Jesus of Nazareth

• Jews hoped for a messiah, or deliverer, someone who rescues another from harm*

• They believed that Jesus was the messiah.

Jesus of Nazareth

• The Bible contains the information we know about Jesus.• The Bible is made up of two parts:

The Old and New Testament. • The Old Testament includes the

history and ideas of Hebrews and Jews.

• The New Testament contains Jesus’ teachings and early history of Christianity.

The Birth of Jesus• Jesus was born in

Bethlehem• His mother’s name was

Mary, and she was married to a carpenter named Joseph, but Christians believe God is Jesus’ father.

The Birth of Jesus

• Jesus traveled around Nazareth, spreading his teachings.• He gathered up a group of

followers called apostles.

The Life of JesusWhat did Jesus teach?• Jesus’ message was contained in a group of sayings called the Sermon on the

Mount. He taught several main ideas:

Love and forgive from the heart

Be merciful

Be peaceful

Love the Lord with all your heart

Love your neighbor as yourself

What did Jesus teach?

• Jesus believed in love and forgiveness, not simply following religious laws

• Jesus used parables to present his message. These were stories that used events from everyday life to express spiritual ideas.

The Life of JesusWhat did Jesus teach?

• The Prodigal Son told of a father who welcomed his reckless son back home with open arms.*• The parable of the Good Samaritan is

probably the most well known.**• Galilee was a region just north of

Judaea where Jesus preached. (PTL, p.186)

Crucifixion and Resurrection• Jesus’ teachings influenced many people, and the

Roman authorities felt threatened.• He was arrested in AD 30• Jesus was crucified, which was a type of execution

where someone was nailed to a cross. • Christians believe He was resurrected three days after

His death.• Christians believe the Resurrection was a sign that Jesus

was the Messiah and Son of God.

The First Christians

• People who accepted Jesus as the messiah were called Christians*• The Apostles were early Christian leaders who helped establish

churches and spread Jesus’ word • Some of the apostles wrote accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings,

which are called The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John )

Spread of Jesus’ Teachings

• Peter and Paul were two of Jesus’ apostles• Paul traveled around the Roman world spreading Jesus’ teachings.

• Christians have different beliefs from Jews.

What Do Christians Believe?

• Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God who came to save people• Christians believe people can gain salvation, or be delivered

or saved from sin and allowed to enter heaven, by accepting Jesus. • Jesus warned that if people loved money or goods more

than they loved God, they would not be saved.• Christians believe in the Trinity, or one God who exists as

three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Rome Adopts Christianity• *The Roman general,

Constantine became emperor in A.D. 312 and accepted Christianity*(PTM,p.191)

• “In this sign, you will conquer” – flaming cross in the sky

• Battle of the Milvian Bridge

• The Edict of Milan in A.D. 313 gave religious freedom to all people and made Christianity legal.

Sum It Up

• What were the main ideas Jesus taught during his life?

• People should turn from their sins; having a relationship with God is more important than following religious law; love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Sum It Up

• Who were Peter and Paul, and why were they important?

• Peter was an apostle. He was a fisher who became one of the 12 disciples. He helped set up a church in Rome. Paul was an educated man who persecuted Jesus. He saw a great light and heard Jesus’ voice on the road to Damascus. He became a Christian and an apostle. He started many churches

Section Wrap Up

• What did Jesus teach?

• He taught that God was coming soon to rule the world; people should turn from their sins; having a relationship with God is more important than following religious law; love and forgive from the heart; love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself

Section Wrap Up

• How did people react to his teachings?

• People responded differently to Jesus. Some followed him. Some feared him. Others disagreed with him. Still others wanted to kill him. Ultimately, leaders in Jerusalem arrested and crucified him.

REVIEW

What are parables, and why did Jesus

use them?

A parable is a story that uses events from

everyday life to express spiritual ideas.

Review

What do Christians believe they will gain by accepting Jesus and his teachings?

They believe they will gain salvation, be resurrected, and have everlasting life.

Review

Why were the Jews looking for a messiah? Did Jesus fulfill most Jews’ expectations for a messiah? Explain.

Jews hoped the promised messiah would restore their freedom. Jesus did not fulfill most Jews’ expectations. They disagreed about his authenticity.