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Who was Jesus of Nazareth?

During his lifetime, Jesus of Nazareth (c. 6 B.C. to A.D. 30; also called the Christ) was thought to be the Messiah (accepted leader of the Jews) whose arrival was foretold by the Hebrew (Jewish) prophets in the book (part) of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament of the Christian Bible). The book of Isaiah was written sometime between the second and first centuries B.C. Several books of the New Testament of the Christian Bible, known as the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), describe the life of Jesus, who proclaimed himself to be the Son of God. He demonstrated healing powers and taught moral and spiritual ways of living. Jesus's teachings were so convincing that he attracted disciples (followers) who believed he was the Son of God.

Further Information: Goldman, Elizabeth. Believers: Spiritual Leaders of the World. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995; Halsall,...

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