Expert: Brenda Martin - 2/2/2005

Question
Hi Brenda..since Jesus was a jew I was just wondering when, why and how did the organization He started come to be christian.
                    bonnie

Answer
Hi Bonnie, you asked--"JESUS WAS A JEW..WHEN, WHY AND HOW DID THE ORGANIZATION HE STARTED COME TO BE CHRISTIAN."

HOW--Christianity was not a new religion. Its roots lay deep in the religion of the Israelites, nourished by the written Law of God. Even before Israel became a nation, worship of God was practiced by their forefathers Noah, Abraham, and Moses and was actually a continuation of the oldest religion in existence, the true worship of the Creator as initially practiced in Eden.

So Jesus was not establishing some new religion, he tried to show the Jews where they were going wrong, and then reminded them of the correct way to worship his Father.

However the Jewish community in Jerusalem and Judea viewed the fledgling Christian congregation with contempt. Judging from the content of Paul's letter, we get some idea of the taunts that the arrogant Jewish religious leaders and their followers directed at the Christians.

They may, in effect, have said: ‘We have the great temple in Jerusalem, standing for centuries! We have a noble high priest officiating there, along with his underpriests. Sacrifices are offered daily. We have the Law, transmitted by angels to Moses and established with great signs upon Mount Sinai. This upstart sect, these Christians, who have apostatized from Judaism, they have none of these things!'

WHY--Christianity began with Adam and Eve, but by the time Jesus arrived on earth it was corrupt, if the Jews had listened to Jesus and adjusted their ways, they could have continued being "God's chosen people" as it was they refused, and so Jesus said to them; "your house is abandoned to you" (Matthew 23;37,38) and turned his attention to the "nations" and formed the Christian congregation.

WHEN--At Pentecost 33 C.E., holy spirit was poured out on 120 disciples of Jesus, and in many languages they began speaking about the magnificent things of God. This was the founding of the Christian congregation. About 3,000 new disciples were baptized on that day.—Acts, chapter 2.

If you would like a more detailed explanation, I will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.

All the best
Brenda