Beliefs about Jesus
Much can be said about Jesus, and millions of pages have been written about Him. However, the Bible tells us all we need to
know about Him. He was born in approximately 4 B.C., give or take a year or two, to a Jewish couple named Mary and Joseph (both of whom were descendants of David).
They were not yet married when the Holy Spirit gave her a child, and when He was born they named the child Jesus, as was
encouraged by an angel who had also promised that the child would "save his people from their sins." (Matt. 1:21)
Jesus lived a sinless life, and started His ministry around the age of thirty (Luke 3:23). As the Word of His teachings
grew, He gained many followers, most of which were Jewish. He chose 12 apostles to accompany Him and learn from Him
when He lived, so that they, in turn, would be capable of transmitting His teachings once He was gone someday.
The 12 apostles were:
1.) Simon (also known as Peter)
2.) Andrew (the brother of Simon)
3.) James (a son of Zebedee)
4.) John (brother of James; another son of Zebedee)
5.) Phillip
6.) Bartholomew
7.) Thomas
8.) Matthew (the tax collector; also known as Levi)
9.) James (a son of Alphaeus)
10.) Thaddaeus (also known as Judas, son of James)
11.) Simon (the zealot)
12.) Judas Iscariot (the betrayer of Jesus)
Jesus taught many great things while here on earth. All of His teachings are recorded in the 4 Gospel accounts of Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John; the 4 books that begin the New Testament. Among those many things, He taught about love, Himself,
God, and the Kingdom of God. He was eventually conspired against by the Jews of His day and was betrayed by one of His own
apostles. Brought to the Roman authorities, Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross, alongside two criminals. Three days
later, as prophesied, He arose and was resurrected, thus returning to His followers and proving to them His power over life
and death. His death served as a ransom for all mankind who would choose to accept Him; because He was a pure and blameless
sacrifice, His blood can wash our sins away, with repentance, baptism, and faith in Him.
