Thread by @thirdreichpast

A thread 🧵 on why Jesus Was Jewish, Not a Christian.

Jesus was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, and died a Jew. The Bible confirms his Jewish identity: “He came to his own, and his own people received him not” John 1:11, ESV. “His own” refers to the Jewish people.

https://twitter.com/MaximusOrth/status/1924563320234795361

Christians are followers of Jesus, not Jesus himself.

Jesus’ Jewish Roots

Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, a descendant of David Matt. 1:1-17.

He was circumcised on the eighth day Luke 2:21, a Jewish custom. Historian Geza Vermes confirms Jesus was a Galilean Jew, steeped

in Jewish tradition.

He wasn’t a Christian.

Christians Follow Jesus the Jew

The term “Christian” means “follower of Christ” Acts 11:26.

Jesus didn’t follow himself, he was a Jew who taught in synagogues Luke 4:15.

Scholar E.P. Sanders affirm Jesus lived as a devout Jew, observing Torah. Christians follow
a Jewish Messiah.

Did Jesus Break Jewish Laws?

Jesus didn’t break Jewish laws, he challenged interpretations of them.

In Matt. 5:17, he says, “I have not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it.” His disputes Sabbath healing, Mark 2:27 were about legalism, not rejecting Torah.

He was a Jew. Jesus Upheld Jewish Law. Jesus observed Jewish feasts ,Passover John 2:13 and taught from the Torah Matt. 22:37-40.

Historian N.T. Wright confirms Jesus’ actions aligned with Jewish hopes for a Messiah, not rebellion against Judaism.

He fulfilled the Law as a Jew, not a Christian.

Jesus’ Jewish Context

Jesus’ teachings were rooted in Jewish scripture. He quoted Deuteronomy Matt. 4:4 and debated Pharisees as a Jew within Judaism Mark 7:1-13.

Scholar Amy-Jill Levine emphasize his Jewish identity. Calling him a Christian ignores his historical background

Debunking the “Christian Jesus” Myth
Jesus never claimed to be a Christian. He was called “Rabbi” John 1:38, a Jewish teacher.

The early church, made of Jewish followers, saw him as the Jewish Messiah Acts 2:36. Christianity formed after his death. Jesus was always Jewish!

Jesus and the Sabbath
Critics say Jesus broke Jewish laws, like Sabbath rules John 5:18.

But he clarified their purpose: “The Sabbath was made for man” Mark 2:27.

As a Jew, he debated within Jewish tradition, not against it. Historian Paula Fredriksen confirms this Jewish context

Why Jesus Wasn’t a Christian

Christianity began after Jesus’ resurrection when followers like Peter spread his message Acts 2.

Jesus himself lived as a Jew, attending synagogue Luke 4:16. Calling him a Christian is anachronistic , historian Bart Ehrman confirms he was a Jewish apocalyptic preacher.

Jesus Fulfilled, Not Broke, the Law

Jesus’ actions, like healing on the Sabbath Luke 13:10-17, sparked debate but didn’t violate Torah.

He said, “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law” Matt. 5:17. As a Jew, he deepened its meaning, not defied it. Christians follow this Jewish Messiah

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