Reference: Jesus Christ
American
The Son of God, the Messiah and Savior of the World, the first and principal object of the prophecies; who was prefigured and promised in the Old Testament; was expected and desired by the patriarchs; the hope and salvation of the Gentiles; the glory, happiness, and consolation of Christians. The name JESUS, in Hebrew JEHOSHUAH or Joshua, signifies Savior, or Jehovah saves. No one ever bore this name with so much justice, nor so perfectly fulfilled the signification of it, as Jesus Christ, who saves from sin and hell, and has merited heaven for us by the price of his blood. It was given to him by divine appointment, Mt 1:21, as the proper name for the Savior so long desired, and whom all the myriads of the redeemed in heaven will for ever adore as their only and all-glorious Redeemer.
JESUS was the common name of the Savior; while the name CHRIST, meaning the Anointed One, The Messiah, was his official name. Both names are used separately, in the gospels and also in the epistles; but JESUS generally stands by itself in the gospels, which are narratives of his life; while in the epistles, which treat of his divine nature and of his redeeming work, he is called CHRIST, CHRIST JESUS, or THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. See CHRIST.
Here, under the Redeemer's human name, belong the facts relating to his human nature and the history of his life upon earth. His true and complete humanity, having the soul as well as the body of man, is everywhere seen in the gospel history. He who is "God over all, blessed forever," was an Israelite "as concerning the flesh," Ro 9:5, and took upon him our whole nature, in order to be a perfect Savior. As a man, Jesus was the King of men. No words can describe that character in which such firmness and gentleness, such dignity and humility, such enthusiasm and calmness, such wisdom and simplicity, such holiness and charity, such justice and mercy, such sympathy with heaven and with earth, such love to God and love to man blended in perfect harmony. Nothing in it was redundant, and nothing was wanting. The world had never produced, nor even conceived of such a character, and its portraiture in the gospels is a proof of their divine origin, which the infidel cannot gainsay. Could the whole human race, of all ages, kindreds, and tongues, be assembled to see the crucified Redeemer as he is, and compare earth's noblest benefactors with Him, there would be but one voice among them. Every crown of glory and every meed of praise would be given to Him who alone is worthy-for perfection of character, for love to mankind, for sacrifices endured, and for benefits bestowed. His glory will forever be celebrated as the Friend of man; the Lamb sacrificed for us.
The visit of JESUS CHRIST to the earth has made it forever glorious above less favored worlds, and forms the most signal event in its annals. The time of his birth is commemorated by the Christian era, the first year of which corresponds to about the year 753 from the building of Rome. It is generally conceded, however, that the Savior was born at least four years before A. D. 1, and four thousand years after the creation of Adam. His public ministry commenced when he was thirty years of age; and continued, according to the received opinion, three and a half years. Respecting his ancestors, see GENEALOGY.
The life of the Redeemer must be studied in the four gospels, where it was recorded under the guidance of supreme wisdom. Many efforts have been made, with valuable results, to arrange the narrations of the evangelists in the true order of time. But as neither of the gospels follows the exact course of events, many incidents are very indeterminate, and are variously arranged by different harmonists. No one, however, has been more successful than Dr. Robinson in his valuable "Harmony of the Gospels".
The divine wisdom is conspicuous not only in what is taught us respecting the life of Jesus, but in what is withheld. Curiosity, and the higher motives of warm affection, raise numerous questions to which the gospels give no reply; and in proportion as men resort to dubious traditions, they lose the power of a pure and spiritual gospel. See further, concerning Christ, MESSIAH, REDEEMER, etc.
Jesus was not an uncommon name among the Jews. It was the name of the father of Elymas the sorcerer, Ac 13:6; and of Justus, a fellow-laborer and friend of Paul, Col 4:11. It is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, or Jeshua, borne by the high priest in Ezra's time, and by the well-known leader of the Jews in to the Promised Land. See also 1Sa 6:14; 2Ki 23:8. The Greek form of the word, Jesus, is twice used in the New Testament when Joshua the son of Nun is intended, Ac 7:45; Heb 4:8.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife home, for what is begotten in her is by the Holy Spirit; and she will bear a son, and you are to call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
"That tabernacle was brought in by our ancestors, in their turn, when they under Joshua entered on the possession of the nations whom God thrust out before them, until the days of David.
They had John Mark as an assistant; and after going through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain Jewish sorcerer and false prophet, named Bar-Jesus,
theirs are the patriarchs, and of them, as concerning the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God, blessed forever, Amen.
These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, belonging to the circumcision, who have been any comfort to me.
Fausets
(See JESUS.) ("Jehovah salvation"); for "He Himself (autos, not merely like Joshua He is God's instrument to save) saves His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). CHRIST, Greek; MESSIAH, Hebrew, "anointed" (1Sa 2:10; Ps 2:2,6 margin; Da 9:25-26). Prophets, priests, and kings (Ex 30:30; 1Ki 19:15-16) were anointed, being types of Him who combines all three in Himself (De 18:18; Zec 6:13). "By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are being sanctified" (Heb 10:5,7,14; 7:25). "Christ," or the Messiah, was looked for by all Jews as "He who should come" (Mt 11:3) according to the Old Testament prophets. Immanuel "God with us" declares His Godhead; also Joh 1:1-18. (See IMMANUEL.) The New Testament shows that Jesus is the Christ (Mt 22:42-45).
Jesus is His personal name, "Christ" is His title. Appropriately, in undesigned confirmation of the Gospels, Acts, and epistles, the question throughout the Gospels is, whether Jesus is "The" (the article is always in the Greek) Christ (Mt 16:16; Joh 6:69), so in the first ministry of the word in Acts (Ac 2:36; 9:22; 10:38; 17:3). When His Messiahship became recognized "Christ" was used as His personal designation; so in the epistles.
Christ implies His consecration and qualification for the work He undertook, namely, by His unction with the Holy Spirit, of which the Old Testament oil anointings were the type; in the womb (Lu 1:35), and especially at His baptism, when the Holy Spirit (as a dove) abode on Him (Mt 3:16; Joh 1:32-33). Transl. Ps 45:7; "O God (the Son), Thy God (the Father) hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows." Full of this unction without measure (Joh 3:34) He preached at Nazareth as the Fulfiller of the scripture He read (Isa 61:1-3), giving "the oil of joy for mourning," "good tidings unto the meek" (Lu 4:17-21). Jesus' claim to be Messiah or "the Christ of God" (Lu 9:20), i.e. the anointed of the Father to be king of the earth (Ps 2:6-12; Re 11:15; 12:10), rests:
(1) On His fulfilling all the prophecies concerning Messiah, so far as His work has been completed, the earnest of the full completion; take as instances Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Micah 5; Ho 6:2-3; Ge 49:10, compare Luke 2; "the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy" (Re 19:10; Lu 24:26,44-46; Ac 3:22-25).
(2) On His miracles (Joh 7:31; 5:36; 10:25,38). Miracles alleged in opposition, or addition, to Scripture cannot prove a divine mission (2Th 2:9; De 13:1-3; Mt 24:24), but when confirmed by Scripture they prove it indisputably.
Son of David expresses His title to David's throne over Israel and Judah yet to be (Lu 1:32-33). "King of Israel" (Joh 1:49), "King of the Jews" (Mt 2:2; 21:5), "King of Zion." As son of David He is David's "offspring"; as "root of David" (in His divine nature) He is David's "lord" (Re 22:16, compare Mt 22:42-45). His claim to the kingship was the charge against Him before Pilate (Joh 18:37; 19:3,12). The elect of God (Lu 23:35, compare Isa 42:1). The inspired summary of His life is, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him" (Ac 10:38). To be "in Christ," which occurs upward of 70 times in Paul's epistles, is not merely to copy but to be in living union with Him (1Co 15:18; 2Co 12:2), drawn from Christ's own image (Joh 15:1-10). In Christ God is manifested as He is, and man as he ought to be. Our fallen race lost the knowledge of man as utterly as they lost the knowledge of God.
