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'''Jesus Christ''' or '''Jesus of [[Nazareth]]''' (c. [[4 BC]] - c. [[29]]) was a [[Judaism|Jewish]] teacher and healer [[Crucifixion|crucified]] in the early years of the [[Roman Empire]]. According to Christian belief, he is the "only begotten" [[Son of God]], whose death and [[resurrection]] brings [[salvation]] to the world. He is also considered a [[prophet]] by various other [[religion]]s, including [[Islam]]. 

== The Name ''Jesus Christ'' ==

''Jesus'' is derived from the [[Latin]] ''Iesus'', which in turn comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''Iesous'' (Ιησους).  The Greek form is a transliteration of the [[Aramaic]] name ''Yeshua'' (ישוע), a short form of [[Hebrew]] ''Yehoshua'' (יהושוע), which means ''the Lord is salvation'' or ''Jehovah saves''. The modern form of ''Yehoshua'' is ''Joshua''.

The title ''Christ'' comes, via Latin, from the Greek ''Christos'' (Χριστος), which means ''annointed''. The Greek form is a literal translation of ''Messiah'' from Hebrew ''mashiyakh'' (משיח) or Aramaic ''m'shikha'' (משיחא).

In [[Arabic language|Arabic]], Jesus is known as the prophet ''Isa al Masih''.

Jesus spoke [[Aramaic]], which is closely related to [[Hebrew]] and the common language of Galilee and Judea during his time.  As a tradesman in the Hellenized Galilee, Jesus probably spoke passable, business Greek, and his study of the scriptures would acquaint him with Hebrew.  Thus, in his life, he was most often called ''Yeshua''.

==The Historical Jesus of Nazareth==

The exact year or month or day of Jesus's birth cannot now be exactly ascertained. Due to a mistaken calculation based on the Roman Calendar, it was long held that Jesus was born in the year [[1|1 A.D.]] and died at age 33. Because Matthew states that Jesus was born while [[Herod the Great]] was still alive, and we know that Herod died in [[4 BC]], many chronologists are of the opinion that the year [[4 BC|4 before the Christian era]] was the most likely year of Jesus's birth, and consequently that he was about four years old in the year 1 A.D.  On the other hand, [[Luke the Evangelist|Luke]]'s account places Jesus's birth during a census conducted under the goverorship of [[Quirinius]], who, according to [[Josephus]], conducted a census in [[6]] A.D.  In order to render the two Gospel accounts consistent, some Christians have suggested that Josephus was mistaken or that [[Quirinius]] had a separate period of rule under Herod.  In any case, the actual date of his birth remains uncertain.

Regardless, Christianity was of such importance to medieval Europe that the presumed birth of Jesus was used to mark the first year of the calendar (similarly, in modernity, Europe emerged to be of such political and economic importance in the world that most non-European countries have come to use the same calendar.) "A.D." stands for "[[Anno Domini]]," which means "in the year of our lord," or the number of years after the purported year of the birth of Jesus. Since many non-Christians have come to use this calendar, many have adopted the alternative notation, "C.E." It is presently uncertain what the original meaning of this abbreviation was, although today it is taken to mean either the [[Common Era]] or the Christian Era: many references cite both.

There are numerous lines of thought about the historicity of Jesus Christ. Scholars like the members of the [[Jesus Seminar]] have attempted to glean through the techniques of textual analysis an idea of the man described in the New Testament. On the other side of the spectrum, there are scholars, most notably [[Earl Doherty]], who have suggested that there was no historical Jesus, and that the character is a gestalt of numerous individuals who lived and myths that were common currency during the late Hellenistic age. The problem for historians trying to reach a historical consensus, is that given that the best dates for the Synoptic Gospels place their writing decades after the time when Jesus is said to have died, there are no contemporaneus accounts of the Jesus's life. Furthermore, early secular references to him are scarce. The most famous reference is in [[Gaius Cornelius Tacitus|Tacitus]] (see [[Tacitus on Jesus]]). [[Josephus]]'s Antiquities is another secular source which is  commonly mentioned (see [[Josephus on Jesus]]). It is worth noting that neither is a primary source, and that the passages in Josephus are highly controversial as to their authenticity. 

There are other Christian accounts that are not part of the New Testament, including the [[Gospel of Thomas]] and The Infancy Gospel, but they are almost universally considered not reliable by secular and religious authors alike. It has been suggested, in recent times most notably by writers [[Timothy Freke]] and [[Peter Gandy]], that aspects of the story of Christ were derived from popular mystery religions in the Roman Empire at that time period. These religions worshipped saviour figures such as [[Isis]], [[Horus]], [[Dionysus]] and [[Mithras]], and Christian [[Gnosticism]] which flourished in the 2nd and 3rd centuries openly combined Christian imagery and stories with the beliefs and practices of Mediterranean mystery religions. For more information in this topic see [[Osiris-Dionysus]].

