Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction: Christ Jesus, known as the Savior, is the central figure of Christianity, believed to be the incarnate Son of God and the promised Messiah. His life, death, and resurrection are the cornerstone of Christian faith, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and establishing the New Covenant between God and humanity.
Names and Titles: Jesus is referred to by various names and titles throughout the Bible, each reflecting His divine nature and mission. "Christ" (Greek: Christos) means "Anointed One," equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah." "Jesus" (Greek: Iēsous) is derived from the Hebrew "Yeshua," meaning "Yahweh is salvation." Other titles include "Emmanuel" (
Matthew 1:23), meaning "God with us," "Son of God" (
John 1:34), "Son of Man" (
Mark 10:45), "Lamb of God" (
John 1:29), and "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (
Revelation 19:16).
Birth and Early Life: The birth of Jesus is a fulfillment of prophecy, as foretold by Isaiah: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (
Isaiah 7:14). Jesus was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit (
Matthew 1:18-25). His birth was announced by angels and witnessed by shepherds and wise men, signifying His divine and royal nature (
Luke 2:8-20;
Matthew 2:1-12).
Ministry: Jesus began His public ministry around the age of thirty, following His baptism by John the Baptist and His temptation in the wilderness (
Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-11). His ministry included teaching, preaching the Kingdom of God, performing miracles, and calling disciples. He taught with authority, using parables to reveal spiritual truths (
Matthew 13:34-35). His miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, and calming storms, demonstrated His divine authority and compassion (
Matthew 8:16-17;
Mark 4:39).
Teachings: Central to Jesus' teachings is the message of repentance and faith in the Gospel. He emphasized love for God and neighbor as the greatest commandments (
Matthew 22:37-40). The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) encapsulates His ethical teachings, highlighting the values of humility, mercy, and righteousness. Jesus also taught about the coming Kingdom of God, urging His followers to seek it above all else (
Matthew 6:33).
Death and Resurrection: Jesus' crucifixion is the pivotal event in Christian theology, seen as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity. As prophesied, He was "pierced for our transgressions" (
Isaiah 53:5) and bore the punishment for sin. His death on the cross fulfilled the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, offering redemption and reconciliation with God (
Hebrews 9:12-14). On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, and appeared to His disciples, affirming His victory and divine nature (
Matthew 28:5-7;
1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
Ascension and Second Coming: After forty days, Jesus ascended into heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God, interceding for believers (
Acts 1:9-11;
Romans 8:34). Christians await His promised return, when He will judge the living and the dead and establish His eternal Kingdom (
Acts 1:11;
Revelation 22:12).
Significance: Christ Jesus is the foundation of Christian faith, embodying God's love and grace. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He offers salvation to all who believe, granting eternal life and restoring the broken relationship between God and humanity (
John 3:16;
Romans 5:8-11). His teachings and example continue to guide and inspire believers worldwide.