Humanity in Christ is generic (1Co 15:45,47), as the second "man" or "last Adam," "the Son of man" (a title used in New Testament only by Himself of Himself, except in Stephen's dying speech, Ac 7:56; from Da 7:13; marking at once His humiliation as man's representative Head, and His consequent glorification in the same nature: Mt 20:28; 26:64.) Sinless Himself, yet merciful to sinners; meek under provocation, yet with refined sensibility; dignified, yet without arrogance; pure Himself, yet with a deep insight into evil; Christ is a character of human and divine loveliness such as man could never have invented; for no man has ever conceived, much less attained, such a standard; see His portraiture, Mt 12:15-20. Even His own brethren could not understand His withdrawal into Galilee, as, regarding Him like other men, they took it for granted that publicity was His aim (Joh 7:3-4; contrast Joh 5:44). Jesus was always more accessible than His disciples, they all rebuked the parents who brought their infants for Him to bless (Lu 18:15-17), they all would have sent the woman of Canaan away.
But He never misunderstood nor discouraged any sincere seeker, contrast Mt 20:31 with Mt 20:24-32. Earthly princes look greatest at a distance, surrounded with pomp; but He needed no earthly state, for the more closely He is viewed the more He stands forth in peerless majesty, sinless and divine. (On His miracles, see MIRACLES and on His parables, see PARABLES.) He rested His teaching on His own authority, and the claim was felt by all, through some mysterious power, to be no undue one (Mt 7:29). He appeals to Scripture as His own: "Behold I send unto you prophets," etc. (Mt 23:34; in Lu 11:49, "the Wisdom of God said, I will send them prophets".) His secret spring of unstained holiness, yet tender sympathy, was His constant communion with God; at all times, so that He was never alone (Joh 16:32), "rising up a great while before day, in a solitary place" (Mr 1:35).
Luke tells us much of His prayers: "He continued all night in prayer to God," before ordaining the twelve (Lu 6:12); it was as He was "praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended, and (the Father's) voice came from heaven, Thou art My beloved Son," etc. (Lu 3:22); it was "as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering" (Lu 9:29); when the angel strengthened Him in Gethsemane, "in an agony He prayed more earnestly," using the additional strength received not to refresh Himself after His exhausting conflict, but to strive in supplication, His example confirming His precept, Lu 13:24 (Lu 22:44; Heb 5:7). His Father's glory, not His own, was His absorbing aim (Joh 8:29,50; 7:18); from His childhood when at 12 years old (for it was only in His 12th year that Archelaus was banished and His parents ventured to bring Him to the Passover: Josephus, Ant. 17:15) His first recorded utterance was, "Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" or else "in My Father's places" (Lu 2:49; Ps 40:6,8).
Little is recorded of His childhood, but as much as the Spirit saw it safe for us to know; so prone is man to lose sight of Christ's main work, to fulfill the law and pay its penalty in our stead. The reticence of Scripture as remarkably shows God's inspiration of it as its records and revelations. Had the writers been left to themselves, they would have tried to gratify our natural curiosity about His early years. But a veil is drawn over all the rest of His sayings for the first 30 years. "He waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom ... He increased in wisdom" (Lu 2:40,52), which proves that He had a" reasonable soul" capable of development, as distinct from His Godhead; Athanasian Creed: "perfect God and perfect man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting." His tender considerateness for His disciples after their missionary journey, and His compassion for the fainting multitudes, outweighing all thought; of His own repose when He was weary, and when others would have been impatient of their retirement being intruded on (Mr 6:30-37), are lovely examples of His human, and at the same time superhuman, sympathy (Heb 4:15). Then how utterly void was He of resentment for wrongs.
When apprehended, instead of sharing the disciples' indignation He rebuked it; instead of rejoicing in His enemy's suffering, He removed it (Lu 22:50-51); instead of condemning His murderers He prayed for them: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Lu 23:34). What exquisite tact and tenderness appear in His dealing with the woman of Samaria (John 4), as He draws the spiritual lesson from
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife home, for what is begotten in her is by the Holy Spirit; and she will bear a son, and you are to call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
"Where is the new-born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him."
When they had entered the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and opening their treasure-chests they gave him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
There he remained until the death of Herod, in order that the word of the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, which says, Out of Egypt I called my son.
But he tried to prevent him. "It is I," he said, "who need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?"
But he tried to prevent him. "It is I," he said, "who need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?" But Jesus answered, "Permit it now, for so it is fitting for us to fulfill every religious duty." read more. Then he consented. And after Jesus was baptized, as soon as he rose out of the water, lo! the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon him,
Then he consented. And after Jesus was baptized, as soon as he rose out of the water, lo! the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon him, while a voice from heaven said, "This is my son, the beloved, In whom I delight."
Then Jesus was led up into the desert by the Spirit, to be tempted by the devil.
So the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, bid these stones to become bread."
Then the devil took him up into the Holy City and stood him on the parapet of the temple,
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. He left Nazareth, and settled in Capernaum-by-the-Lake, near the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali, read more. in order that these words spoken through Isaiah the prophet, might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali; The road by the Lake; the country beyond Jordan; Galilee of the Gentiles! The people who were dwelling in darkness Have seen a great light; And on those who were dwelling in the land of the shadows of death Light has dawned. From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near."
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." And as he was walking by the see of Galilee, he saw two brothers??imon who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother??asting their net into the sea, for they were fishermen. read more. "Come, follow me," said Jesus, "And I will make you fishers of men." And they dropped their nets at once, and followed him. As he went farther on he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.
for he was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes taught them.
When he entered Capernaum, an army captain came, and entered him,
When Jesus came into Peter's house, he found his wife's mother prostrated with fever.
that the word spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, He took upon himself our weaknesses, and bore the burden of our diseases. When Jesus saw the great crowds about him, he had given directions to cross to the other side,
"Why are you afraid?" he said, "you men of little faith!" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm.
When he arrived on the other side, in the country of the Gadarenes, he was met by two demoniacs who were coming out of the tombs. They were so violently fierce that no one dared pass along that road.
So he went on board, crossed the sea, and came to his own city.
"But when they persecute you in one city, flee to the next. In solemn truth I tell you that you shall not have completed the cities of Israel, before the Son of man comes.
"Are you the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?"
As he passed along he went into their synagogue, and there he saw a man with a withered hand.
So when Jesus knew it, he withdrew from that place, and numbers of people followed him. He cured them all; but he strictly forbade them to blaze abroad his doings, read more. that the word spoken through Isaiah, the prophet, might be fulfilled. Behold my servant whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom my soul delights; I will breathe my spirit upon him, and he shall announce justice to the Gentiles. He will not strive nor cry aloud, Nor shall anyone hear is voice in the streets. The bruised reed will not break; The dimly burning wick will not quench; Till he has led justice on to victory.
When the Pharisees heard it they said, "It is only by the aid of Beelzebub, the Prince of the demons, that this fellow is driving out demons."
When the Pharisees heard it they said, "It is only by the aid of Beelzebub, the Prince of the demons, that this fellow is driving out demons."
On that same day, after Jesus had left the house, he took his seat on the seashore;
So Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
But he turned and said to Peter. "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me, because you are not intent on what pleases God, but what pleases men."
When the ten heard of this, they were indignant at the two brothers; but Jesus called them to him and said: "You know how the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. read more. "Not so shall it be among you. But whoever among you wishes to become great, shall be your minister, "and whoever wishes to be first among you, shall be your slave; "just as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
"just as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Now as they were leaving Jericho a great crowd followed him. read more. And two blind men, sitting by the side of the road, heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, and cried out, "Have pity on us, Master, Son of David!" But the crowd checked them, to make them keep still. They cried out all the louder, saying, "Master, have pity on us, Son of David!"
But the crowd checked them, to make them keep still. They cried out all the louder, saying, "Master, have pity on us, Son of David!" Then Jesus stopped and called to them, "What do you want me to do for you?"
Say to the daughter of Zion, "Behold thy King cometh to thee, Gentle and sitting upon an ass, And upon a colt, the fool of a beast of burden."
Then Jesus entered into the Temple courts, and cast out all who were buying and selling there, and overturned the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of those who sold pigeons.
"What is your opinion concerning the Christ? Whose Son is he?" "David's," they answered.
