Who is Jesus Christ?

Two ways to learn about Jesus Christ The Jesus of History The essential facts about the man who lived 2,000 years ago in the Middle East The essential facts about the man who lived 2,000 years ago in the Middle East The Christ of Faith Who Christians believe Jesus is today Who Christians believe Jesus is today

WHAT DO WE REALLY KNOW ABOUT JESUS?

The Historical Jesus: Born around 3 BCE Name: originally Yeshua, Yehoshua (Joshua) Yehoshua ben Nazareth, or Yehoshua ben Yousef Ethnicity and Religion: Palestinian Jew Son of a Nazareth carpenter Teacher, preacher, healer, storyteller, charismatic and popular

MORE FACTS ABOUT JESUS Harsh public critic of Jewish religious abuse Harsh public critic of Jewish religious abuse (traditional role of a prophet) (traditional role of a prophet) Many believed he was the promised Jewish Messiah Many believed he was the promised Jewish Messiah Convicted of blasphemy by Jewish priests for claiming he was the Messiah and God’s son Convicted of blasphemy by Jewish priests for claiming he was the Messiah and God’s son Tortured and executed for treason in Jerusalem by the Roman Empire around 30 CE; method of execution was crucifixion Tortured and executed for treason in Jerusalem by the Roman Empire around 30 CE; method of execution was crucifixion

THE QUESTION THAT DIVIDES THE JESUS OF HISTORY What happened to the body of Jesus after he died? FROM THE CHRIST OF FAITH:

How Jesus Became Christ He is buried, but a few days later his body is missing from his tomb He is buried, but a few days later his body is missing from his tomb Jesus’ followers begin to see him around Jerusalem, appearing and disappearing. Jesus’ followers begin to see him around Jerusalem, appearing and disappearing. Word quickly spreads around Jerusalem that Jesus has risen from the dead. Word quickly spreads around Jerusalem that Jesus has risen from the dead.

How Jesus Became Christ In the years to come, followers tell stories of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and teachings to other people. In the years to come, followers tell stories of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and teachings to other people. The Gospels are not written until years after the death of Jesus The Gospels are not written until years after the death of Jesus It takes years before the name “Christian” is given to those Jews (and later, non-Jews) who believe that Jesus was and is “the Christ” It takes years before the name “Christian” is given to those Jews (and later, non-Jews) who believe that Jesus was and is “the Christ” “Christ” is from the Greek kristos, meaning “anointed one” or “messiah” “Christ” is from the Greek kristos, meaning “anointed one” or “messiah”

The Jesus of History Human teacher, reformer, prophet, healer, executed as a criminal Human teacher, reformer, prophet, healer, executed as a criminal Jesus died Jesus died The Christ of Faith The Son of God, the Messiah, Incarnate God, Resurrected The Son of God, the Messiah, Incarnate God, Resurrected “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again” “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again” Christ lives Christ lives

Faith in Christ What exactly do Christians believe about Jesus Christ?

The Nicene Creed Formulated by the Church in 325 CE in Nicea in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) Formulated by the Church in 325 CE in Nicea in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) Still accepted by most major Christian denominations Still accepted by most major Christian denominations Recited by the community every Sunday during the Eucharist Recited by the community every Sunday during the Eucharist The definitive statement of belief about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit The definitive statement of belief about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit

The Creed and Christ “Creed” is from the Latin word credo, “I believe” “Creed” is from the Latin word credo, “I believe” What does our Creed tell us about Christ? What does our Creed tell us about Christ? What are the essential Catholic beliefs about Christ? What are the essential Catholic beliefs about Christ?

Christ and the Trinity Christ is part of the Trinity that Christians believe is God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit Christ is part of the Trinity that Christians believe is God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit Christ is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son Christ is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son …which means that Jesus Christ is God’s Son AND God …which means that Jesus Christ is God’s Son AND God

The Son of God Jesus called God his abba, his “daddy,” when he was alive. Jesus called God his abba, his “daddy,” when he was alive. God called Jesus his “beloved Son” after his baptism. God called Jesus his “beloved Son” after his baptism. We are all children of God, but Jesus is God’s “only begotten Son,” the only Son that God brought to life through human procreation. We are all children of God, but Jesus is God’s “only begotten Son,” the only Son that God brought to life through human procreation.

The Pre-Existence of Christ From the Creed: From the Creed: –“Through him all things were made” “In the Beginning was the Word” “In the Beginning was the Word” Before he was born as a man, Jesus existed from the beginning of time with God and AS God. Before he was born as a man, Jesus existed from the beginning of time with God and AS God. Jesus Christ is “the Word made flesh” Jesus Christ is “the Word made flesh”

The Incarnation the belief that God became a human being. the belief that God became a human being. Jesus’ Father was God Jesus’ Father was God His mother was a Jewish virgin named Mary His mother was a Jewish virgin named Mary

The Crucifixion It was more than the execution of Jesus by the Romans It was more than the execution of Jesus by the Romans Christians believe that Jesus’ suffering and death was done for us, to take away the sins of the world. Christians believe that Jesus’ suffering and death was done for us, to take away the sins of the world.

The Resurrection The belief that Jesus rose from the dead body and soul. The belief that Jesus rose from the dead body and soul. He was not a ghost, and he was not pretending to be dead. He was not a ghost, and he was not pretending to be dead.

The Ascension the belief that Jesus “went up” to heaven. the belief that Jesus “went up” to heaven. An imaginative way of describing the point when Jesus let go of what still tied him to earth and reunited with God. An imaginative way of describing the point when Jesus let go of what still tied him to earth and reunited with God.

Pentecost Ten days after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles, empowering them to preach the “good news” (Gospel) of the Risen Christ Ten days after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles, empowering them to preach the “good news” (Gospel) of the Risen Christ This is considered the beginning of the Church This is considered the beginning of the Church

The Second Coming of Christ The Parousia The Parousia The belief that that Jesus Christ will return to the world at the end of time to “judge the living and the dead.” The belief that that Jesus Christ will return to the world at the end of time to “judge the living and the dead.” “Christ will come again…” “Christ will come again…”

Christ and the Eucharist Catholic Christians believe that Jesus Christ actually becomes present in the bread and wine during Mass Catholic Christians believe that Jesus Christ actually becomes present in the bread and wine during Mass Taking Communion is uniting with Jesus and with each other (the word communion literally means “union with”) Taking Communion is uniting with Jesus and with each other (the word communion literally means “union with”)