Jesus Christ

What food Jesus ate may seem unimportant to some people, but to others, it has great significance. What he ate speaks to the nature of his body, his view of the Law, and his ethical stance regarding eating non-plant-based foods. A common question people ask about Jesus’ eating habits is whether or not he ate…

A lot of people know that Jesus of Nazareth lived a long time ago. They may even know that he was a Jewish man born at the time of the Roman Empire. Yet, they are unclear about exactly when he was on the earth and the general timeline of his life. One common question people…

The New Testament describes a believer’s relationship with Jesus Christ in several different ways. Each name reveals certain truths about a believer. These descriptions include disciple, follower, and friend. The name “brother” suggests a greater personal proximity to Jesus than other names. But does the Bible refer to Jesus and believers as brothers? The New…

The death of Jesus of Nazareth, along with his resurrection from the dead, is the central event of the Christian faith. As a punishment, the cross was brutal, gruesome, and violent. Yet it’s also the place where Jesus expressed his love for sinners as he took their place and their penalty. Many people want to…

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell readers about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They recorded stories about his teachings, his miracles, and his disciples. Yet unlike his followers in the first century, people today can’t see Jesus with their eyes, hear him with their ears, or touch his nail-scarred hands and feet….

“We should understand that, fundamentally, our faith is not about what we do (as important as that is), nor is it about what we think (as important as that is). Our faith is fundamentally strengthened by understanding who we are through the indwelling Christ. We are who we are because of our union with Him.”…

Every day there are people who make the decision to follow Jesus Christ after they hear the gospel and respond to it in faith and repentance. Yet after that decision is made, many people want to know what the New Testament says are the characteristics of people who follow Jesus as his disciple. Disciples of…

Many Bible readers are interested to know more about Paul’s phrase “the mind of Christ.” Some readers find the phrase confusing, so they desire a basic explanation of it. Others, who know that the phrase has been the subject of a lot of unorthodox teaching, seek clarification regarding its interpretation and application. The phrase “the…

The death of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most pivotal moments in history. The countless number of injustices that occurred before his crucifixion has led people to assign blame for his death, not only to individuals but to entire groups of people. At times it’s been a hotly debated question in the history…

Many considered Jesus of Nazareth one of the greatest leaders who ever lived. He wasn’t a politician, an author, or a soldier, but his teachings have inspired and influenced countless people in the last 2,000 years. Many people want to know how many followers Jesus had when he was on earth. Scholars estimate that Jesus…

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the climactic events of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Gospel writers record the event of the crucifixion in great detail, including the time of day that Jesus was placed on the cross and when he took his last breath. These details help reveal…

The importance of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion for Christians can’t be overstated. His death and resurrection are the climactic events in the four New Testament Gospels. The life of Christ, for Christians and for many non-Christians, is one of endless fascination. One question many people ask is how old Jesus was when he died. Jesus was…

The word “disciple” appears 261 times in the 27 books of the New Testament. It’s one of the most common words associated with Jesus Christ in the Gospels. While “disciple” has the same basic meaning each time it’s used in the Bible, it occasionally describes different people. A “disciple,” which literally means “learner,” is a…

New Testament scholars are in general agreement that the phrase “the law of Christ” is one of the most difficult to interpret in all of Paul’s letters. Even theologians and pastors that have similar positions on most aspects of Christian doctrine, and serve in the same tradition, arrive at different conclusions about what “the law…

Jesus Christ loves people. It’s a message that is repeated over and over again in the New Testament. Jesus says he loves people (John 15:9), shows it (John 15:13), and commands others to love as he does (Matt. 22:37-39). But what does the Bible say about how Jesus loved the church? Jesus Christ loved the…

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth are the climactic events in all four New Testament Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all devote significant time and space to the last week of Jesus’ life and provide readers with several details regarding the day, and even the hour, of key moments. A clarification that…

The identity of Jesus of Nazareth still fascinates people, even 2,000 years after his death. Many people are convinced through the Bible’s teaching, prophetic and historical evidence, as well as their personal experience, that Jesus Christ was much more than a poor carpenter from Nazareth. “Deity” is an important word that people use to describe…

