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[[Image:Christ.jpg|thumb|right|700px|The Christ Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.]]

[[Image:Christ.jpg|thumb|right|700px|The Christ Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.]]

'''Jesus Christ''' was a Jew born during the occupation of Judea by Rome. He is, according to most branches of the [[Christian]] religion, the only Son of God who, in the fullness of time, was sent by God the Father to be the expiation for humanity's sins and to ransom us from death.<ref>1 John 4:10; 2 Corinthians 5:19.</ref>  By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and became man in an event known as the Incarnation.  Indeed, the calendar itself reflects this truth, with the traditional calculation of Jesus’ birth marking the first century A.D., that is, "''in the year of Our Lord…''".   

'''Jesus Christ''' is the only Son of God who, in the fullness of time, was sent by God the Father to be the expiation for our sins and to ransom us from death.<ref>1 John 4:10; 2 Corinthians 5:19.</ref>  By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and became man in an event known as the Incarnation.  Indeed, the calendar itself reflects this truth, with the traditional calculation of Jesus’ birth marking the first century A.D., that is, "''in the year of Our Lord…''".   

According the Gospels, when he was about thirty, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, inaugurating his ministry.  Christianity believes Jesus to have been the Christ (Greek: Χριστός), or Messiah ([[Hebrew]]: 'משיחא'), prophesied in the Old Testament; he proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe in the gospel.”<ref>Mark 1:14-15.</ref>  As signs of these truths, various miracles are attributed to him. However, Judaism and Islam do not believe Jesus to have fit that role.

When he was about thirty, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, inaugurating his ministry.  Jesus was the Christ (Greek: Χριστός), or Messiah ([[Hebrew]]: 'משיחא'), prophesied in the Old Testament; he proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe in the gospel.”<ref>Mark 1:14-15.</ref>  As signs of these truths, Jesus performed various miracles.

Jesus founded the Christian religion, choosing twelve apostles to participate in his mission, and commissioning them to “preach the Kingdom of God and to heal”.<ref>Luke 9:2.</ref>   

Jesus founded the Christian religion, choosing twelve apostles to participate in his mission, and commissioning them to “preach the Kingdom of God and to heal”.<ref>Luke 9:2.</ref>   

However, not all who heard the Lord believed in him, and, because he “was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God”, some sought to put him to death.<ref>John 5:18.</ref>  Jesus was handed over to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and crucified.  Christianity holds that it was through his redemptive death, that Jesus reconciled mankind with God, expiating Original Sin.<ref>Romans 5:10.</ref>  Christian scriptures state that on the third day after his death, Jesus physically rose from the grave, making possible salvation and eternal life for those who believe in him. After appearing to his disciples on various occasions, Christianity believes that Jesus ascended to Heaven, where he acts as a mediator, assuring, by his constant intercession, the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

However, not all who heard the Lord believed in him, and, because he “was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God”, some sought to put him to death.<ref>John 5:18.</ref>  Jesus was handed over to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and crucified.  But it was through his redemptive death, as the scriptures had foretold, that Jesus reconciled mankind with God.<ref>Romans 5:10.</ref>  And so, on the third day, in a truly historical event, Jesus physically rose from the dead, making possible salvation and eternal life for those who believe in him. Indeed, his very name (Hebrew 'יהושע', Joshua) means ‘[[YHWH]] is [[salvation]]’.  After appearing to his disciples on various occasions, Jesus ascended to Heaven, where he acts as our mediator, assuring, by his constant intercession, the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

''For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. '' (John 3:16).

''For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. '' (John 3:16).