Jesus is the founder and central figure of the ** religion, and his teachings have had a profound impact on world civilization. However, Jesus did not create a new religion out of nothing, the birth of the religion was in a Jewish context and was profoundly influenced by Judaism. So, what is the difference between Jesus' teachings and traditional Jewish teachings? How did these differences affect the understanding of faith between Jews and **, and ultimately led to the formation of two separate religions?
Messiah is a Hebrew word meaning "anointed one" and refers to God's chosen Savior. In Judaism, the Messiah is a political-military leader who will lead the Jews to victory over their enemies and establish a powerful Jewish kingdom that fulfills God's promises to Abraham. The Jews had always looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, especially when they were oppressed by foreigners.
However, although Jesus saw himself as the Messiah, he emphasized spiritual salvation rather than worldly power. He preached the coming kingdom of heaven and taught people to love their neighbor as themselves, to forgive sinners, and to help the poor. These actions of his were clearly different from the Jewish traditions of the time, which caused dissatisfaction among some Jewish leaders. They saw Jesus as a false Messiah, a ** who deceived and incited the people.
The Law is the foundation of Judaism, and it includes the Ten Commandments and other provisions given by God to Moses, covering all aspects of faith, morality, etiquette, and society. The Jews believed that keeping the law was a necessary condition for a relationship with God and a way to show loyalty to God. Although the various sects of Judaism interpret the law differently, they all emphasize the authority of the law.
Jesus, on the other hand, had a different attitude toward Jewish law. He believed that the law was good, but it was only a means, not an end in itself. He emphasized the spirit of the law rather than the form. His interpretation of Jewish law was very different from that of the mainstream denominations of the time. He believed that the original purpose of the law was to bring people closer to God, not to keep people away from God. He rejected traditional legalism, arguing that the law should not be used to oppress people, but to help people. He also taught that the most important law is love for God and love for others, which is at the heart of the law.
Sin is a religious concept that refers to going against God's will and going against God's ways. In Judaism, sin is the transgression of the law, and salvation can be attained by obeying the law. Judaism believes that God is loving, and He will forgive those who have reformed and punish those who are vicious. Judaism also believes that God will save the Jews through the Messiah and bring them prosperity.
Jesus, however, believed that sin was an intrinsic sinful nature and that salvation could not be attained by one's own strength. He taught people that salvation can only be attained by believing in Him. He claimed to be the Son of God, the incarnation of God, and the redeemer of mankind. He voluntarily sacrificed himself to save the souls of mankind and was crucified. His death and resurrection were God's providence, a testament to his divinity, and a source of endless hope for believers.
Life after death is a matter of human destiny and meaning. In Judaism, life after death is a vague concept that is not clearly described. Judaism believes in life after death but does not have a clear vision of the world after death. Judaism believes that after death, the soul of a person enters a place called "Sheor" to await God's judgment. Judaism also believes that God will resurrect all the dead at the last day to allow them to participate in the kingdom of God.
Jesus, on the other hand, explicitly taught the concept of resurrection after death and believed that after death there would be God's judgment. He taught people that life after death is not a vague state, but a clear choice. One can choose to believe in Him and receive eternal life, or choose to reject Jesus and suffer eternal death. He also taught that life after death is not a distant future, but a real existence.
The discrepancy between Jesus' teachings and traditional Jewish teachings has led to a long period of controversy and conflict between Jews and disciples. Originally, Jesus' followers were all Jews who considered themselves still part of Judaism and simply embraced the belief in Jesus as the Messiah. They still obeyed Jewish law and participated in Jewish rituals, but they also spread the deeds of Jesus, attracting the faith of some Gentiles.
However, as the story of Jesus spread among the Gentiles, some divisions began to emerge. An important question is whether Gentiles need to obey Jewish law in order to become followers of Jesus. This issue was hotly debated, leading to the first council of the Church, the Council of Jerusalem. At this meeting, Paul and Barnabas argued that Gentiles did not need to obey Jewish law, but only to trust Jesus. Their views were supported by the likes of Peter and James, a decision that made the religion more open and contributed to the rapid development of the religion among the Gentiles.
Another important issue is the identity and status of Jesus. Judaism believes that Jesus was an ordinary man, a false Messiah, a sinner punished by God. They denied the divinity of Jesus and denied that He was the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. However, the religion holds that Jesus is the incarnation of God, a fully divine and fully man, the substitutionary redeemer and sole mediator of mankind. They believed in the death and resurrection of Jesus, as well as in Him as the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. This issue is the most fundamental difference between Judaism and ** religion, and it is also the reason why the two religions cannot be reconciled.
As a result of these problems and differences, Judaism and Christianity gradually became two separate religions. In 70 C.E., the Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem, and Judaism was devastated. During this period, ** religion began to distance itself from Judaism and formed its own doctrine. In 135 CE, after the failure of the second Jewish revolt, Judaism was banned by the Romans and the Jews were expelled from Palestine. Since then, Judaism and religion have become an irreversible fact.