< Covenant to David            The key to Understanding Jesus Christ      

Jesus was born about 2000 years ago in Bethlehem to a Jewish woman called Mary, she was a virgin.  An Angel from God had appeared to her saying the power of the Most High would overshadow her and cause her to conceive a son named Jesus. Joseph, her future husband,  was so disappointed when this happened that until God spoke separately to him, he planned to divorce Mary. Therefore, by miraculous intervention, the father of Jesus was God.

(Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.)

Jesus Christ is the long awaited saviour not only the Jews but all men and women who wish to believe in him. He was made for this purpose and given this mission by God who is his father. 

(Luke 2:11 for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.)

(John 4:42 and they said... Now we believe, ... for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.)

Jesus, for most of his childhood grew up in Nazareth, a small town in the region of the sea of Galilee. Jesus was raised by Mary and Joseph, and he was given an education in carpentry and the things of God. 

(Matthew 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.)

(John 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.) 

The bible tells us Jesus gathered knowledge as he grew up. By the age of twelve he was already very knowledgeable, to the point that he amazed the wise men of his day. 

(Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 

(Luke 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they (Mary and Joseph) found him (the 12 year old Jesus) in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.)

Jesus only began his ministry at the age of 30 years. It first began with his baptism in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. 

(Luke3:21  ... Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age...)

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.

Jesus, although human and susceptible to sin, did not sin. He was crucified despite never doing anything worthy of that punishment. By doing this he showed that fallen human nature ('the flesh') being prone to sin, must die (Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death...) His act of sacrifice showed a simple principle. Only God is righteous and mankind is unrighteous. It is only when we accept this truth, repent and turn to God that God will save us (Romans 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him).

Jesus died sinless therefore it would have been unjust for him to have remained dead so it was that three days after his death he was resurrected by the power of God, his father. 

(Acts 2:24  But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.)

Through Jesus' sacrifice God provided a way for all people to escape the ultimate consequence of our fallen human nature. Jesus became the role model or first fruits for any person who believes in him and identifies with his death, whereby they can also share in the same reward that Jesus now has, that is life forever

(Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles).

(Rom 3:22-26  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.)

(I Cor 15:17-19  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished ... we are of all men most miserable).

Through baptism, which is a figurative participation in his death, burial and resurrection. When a baptised person is raised from the water, their sins are forgiven. In the eyes of God they have died to their old sinful nature and figuratively been raised to a new resurrected life as Jesus was. They now can live without the burden of past sins, and stand to inherit the kingdom of God along with other such faithful men and women. (Romans 6:23 ... the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord). 

Unfortunately after baptism, being human, we will sin again. Unless we show repentance and seek God's forgiveness we will be accountable for these sins. Again, forgiveness must be obtained through Jesus and we are commanded to do this by identifying with his life, death and resurrection at least once a week by breaking bread and drinking wine. (John 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed). The traditional meeting day is Sunday, but there is no restriction on the day. The 'breaking of bread' meeting enables partakers to identify with Jesus' sacrifice and have our further sins forgiven because we are showing once more that only God is righteous and we all are worthy of death. This is the only basis on which God will forgive us.

When Jesus returns to this earth to establish the kingdom of his father, then he will decide who will be made immortal, be assured that his judgments will be totally right and tempered with mercy. (Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead). 

Jesus when he returns will gather all those deemed 'responsible' and in particular those who have believed in him and been baptised whether they are alive or not. This obviously means that he will resurrect many many people who have died over the centuries both Jews and non-Jews. The righteous will be granted eternal life, the wicked will experience the horror of being sentenced to permanent oblivion. (2 Timothy 4:1 ... the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom).

For further information see the KEY TO THE KINGDOM..