"What is your opinion concerning the Christ? Whose Son is he?" "David's," they answered. "How then, "he said, "does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,
"How then, "he said, "does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand Until I put thine enemies beneath thy feet?
"The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand Until I put thine enemies beneath thy feet? "If David calls him Lord, how can he be his Son?"
"If David calls him Lord, how can he be his Son?"
"For this cause, behold! I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and pursue from city to city;
For false christs and false prophets will arise, and will work great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if it were possible, the very elect.
"I am He," Jesus answered; "yet I tell you that from this time on you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming upon the clouds of heaven."
"You who were going to destroy the Temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!"
Then the Spirit drove him at once into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was among the wild beasts, but the angels were ministering to him. read more. After John had been thrown into prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God.
After John had been thrown into prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God. "The time is now come," he said, "and the kingdom of God is near! Repent and believe the gospel."
"The time is now come," he said, "and the kingdom of God is near! Repent and believe the gospel." And as he was passing along by the sea of Galilee he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting their net into the sea, for they were fishermen; read more. so Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther on he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in their boat mending the nets. Straightway he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants and went after him.
Straightway he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants and went after him.
"What business have you with us, you Jesus of Nazareth? Are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God."
At evening when the sun had set, people came and brought to him all the sick and demon-possessed, and the whole town was gathered at the door. read more. He cured many who were ill with various diseases, and drove out many demons. But he did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was.
He cured many who were ill with various diseases, and drove out many demons. But he did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was. In the morning he rose a great while before day and went out to a desert place, and there prayed.
Some days later when Jesus entered Capernaum again the news spread, "He is in the house";
But there were some Scribes sitting there who reasoned in their hearts.
Jesus clearly perceived at once be the Spirit that they were thus reasoning in their hearts and said to them.
As he was passing by he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting in the tax-office; and he said to him, "Follow me." So he rose and followed him. Later on Levi was sitting at table in his house, and together with Jesus and his disciples a number of tax-gatherers and sinners were guests, for there were many of them who used to follow him. read more. But when some scribes of the Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax-gatherers, they said to his disciples, "Is he eating and drinking with tax-gatherers and sinners?" On hearing this Jesus said to them. "It is not the healthy who need a physician, but the sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
and with a shriek he cried out in a loud voice. "Jesus, son of God most high, what business have you with me? I adjure you by God, torment me not!"
When the apostles had come back to Jesus, they told him all the things they had done, and all they had taught. Then he said to them, "Come apart, yourselves, to a quiet spot, and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they could not get time even to eat. read more. So they sailed away privately to a solitary place. However, many saw them going, and recognized them, and ran together by land from all the neighboring towns, and arrived there first. So when Jesus landed he saw a vast multitude, and he was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. Then when the day was now far spent, his disciples came to him and said: "This place is desert, and the day is now far spent. Send the people away so that they may go to the farms and villages about here, and buy themselves something to eat." In answer he said to them, "You yourselves are to give them food." "Are we to go and buy fifty dollars worth of bread," they said, "and give them food?"
it seemed good to me also accurately, from the very beginning, to write them to you in order, most excellent Theophilus,
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High. "And the Lord God will give him the throne of his forefather David, "and he shall reign over the House of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."
"The Holy Spirit shall come upon you," said the angel, "and the power of the most High shall overshadow you, and therefore the holy offspring which is born, shall be called the son of God.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. When suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them; and they feared with a great fear. The angel said to them. read more. "Have no fear, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all the people. "For unto you born this day in there is born in David's town a Saviour, who is the Anointed Lord. "And this is a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly army praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And in earth peace among men who please him" Now when the angels had left them, and gone away to heaven, the shepherds said to one to another, "Let us go now even to Bethlehem, and see this saying which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." so they made haste, and came and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. When they had seen, they made known about the words which had been spoken to them concerning the child. And all who heard it were astonished at the things which were told to them by the shepherds.
And the child grew and became strong, becoming full of wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
He answered, "Why is it that you have been looking for me, did you not realize that I had to be in my Father's house?"
He answered, "Why is it that you have been looking for me, did you not realize that I had to be in my Father's house?"
And Jesus was ever advancing in wisdom and in status and in favor with God and man.
And Jesus was ever advancing in wisdom and in status and in favor with God and man.
heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form like a dove, descended upon him. and a voice came out of heaven, saying. "Thou art my Son, dearly beloved; in thee is my delight."
"It is written," answered Jesus, "Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and his fame spread throughout all the surrounding country, and he began to teach in their synagogues, and was glorified by all.
and he began to teach in their synagogues, and was glorified by all. Then he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up. and, as was his custom, he entered into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day, and stood up to read.
Then he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up. and, as was his custom, he entered into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day, and stood up to read. And there was handed him the roll of the prophet Isaiah; and unrolling it he found the place where it was written, read more. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me Because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim release to the prisoners, And recovery of sight to the blind; To set at liberty those that are bruised, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Then rolling up the papyrus, he gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him, and he began to say to them, "Today is this scripture fulfilled in your hearing."
But he, passing through the midst of them, took his departure.
And there was in the synagogue a man possessed by the spirit of a foul demon. He cried out, in a loud voice, saying. "Ha! Jesus of Nazareth, what business have you with us? Are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, you holy one of God!" read more. And Jesus rebuked him, saying. "Be quiet! Come out of him." And when the demon had thrown the man down before them, he came out of him without doing him any harm. All were amazed, and began to ask one another, saying. "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits and they come out." And the talk about him spread into every locality in the surrounding country. Now when he rose and left the synagogue, he entered into the house of Simon, where Simon's mother-in-law lay sick of a great fever. And they kept entreating him for her. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her; and at once she arose and ministered unto them. At sunset all they who had any sick with any sort of disease brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. Demons also came out of many, screaming and saying, "You are the Son of God." But he rebuked them, and did not permit them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
On one occasion when he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, the crowd pressed upon him to listen to the word of God.
On one occasion when he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, the crowd pressed upon him to listen to the word of God. But he saw two fishing-boats on the shore of the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. read more. He went on board one of the boats which belonged to Simon, and asked him to push out a little way from land. Then he sat down and continued to teach the crowd from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water, and let down your nets for a haul." "Master," answered Simon, "although we toiled all night, we took nothing; but at your bidding I will let down the nets." And when they had done this they enclosed a great multitude of fish; and their nets began to break. So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.
So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this he fell down at the knees of Jesus, exclaiming, "Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man!" read more. (For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the haul of fish which they had made; and so were Simon's partners, James and John, sons of Zebedee.) But Jesus answered Simon. "Fear not; from this time on, you will be catching men."
One day he was teaching, and near to him were seated Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.
And the Pharisees and their scribes began complaining to his disciples, saying, "Why are you eating and drinking with tax-gatherers and sinners?"
It happened about that time that he went out into the mountain to pray. He continued all night in prayer to God.
Then he said to them, "But who do you say I am?" Then Peter answered saying, "The Christ of God."
And as he was praying the appearances of his countenance became different, and his clothing became white and dazzling.
When now when the time drew near for him to be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
"For this reason also said the Wisdom of God. 'I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and some they will persecute;
"Struggle to enter in by the narrow door," he answered, "for I tell you that many will try to enter and not be able,
And they kept bringing their babies for him to touch them; but when his disciples saw it they began to rebuke them. But Jesus called for the babies. "Let the little children come to me," he said, "do not hinder them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. read more. "I tell you in solemn truth that whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, he will never get into it."
When he had so spoken he went on before, going up to Jerusalem.
(And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.) (And being in agony he kept praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as if it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.)
Then one of them did strike a blow at the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. "Permit me to do this at least," said Jesus, as he touched his ear and healed him.
And Pilate said to the chief priest and the crowd, "I find no harm in this man."
Jesus kept saying, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, and the people stood looking on. Even the rulers repeatedly taunted him, saying, "He saved others, let him save himself, if this fellow is indeed the Christ of God, His Chosen One!"
But the other, answering, reproved him, saying. "Have you no fear of God even? When you are suffering the same punishment as he? "We indeed justly, for we are receiving due retribution for what we have done. But he has done no wrong." read more. Then he added, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom." "In solemn truth I tell you," said Jesus, "that this day you shall be with me in Paradise."