This is a challenge to Christianity's authenticity of which early Christians were aware. During the [[100s]], [[Justin Martyr]] acknowledged the existence of such similarities to mythology in the ''First Apology of Justin Martyr''. He describes at great length how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of Moses and the other Hebrew prophets, and how these prophets predate similar stories told in Greece and Egypt. He goes on to suggest that stories in Greece, Egypt and other parts of the world were based on flawed interpretations of the Hebrew prophecies, particularly in chapters 54 and 55. In chapter 60 Justin writes, "It is not, then, that we hold the same opinions as others, but that all speak in imitation of ours."

In [[2002]], an [[ossuary]] was discovered in [[Israel]] that contains the words ''Ya`aqov bar Yosef akhui di Yeshua`'' i.e. "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus". The artifact is dated at [[63| 63 AD]] and many believe it serves as strong evidence for Jesus historical existence, although this matter is under debate.  The ossuary may have been looted, thus calling into question its history and the authenticity of its inscription.  Also, even if the inscription is authentic, given that the names are all common, it can not be said to be conclusive.  However, Andre Lemaire, who described this inscription in ''Biblical Archaeology Review'', calculated that there would have been about 20 people named James who had a brother named Jesus during that time; he further argued that mentioning both the deceased and the dead brother suggests that the brother was likely to have been famous.  Rochelle I. Altman, an expert on scripts and an historian of writing systems, examined the ossuary and reported that the first part of the inscription, "Jacob son of Joseph," is authentic, but that the second half of the inscription, "brother of Jesus," was a poorly executed fake and a later addition. 

== Jesus as Messiah ==
[[Christianity]] as we have come to know it emerged from [[Judaism]] in the first century of the Common Era. The first Christians were Jews, and likely subscribed to Jewish beliefs and practices common at the time.  Among these was a belief that a [[messiah]] -- a descendant of [[King David]] -- would restore the monarchy and Jewish independence.  According to mainstream Jewish beliefs, the failure of Jesus to restore the Kingdom, and his crucifixion by Romans, negated claims that he was the messiah (since most Jews do not accept that Jesus was the messiah, they reject the use of the full (Christian) name.  See the [[Jewish eschatology|Jewish conception of the messiah]] for a more detailed discussion of the Jewish understanding of the messiah).  Nevertheless, many of Jesus's followers -- perhaps inspired by encounters with Jesus after his crucifixion and entombment, but also drawing on alternative interpretations of Biblical passages -- redefined the concept of messiah to encompass the resurrection and the promise of a second coming.  In addition to this alternative understanding of the messiah, early Christians brought from Judaism its scriptures, fundamental doctrines such as [[monotheism]], and other beliefs and practices. See [[Comparing and contrasting Judaism and Christianity]].  

== The Christian Account of Jesus==
Jesus is the central focus of attention and worship in Christianity and is held by most Christians to be the [[Messiah]] foretold in the [[Old Testament|Hebrew Bible]]. More importantly he is believed to be the saviour of mankind, the son of God the Father, and God himself.  The vast majority of self-described Christians regard belief in the divinity of Jesus to be part of what defines [[Christianity]]. According to traditional Christian theology, Jesus is one of the three persons of the [[Trinity]], along with [[God]] the Father and the [[Holy Spirit]]. (See also [[Christology]].)

According to the Christian Bible, Jesus was born as [[Joseph the Betrothed|Joseph]] and [[Mary, the mother of Jesus|Mary]], his betrothed, also commonly referred as "the [[Blessed Virgin Mary|Virgin Mary]]" or, as the Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox call her, "Mother of God"), were visiting [[Bethlehem]] from their native [[Nazareth]].

Of the four [[Gospels]], the [[Nativity]] is mentioned only in the [[Gospel of Matthew]] and the [[Gospel of Luke]]. Certain details of the two accounts appear to be at variance with each other.  Luke reports that the parents lived at Nazareth.  According to Matthew, they settled in Nazareth only after their return from [[Egypt]] - an event which Luke does not mention.

According to the mainstream Christian doctrine of the [[Virgin Birth]], Jesus was born after his mother Mary (betrothed to Joseph) was miraculously impregnated by the Holy Spirit, and was thereby the Messiah the Jews had been waiting for.

According to the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph and Mary fled with the [[baby]] Jesus to Egypt after they had been warned by an angel for the [[Massacre of the Innocents]]. 

The Bible tells little more about Jesus's childhood or young adulthood. However, by the time he reached his early 30s, the gospels all report that he had become known as a religious teacher.

=== The message of Jesus in the gospels ===

When Jesus was asked about the most important commandment in the law of Moses 
Jesus answered (Mark chap 12 verses 29 and 30) - the most important commandment (echoing Deuteronomy 6:5) is to love God with all the heart, the soul, the mind and one's strength and at the same time he says that the commandment to love one's neighbour as oneself (found in Leviticus 19: 18) is as important. 

One of his most well known messages was that if someone sinned, one should love the sinner. 

When seeing merchants doing money-changing at the [[Temple in Jerusalem]], he used a whip to drive out the animals being bought and sold by the merchants, released the doves, and overturned their tables to scatter their coins.