The New Testament teaches that Christians are “in Christ” as a result of their salvation. Well-known verses like 2 Corinthians 5:17, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,” and Romans 8:1, which says there is no condemnation for “those who are in Christ Jesus” reveal this important truth (emphases added). But what…

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John mention the lashings that Jesus received before his crucifixion. Though the Gospel writers mention the whipping, also called flogging or scourging, without much detail, historians know that the punishment was violent, bloody, and likely left Jesus near death. A common question people have about Jesus’ punishment concerns how many lashings…

The word “gospel” is a common New Testament term that Christians also use frequently today. Phrases like “the gospel of Jesus Christ,” “preach the gospel,” and “spread the gospel” are frequently heard in sermons, Bible studies, and worship music. But what does the term actually mean? The gospel, which means “good news,” is the announcement…

Jesus of Nazareth continues to captive people all over the world 2,000 years after he lived on earth. People are interested to know as many details about his life as they can. Scholars of the Gospels are able to sketch a reliable timeline of Jesus’ life with significant detail. This helps answer the question about…

The person of Jesus of Nazareth is the subject of endless fascination even 2,000 years after his life on earth. People want to know what he said, did, believed, and more. His family is also of particular interest, like his parents, Mary and Joseph, and his half-brothers. People also hear the term “bride of Christ”…

Some depictions of the crucifixion, like Mel Gibson’s well-known movie, The Passion of the Christ, include a scene of a woman wiping sweat from the face of Jesus Christ. Various pieces of art in Catholicism, like statues and paintings, also depict a woman making the same gesture. Does the Bible contain this scene? Neither Matthew,…

Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most influential people in world history. Though he was born into a poor family, worked an uncelebrated job as a carpenter, and died in his early 30s, he arguably changed the world like no one else before or after him. Given these facts, people want to know more…

There are many different denominations in the world today and it can sometimes be challenging to understand the beliefs and values of each one. The United Church of Christ sounds similar to other denominations, making it easy for people to confuse it with other organizations. Nevertheless, many people want to know more about its churches….

The crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most pivotal moments in world history. The death of a poor Jewish carpenter during the days of the Roman Empire wouldn’t ordinarily have garnered such attention. Yet, Jesus was anything but ordinary. A key question many people ask about him is why he was crucified….

Quakers are people of strong conviction. Their movement of spiritual devotion, peaceful living, and liberating simplicity dates to the 1600s in England, and has impacted American society as well. Because to outsiders, Quakers sometimes seem “different” or “unique,” many people wonder what they believe. Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends, are traditionally…

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the most important events in the Bible. Jesus’ death on the cross, as well as his resurrection from the dead, are the climactic moments in the New Testament Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John give readers numerous details about these events, including the exact place Jesus was…

People fleeing their country due to war, persecution, or natural disasters have occurred throughout history. Some countries welcome refugees seeking food, clothing, shelter, and protection. Others deny them for different reasons, such as the fear of not having enough resources to share. Reading about Jesus in the Gospels leads some to ask whether or not…

Judas Iscariot is one of the most notorious characters in the Bible. He betrayed Jesus with a kiss, which led the authorities to arrest and crucify Christ. In a scene just prior to these events, Judas sat with the other disciples as Jesus washed their feet. Many people want to know if Jesus washed Judas’…

Jesus of Nazareth has many names in the Bible, such as Immanuel (Matt. 1:23), Lamb of God (John 1:36), and the Word (John 1:1-2). Some of his names are titles like Christ (Col. 1:15), Son of Man (Mark 14:1), and Lord (John 20:28). A name that doesn’t appear in the Bible is when people say…

The Apostle Paul’s declaration about being crucified with Christ is one of the most profound statements he makes in all his New Testament letters. It’s a staggering first-person revelation that unites him with the execution of Jesus of Nazareth, a man he once persecuted in unfathomable ways (Acts 9:4). To be crucified with Christ means…

Meditation has become a mainstream activity in popular culture. Medical doctors, counselors and therapists, self-help teachers, and celebrity influencers, champion meditation for various reasons. Jesus Christ is one of the most well-known spiritual teachers in history, so naturally many people want to know if he meditated. The Bible never mentions that Jesus meditated. According to…

