Introduction
Christianity is one of the most popular religions in the world, boasting over 2.2 billion followers and is based on the teachings of Jesus. To gain an understanding as to How Did Jesus Create Christianity, a look at his life, teachings, and major break from the teachings of Judaism must be addressed.
The Life of Jesus
Born to a Jewish family in the Judean region in 4 BC, Jesus began to preach his own version of the Jewish faith when he was approximately 30 years old. He proclaimed himself to be a Savior and questioned the teachings of the Jewish faith, which led to an uproar and eventually his crucifixion. His followers, however, believed he had been resurrected, which is one of the main tenets of Christian faith.
He preached a radical version of the Jewish faith, including ideas of forgiveness, love, salvation, and the idea of a triune God that consists of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost who are all seen as one being.
Jesus also set out to spread his teachings on a wider scale than just the local Jewish community. He traveled throughout the region and spoke to crowds of thousands, drawing converts to his faith from throughout the region of the Roman Empire.
In just three years Jesus had gained enough of a following who saw him as the messiah that Romans felt he was a threat, ultimately leading to his crucifixion in 33 AD.
The Break with Judaism
To create his own religion, Jesus had to distance himself from the teachings of the Jewish faith. He preached non-judgmental acceptance and unconditional love, and prophetically claimed to be the Savior of the world who, through his resurrection, would be able to grant salvation, something only the Jewish God had been able to do before.
Perhaps the biggest break with Judaism was in the form of the Trinity, which claims that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are all one Being and that Jesus is part of the same God that is worshipped by Jews. This was a radical concept at the time, and is one of the core beliefs of Christians today.
He also rejected the idea of a works-based salvation, instead preaching that salvation could be obtained through repentance and faith in him. This was a stark contrast to the teachings of the Jewish faith that claimed that redemption could be earned through following the laws of the Torah.
The Impact of Jesus’ Teachings
The teachings of Jesus have had a profound effect on the world, and have helped to shape the values and beliefs of billions of people across the world. Even those who are not Christian have been influenced by the principles of grace, forgiveness, and acceptance that Jesus preached.
The impact of Jesus’ teachings and the subsequent spreading of Christianity across the world has been felt in many aspects of life, from government laws and policies to shifts in philosophical and moral thought.
The influence of Christianity has also been instrumental in the formation of other religions, including both Protestantism and Catholicism, which are two of the largest branches of the religion based on different interpretations of the teachings of Jesus.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jesus had an immense impact on the world and the way people think, and ultimately created the religion of Christianity. From the sweeping teachings of love and acceptance to his rejection of traditional Jewish principles and the introduction of the Trinity, Jesus crafted his own religion that has gone on to shape the lives of billions of people worldwide.
Jesus’ Messiah Claims
One of the defining differences between Jesus’ teachings and that of the Jewish faith was his claim to be the messiah. And while he had spoken of his own mission in the broader context of the prophecies of the Jewish faith, he had also claimed to be the Messiah himself.
For the Jewish people at the time, this was a direct affront to their beliefs. This was seen as a blasphemous message, as only God could grant salvation, and Jesus was claiming to be the one providing this salvation.
For Jesus’ followers, however, this was viewed as a sign of power and faith in the coming redemption of mankind and the foretold Judgment Day where Jesus would come back to life and give redemption from sin.
This single message has become a cornerstone principle of Christianity, which many followers have attributed to Jesus’s strong sense of conviction, nurturing guidance, and supreme faith in the ultimate redemption and salvation of mankind.
The Spread of Christianity
One of the earliest tests of Jesus’s reputation came after his death when his closest followers, the apostles, began preaching to Jewish converts beyond the Galilee region where Jesus had first preached.
This led to a groundswell of support for the teachings of Jesus across the region of the Roman Empire. He was later declared the Savior by Emperor Constantine in 312 AD, which greatly boosted the spread of Christianity across the whole empire and beyond.
Later, in the 6th century, Gregory the Great increased the spread of the religion through missionary work by sending out his monks to spread the religion throughout Europe. This led to a great increase in popularity of the religion and was an important factor in the impact of Christianity on the world today.
These two major figures in the history of Christianity helped to spread the teachings of Jesus to a wider audience and given it the widespread acceptance it has today.
Reinterpretations of Jesus’ Teachings
The teachings of Jesus have been subject to reinterpretation by each generation and have been used to support a variety of beliefs and worldviews. The teachings of Jesus have been cast in a number of ways and have been used to explain the nature of human suffering, the importance of forgiveness, and how to live a life of service.
As a result, Jesus’ teachings have been able to adapt to the needs of each generation and provide a source of guidance and hope for the future. This has allowed his message to remain relevant to those who need it, and has made it one of the most influential figures in the history of the world.
Jesus’ Legacy
The legacy of Jesus has been profound and has had an indelible impact on politics, religion, culture, and other aspects of life. His message of love, grace, and acceptance has helped to shape the moral compass of billions of people today and has paved the way for religious tolerance and understanding.
The teachings of Jesus have also been instrumental in some of the most important social movements of our time, including the civil rights movement, women’s rights movement, and same-sex marriage advocacy. His message has provided a language to describe our world and our place in it.
The life and teachings of Jesus have served to provide solace, hope, and a sense of community to millions of people throughout the world, and it is for this reason that Jesus is considered one of the most influential people in the history of the world.
