzolo THEO 104-C07 LUO Spring Semester 2010 April 4, 2010 Jesus Christ Reflection Paper I. Introduction Jesus. This one name will bring out many different emotions. This one name will bring millions of people together to worship the God who holds this name. This one name will be cursed by man. This one name will be the topic of many discussions and heated debates. This one name is the name under which man will be saved. This name is not just a name; this name is Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, Jesus Christ the Son of God. This name is the name by which millions of people live their lives on a daily basis. This name is the name in which thousands of churches love their community. Through the name of Jesus power is given to powerless, strength to the weak, love to the loveless and hope to the hopeless. II. Section One – Jesus is God Jesus Christ claimed to be God. So what? A man who walked on this earth claimed to be God. Does this claim make this statement true? The man who claims to be Jesus Christ would have to “demonstrate God-like moral attributes of holiness, love and goodness. He would also have to back up His claim with demonstrations of power, vast knowledge and omnipresence.” (The Deity of Christ). There are eight aspects to Jesus’ claim to this deity. The eight aspects are as follows: 1. Jehovistic I AM 2. Old Testament Adonai 3. Identifies Himself with God in the baptismal formula 4. Be one with the Father ...
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... 2, 12-19). 11-13. THIS PROBABLY AN EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMN. GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS CHILDREN AND ALTHOUGH WE MAY SUFFER GREAT HARDSHIP HERE. GOD PROMISES THAT SOMEDAY WE LIVE ETERNALLY WITH HIM. WHAT WILL SOMEDAY WHAT WILL THIS INVOLVED? IT MEANS BELIEVERS WILL LIVE IN CHRIST’S KINGDOM, AND THAT WE WILL SHARE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THAT KINGDOM. THIS TRUTH COMFORTED PAUL AS HE WENT THROUGH SUFFERING AND DEATH. ARE YOU FACING HARDSHIPS? DON’T TURN AWAY FROM GOD. FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE MATTHEW 16:24-27; 19:28-30; LUKE 22:28-30; ROMANS 5:17; 6:8; 8:10, 11, 17; 1 CORINTHIAN15:42-58; COLOSSIANS 3:4; 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18; REVELATION 3:21; 21:1-22; 21. JESUS IS FAITHFUL. HE WILL STAY BY OUR SIDE EVEN WHEN WE HAVE ENDURED SO MUCH THAT WE SEEM TO HAVE NO FAITH LEFT. WE M, AY BE FAITHLESS AT TIMES, BUT JESUS IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISE TO BE WITH US”TO THE END OF THE AGE” (MATTHEW 228:20). REFUSING CHRIST’S HELP WILL BREAK OUR COMMUNICATION WITH GOD, BUT HE WILL NEVER TURN HIS BACK ON US EVEN THOUGH WE MAY TURN OUR BACK ON HIM. 14-16. PAUL URGED TIMOTHY TO REMIND THE BELIEVERS NOT TO ARGUE OVER UNIMPORTANT DETAILS (“FIGHTING OVER WORDS”) OR HAVE FOOLISH DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE SUCH ARGUMENT ARE CONFUSING, USELESS, AND EVEN HARMFUL. FALSE TEACHERS LOVED TO CAUSE STRIFE AND DIVISION BY THEIR MEANINGLESS QUIBBLING OVER UNIMPORTANT DETAILS (1 TIMOTHY 6:3-5). TO EXPLAIN THE WORD OF TRUTH CORRECTLY, WE MUST STUDY WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS...
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...Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ lived in Israel during first century Palestine. In this period, Jesus’ words and actions were revolutionary. In first century Palestine Jesus’ unconditional love and acceptance of women clearly revealed the Kingdom of God and showed us how to act justly in today’s society. In first century Palestine Jesus preached his interpretation of a new Kingdom of God. The Jews believed the Kingdom of God was a symbol of God’s complete rule or dominion over all creation. In Psalm 103:19, “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all,” (National Council of Churches of Christ, 2011) it shows that Jewish people envisioned a political kingdom, which was to come when the Roman Empire...
