CHAPTER 3

Chapter 3 The Life of Jesus

Martyr Martyr is a Greek word that means “witness.” It was first ascribed to Christians to designate those who bore witness to their faith by dying for it. God Enters History in the Person of Jesus Christ

Where did Jesus Live? Bethlehem: Jesus was born when Mary and Joseph traveled to the hometown of Joseph Nazareth: the boyhood home of Jesus located in Galilee Jerusalem: the holy city of the Jews where the Temple was located and where Jesus spent much of his public ministry God Enters History in the Person of Jesus Christ

When in Time did Jesus Live? God Enters History in the Person of Jesus Christ

GOSPEL Preached by Jesus Proclaimed by the Apostles Written as four records The proclamation of the “Good News of salvation,” that God has sent his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem sinners so that they might receive adoption as sons and daughters of God. This Good News was preached by Jesus, proclaimed by the Apostles and written as four records of Jesus’ life. Events of Jesus’ Life

Major Events in Jesus’ Life Jesus’ Jewish name was given to Mary by the angel Gabriel at the time of the Annunciation. Jesus’ hometown was Nazareth. However, because of a census ordered by the Roman government, Jesus’ birth took place in Bethlehem, the place of origin of Joseph, his foster father. After being baptized by the prophet John the Baptist, likely between AD 27 and 30, Jesus began his own public ministry. Jesus’ manner of preaching and his actions led some people to think of him as a great prophet. Eventually, the Jewish religious leaders handed Jesus over to the Roman officials for arrest. He was found guilty of blasphemy. Pontius Pilate sentenced him to the cruelest form of capital punishment: crucifixion. Events of Jesus’ Life

Journal Reflection What evidence of Christ’s historical life do you find most compelling? Why? How has this evidence impacted your faith? Events of Jesus’ Life

Written Recordings Outside of the Bible Person Main Source Evidence Tacitus Annals Mentions Christians in connection with Nero and the great fire in Rome/executed by Pontius Pilate Suetonius Lives of the Caesars Connects “Chrestus” (Christ) with Jewish riots in Rome Pliny the younger correspondence with Emperor Trajan Christians met together to worship, sang hymns, recited a creed, and promised to live morally and worship Jesus Christ. Josephus Jewish Antiquities John the Baptist was a good man. Annas the Younger put James the Just to death in AD 62. James was the “brother of Jesus who is called Christ.” Thallus quotations in historical documents Thallus wrote about the earthquake and darkness that descended on the land when Jesus died. Mara bar Serapion letter to his son Jews (Jewish leaders) killed their wise King and afterwards were ruined and driven from their land. The wise King lived on in the teaching that he had given. Lucian of Samosata work of satire He mocked the Christian faith in the Resurrection and said that Christians follow the teaching of that one who is their founder and lawgiver who was crucified. Celsus Against Celsus by Origen contains some of Celsus’ charges against Christianity Celsus made these claims: Jesus’ father was a Roman soldier; Jesus went to Egypt to learn sorcery. Babylonian Talmud There is a mention of Jesus who practiced magic and led Israel away from true Jewish worship; he had disciples, and he was “’hanged on the eve of Passover.” More Evidence of the Historical Life of Jesus

What the Gospels Reveals about the Life of Jesus

Four Gospels Authentic testimonies of faith in Jesus Christ Inspired writings Written sources Expression of the Church’s faith in Jesus Mark Luke John Matthew What the Gospels Reveals about the Life of Jesus

Good Samaritan The Prodigal Son Abba means “father” or “dad.” Jesus used Abba to reveal “that God is Father in an unheard-of sense” “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you” (Jn 16:23). Good Samaritan The Prodigal Son Who but God alone can forgive sins? (Mk 2:7) What the Gospels Reveals about the Life of Jesus

What the Gospels Reveals about the Life of Jesus

Early Christian Persecution YEAR –AD Event or Era of Persecution for Early Christians 64 Nero deflects blame for great fire in Rome—blames first Jews then Christians 95-96 Domitian Empire (much persecution) 98-117 Trajan’s Empire (Pliny encountered Christians and immediately condemned them to death sparing those who claimed to be reformed 124-125 Cases against Christians must have misdeeds named or serious consequences for accusers 125-160 Period of relative tolerance 161 Marcus Aurelius came to power. Polycarp sentences Christians to death 175 Christians property seized 193 Severan Dynasty—church became stronger, consolidated in cities, grew. 202-210 Anti Christian sentiments grew 235-238 Persecution agaisnt church leaders grew 249-251 Severe test for Christians 258-259 Bloodiest persecution 260-303 Peaceful time for Christians 303 The Great Persecutions Early Christian Persecution The Witness of Early Martyrs to the Life of Jesus

Journal Reflection Describe a time when you have felt compromised or threatened by your religious beliefs. The Witness of Early Martyrs to the Life of Jesus