Assignment Read “Jesus Speaks” in the Website..Under Documents— note:one of the exam questions will come from this article.

Jesus Christ: Focal Point of Our Christian Faith

Review What is the significance of Jn. 14:1-14? In what way does it speak of Jesus as both God and Man?

Jesus-A Gospel Portrait

Mar 16:15-18 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. (16) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (17) And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; (18) they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Mat 1:21-23 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (22) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: (23) "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

Isa 7:13-14 And he said, "Hear then, O house of David Isa 7:13-14 And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? (14) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Luk 15:2-4 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." (3) So he told them this parable: (4) "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?

Joh 21:24-25 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. (25) Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Jesus as a Historical Figure-A Gospel Portrait Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). "This man receives sinners and eats with them." Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Jesus as a Historical Figure-A Gospel Portrait Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

Jesus as a Historical Figure-A Gospel Portrait What kind of God do you see?

Jesus as a Historical Figure-A Gospel Portrait Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). "This man receives sinners and eats with them." Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Overview of the Course : The Bridge Diagram Faith Faith and Friendship GOD Faith in God Prove?? MAN GOD SIN Objective Truth?

The Context

The Land

The Land: Today

The Land: Time of Jesus

Political and Religious Context

Political and Religious Context A Brief History Alexander the Great Seleucid and Ptolemy Hasmonean Family Romans and Herod Jews were under the Roman rule at the time of Jesus

Alexander the Great

Map of Alexander's Empire 320 BC

Alexander the Great Dies in 323 BC

Alexander’s Generals divide the territories in his Empire!

Two of Alexander’s generals, Seleucid and Ptolemy, divide Israel.

Hasmonean Family Judas, Maccabeus, which meant hammer, lead a revolt against the Seleucids Defeated the Seleucids by 164 BC The Romans chose Herod the Great by 40 BC to rule the country on their behalf.

Roman Empire 117 AD

The Political and Religious Context The Jews were under Roman Rule The Romans entrusted Israel to Herod and his family

Break

Herod the Great was asked by Rome to take care of Israel in 40 BC. Herod dies in 4 BC His sons takeover, Archelaus, Herod Antipas, Philip; they rule till 44 AD

Discussion Do you see any similarities to our situation today?

Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, 33 AD Jesus’ hometown, Nazareth Jesus was born in Bethlehem, 0 BC Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem, 36 AD

The Political and Religious Context Key Religious and Political Groupings –Gentiles, Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots, Samaritans

Gentiles--Non-Jews

Pharisees—a religious movement that emphasized the importance of total obedience to the Law

Sadducees—the priestly aristocracy that was connected to the “power” base in Jerusalem (i.e. the religious center)

Essenes—a monastic movement that live the way of life of the Jews out in the desert

Zealots—Jewish political activist (revolution is the solution)

Samaritans—Jews who married Gentiles in the area of Samaria

Discussion What do you consider the most important facts about the political and economic situation in which Jesus grew up in?

The End