Jesus

Jesus (c. 7 BCE-c. 33 CE), also known as Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus Christ, was the Founder of Christianity.
He was born in Bethlehem between c. 7-2 BCE, near Jerusalem, and grew up in Nazareth in Galilee. He died from Crucifixion on a hill near Jerusalem called Calvary (or Golgotha) between c. 30-33 CE.

Christians believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah of the Old Testament Prophets and conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to a virgin mother called Mary.
The Four Gospels describe the main Teachings of Jesus which are, love, forgiveness, mercy, kindness, respectfulness and the pursuit of truthfulness.
He attracted a great following through his teachings, healings and miracles, eventually bringing him to the attention of the Roman State.
He was accused of Treason, tried by the Prefect of Judaea, Pontius Pilate and sentenced to death by crucifixion.
After the death of Jesus (Good Friday) he arose from the dead (Easter Day) and was seen by his close disciples, then later by over 500 people. His final appearance (Ascension Day) was followed by the gift of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost).
The Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus confirmed the fundamental belief of Christians that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah and the Son of God, come to earth to release people from their sins.

His Trial and Crucifixion took place in Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate, Governor of Judaea between 26-36 CE
Initially Pontius Pilate, realising Jesus was a Galilean, sent him to be tried by Herod Antipas, King of the Roman Client Kingdom of Galilee.
After an inconclusive Trial, Jesus was returned to Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, where he was tried under Roman Law, found guilty and put to death by Crucifixion. Had he been tried under Jewish Law, he would have been put to death by stoning.

Pontius Pilate had these letters written on a sign to be put on the cross Jesus was to be crucified on.
The letters INRI mean ‘Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum’, which translates as ‘Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews’.

The Followers of Jesus, the Apostles, established a new Religion in the Roman Empire called Christianity, based on the Teachings of Jesus.
The Four Gospels of the New Testament in The Bible describe the Life and Teachings of Jesus. They were written after Jesus’ death, between 70-100 CE.
The Vetus Latina (meaning ‘old latin translations’) was the Latin Bible Texts compiled between c.200-382 CE and used by the early Christian Church until 382 CE.
Despite strong Roman Persecution of Christians, Christianity was eventually adopted as the Roman State Religion in 380 CE by the Edict of Thessalonica.
In 382 CE, Pope Damasus I commissioned St. Jerome (347-420 CE) to revise the Vetus Latina and the new version of The Bible became known as the Vulgate. It is still in use by the Roman Catholic Church today.

This is the Mother Church of Christianity, also known as the ‘Church of the Resurrection’, and is located in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem in Israel. It was consecrated in 335 CE.
The church contains the two holiest sites of Jesus, the site of his Crucifixion, and of his Burial and Resurrection
- ‘Golgotha’:
  - The site of his Crucifixion and also known as ‘Calvary’.
  - It was identified in 325 CE by Helena of Constantinople, the mother of Constantine I.
- The ‘Empty Tomb of Jesus’
  - The site of his Burial and Resurrection.

The Church of the Nativity is a Roman Basilica in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, which is considered to be the birthplace of Jesus.
It was the first Church to be built in the Holy Land, dedicated on 31st May 339 CE, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

New Testament
- The 27 Books of the New Testament include:
- The Four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
- The Acts of the Apostles.
- The Epistles.
Tacitus (23 -79 CE) (55-117), Annals 14,44
- stated that Nero punished and made scapegoats of the Christians, despite their leader, Christ, having been executed by Pontius Pilate, the Governor of Judea under Tiberius.