While hanging on the cross, Jesus asks, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Many readers find this theologically perplexing, believing that God left him to die on the cross. Others see this as a quotation of the first verse of Psalm 22, a common way at the time to refer to an entire Psalm. That Psalm begins with cries of despair, but ends on a note of hope and trust in God's triumph and deliverance. It also contains several details that have been taken to apply to Jesus' crucifixion, such as the soldiers casting lots for Jesus' garments and leaving His bones unbroken. Later Christian writings hold that Jesus was not only the son of God, but God Himself. Many non-Christian historians do not see this paradox  addressed within the New Testament, and hold that this is because during the life of Jesus he never claimed to be God, or part of a [[Trinity]]. Christians continue to see many passages in the [[Gospel]]s and other parts of the New Testament affirming the divinity of Jesus Christ.

After traveling as wandering [[rabbi]] and performing [[miracle]]s for three years, he was convicted by the occupying Roman government of claiming to be king of the Jews. Shortly thereafter, he was crucified on Golgotha and died.  According to the [[Gospels]] (the first four books in the [[New Testament]] of the [[Bible]]), he [[Resurrection of Jesus Christ|rose from the dead]] on the third day following his crucifixion and appeared to his disciples; the [[book of Acts]] reports that forty days later he ascended bodily into [[Heaven]].  [[Saint Paul|Paul's]] letters to the [[Romans]], [[Ephesians]] and [[Colossians]], and the letter to the [[Hebrews]] claim that Jesus presently exercises all authority in heaven and on earth for the sake of the Church, until all of the earth is made subject to his rule through the preaching of the Gospel.  Based on the [[New Testament]], Christians believe that Jesus will return bodily from heaven at the end of the age, to judge the living and the dead.

===Jesus's Work===

The New Testament reports that Jesus's message concentrated on benevolence towards others and called on his followers to abandon their worldly concerns, make disciples, and wait for the second coming of their Saviour when he would establish the kingdom of God on Earth. The Early fathers of the church further expanded on this message, and much of the rest of the New Testament is concerned with the meaning of Jesus's death and resurrection, and its implications for humanity. One idea that has remained constant through Christian theology is the idea that humanity was redeemed, saved, or given an opportunity to achieve salvation through Jesus's death. "Jesus died for our sins" is a common Christian aphorism.

However, that idea of "salvation" has been interpreted in many ways, and a wide spectrum of Christian viewpoints exist and have existed throughout history up to the present day. 

== Other Viewpoints ==

[[Islam]] recognizes Jesus (''Isa'', in Arabic) as one of the greatest prophets and the forecasted [[Messiah]], but not as God or son of God. Muslims believe in the [[Virgin Birth]], but believe that God caused Mary to conceive without a father as proof of God's power, not of Jesus' divinity.  According to Islam, Jesus was never crucified and did not die; instead he was raised into heaven still physically alive, and made the illusion that he died on the cross to fool his enemies. [[Muslim|Muslims]] believe that Jesus will physically return to the world as prophesied and fight the [[Antichrist]], end all wars, convert the [[Jew|Jews]] and [[Christian|Christians]] to [[Islam]], stop the eating of pork, and usher in a messianic era of peace.

In addition to believing that Jesus is the Messiah, members of the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (the ''Mormons'') believe that Jesus appeared in the [[Western Hemisphere]] after his resurrection.  Church members believe that Jesus taught the ancestors of modern [[Native Americans]], whom they believe to be one of the [[lost tribes of Israel]].  In contrast to belief in the [[Trinity]], LDS members believe that Jesus is a member of the [[Godhead]] along with God and the Holy Ghost, but believe that they are all separate individuals.

The [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], and some other [[nontrinitarian]] churches, affirm that Jesus is only the first spiritual being created by [[Jehovah]], and as such are [[Arianism|Arian]] in their understanding of [[Christology]].

The [[Baha'i]] consider Jesus to be the Son of God due to his divine conception. He promised to return to humankind once again, though it's for debate whether that will be in physical or spiritual form, or possibly both.

[[Hinduism]] is divided on the issue of Jesus. Some share the position of atheists; he was just a man, if he existed at all. Others say he was a great teacher, and some speculate he visited [[India]] and studied [[Hinduism]]/[[Buddhism]] during the unaccounted for years in the [[Bible]]. Some Hindus go as far as to equate Jesus with an [[avatar]] (incarnation of God on earth), along with [[Rama]] and [[Krishna]]. 

[[Arianism|Arius]] thought that Jesus was a creation of God, i.e he was not to be put on the same level as the Father. His doctrine was condemned by the [[First Ecumenical Council]] in 325, but was very widespread during the 4th century until it was condemned again at the [[Second Ecumenical Council]] in 381.

== Fictional Portrayals of Jesus Christ ==

Various authors and filmmakers have created fictional portrayals of Jesus Christ and his life.  A number of storytellers have wanted to portray an accurate depiction of what his life is believed to have been like, while others have used the persona of Jesus Christ as a narrative device to make a literary point and develop a story's theme.  Because of the devotion of many people to the idea of Jesus Christ, fictional portrayals of Christ have been, almost without exception, fraught with controversy.  For further details, see the Wikipedia entry on [[fictional portrayals of Jesus Christ]].