When the army captain saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "This man was really innocent!"
"Behooved it not the Christ to suffer thus, and then to enter into his glory?"
Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, how all things must be fulfilled which are written in the Law of Moses, and the prophets, and the Psalms concerning me." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, read more. and he said: "Thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead, the third day;
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was face to face with God, and the Word was God. He was face to face with God in the Beginning. read more. All things came into being through him, and apart from him nothing that exists came into being. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overwhelmed it A man came into being, sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, that he might bear testimony concerning the Light??o that all men might believe through him. He was not the Light; it was to bear testimony concerning the Light that he came into being. The true Light, which enlightens every man, was then coming into the world. He was in the world, and through him the world came into being, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own creation, and his own folk welcomed him not. But to all who receive him, to them he has given the right to become children of God, even to those who trust in his name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and tented with us. And we gazed on his glory??lory as of the Father's only Son??ull of grace and truth. John bore witness concerning him, and cried aloud, saying, "This is he of whom I said, 'He who is coming after me has been put before me, for he was before me.'" For out of his fulness we have all received, yes, grace upon grace. For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No man has ever seen God; God, only begotten, who is in the bosom of the Father??e has interpreted him.
This happened in Bethany, beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
I myself did not recognize him; I only came baptizing in water, in order that he might be openly shown to Israel." John also bore this testimony, saying. "I saw the Spirit like a dove descend from heaven and rest upon him.
John also bore this testimony, saying. "I saw the Spirit like a dove descend from heaven and rest upon him. And I did not recognize him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and resting upon him, is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'
And I did not recognize him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and resting upon him, is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'
Next day Jesus decided to go into Galilee; and he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."
Then Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found him about whom Moses wrote in the Law, as did the prophets??esus of Nazareth, Joseph's son."
"Rabbi," answered Nathanael, "you are the Son of God; you are King of Israel."
"Rabbi," answered Nathanael, "you are the Son of God; you are King of Israel."
Now two days after this there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
Now the Passover of the Jews was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Then the Jews asked Jesus, "What sign are you going to show us, seeing that you do these things?" "Destroy this temple," answered Jesus, "and in three days I will raise it up." read more. The Jews retorted, "This Temple took forty-six years to build, and will you 'raise it in three days'?"
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the countryside of Judea, and there he was staying with them and baptizing. John also was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there were many streams there, and people kept coming to receive baptism. read more. (For John had not yet been thrown into prison.)
(For John had not yet been thrown into prison.) Then some of John's disciples got into a controversy with a Jew in regard to purification; so they came to John and said to him. read more. "Rabbi, see! The man who was with you on the other side of Jordan, and to whom you yourself have borne testimony, is now baptizing, and everybody is coming to him."
For he whom God sent utters the words of God; for God does not give the Spirit sparingly.
Accordingly when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard it said, "Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John,"
Accordingly when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard it said, "Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John," (though Jesus himself was not accustomed to baptize, but his disciples),
(though Jesus himself was not accustomed to baptize, but his disciples), he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
he left Judea and returned to Galilee. Now he had to pass through Samaria; read more. so he came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's Spring was there. So Jesus, tired out with his journey, was sitting thus by the spring. It was about noon, and a woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink" (for his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food.) "How is it," answered the Samaritan woman, "that you who are a Jew ask a drink from me, a woman, and a Samaritan?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) "If you had known the free gift of God," Jesus answered, "and who it is that says to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water." "Sir," said the woman, "you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; whence have you that living water? Surely you are not greater than our Father Jacob, who gave us the well, and used to drink from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle, too?" "All who drink of this water," Jesus answered, "will thirst again; but whoever once drinks of the water that I will give him, shall never thirst any more, but the water that I will give him shall become a living spring of water within him, welling up into eternal life." "Sir!" exclaimed the woman, "give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty, nor come all this way to draw water." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and then come here." "I have no husband," answered the woman. "You are right in saying 'I have no husband,'" Jesus said to her, "for you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband; in this you have spoken truly." "I see, Sir, that you are a prophet," replied the woman. "Our forefathers worshiped in this mountain, yet you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one must worship." "Woman, believe me," said Jesus, "that the hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You are worshiping something you do not know. we know what we worship, for salvation comes from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. For the Father is seeking such as his worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." "I know," said the woman, "that Messiah is coming, who is called the Christ; when he has come he will tell us everything." Jesus said to her, "I who am now talking to you, am he." Just then his disciples came up, and were astonished that he was talking with a woman; yet not one of them asked him, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?" Then the woman left her water-jar, and went away into the city and began saying to the people. "Come! see a man who has told me everything that I ever did. He can't be the Christ, can he?" They left the city and set out to go to him. Meanwhile the disciples kept urging him. "Rabbi," they said, "eat something." But he answered, "I have food to eat of which you know nothing." So the disciples began to say to one another, "Can any one have brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them. "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'It wants yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you! Lift up your eyes and behold the fields, that they are already white for harvest.
Do you not say, 'It wants yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you! Lift up your eyes and behold the fields, that they are already white for harvest. The reaper is already receiving wages and gathering a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. read more. For in this respect the saying is true, 'One sows, another reaps.' I sent you to reap a crop on which you have not toiled. Others have toiled, and you have reaped the benefit of their toil." Many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him because of the word of the woman when she declared, "He told me everything that I ever did." So when the Samaritans arrived, they began asking him to remain with them; and he stayed there two days. Then many more believed because of what he said, himself; and they told the woman. "We no longer believe because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard him, and we know that this is certainly the Saviour of the world." After these two days Jesus went away from there into Galilee.
So he came back again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. Now there was one of the king's officers whose son was lying ill at Capernaum.
Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you all see signs and wonders, you will not believe."
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem a pool near the Sheep-gate, called in the Hebrew, Bethesda.
Now there is in Jerusalem a pool near the Sheep-gate, called in the Hebrew, Bethesda. It has five colonnades. In these there used to lie a great crowd of sick people??lind, lame, paralyzed.
It has five colonnades. In these there used to lie a great crowd of sick people??lind, lame, paralyzed. OMITTED TEXT.
OMITTED TEXT. And there was one man there for thirty-eight years in his infirmity.
And there was one man there for thirty-eight years in his infirmity. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to get well?"
When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to get well?" "Sir," answered the sick man, "I have no man to put me into the pool whenever the water is troubled; and while I am trying to come, some one else steps down before me."
"Sir," answered the sick man, "I have no man to put me into the pool whenever the water is troubled; and while I am trying to come, some one else steps down before me." "Rise," said Jesus, "take up your bed and go walking away."
"Rise," said Jesus, "take up your bed and go walking away." Instantly the man became well, and he took up his bed and started to walk. Now it was Sabbath on that day;
Instantly the man became well, and he took up his bed and started to walk. Now it was Sabbath on that day; so the Jews kept saying to the man who had been cured. "It is the Sabbath Day; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed."
so the Jews kept saying to the man who had been cured. "It is the Sabbath Day; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed." He replied, "The man who healed me told me to take up my bed and walk." read more. "Who is it," they asked, "that said to you, 'take up your bed and go walking away'?" But he who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had moved away, as there was a crowd in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the Temple, and said to him. "Look! You have become well. Do not go on sinning, lest a worse thing befall you." The man went to and told the Jews that it was Jesus who made him well; and because of this the Jews began to persecute Jesus, because he had done it on the Sabbath. But he answered them, "My Father has continued working until now, and I am working too." For this reason the Jews continued to seek the more eagerly to put him to death, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was actually speaking of God as his own Father, thus making himself of God's equal. So Jesus answered them in these words. "In solemn truth I tell that the Son cannot do anything of himself, except what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does also.
"But I have testimony greater than that of John; for the work which the Father has given me to bring to completion??he work which I am doing??ears testimony concerning me, that the Father has sent me.
"How can you believe when you receive glory from, one another, and have no desire for the glory which comes from the only God?
After this Jesus went away across the Sea of Galilee (that is the lake of Tiberias).
