Changes

[[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''' 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…''".   

'''Jesus Christ''' is believed by Christians to be the only Son of God who, in the fullness of time, was believed by Christians to have been 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 believed by Christians  to be 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…''".   

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.   

When he was about thirty, Jesus was believed by Christians to have been baptized by John the Baptist, inaugurating his ministry.  Jesus was believed by Christians to be the Christ (Greek: Χριστός), or Messiah ([[Hebrew]]: 'משיחא'), believed by Christians to be 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 was believed by Christians to have 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 is believed by Christians to have 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.  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.

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, as believed by Christians, 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, believed by Christians to be 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 was believed by Christians to have ascended to Heaven, where he is believed by Christians  to act 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).