The Gospels make clear that Jesus Christ was a remarkably gifted and effective teacher. People would abandon their work, risk social ostracism, upset their families, and miss meals just to hear Jesus talk about God, people, and life. Yet, Jesus was no self-help sage or trendy spiritual guru. His teaching reflected truths that were far…

One of the most fascinating scenes in the Gospel of John is when religious leaders bring a woman to Jesus who was guilty of adultery. The punishment for adultery according to the Law of Moses was death by stoning. Before Jesus said a word in response, John says that he bent down and wrote in…

Peter is one of the most important figures in the New Testament because of his devotion to Jesus Christ, his bold preaching, and his leadership role as an Apostle in the early church. But like all followers of Jesus, Peter was not sinless, which the Gospels clearly show. Perhaps his most well-known shortcoming was when…

Some of the most common questions people ask about Jesus Christ are related to his appearance. Some people are interested to know his skin color, hairstyle, and his physical features. Others are interested to know what kind of clothes he wore. A tunic, which is not the same as a modern dress, was likely a…

The arrest of Jesus Christ is one of the most intense moments in the climactic section of each New Testament Gospel. Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ innocence collide when the arrest occurs, resulting in one of the most dramatic scenes in the Bible. One of the most common questions people ask about Jesus’ arrest is what…

One of the most common questions people ask about Jesus of Nazareth is, what did he look like? People wonder about the shade of his skin, his height and weight, his hair color and hairstyle, and the kind of clothes he wore. Another question people ask is what color Jesus’ eyes are. The four Gospels,…

In the field of Psychology, personality types are commonly defined as a collection of traits that are thought to occur consistently together in people’s thinking, behavior, and emotions. Since Jesus Christ was a real human being, many people are interested to know what his personality type was. Jesus’ personality, as it’s revealed in the Gospels,…

Baptism was an important part of Jesus’ ministry. Not only was he baptized (Matt. 3:13-17, but he instructed his disciples to baptize people to the ends of the earth (Matt. 28:19-20). This is why in the New Testament new believers were often immediately baptized (e.g. Acts 2:41). A common question people ask is whether or…

What did Jesus look like? A lot of people ask this question because they want to know about his skin, hair, eyes, height, weight, and even the clothes he wore. While the four Gospels in the New Testament don’t describe Jesus’ skin, hair, or other physical features, they do refer to his clothes on multiple…

One of the most amazing aspects of Jesus’ life is that he didn’t minister in a public manner for very long before his death. His public ministry didn’t begin until he was about 30 years old (Luke 3:23) and it didn’t even last a decade or half of one. Many Bible readers are interested to…

Smoking marijuana is a popular topic in Western societies today as more voters legalize its use and regulators govern its sales. Denominations, churches, and Christians are involved in the discussion, exchanging different convictions and applications of the drug. One question that many people want to know is if Jesus smoked marijuana. Jesus didn’t smoke marijuana…

The Gospels provide readers with many details about the life of Jesus Christ, all of which are important to understanding his character, message, and mission. One question that arises in the minds of some people is, given Jesus’ divine and holy identity, was he a Nazirite according to the Old Testament law? There is no…

All over the world today, people have first and last names. A person’s first name is often unique to them, with the exception of juniors (e.g. William, Jr.) and the seconds (e.g. William II). Last names commonly identify a person’s family of origin. “Jesus” is clearly the first name of the Messiah, but what is…

The blood of Jesus is mentioned several times in the New Testament. Some references are to the blood that he shed on the cross when he was crucified (e.g. Col. 1:20). Other verses describe the theological importance of his blood (e.g. Rom. 5:9-10). This leads many people to wonder about Jesus’ blood type. The Bible…

Bible scholars agree that the Old Testament includes many prophecies about the person, life, and character of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. Details about Jesus, foretold hundreds and thousands of years before he lived, are extraordinary examples of God’s sovereignty. Many people are interested to know how many prophecies Jesus fulfilled. Jesus fulfilled between 200…