Even though it is written in the bible that Jesus was a Jew, it seems to be contradicted by the fact that the Jews themselves don't believe in him. Does this mean that Jesus was a Christian, as Christianity says that he did exist as a holy leader, instead of a Jew? And what made the Jews change their minds if they believed he was the son of God initially? Or might he just have never existed at all?
2006-12-30 10:33:55 · 44 answers · asked by Bubsy's sis 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They weren't supposed to the first time around.
2006-12-30 10:36:00 · answer #1 · answered by . 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Jesus was born a natural Jew, a descendant of King David through both Joseph and Mary's lineage. If it had been otherwise the religious leaders of that time would have mentioned it since the Jews back then kept accurate genealogical records (which were destroyed by the invading Roman army in 70 AD). There were MANY prophecies pertaining to the coming of the Messiah (over 300!), ALL of which Jesus fulfilled. The Jews of that time--more specifically the religious leaders--didn't accept him for several reasons: (a) after waiting hundreds of years for him to arrive, and while suffering under the Roman yoke, they were looking for a political leader to free them (John 6: 14, 15); (b) Jesus showed up the religious leaders for what they were--blind guides, false shepherds (Matthew 15: 12-14)--which of course made them mad, so they incited the crowds against him. From what I've read, the Jews are either still waiting for the Messiah--though with less enthusiasm than in the past; or they point to one of several famous rabbis from the past as the Messiah, ignoring the fact that none of them fulfilled many--if any at all--of the prophecies about him.
Was Jesus a Christian? No, although I'm sure many will dispute that. The name "Christian" didn't come upon those people until several years after Jesus died (Acts 11: 26). Jesus never used the word. Yes, he started what LATER became known as Christianity, but, if you compare the "Old Testament" laws and regulations with what Jesus taught, you'll see there is no basic difference; what he taught was based on--or arose from--the old laws, but not so detailed, or so long. For example: Matthew 5: 21, 22; 5: 27, 28; 22: 35-40.
As for him never existing, just being made up: there are two secular references to him; one in the writings of Josephus, the other a Roman writer, both of whom lived close to that time--about 100 AD.
2006-12-30 11:14:12 · answer #2 · answered by Charles d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was a Jew. Jews do believe in Jesus. They believe that he existed. The Jewish religion pretty much says that a king of the Jews will come and save them. Some people thought that Jesus was that savior, and they became Christians. Jews today don't think that Jesus was anything special. Just a guy that claimed divinity and was killed for it. I read a book that talked about how the "missing Jesus years" (when he was 13 to about 30), Jesus went to a Jewish temple in Egypt to study the religion. He studied what signs the Jewish people were supposed to look for in the savior and imitated those characteristics when he returned so that people would assume that he was the savior when he really wasn't. It was a pretty interesting theory.
Jesus was not a Christian. He was a Jew.
What made the Jews change their minds? They didn't, really. Some of them followed Jesus, but most of them didn't. They wanted him killed for claiming to be the savior when he wasn't.
2006-12-30 10:41:42 · answer #3 · answered by robtheman 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There are Jews who believe in Jesus, some called Messianic Jews. Others just Jewish Christians. The question l reckon is not whether or not He was Jew, for He was and that cannot be changed with time. He is the fulfillment of age old promise and profecy that the nations of the world shall be blessed through the seed of Abraham.
2006-12-30 10:51:44 · answer #4 · answered by Cool Briz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have a problem that Jew is used to describe the religion and the tribe. Jesus was Jewish. He upset the religious authorities. His followers were mainly Jewish. The apostles were Jewish and one of them was the first Pope. Early Christianity spread fastest among the Greek speakers of the Eastern Mediterranean, but a large group of Christians were Jewish.
Following the fall of Jerusalem, the Jewish people spread across much of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Jewish Christians assimilated with local Christian communities. Those who followed the old religion kept themselves separate and were often persecuted for the fact.
The people we now call Jews are the descendants of those who did not accept Christianity, so they don't believe in Jesus.
2006-12-30 10:47:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not confusing at all. The Jews were looking for a "political" King who would war against the Romans. They misread or misinterpreted and/or ignored other passages of scripture. For example the scriptures foretold that He would be born in Bethlehem. Well, when He arrived on the scene He came from an area with some notoriety and it is quoted in scripture "can ANY good thing come from Nazareth". One other questioner suggested also that Jews were not looking for a spiritual "savior", because they have come to believe that their keeping of the law would save them, and frankly Jesus sang for them a different tune. Jesus was simultaneously G-d and man and a Jewish man at that. Those who followed Him were essentially called Christians, though more appropriately for that time they were in effect Messianic Jews. What would be good though is for you to come to a relationship with Him, regardless of what the Jews or anyone else thinks, because ultimately this will be the crux of your life in the world to come.
2007-01-03 06:56:15 · answer #6 · answered by Peace W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was a Jew because Christianity didn't exist before Christ, get it? Actually Christianity was not given a name for 100s of years and the Jewish community was split between believers in Christ and non-believers. When they finally called themselves Christians, they were no longer Jewish, but the Jews remained Jewish. As far as his existance, I believe it is generally accepted that there was such a man, however, his tie to God is what is questioned by different belief systems.
2006-12-30 10:38:36 · answer #7 · answered by Lowa 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was a jew and kept the Jewish Law of Moses.
the Jews crucified him by using Pilate as a puppet. They rejected him because he did not come as an earthly King but a heavenly king and they wanted an earthly king. He also broke the law when it was needed. He healed on the sabbath and other things they beleived unlawfull but failed to understand the rabbies and pharasees had perverted the law to their own destruction.
Jesus was not like the television preachers of today, he did not tell the people what they wanted to hear. he did not tickle their ears. He claimed to be the son of God thus equal with God and yes even God. Christianity is based on three Gods in one Godhead. They were also jealous.
Just like today if you read the bible and go by it not adding anything to or taking anything from, and you are stead fast and can show others why you do the things you do and everything you do is based on scripture, they begin to see their beleif is based on things outside scripture and they will at times get violent and do whatever they can to discredit you or destroy you.
2006-12-30 11:04:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Jews Believe that a good man and great teacher named Jesus lived! What they do not believe is that Jesus was the promised Messiah! They also do not believe that Jesus was God or the Son of God!
2006-12-30 10:57:06 · answer #9 · answered by zoril 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The followers of Jesus were mostly Jews who accepted him, there were many who did not, and they are the ones you see today.All the Apostles were Jews and they certainly believed in him, the first 'church' was Jewish and the word Christian was first used in Antioch in around 110 AD. As St. Paul brought the Gospel to the Gentiles (non Jews) they increased in such a number that the church became mainly Gentile. The christian Jews were kicked out of the Synagogues as time went on.
2006-12-30 10:43:49 · answer #10 · answered by Plato 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The word Jew has two different meanings. One meaning is someone who is an anscestor of Abraham. The other meaning is someone who believes in Judaism. Jesus was an anscestor of Abraham, and He is the Messiah that the Old Testament prophecied about. Most Jews rejected Him, but some believed in Him. The first Christians were Jews, and some Christians today are Jews. Christians are followers of the Messiah Jesus. Christ is the Greek form of Messiah. www.jewsforjesus.com
2006-12-30 10:37:05 · answer #11 · answered by jamesdkral 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