Accordingly when he looked up, and perceived a great crowd was coming unto him,
"and we have learned to believe and we know that you are the holy one of God."
After these things Jesus continued to travel about in Galilee, for he did not wish to go about in Judea, because the Jews kept trying to kill him.
After these things Jesus continued to travel about in Galilee, for he did not wish to go about in Judea, because the Jews kept trying to kill him.
his brothers said to him. "Leave here and go into Judea, so that your disciples also may behold the works which you are doing. "For no one ever does anything in secret if he himself seeks to be known publicly. If you are performing these signs, show yourself openly to the world."
"The man who speaks on his own authority is always seeking his own glory. But one who is eager for the glory of Him who sent him, he is true, and therefore is nothing false about him.
But many of the crowd believed on him and began to say, "The Christ, when he comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?"
Now the last day, that the great day of the feast, Jesus stood up and cried in a loud voice.
But Jesus stooped down, and began to write on the ground with his finger. When they continued to question him, he raised himself and said to them, "Let the innocent man among you be the first to throw the stone at her."
"No one, Sir," she answered. "Neither do I condemned you," said Jesus. "Go, and never sin again." Once more Jesus addressed them. "I am the light of the world," he said; "He who follows me shall not walk in the darkness, but he shall have the Light of life."
"For you are judging according to the flesh. I am judging no man.
"and he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I do always the things that please him."
"Yet I am not seeking my own honor. There is One who is seeking it, and He is judge.
Then came the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus used to walk in the Temple, in Solomon's Portico.
Jesus answered them. "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works which I am doing in my Father's name, these bear witness concerning me.
"I and my Father are one." The Jews again took stones with which to stone him. Jesus said to them. read more. "I have shown you many good deeds from my Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?" "We are not going to stone you for a good deed," answered the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, are making yourself God."
"But if I am doing them, then though you believe not me, believe the deeds, in order that you may come to know and keep on clearly understanding that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
Father, glorify thy name!" Whereupon there came a voice from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."
Now just before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour was come when he should leave this world to go to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, showed forth his love to the end.
"Lord," said Philip, "cause us to see the Father, and we shall be satisfied." "Have I been so long among you, and yet you, Philip, have you not recognized me? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Cause us to see the Father'? read more. "Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you I speak not of myself; but the Father, who ever dwells in me, is doing his own work. "Believe me, all of you, that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else believe me for the very words' sake.
"I shall not talk with you much more, for the Prince of this world is coming.
"I am the vine, and my Father the vine-grower. "He cuts back any of my branches that bear no fruit, and prunes every fruit-bearing branch, that it may bear more. read more. "Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you. "Abide in me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine, no more can you, unless you abide in me. "I am the Vine you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him, bears abundant fruit; because apart from me you can do nothing. "If any one does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers. Such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire and burned. "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever your will is, and it shall be yours. "By this is my Father glorified, by your bearing abundant fruit, and so being my disciples. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. "If you obey my commands you will abide in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and abide in his love.
"behold the hour approaches and is already come when you will be scattered, each man to his home, and will leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
and led him to Annas first. (For Annas was the Father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year??14 the Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was for their advantage that one man should die for the people.)
Meanwhile Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple who was known to the high priest, and they went in with Jesus into the court of the high priest's palace.
"Take him yourselves," answered Pilate, "and judge him according to your law."
"You are a king, then? You!" said Pilate. "You say truly that I am a king." answered Jesus, "for this purpose I was born, and to this end came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Every man who is of the truth listens to my voice."
saying, "Hail! King of the Jews!" They also gave him blow after blow with their hands.
After that Pilate began to seek to release him, but the Jews shouted out. "If you release this man you are no friend of the Emperor. Any man who makes himself out to be king is a rebel against the Emperor."
"Therefore let the whole House of Israel know assuredly that Gods has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you have crucified."
"Moses, for example, said: "The Lord your God will raise up a Prophet for you from among your brothers, as he raised up me; you must listen to whatever he may tell you; "and it shall be that every soul who will not listen to that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. read more. "Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and his successors, all that have spoken, have also told of those days. "You are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, "And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
"Look, I see heaven open," he said, "And the Son of man standing at the right hand of God."
Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and began to preach Christ there.
But Saul gained more and more influence, and kept putting the Jews who lived in Damascus to confusion by his proof that Jesus was the Christ.
"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about everywhere doing good, and curing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him.
"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about everywhere doing good, and curing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him.
explaining and quoting passages to prove that the Messiah had to suffer and to rise again from the dead and that "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming unto you is the Messiah."
We have been buried together with him, then, through baptism into his death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so also we should live in a newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, so we shall also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection. read more. For this we know, that our old self was crucified with Christ, in order that the slave of sin might be destroyed; so that we should no longer be in slavery to sin??7 for he who is dead is set free from sin.
Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more; death has no more dominion over him. read more. For the death that he died, he died unto sin once for all; but the life that he lives he is living unto God. Even so count yourselves also to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.
For consider your own calling, brothers, that not many wise in earthly wisdom, not many powerful, not many of noble birth, have been called. No, God has chosen the world's folly to confound its philosophy; and the world's weakness to confound its strength. read more. The world's base things has God chosen, and the things that are not, to bring to naught the things that are; so that no mortal man should glory in his presence. It is of him that you are in Christ Jesus, whom God made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that as Scripture says, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.
More than that, those who are sleeping in Christ have perished.
Thus it is written. The first man, Adam, became a living being, the last Adam, a life-giving Spirit.
The first man is of the earth, earthly; the second Man is of heaven.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though from the beginning he had the nature of God, did not reckon equality with God something to be forcibly retained, read more. but emptied himself of his glory by taking the form of a slave, when he was born in the likeness of men. More than this, after he had shone himself in human form, he humbled himself in his obedience even to death; yes, and to death on a cross. And for this God highly exalted him, and graciously bestowed upon him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee in heaven, on earth, and under the earth should bend, and every tongue confess that "Jesus Christ is Lord," to the glory of God the Father.
even he whose coming is according to the energy of Satan, in every power and sign and lying wonder,
So even the Christ was not raised to the high glory of the priesthood by himself, but on the contrary by Him who said to him. Thou art my Son; this day have I become thy Father;
In the days of his flesh, with better cries and weeping Jesus offered up prayers and supplications to Him who was able to save him out of death; and he was heard because of his devout submission.
Hence also he is able to continue saving to the uttermost those who are ever drawing near to God through him, seeing that he is ever living to intercede for them. For we needed just such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens;
It is for this reason that the Christ, on coming into the world, declared. Sacrifice and offerings thou dost not desire, But a body didst thou prepare for me;
It is for this reason that the Christ, on coming into the world, declared. Sacrifice and offerings thou dost not desire, But a body didst thou prepare for me;
Then I said, "I am come??n the roll of the book it is written of me??o do thy will, O God."
For by one single offering he has perfected forever those whom he is sanctifying.
because Christ also once for all suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but make alive in spirit.
Since, then, Christ suffered in the flesh, do you also ever arm yourselves with the same mind (because he who has suffered in the flesh has done with sin), so that in future you may not spend your life in the flesh according to men's desires, but in the will of God.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the proud glory of life, is not from the Father, but from the world; and the world and its lusts are passing away, but he who ever does the will of God abides forever.
And the seventh angel blew his trumpet; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, "THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME THE KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND OF HIS CHRIST, AND HE WILL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER."
And the seventh angel blew his trumpet; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, "THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME THE KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND OF HIS CHRIST, AND HE WILL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER."
And I heard a great voice in heaven, which said: "Now it is come! the salvation and the power, The kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ! For the accuser of our brethren is thrown down, Who accused them before our God, day and night.
And I fell down at his feet to worship him, and he said to me. "See that you do it not. I am a fellow slave of yours and of your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus; for the testimony of Jesus is the vital breath of prophecy."
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning Star.