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...I had a life changing experience when I started going to church, and taking discipleship class. I developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I learned to build Christlike character, and achieve spiritual victory. In my family going to church was something we did faithfully. I can remember as a little girl every Saturday and, Sunday we would have Morning Prayer at Grandmother’s house. I like going to church, but I didn’t like going every Sunday. When I was a teenager, I would tell myself, when I get older, and move away, I’m never going to church again. When I was eighteen I moved to Atlanta, and I did that exactly, I stopped going to church. At first it was good, I enjoyed my Sundays, working, relaxing, or just doing nothing. Some Saturday nights, I stayed out late, partied knowing that there would be no prayer or church first thing Sunday morning. I did this for many years went by, I didn’t attend church while living in Atlanta. Then one day I started feeling like something was missing from my life, I started missing going to church. First I had to find a church, one that I would enjoy praise, worship and the sermon. I sent out to find that church, and I did that. I went for a little while as a visitor and I joined church at Voices Of Faith. One Sunday, an announcement was made for discipleship class, I didn’t know what the class was about, but I was curious after church I spoke to a representative, and I signed up. Little did I know that the classes were every...
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...Justified by faith in Jesus Christ” Gal. 3:23-29 “In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” [Gal. 3:26] Synopsis: Apostle Paul in his letter to Galatians is revealing a great fortune, an emphatic exposition of justification through faith which was kept as mystery to mankind. Until then mankind was shackled in the clutches of law. Human race was led by law towards justification where no compassion, personal aspect or relational attributes were present. It’s also worth noting; who else is the best qualified to witness and teach about justification and salvation through faith than Apostle Paul himself who got justified from Saul to Apostle Paul. Let us direct our muse based on below three aspects mentioned in verses 23-29. Christ The Guardian Children Of God Convergence Of Subjects 1. Christ The Guardian: We humans are elevated to a noble status. Our lord and savior Jesus Christ is assuming the default role of guardian in place of law which was instituted in the era of Mosses. The human race is being freed from the bondage of sins with no blemish of imperfections; our in-obedience is forgiven and expunged without traces when we repent truly with heart. We are being assured that we will be justified through our faith, through our faith we will be counted as righteousness. In 2 Corinthians 5:7 we are reminded “For we live by faith, not by sight”. It’s all about the promise Jesus the guardian who makes us stand firm on our feet again without...
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...Leadership Lessons of Jesus Christ When we talk about Jesus as a leader, we may imply two different forms: Jesus as the only Son of God, God of the universe, or the risen Christ as being one with God; or Jesus as the 1st century flesh and blood human being, the historical figure. Since the purpose of studying leadership is to improve one's own leadership skills, it makes sense to analyze Jesus' applicable traits, actions, and accomplishments as a good leader—in his historical role—so his leadership skills can be feasibly related to ourselves as human beings. I will attempt to analyze, using modern leadership criteria, how Jesus of Nazareth, the Jew and carpenter's son, was an effective spiritual leader of his time. Let us first examine the leadership attitude Jesus showed in his ministry. According to the address Thomas Cronin delivered at the Western Academy of Management in 1982, part of what makes leaders appealing is their confidence and faith: Leaders have those indispensable qualities of contagious self-confidence, unwarranted optimism, and incurable idealism that allow them to attract and mobilize others to undertake tasks these people never dreamed they could undertake. (To Lead or Not to Lead, Unit One 36) Jesus had infectious self-confidence that attracted all types of people to his cause. A teacher of the law said to Jesus, “Teacher, I will follow your wherever you go” (Matt. 8:19). He was also an optimist: Jesus said, “But seek first...
