JESUS, THE man or myth. Does it matter if he even was real? Isn't it enough that the Gospel?

2 People around the world have heard something about Jesus Christ, even though he lived on earth some 2,000 years ago. Yet, many are confused about who Jesus really was. Some say that he was merely a good man. Others claim that he was nothing more than a prophet. Still others believe that Jesus is God and should be worshiped. Should he?

3 It is important for you to know the truth about Jesus. Why? Because the Bible says: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3) Yes, knowing the truth about Jehovah God and about Jesus Christ can lead to everlasting life on a paradise earth. (John 14:6) Furthermore, Jesus sets the best example of how to live and how to treat others. (John 13:34, 35) In the first chapter of this book, we discussed the truth about God. Now let us consider what the Bible really teaches about Jesus Christ.

THE PROMISED MESSIAH

4 Long before Jesus was born, the Bible foretold the coming of the one whom God would send as the Messiah, or Christ. The titles “Messiah” (from a Hebrew word) and “Christ” (from a Greek word) both mean “Anointed One.” This promised One would be anointed, that is, appointed by God to a special position. In later chapters of this book, we will learn more about the Messiah’s important place in the fulfillment of God’s promises. We will also learn about the blessings that Jesus can bring us even now. Before Jesus was born, however, many no doubt wondered, ‘Who will prove to be the Messiah?’

5 In the first century C.E., the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth were fully convinced that he was the foretold Messiah. (John 1:41) One of the disciples, a man named Simon Peter, openly said to Jesus: “You are the Christ.” (Matthew 16:16) How, though, could those disciples—and how can we—be sure that Jesus really is the promised Messiah?

6 The prophets of God who lived before Jesus foretold many details about the Messiah. These details would help others to identify him. We might illustrate things this way: Suppose you were asked to go to a busy bus depot or a train station or an airport to pick up someone you had never met before. Would it not help if someone gave you a few details about him? Similarly, by means of the Bible prophets, Jehovah gave a rather detailed description of what the Messiah would do and what he would experience. The fulfillment of these many prophecies would help faithful ones to identify him clearly.

7 Consider just two examples. First, over 700 years in advance, the prophet Micah foretold that the promised One would be born in Bethlehem, a small town in the land of Judah. (Micah 5:2) Where was Jesus actually born? Why, in that very town! (Matthew 2:1, 3-9) Second, many centuries in advance, the prophecy recorded at Daniel 9:25 pointed to the very year when the Messiah was to appear—29 C.E.* The fulfillment of these and other prophecies proves that Jesus was the promised Messiah.

At his baptism, Jesus became the Messiah, or Christ

8 Further proof that Jesus was the Messiah became clear near the end of 29 C.E. That is the year when Jesus went to John the Baptizer to be baptized in the Jordan River. Jehovah had promised John a sign so that he could identify the Messiah. John saw that sign at Jesus’ baptism. The Bible says that this is what happened: “After being baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove God’s spirit coming upon him. Look! Also, there was a voice from the heavens that said: ‘This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.’” (Matthew 3:16, 17) After seeing and hearing what happened, John had no doubt that Jesus was sent by God. (John 1:32-34) At the moment when God’s spirit, or active force, was poured out upon him that day, Jesus became the Messiah, or Christ, the one appointed to be Leader and King.—Isaiah 55:4.

9 The fulfillment of Bible prophecy and Jehovah God’s own testimony plainly show that Jesus was the promised Messiah. But the Bible answers two other important questions about Jesus Christ: Where did he come from, and what kind of person was he?

WHERE DID JESUS COME FROM?

10 The Bible teaches that Jesus lived in heaven before he came to earth. Micah prophesied that the

It matters that he exists because it seperates the Gospel accounts from books like Lord of the Rings. People can't put faith in fiction...

Lessons as in Jesus loving everyone unconditionally, forgiveness, putting others before yourself, it would be great but without the spirit living in you, none of that is possible as it is completely against human nature to forgive, love unconditionally and put others before yourself and things of that nature:)

It is because when people base wonderful life lessons on a book that may not be true then when they inevitably question the validity of that book they will also question the validity of those good lessons.

Goodness deserves to be placed on a solid ground, not a brittle base of myth.

The man Jesus had some good things tho say. Too bad the christians perverted Jesus teachings. They are not very christ like.

The "lessons" the Bible teaches are common sense.

The Bible DOES have some good messages, but they're nothing humans hadn't figured out before the Bible, like how to get along with others.

They mostly teach good life lessons.

Some of the lessons though in the bible have caused serious damage to societies that become too Christianity centric.

Such as breaking away from your family (Matt. 19:29) and hating your parents (Matt. 10:34-36) to follow Jesus?

Maybe you should read the said gospels.

They are about salvation; not a morality tale.

i used to have this toy teddy bear when i was little..... if you pressed on his belly, he would say stuff. Things like "I love you", and "Let's be friends".

he was just like jesus, but REAL...... why can't we listen to the teddy bear's gospel instead, i have actual factual proof that he existed and he won't care if you eat shrimp or wear clothes that are made of both cotton AND leather