Jesus of Nazareth is vital to the Christian religion because the whole religion was founded on the teachings, the life, and the death of Christ from the 1st Century CE, which is also when Christianity started. Even so, many still seek answers to why Jesus is central to the Christian religion.
Jesus is central to Christianity because Christians follow the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus represents the Old Testament prophesies about a savior of humanity that would come to earth and that this Savior is Christ. Additionally, the word Christian means ‘follower’ of Christ. So, Christians are followers of Christ, and Christ is the Central figure of the religion.
With Jesus’ 12 disciples following Christ and forming the first of the Christian churches, Christ is a critical figure for all of Christianity. This article shares insights into Jesus Christ as the main figure in Christianity. Keep reading to learn more.
What is the role of Jesus in the Christian religion?
In the Christian religion, Jesus Christ’s role is being the Savior of the world. All Christians believe that Christ came to earth to save humankind and to help humans feel Jesus’ (and God’s) love while also bringing hope to all human beings.
To show love, bring hope, and save humankind, Jesus intentionally or inadvertently established the Christian religion. While it isn’t explicitly documented in the Bible, the birth of Christ is believed to have happened between 6 and 2 BC in the city of Judea in Bethlehem. At 30, Jesus started his ministry and soon had 12 disciples who traveled with Jesus across many towns, preaching about God and Christ. His disciples and teachers then spread the gospel of Christ after Jesus’ death and resurrection, with all believers deemed followers of Christ or Christians. According to suggestions in Luke 3:23, Jesus started his ministry at about 30 years old and soon had 12 disciples and thousands of followers who believed in him as the Messiah and the Savior of all humanity.
Jesus also came to help humankind believe in God
It is implied in Romans 6:23 and John 3:16 that thanks to Jesus, Christians believe and accept that God brought Jesus to earth to save humankind and to bring them eternal life. God also sacrificed His Son, Jesus, for all of the sins of humankind to be wiped out. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, Christians believe that this was the price for saving humankind from sin. Accordingly, Christians regard the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as humankind’s underserved and priceless gift from the Lord.
It is also worth noting that because of Christ’s power over death and his resurrection that’s since led to the critical celebrations at Easter – regarded as the heart of Christianity, Jesus came to earth in human form but as a representation of God. The belief that Jesus is the Son of God makes Jesus a crucial part of Christianity.
However, the role of Jesus Christ for all humanity is that He is the Savior of all humankind and is also key to the Christian Faith. Christ was part of the grand plan by God, but through it all, Christians believe that the fact that Jesus lived with ordinary men and accomplished many great things is the glue that holds Christians.
In addition to suffering for the sake of humankind, Jesus also accepted all responsibility for humans’ wrongdoing. He also taught and encouraged believers to accept and honor his Commandments, and the commandments passed down to Moses in the Old Testament. He also encouraged people to repent their sins while reminding them, albeit subtly, that he is the redeemer.
Also, Christ is crucial to Christianity because His life was meant to fulfill the Old Testament prophesy of a Messiah who’d come to save humankind.
Why is Jesus’ role in Christianity significant?
Jesus Christ’s role in Christianity is significant because it represents an integral part of the belief system. As a savior and miracle worker, people believed in God, his power, and glory, leading to the largest Christian religion.
Through His teachings, atonement, the peace He preached, and the hope He brought to all humankind, Jesus Christ helped to change the lives of all Christians, giving Christians the courage to face trials and to lead a life full of faith.
Jesus is also important to Christians because He is the one who made repentance possible. The Bible, through Jesus Christ, teaches all about repentance and that Jesus offered atonement as a gift for repentance to all Christians who sinned and fell short of his glory. So, while Christians stumble and fall, Jesus’ death and resurrection meant a clean slate for all humankind. And thanks to his gracious actions, the power of atonement from Jesus Christ is availed to all humankind, even the non-believers.
Jesus is also crucial to Christianity because He teaches humans the truth. It’s implied in the Gospel of John 6:67-68 that after multitudes left and refused to continue working with Christ, He asked his disciples if they’d also leave him, to which Peter replied that they wouldn’t because why would they want to and also if they turned in the opposite direction, they wouldn’t find anyone else with the words for eternal life. Several other scriptures in the Bible imply that Jesus is not just the Savior of humankind but also that His words were the words of eternal life because the Holy Spirit inspired them. Throughout His Ministry, Jesus taught many great truths about atonement and the fact that God planned for His Children to be happy and Joyful.
Through these, as well as the fact that Jesus offered Hope, He is the most crucial part of Christianity because these truths and teachings from Christ all represent the tenets of Christianity. These wouldn’t be possible without Jesus’ teachings and the sacrifices he made. In many ways, Jesus Christ made the Old Testament teachings real and affirmed that he was the One chosen to lead and rescue humankind.
What do Christians believe about Jesus?
Jesus is the Son of God
Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He was given as the biggest sacrifice to humans, and that this sacrifice would make it possible for humans to find eternal life when they get to heaven. As the Son of God, Christians also believe that Jesus Christ is the second person in the Holy Trinity.
Jesus is the Lord and Savior
Christians also believe that the crucifixion of Jesus, His resurrection, and Ascension are key elements shaping Christian beliefs. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah – In Hebrew, Messiah means The Anointed One.
As the Lord and Savior, Jesus is an influential, authoritative figure who rules the heavens and the earth, as implied in Matthew 28:18. Because of God’s omnibenevolence, He sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to come and save mankind. God does this by teaching people and setting examples of God’s selfless love, even when humans live in sin. Through Jesus Christ, God saved mankind by sacrificing His only son and allowing Him to be crucified on the cross. This selfless action meant that humankind atoned for their sins.
And most importantly, Christians believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His Ascension to heaven meant that Jesus was God’s son. Additionally, Christians believe that Christ’s death was enough penalty ‘charged’ by God for all the sins of humankind.
Did Jesus start Christianity?
As the primary religion that stemmed from birth, life, teachings, death, resurrection, and the Ascension of Jesus of Nazareth, and also the fact that Christianity’s roots date back to the 1st century CE, it’s possible that Jesus founded Christianity.
As per the Christian traditions, Jesus Christ is not only the Only Son of God but also the Messiah or the Savior of humankind, as was prophesized in different writings from the Old Testament. Through Jesus’ teachings, ministry, miracles, and many other events, including his death and His resurrection, Jesus is the Foundation of the Christian religion.
That said, it is worth noting that as much as Christianity is based on different teachings, the religion is believed to have developed over a long period. The teachings were primarily spread after Jesus’ death by his disciples, the apostles.
Would Christianity exist without Jesus?
While it’s hard to say if Christianity existed without Christ, it is possible that Christianity would look a lot different and that there would be no Christian without Jesus Christ. At the same time, where would be no Jesus if there weren’t any Christians to listen to God’s or Jesus’ commands?
According to the Catholic Church, Christianity doesn’t exist without Jesus Christ. And it is implied in Colossians 1:21-23 that Jesus came to earth to reconcile all human beings through His death. And through this sacrifice, Jesus Christ represents the center that not only grounds but also regenerates Christians’ faith in Christ.
References
Christ is central to Christianity
Catholic church on Christianity and Christ
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