Hastings
There is no historical task which is more important than to set forth the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, and none to which it is so difficult to do justice. The importance of the theme is sufficiently attested by the fact that it is felt to be His due to reckon a new era from the date of His birth. From the point of view of Christian faith there is nothing in time worthy to be set beside the deeds and the words of One who is adored as God manifest in the flesh, and the Saviour of the world. In the perspective of universal history. His influence ranks with Greek culture and Roman law as one of the three most valuable elements in the heritage from the ancient world, while it surpasses these other factors in the spiritual quality of its effects. On the other hand, the superlative task has its peculiar difficulties. It is quite certain that a modern European makes many mistakes when trying to reproduce the conditions of the distant province of Oriental antiquity in which Jesus lived. The literary documents, moreover, are of no great compass, and are reticent or obscure in regard to many matters which are of capital interest to the modern biographer. And when erudition has done its best with the primary and auxiliary sources, the historian has still to put the heart-searching question whether he possesses the qualifications that would enable him to understand the character, the experience, and the purpose of Jesus. 'He who would worthily write the Life of Jesus Christ must have a pen dipped in the imaginative sympathy of a poet, in the prophet's fire, in the artist's charm and grace, and in the reverence and purity of the saint' (Stewart, The Life of Christ, 1906, p. vi.).
1. The Literary Sources
(A) Canonical
(1) The Gospels and their purpose.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Salmon (by Rahab), of Boaz; Boaz (by Ruth), of Obed; Obed, of Jesse; And Jesse, of David the king. David (by Uriah's widow), was the father of Solomon;
And Jesse, of David the king. David (by Uriah's widow), was the father of Solomon; Solomon, of Rehoboam; Rehoboam, of Abijah; Abijah, of Asa; read more. Asa, of Jehoshaphat; Jehoshaphat, of Joram; Joram, of Uzziah; Uzziah, of Jotham; Jotham, of Ahaz; Ahaz, of Hezekiah; Hezekiah, of Manasseh; Manasseh, of Amon; Amon, of Josiah; Josiah, of Jechoniah and his brethren, at the time of the carrying away to Babylon. And after the carrying away into Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel; Shealtiel, of Zerubbabel; Zerubbabel, of Abiud; Abiud, of Eliakim; Eliakim, of Azor; Azor, of Sadoc; Sadoc, of Achim; Achim, of Eliud; Eliud, of Eleazar; Eleazar, of Matthan; Matthan, of Jacob; And Jacob, of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So the whole number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen; from David to the exile to Babylon is fourteen; and from the exile to Babylon to Christ is fourteen. The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. After his mother, Mary, had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. After his mother, Mary, had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. But Joseph her husband, because he was just a man and unwilling to disgrace her, was minded to put her away secretly.
But Joseph her husband, because he was just a man and unwilling to disgrace her, was minded to put her away secretly. And while he was having this in mind, behold! an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying.
And while he was having this in mind, behold! an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying. "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife home, for what is begotten in her is by the Holy Spirit; and she will bear a son, and you are to call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife home, for what is begotten in her is by the Holy Spirit; and she will bear a son, and you are to call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this happened that the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled.
All this happened that the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled. Behold! the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son; and they shall call his name Immanuel, a word which means "God with us."
Behold! the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son; and they shall call his name Immanuel, a word which means "God with us." Now when Joseph awoke from his sleep he did as the angel of the Lord had directed him, and took his wife home,
After the birth of Jesus, which took place at Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod, lo! certain Magi arrived in Jerusalem, saying. "Where is the new-born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him." read more. When King Herod heard this he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. So when he had gathered together all the chief priests and rabbis of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born. And they told him. "At Bethlehem in Judea, as it is written in the prophet. "And thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah, Thou are not least among the princes of Judah, For out of thee shall come a ruler Who shall shepherd my people, Israel." Thereupon Herod sent secretly for the Magi, and found out from them the time when the star appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and make careful inquiry about the child, and as soon as you have found him bring me word, that I, too, may go and worship him." The Magi listened to the king, and went on their way, and lo! the star which they had seen in the east led them until it came and stood over the place where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with great gladness. When they had entered the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and opening their treasure-chests they gave him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. But because they were forbidden by God in a dream to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route. When they were gone an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying; "Rise! Take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt, and there remain until I bring you word; for Herod intends to make a search for the child, in order to put him to death." So Joseph arose, took the child and his mother, by night, and departed to Egypt. There he remained until the death of Herod, in order that the word of the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, which says, Out of Egypt I called my son. As soon as Herod saw that he had been mocked by the Magi, he was furious. He sent and put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and all the neighborhood who were two years old or under, in accordance with the date which he had ascertained from the Magi. Then were fulfilled the words spoken through Jeremiah, the prophet, saying, A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and lamentation??achel weeping for her children, Inconsolable, because they were no more!
While he was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers were standing outside, desiring to speak to him. So some one told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, and wanting to speak to you." read more. But he answered the man who told him, "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?" And stretching his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Behold my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, is my brother and sister and mother."
And Jesus came forward to them and spoke to them, saying. "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; read more. teaching them to observe every command which I have given you. and lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
Beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
When his relatives heard of it, they came to take possession of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."
Then his mother and his brothers came up, and standing outside, they sent a messenger to him to call him.
And he continued questioning them, "But you yourselves, Who do you say I am?" Peter in reply said to him, "You are Christ."
But he remained silent, and answered nothing. Again the high priest questioned him. "Are you the Christ," he said, "the Son of the Blessed?" "I am," Jesus answered, "and you all shall see the Son of man seated on the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
Over his head there was written the words of the charge against him. "The King of the Jews"
Six months later the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee, called Nazareth, to a maiden betrothed to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary. read more. The angel went in and said to her. "Joy to you, highly favored one! "The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly agitated at his word, and was revolving in her mind what this salutation could mean. when the angel said to her. "Fear not Mary, for you have found grace with God. "And behold, you shall conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you shall call his name Jesus. "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High. "And the Lord God will give him the throne of his forefather David, "and he shall reign over the House of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." And Mary said to the angel. "How can this be? For I have no husband?" "The Holy Spirit shall come upon you," said the angel, "and the power of the most High shall overshadow you, and therefore the holy offspring which is born, shall be called the son of God. "And behold your kinswoman, Elizabeth, she also has conceived a son in her old age, and this was the sixth month with her that was called barren. "For no word of God shall be void of power." Then Mary said: "Behold I am Lord's slave. Let it be to me as you have said." Then the angel departed from her. Soon after this Mary set out and hastened unto the hill-country to a town in Judah; and there she came into the house of Zachariah, and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard her salutation, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit, and called out with a loud cry. "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your unborn child! "But why is this honor done me, that the mother of my Lord should come me? "For behold when the sound of your salutation reached my ears, the babe leaped with joy within my womb. "And blessed is she who believed that the Lord's words spoken to her would be fulfilled." And Mary said: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, "My spirit exults in the God, who is my Saviour, "For he has regarded the humiliation of his slave, And from this hour all ages will count me blessed. "For he who is mighty has done great things for me; And holy is his name. "His mercy is unto generations and generations on those who reverence him. "He has showed strength with his arm. "He has scattered proud in the imagination of their hearts; "he has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted those of low degree. "The hungry he has filled with good things, But the rich he has sent empty away. "He has helped Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, "As he spoke to our forefathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever." So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and returned home. Now when the time of Elizabeth's delivery was come, she gave birth to a son; and her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her; and they rejoiced with her, and came on the eighth day to circumcise the child. They were about to call him "Zachariah," after his father, when his mother said, "No, he is to be called John." Said they, "You have no relatives of that name!" Then they asked his father by signs what he wished to call the child. So he asked for a writing tablet and wrote down, "His name is John." Every one was surprised, and at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And there came a great fear upon all in the neighborhood; and throughout the hill country of Judea all these sayings were much talked about. All the story laid it up in their hearts, saying "What, then, will this child be?" For the Lord's hands was with him. And his father, Zachariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying. "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, For he has visited and redeemed his people, "And has raised up a mighty Deliverer for us In the house of his servant David, "As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets Which have been since the world began To deliver us from our enemies, and from the power Of all who hate us. "He showed mercy to our forefathers, He remembered his holy covenant, "The oath which he swore to Abraham, our forefather, "That he we should be delivered out of the Hand of our enemies, And should serve him without fear, "In holiness and righteousness before him All our days. "And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Most High, For thou shalt go before the Lord to prepare the way "To give to his people a knowledge of salvation Through the remission of their sins, "Through the heart of mercy of our God, Whereby the Dayspring from on high shall visit us, "To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, And to guide our feet into the paths of peace." And the child grew, and became strong in the Spirit, and remained in the desert till the day of his showing to Israel.
