Christianity: The Spirit and the Human
Understanding Christ
Christianity refers to a human being called Christ. We do not know anything about Christ other than what he revealed about himself - that he is a spirit in human form.
Humans are not naturally equipped to comprehend spirits. We do not know if a spirit has shape or form. All we know is that a spirit incarnated on Earth in human form, whom we know as Jesus Christ.
The Mystery of the Incarnation
If this seems difficult to grasp, you are not alone. Jesus knew humans would not comprehend a spirit, which is why he incarnated as human - to be seen, heard, and understood. He is fully human and fully spirit.
Why did he incarnate over two thousand years ago in the East, within the Jewish faith? Humans do not know why we were created; our understanding is limited, just as we cannot see in the dark or breathe underwater. Yet curiosity drives humans to seek answers, and when answers are unavailable, they invent them.
Throughout history, humans invented deities to explain natural forces and life and death. Some invented multiple gods, leading to conflicting beliefs and violent struggles, until intervention became necessary. Among these, the Jewish belief stood out: their God was unseen - a spirit. Only among the Jews could the idea of a spirit be heard and understood; pagans would not tolerate the notion of an unknown God.
For this reason, the spirit incarnated among the Jews and adopted their Hebrew religion to be heard. Jesus embraced Jewish traditions to the extent that he became a Rabbi so that people would listen to his message.
The Purpose of Jesus' Coming
The above explains the context. The hard part is understanding why Jesus came: he came to teach us to love one another and to fulfill the New Covenant.
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to LOVE: love the Lord and love one another. On these commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 22:37-40). The first is found in Deuteronomy 6:5, and the second in Leviticus 19:18.
He also said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).
Jesus and the Spread of the Message
Jesus could have delivered his message in a temple and died unnoticed. Instead, he lived fully among people to ensure that his message of love would reach all humanity. The Jews condemned him, and the Romans crucified him. His crucifixion had biblical meaning and also served to proclaim his message globally. Had he died quietly, his teaching would not have spread.
Everyone, especially Jesus' disciples, knew of a Pharisee who persecuted early Christians. Brutal and feared, he later converted to Christianity after encountering the resurrected Jesus. This was Paul the Apostle, originally Saul of Tarsus. Jesus told Paul that he would "bear witness also at Rome" (Acts 23:11), signifying that spreading Christianity to the Roman capital was part of God's plan.
Paul was arrested in Jerusalem for breaking Jewish laws. As a Roman citizen, he had the right to appeal to the Emperor in Rome. This transfer allowed him to preach the Gospel in Rome, leading to the birth of Christianity there. Later, Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, enabling its spread to Europe and eventually the Americas through colonization.
Tithing and Misinterpretations
Jesus adopting the Hebrew faith was not for the purpose of tithing. He did not work, earn income, or give tithes. While the Jewish tradition includes tithing, it is unrelated to Jesus' mission, which was to establish the New Covenant and make God's Spirit accessible to humanity.
Warnings About False Prophets
Near the end of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). 1 John 2:22 also speaks of the Antichrist, who denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Some have mistakenly identified Muhammad as the Antichrist due to Quranic verses denying Jesus' crucifixion and the Trinity. However, these claims contradict the well-established Christian church and lack evidence. The true Antichrist will be revealed only after first understanding who is the spiritual Christ.
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