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...The Deity Of Jesus Christ And The Perspicuity Of Scriptures Vicki McKinzie Liberty University Introduction The Deity of Jesus Christ and The Perspicuity of Scriptures explains on how Jesus is termed as a supernatural being, who is thought to be holy and divine. The Perspicuity of Scriptures shows how God has made it easy for people to understand his word. Determining the divinity of Jesus has become a major issue in the current society. This is due to the major rise of different types of faith and the rise of many churches with contradicting messages about Jesus. In my paper, I am going to discuss on the divinity of Jesus in three major approaches. This approach include the theological definition, the biblical foundation and the practical application. I will also be referring to different points from the Bible to support my arguments. The Deity of Jesus Christ The fact that Jesus was born, his birth was termed as a miracle. His enunciation was brought by the angel, and He was said to be conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit. He was also to be born of a virgin. According to the Holy Scripture in matt 1:20-23, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." This is a true representation of that the child to be born was to be holy and lead a divine life. The Bible still explains that Jesus existed even before he was...
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...doctrines. Indeed, the “I AM” sayings alone can almost summarize Jesus’ teachings about his own deity and nature. Of particular interest is the saying found in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. Nobody gets to the father except through me.” This paper will be concerned with this saying, and explore the events surrounding it, its relation to God’s revelation of himself in the Bible, and its significance to Christ’s deity. The back drop of this saying is the upper room discourse. Jesus has called all the disciples together so that he may share a last meal with them and give them his last parting directions before he dies. He has washed the disciple’s feet, implicitly announced the man who will betray him, and has foretold Peter’s denial. He has also given his “New Commandment” in 13:34: “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” This I AM saying is in the middle of Jesus’ discourse. It was provoked by a question from Thomas. Jesus had just explained the he was going to “prepare a place” for them (14:3), and further revealed to the disciples, “and you know the way to where I am going” (4). Ever the doubter, “Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way’” (5)? Elmer Towns comments, “This question occasioned memorable and significant revelations of Christ.” The mood is tense. Jesus is being open about all that is taking place, yet because he is so...
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...BIBL323 | Signs and Miracles | The Eight Signs and Miracles performed by Jesus Christ | | Sherell Andrews | 2/17/2013 | The eight signs and miracles Jesus performed and how each reveals his deity. | In the gospel of John there are eight signs and miracles that Jesus Christ performed; these signs and wonders are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God. The first miracle stated in John was Jesus turning water into wine. He and his disciples arrived at a wedding celebration that was in progress. Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to him and told Him they ran out of wine; she knew he would find a way of getting more wine.[1] Jesus responded by saying his hour had not come yet. His mother had enough faith in Jesus and instructed the servants at the wedding to do what he ask them to do, He ask them to fill the water pots with water.[2] He miraculously changed the water into wine. This miracle is said to bring out new beginnings in the ministry of Christ. Many Scholars parallel Jesus turning water in to wine to his death and resurrection. You could explain it as a full circle in Christ ministry. John shows “Changing the water of Judaism into the wine of Christianity, the water of sins and being unsaved into the wine of eternal life in Christ and to be saved” [3] This miracle points to the deity of Christ in and the fullness of eternal life in Christ power over creation. The next miracles in the gospel of John are the healing of the...
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...I Am Sayings Paper BIBL 323 B12 The Gospel of John Liberty University Abstract Jesus Christ was the most influential and the most controversial of all God’s teachers and prophets. His time spent discussing His deity by use of metaphors such as the I AM sayings lead the Pharisees to believe less in Him as the messiah, and more in him as being crazy. To understand Jesus’s claim to be the good shepherd, it is important to review the evidence of the claim compare it to the Old Testament which points toward Christ and apply the finds to the claims of Jesus’ deity. Jesus the Good Shepherd John wrote his Gospel of Jesus Christ for two reasons. The first reason was to communicate the message of Christ by providing examples of His miracles and his teaching in order to generate belief in the unbeliever that Jesus was who he said he was: the Son of God (Towns, 2002). The second reason was that those who then believed would have eternal life because of the faith that Jesus Christ was truly the fulfillment of the Messianic prophesies as Savior and Lord (Ibid). Jesus’ teaching style was not always easy to understand, and often created dissention between those who believed, and those who did not. He lessons linked who He was to prophesy about Him made by Old Testament prophets. In John’s Gospel there are eight lessons that are known as the “I Am” sayings that exemplify this teaching style by linking Him to well-known images and symbols provided in the Old Testament...
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