In those days Augustus Caesar issued an edict for a census of the whole inhabited world. This was the first census, When Quirinius was governor of Syria.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. When suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them; and they feared with a great fear. The angel said to them. read more. "Have no fear, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all the people. "For unto you born this day in there is born in David's town a Saviour, who is the Anointed Lord. "And this is a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly army praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And in earth peace among men who please him" Now when the angels had left them, and gone away to heaven, the shepherds said to one to another, "Let us go now even to Bethlehem, and see this saying which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." so they made haste, and came and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. When they had seen, they made known about the words which had been spoken to them concerning the child. And all who heard it were astonished at the things which were told to them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured up all those words, Often pondering on them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying God and praising him for all those things that they had seen and heard, even as it was told to them. When eight days had passed, and the time had come to circumcise him, he was called Jesus, the name given him by the angel before his conception in the womb. And when the days for purification according to the law of Moses had passed, they took him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of Moses, Every firstborn male shall be called holy to the Lord.
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip, tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene;
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip, tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene;
And Jesus himself when he began to teach was about thirty years of age. He was the son (as it was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,
Then he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up. and, as was his custom, he entered into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day, and stood up to read. And there was handed him the roll of the prophet Isaiah; and unrolling it he found the place where it was written, read more. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me Because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim release to the prisoners, And recovery of sight to the blind; To set at liberty those that are bruised, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Then rolling up the papyrus, he gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him, and he began to say to them, "Today is this scripture fulfilled in your hearing." And they all spoke well of him, and marveled at the words of charm that fell from his lips. "Is not this the son of Joseph?" they asked. Jesus answered. "Doubtless you will quote the proverb to me, 'Physician, heal thyself!' Do also here in your own country all that we hear that you have done in Capernaum." "I tell you in solemn truth," he added, "that no prophet is acceptable in his own country. In very truth I tell you there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were closed for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; "yet Elijah was not sent to any one of them, but only to a widow in Zarephath in Sidon. "And there were many lepers in Israel in the days of the prophet Elisha, yet none of them was cleansed but only Naaman the Syrian." When they had heard these words, those in the synagogue were filled with fury; they rose, hurried him outside the town, and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, intending to cast him down headlong. But he, passing through the midst of them, took his departure.
When now when the time drew near for him to be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
After this the appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two before his face, into every city and place into which he himself intended to go. And he thus addressed them. "The harvest is abundant, but the harvesters are few. do you therefore pray the lord of the harvest to send forth harvesters into his harvest. read more. "Go your way; behold, I am sending you forth like lambs among wolves. "Carry no purse, no bag, no shoes; and do not salute any one on your journey. "Into whatever you first enter, say, 'Peace be to this house!' "And if there be any son of peace there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not it shall return to you. "Stay in that same house, eating and drinking what they give. for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Do not go from house to house. "And whatever town you come to, and they receive you, eat whatever they put before you. "Heal the sick in that town and tell them, The kingdom of God draws near to you. "But whatever town you enter, and they do not receive you, Go out into the streets and cry, "'The very dust of your town which clings to your feet we wipe off as protest; but know this, that the kingdom of God is drawing near to you.' "For I tell you that it will be mare tolerable for Sodom in that day than for that town. "Woe unto you, Chorazin! Woe unto you, Bethsaida! For had the mighty been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. "However, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. "And you Capernaum, shall you be exalted to heaven? No! you shall be brought down to Hades! "He who listens to you listens to me. and he who rejects you, rejects me; he who rejects me, rejects him who sent me." Then the Seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord even the demons are subject to us in your name." And he said to them. "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash. "Behold, I give you the power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and to trample on all the power of the enemy. In no case shall anything do you harm. "Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven."
"Are there none found to return and give glory to God except this foreigner?" And he said unto him, "Rise and go, your faith has healed you."
"I tell you that this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself shall be humbled; but he who humbles himself shall be exalted."
And when he came into view of the city, as he approached it he broke into loud weeping, exclaiming. "Oh that at this time you knew, yes, even you, on what your peace depends! But now it is hidden from your eyes. read more. "The time will come for you when your enemies will throw ramparts around you, and encompass you, and shut you in on every side, and raze you to the ground, "you and your children within you. And they will not leave in you one stone upon the another. Because you knew not the time of your visitation."
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was face to face with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and tented with us. And we gazed on his glory??lory as of the Father's only Son??ull of grace and truth.
The Jews retorted, "This Temple took forty-six years to build, and will you 'raise it in three days'?"
And he who saw it has borne testimony, and his testimony is trustworthy, and he knows that he is telling the truth in order that you may believe.
It is this disciple who bears testimony to these facts and who recorded them; and we know that his testimony is true.
this gospel is concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of David's posterity in respect of his bodily nature,
(or if she has already left him let her either remain as she is, or be reconciled to him), and also that a husband is not to put away his wife.
For I passed on to you the account, which I myself received from the Lord; how the Lord Jesus, on the very night he was betrayed, took bread,
In the days of his flesh, with better cries and weeping Jesus offered up prayers and supplications to Him who was able to save him out of death; and he was heard because of his devout submission.
For he did receive honor and glory from God the Father, when there was borne such a voice to him from the Majestic Glory, This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I delight;
Smith
Je'sus Christ.
The life and character of Jesus Christ, says Dr. Schaff, "is the holy of holies in the history of the world."
1. NAME. --The name Jesus signifies saviour. It is the Greek form of JEHOSHUA (Joshua). The name Christ signifies anointed. Jesus was both priest and king. Among the Jews priests were anointed, as their inauguration to their office.
See Jehoshua
In the New Testament the name Christ is used as equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah (anointed),
Joh 1:41
the name given to the long-promised Prophet and King whom the Jews had been taught by their prophets to expect.
The use of this name, as applied to the Lord, has always a reference to the promises of the prophets. The name of Jesus is the proper name of our Lord, and that of Christ is added to identify him with the promised Messiah. Other names are sometimes added to the names Jesus Christ, thus, "Lord," "a king," "King of Israel," "Emmanuel," "Son of David," "chosen of God." II. BIRTH. --Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, God being his father, at Bethlehem of Judea, six miles south of Jerusalem. The date of his birth was most probably in December, B.C. 5, four years before the era from which we count our years. That era was not used till several hundred years after Christ. The calculations were made by a learned monk, Dionysius Exiguus, in the sixth century, who made an error of four years; so that to get the exact date from the birth of Christ we must add four years to our usual dates; i.e. A.D. 1882 is really 1886 years since the birth of Christ. It is also more than likely that our usual date for Christmas, December 25, is not far from the real date of Christ's birth. Since the 25th of December comes when the longest night gives way to the returning sun on his triumphant march, it makes an appropriate anniversary to make the birth of him who appeared in the darkest night of error and sin as the true Light of the world. At the time of Christ's birth Augustus Caesar was emperor of Rome, and Herod the Great king of Judea, but subject of Rome. God's providence had prepared the world for the coming of Christ, and this was the fittest time in all its history.
1. All the world was subject to one government, so that the apostles could travel everywhere: the door of every land was open for the gospel.
2. The world was at peace, so that the gospel could have free course.
3. The Greek language was spoken everywhere with their other languages.
4. The Jews were scattered everywhere with synagogues and Bibles. III. EARLY LIFE. --Jesus, having a manger at Bethlehem for his cradle, received a visit of adoration from the three wise men of the East. At forty days old he was taken to the temple at Jerusalem; and returning to Bethlehem, was soon taken to Egypt to escape Herod's massacre of the infants there. After a few months stay there, Herod having died in April, B.C. 4, the family returned to their Nazareth home, where Jesus lived till he was about thirty years old, subject to his parent, and increasing "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." The only incident recorded of his early life is his going up to Jerusalem to attend the passover when he was twelve years old, and his conversation with the learned men in the temple. But we can understand the childhood and youth of Jesus better when we remember the surrounding influences amid which he grew.
