Other religions
What about Judaism?
Christianity grew out of Judaism. Jesus was Jewish, and so were all of His first followers.
- The same GodThe God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
- The same ScripturesThe Hebrew Bible is the Christian Old Testament
- A Jewish MessiahJesus, born a Jew in Bethlehem
- A Jewish churchThe first Christians were all Jews
A shared root
Christians don't think of Jesus as starting a new religion. They believe He is the Messiah the Hebrew prophets promised.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
A suffering servant
Isaiah describes a servant of God who suffers and dies for the sins of the people. A full copy of Isaiah from the Dead Sea Scrolls dates to about 125 BC, so this was written long before Jesus.
Promises, then fulfillment
The prophets said where the Messiah would come from and how He would suffer. Christians see Jesus fitting the picture.
No more sacrifices
The Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem 40 years after Jesus died. There have been no sacrifices for sin since. The New Testament says Jesus' death was the one sacrifice that was enough (Hebrews 10:12).
Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah the Hebrew prophets promised. Following Him is following the God of Abraham.
For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.