Christians believe Jesus Christ was both human and God simultaneously. Jesus was conceived by Mary and raised by his earthly father, Joseph, and Mary thus depicts he was human. Through the conception by Mary, it shows that he was human after all. Moreover, Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for forty days and nights by Satan just like any other mortal being. Humanity is associated with temptations and sinning. However, for believers to have faith in him as the Messiah, he resurrected from the death. After Jesus had been crucified at the Calvary, He was buried whereby he arose from the land of the death on the third day. Christians have faith that to date; He is alive. Through re-emerging from the dead, He shows he is God since He defeated death.
Jesus taught the need to forgive one another. When the woman caught in adultery, Jesus was asked whether she should be prosecuted and stoned to death or not. He replies that whoever has not sinned should be the first the cast his stone. Thus, the life of the condemned woman is saved. They are told to pardon the prejudices of others seventy- seven by seventy- seven times. Christians have faith to enter the kingdom of heaven, then they ought to forgive those that trespass against them. Therefore, nothing will hinder them from accomplishing their mission and vision as there is no baggage weighing them down.
Christians believe in the healing power of faith. Faith heals those that are ailing from any ailment. Jesus says that; He came to restore health to the sick. Through the story of the Centurion servant, Jesus teaches belief is all that is needed is to have faith, and all shall be well. The Centurion had approached Jesus to heal his servant. However, when Jesus suggested that they go to his homestead, he refused. The Centurion told the Messiah all that was needed was to pronounce healing, and the servant will be healed. When he left, the servant was already well by the time he goes back home. Therefore, they are taught the importance of faith as believers.
Christians believe that Jesus ascended to heaven. After He rose from the dead, Jesus was with disciplines for some time teaching them about his ways. Also, he informed them, He would send a Helper to support them in their lives as believers. The disciples witnessed his ascent as they trust He is sitting at the Lord’s right-hand side. After that, the Holy Spirit which descended in the form of fire rested upon the heads of the apostles as they prayed. As a result, the apostles spoke in tongues while others interpreted the speeches.
Christians believe they ought not to be hypocritical. They should worship the Almighty God at all times. Some only behave as believers during certain circumstances, especially when it is in their favor or when they are watched. Jesus taught that a lamp cannot be lit and covered, it should instead be put on a lamp stand to lighten up the surrounding. To add to that, the Pharisees taught concerning the values and virtues to possess yet they did not reflect in their actions.
Paul had several accomplishments that impacted on the lives of Christians through his sermons, letters which are documented. They include, among others; Paul’s achievement was discovering the path to Christ and receiving salvation. Nonetheless, he had received inspiration through a paranormal vision. Henceforth, Christians are assured that God selects His messengers without considering their past. No one should be ashamed if they want to deviate from their unfulfilling lifestyle.
During his journeys, he would win souls for Christ. He won the personalities of a majority of people and would always defend believers in exchange for loyalty. He did so, throughout the nations that were known during that period as well his energetic private witness. Before converting to Christianity, Paul was on his way to Damascus from Jerusalem. However, on the way, he was struck by lightning that made him blind. It was only after the servant of God had prayed and saved him that his sight returned. Having a personal experience on the miracles that God performed motivated him to continue preaching despite having enemies and facing rejection in other regions.
He got saved and turned into the winner of souls and not the taker of souls. Paul initially used to persecute the believers. However, after his salvation, he was baptized and began winning the souls of both Gentiles, and non-Gentiles to the ways of the Almighty. He had consented to Stephen’s death as a Jewish persecutor. Thus, anyone can be delivered from their poor choices in life.
Both Paul and Jesus teach on the virtue of humility. In the present society, there is so much division just as witnessed in the olden days. For instance, in Corinthians, the church of Corinth had its members suing one another in courts and destroying the unity, associated with the church. Paul teaches that without humility, it is impossible to tolerate one another. The requirement is unity, not uniformity as the Catholic churches would have believers attest. It is through diversification that divisions are breached. Also, he compares the church to the physical body that has several parts joining to function as a single entity. It is the same that Christians should be united in the spirit of Christ. Jesus also teaches the same using the parable of the Good Samaritan. The disciplines had questioned him about whom to consider as a neighbor. In order to comprehend the parable, it needs to be viewed as the church. The people were divine not out of their accord but because of God’s calling. They were brought together for a greater cause that was beyond their influence. The parable teaches Christians that the church is a place of refuge and consolation for those seeking the righteous path. Hence, nobody should be turned away.
In conclusion, the teachings taught by the two personalities have had a tremendous influence on the faith of Christians. As much as they used varied approaches to reach their targets, the methods applied served the intended purposes. For instance, Paul inspired loyalty and maturity for the believers to have the hope of entering the kingdom of heaven while Jesus motivated his followers to be like children. Children are innocent of any sins as they do not keep any grudges against those that offend them nor wrong another intentionally.
References
A.Elwell, W. (1996). Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. (W. A.Elwell, Ed.) Michigan, USA: Baker Books .
McGrath, A. E. (2006). Christianity: an introduction .
XVI, p. b. (2009). Saint Paul. Ignatius Press.