1. The natural scenery was rugged and mountainous, but full of beauty. He breathed the pure air. He lived in a village, not in a city.
2. The Roman dominion was irksome and galling. The people of God were subject to a foreign yoke. The taxes were heavy. Roman soldiers, laws, money, every reminded them of their subjection, when they ought to be free and themselves the rulers of the world. When Jesus was ten years old, there was a great insurrection,
in Galilee. He who was to be King of the Jews heard and felt all this.
3. The Jewish hopes of a Redeemer, of throwing off their bondage, of becoming the glorious nation promised in the prophet, were in the very air he breathed. The conversation at home and in the streets was full of them.
4. Within his view, and his boyish excursions, were many remarkable historic places, --rivers, hills, cities, plains, --that would keep in mind the history of his people and God's dealings with them.
5. His school training. Mr. Deutsch, in the Quarterly Review, says, "Eighty years before Christ, schools flourished throughout the length and the breadth of the land: education had been made compulsory. While there is not a single term for 'school' to be found before the captivity, there were by that time about a dozen in common usage. Here are a few of the innumerable popular sayings of the period: 'Jerusalem was destroyed because the instruction of the young was neglected.' 'The world is only saved by the breath of the school-children.' 'Even for the rebuilding of the temple the schools must not be interrupted.'"
6. His home training. According to Ellicott, the stages of Jewish childhood were marked as follows: "At three the boy was weaned, and word for the first time the fringed or tasselled garment prescribed by
and Deut 22:12 His education began at first under the mother's care. At five he was to learn the law, at first by extracts written on scrolls of the more important passages, the Shema or creed of
De 2:4
the Hallel or festival psalms, Psal 114, 118, 136, and by catechetical teaching in school. At twelve he became more directly responsible for his obedience of the law; and on the day when he attained the age of thirteen, put on for the first time the phylacteries which were worn at the recital of his daily prayer." In addition to this, Jesus no doubt learned the carpenter's trade of his reputed father Joseph, and, as Joseph probably died before Jesus began his public ministry, he may have contributed to the support of his mother. (IV. PUBLIC MINISTRY. --All the leading events recorded of Jesus' life are given at the end of this volume in the Chronological Chart and in the Chronological Table of the life of Christ; so that here will be given only a general survey. Jesus began to enter upon his ministry when he was "about thirty years old;" that is, he was not very far from thirty, older or younger. He is regarded as nearly thirty-one by Andrews (in the tables of chronology referred to above) and by most others. Having been baptized by John early in the winter of 26-27, he spent the larger portion of his year in Judea and about the lower Jordan, till in December he went northward to Galilee through Samaria. The next year and a half, from December, A.D. 27, to October or November, A.D. 29, was spent in Galilee and norther Palestine, chiefly in the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee. In November, 29, Jesus made his final departure from Galilee, and the rest of his ministry was in Judea and Perea, beyond Jordan, till his crucifixion, April 7, A.D. 30. After three days he proved his divinity by rising from the dead; and after appearing on eleven different occasions to his disciples during forty days, he finally ascended to heaven, where he is the living, ever present, all-powerful Saviour of his people. Jesus Christ, being both human and divine, is fitted to be the true Saviour of men. In this, as in every action and character, he is shown to be "the wisdom and power of God unto salvation." As human, he reaches down to our natures, sympathizes with us, shows us that God knows all our feelings and weaknesses and sorrows and sins, brings God near to us, who otherwise could not realize the Infinite and Eternal as a father and friend. He is divine, in order that he may be an all-powerful, all-loving Saviour, able and willing to defend us from every enemy, to subdue all temptations, to deliver from all sin, and to bring each of his people, and the whole Church, into complete and final victory. Jesus Christ is the centre of the world's history, as he is the centre of the Bible. --ED.)
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"Are you the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?"
In the morning he found his brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (a word which means Christ, the Anointed One).
"After him Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some of the people after him. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered.
"John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance," answered Paul, "telling the people to believe on One who was coming after him, namely, on Jesus."
Watsons
JESUS CHRIST, the son of God, the Messiah, and Saviour of the world, the first and principal object of the prophecies, prefigured and promised in the Old Testament, expected and desired by the patriarchs; the hope of the Gentiles; the glory, salvation, and consolation of Christians. The name Jesus, or, as the Hebrews pronounce it, ??????, Jehoshua or Joshua, '??????, signifies, he who shall save. No one ever bore this name with so much justice, nor so perfectly fulfilled the signification of it, as Jesus Christ, who saves even from sin and hell, and hath merited heaven for us by the price of his blood. It is not necessary here to narrate the history of our Saviour's life, which can no where be read with advantage except in the writings of the four evangelists; but there are several general views which require to be noticed under this article.
1. Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ or Messiah promised under the Old Testament. That he professed himself to be that Messiah to whom all the prophets gave witness, and who was, in fact, at the time of his appearing, expected by the Jews; and that he was received under that character by his disciples, and by all Christians ever since, is certain. And if the Old Testament Scriptures afford sufficiently definite marks by which the long announced Christ should be infallibly known at his advent, and these presignations are found realized in our Lord, then is the truth of his pretensions established. From the books of the Old Testament we learn that the Messiah was to authenticate his claim by miracles; and in those predictions respecting him, so many circumstances are recorded, that they could meet only in one person; and so, if they are accomplished in him, they leave no room for doubt, as far as the evidence of prophecy is deemed conclusive. As to MIRACLES, we refer to that article; here only observing, that if the miraculous works wrought by Christ were really done, they prove his mission, because, from their nature, and having been wrought to confirm his claim to be the Messiah, they necessarily imply a divine attestation. With respect to PROPHECY, the principles under which its evidence must be regarded as conclusive will be given under that head; and here therefore it will only be necessary to show the completion of the prophecies of the sacred books of the Jews relative to the Messiah in one person, and that person the founder of the Christian religion.
The time of the Messiah's appearance in the world, as predicted in the Old Testament, is defined, says Keith, by a number of concurring circumstances, which fix it to the very date of the advent of Christ. The last blessing of Jacob to his sons, when he commanded them to gather themselves together that he might tell them what should befall them in the last days, contains this prediction concerning Judah: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be," Ge 49:10, The date fixed by this prophecy for the coming of Shiloh, or the Saviour, was not to exceed the time during which the descendants of Judah were to continue a united people, while a king should reign among them, while they should be governed by their own laws, and while their judges should be from among their brethren. The prophecy of Malachi adds another standard for measuring the time: "Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall come suddenly to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts," Mal 3:1. No words can be more expressive of the coming of the promised Messiah; and they as clearly imply his appearance in the second temple before it should be destroyed. In regard to the advent of the Messiah before the destruction of the second temple, the words of Haggai are remarkably explicit: "The desire of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of Hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former, and in this place will I give peace," Hag 2:7. The Saviour was thus to appear, according to the prophecies of the Old Testament, during the time of the continuance of the kingdom of Judah, previous to the demolition of the temple, and immediately subsequent to the next prophet. But the time is rendered yet more definite. In the prophecies of Daniel, the kingdom of the Messiah is not only foretold as commencing in the time of the fourth monarchy, or Roman empire, but the express number of years that were to precede his coming are plainly intimated: "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sin, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. Know, therefore, and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, unto Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks and threescore and two weeks," Da 9:24-25. Computation by weeks of years was common among the Jews, and every seventh was the sabbatical year; seventy weeks, thus amounted to four hundred and ninety years. In these words the prophet marks the very time, and uses the very name of Messiah, the Prince; so entirety is all ambiguity done away. The plainest inference may be drawn from these prophecies. All of them, while, in every respect, they presuppose the most perfect knowledge of futurity; while they were unquestionably delivered and publicly known for ages previous to the time to which they referred; and while they refer to different contingent and unconnected events, utterly undeterminable and inconceivable by all human sagacity; accord in perfect unison to a single precise period where all their different lines terminate at once,
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The people who were dwelling in darkness Have seen a great light; And on those who were dwelling in the land of the shadows of death Light has dawned.