St.

Augustine’s Prayer To The Holy Spirit

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act
in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart,
O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy
Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I
always may be holy. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the
Holy Spirit….as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen.
St. Augustine…pray for us.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
LESSON 2 - GETTING TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST

Prepared by: Genie U. Pedrosa, MaEd

Program Head, REED Department
DOCTRINE:
1. Discuss briefly the meaning of the following terms: Christology, Soteriology, Eschatology and
Mariology
2. Identify the different Sources on Christology
MORAL:
1. Express belief in Jesus Christ through the reading of the Bible
2. Live as a follower of Jesus through service in the Church and the
community
WORSHIP:
1. Take part actively in the celebration of the Sacraments especially the
Holy Eucharist
2. Manifest gratefulness to Jesus through the song “Who But Jesus”

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
Who is Jesus for you?

Each one of us has varied ways of knowing Jesus

based on our experience. In our study of
Christology, we will get to know Him deeper and
gradually establish a profound relationship with
Him both personally and communally.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
ETYMOLOGY AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. CHRISTOLOGY
Greek words Christos and logos
A theological interpretation of Jesus
Christ, clarifying systematically who
and what He is in Himself for those
who believe in Him.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
2. SOTERIOLOGY
Greek word “soter” – Savior
Branch of theology which studies
the doctrine of salvation
(redemption, justification,
sanctification).

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 3. ESCHATOLOGY
Branch of theology dealing
with last things: such as death,
immortality, resurrection,
judgement and the end of the
world
Greek es·cha·ton
the final event in the divine plan;
the end of the world

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
MARIOLOGY
Dogmatic theology that
concerns with the Blessed
Virgin Mary, the Mother
of God (Theotokos).
The·o·to·kos
Mother of God (used in the
Eastern Orthodox Church as
a title of the Virgin Mary)

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
B. APPROACHES TO CHRISTOLOGY

1. Christology from Above

A Christology developed from

the theme of the pre-existent
Logos of the Son of Man who
descended into our world
(divinity of Jesus).

(Ex: Gospel of John)

2. Christology From Below

Christology which flows

from an examination of
Christ’s human history.

(As presented in the Synoptic

Gospels of Matthew, Mark
and Luke)
SOURCES ON CHRISTOLOGY

A. BIBLICAL SOURCES
B. NON-BIBLICAL SOURCES

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 A. BIBLICAL SOURCES
All Sacred Scriptures is but one book, and
that book is Christ, because all divine
Scriptures speak of Christ and is fulfilled in
Christ.
-Hugo of St. Victor

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
The Old Testament foretold the
coming of the Messiah while the New
Testament recorded the fulfillment of
these prophecies.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
“The Scriptures were written so that we may believe that
Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that through this
belief we will receive abundant life in His name.”

(John 20:30-31)

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 Events in Jesus’ Life Old Testament New Testament

His Davidic lineage 1 Sam 16:1-3 Luke 2:1-4

Born of the Virgin Is 7:14 Mt 1:23
Bethlehem as birthplace Mi 5:1 Mt 2:1
Massacre of the Innocents Jer 31:15 Mt 2:16-18
Suffering Servant Is 42:1 Mt 3:13-17
Mockery, insults of soldiers Is 50:6 Mk 15:17-19
His garments divided Ps 22:19 Jn 19:23-24
Wine on a sprig of hyssop Ps 69:22 Jn 19:28-29
None of his bones shall be broken Ex 12:46/Nm 9:12 Jn 19:33
Blood and water from his side Nm 20:11 Jn 19:34
Suffering, Death and Burial Is 53:4-12 Mt 27:11-66
Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 THE NEW TESTAMENT OR THE
CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES
◊Collection of 27 pieces of writings; written in colloquial
Greek in less than 100 years after Christ (except the
Gospel of Matthew)
◊Serves as a Missionary Handbook about Jesus, the Good
News; speaks of the birth and growth of the Christian
Church

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
a. GOSPELS – Matthew; Mark; Luke ; John
b. ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
c. THE EPISTLES - 13 Pauline Epistles;
8 Catholic Epistles
d. BOOK OF REVELATION

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
THE GOSPELS
The word Gospel is derived from the Middle English word
godspell which means good news or glad tidings.
It is a translation of the Greek word evangelion which also
means proclamation or announcement of good news.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
The Gospels are collections of stories about Jesus’
birth, infancy, teaching, death and resurrection
according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

They are faith summaries that describe what

the Church held: Jesus is the Gospel, the Good
News.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 FORMATION OF THE GOSPELS

The Gospels are the primary sources of our knowledge

about Jesus.

But they ARE NOT auto/biographies of Jesus for he

never write anything nor commissioned anyone to do so.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
gupedrosa.ppt
 3 STAGES IN THE FORMATION OF THE GOSPELS

Stage 1: The Historical Jesus

Life, words and works of Jesus Christ and His interactions with
His disciples and other people.

Stage 2: Oral Preaching of the Church

The early Church led by the Apostles proclaimed
the Good News so that it will spread to all the end
of the earth until the end of time.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 Stage 3: The Written Gospels

Why did the early Christians write the Gospel?

St. Paul provided us one reason: The emergence of false
teachings about Jesus.
A second practical reason is the fact that the eyewitnesses were
beginning to die or be martyred.

The Gospels were written to preserve the

authentic testimony of witnesses.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 There is only one and real
Gospel: the Gospel of Jesus. He
is the Good News. But there are
four expressions of this Good
News: Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 The Gospel of Matthew,
Mark, and Luke are called
the Synoptic Gospels.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 A BRIEF EXPOSITION OF THE FOUR VERSIONS OF THE GOSPEL
GOSPEL MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN

EVANGELIST Secretary of Tax Collector Beloved Physician Beloved Disciple

Peter
DATE OF ca. 64 AD ca. 70-75 AD ca. 80-85 AD ca. 90-100 AD
COMPOSITION
PLACE OF Rome/Syria Syria Greece/Rome Ephesus
COMPOSITION
INTENDED Persecuted Jewish Christians Gentile Christians 1st c. Christian
AUDIENCE Christians of churches
Rome established
around the
Roman Empire

PURPOSE Present Jesus Present Jesus as Present Jesus as Present Jesus as

as the the fulfillment of the Universal The Incarnate
Suffering the OT promises Savior Word of God
Servant Jesus: New Moses
Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
GOSPEL MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN

SYMBOL Lion: Man: Jesus’ Bull: Jesus’ Eagle:

Jesus’ Humanity Sacrifice Jesus’
Kingship Divinity

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
REED Notebook
WHO IS JESUS
Activity: Lesson 2 FOR YOU?

Make a faith statement about Jesus from the

Gospels (New Testament). Explain in 3 sentences
why did you choose this faith statement.

Ex: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of

eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that
you are the Holy One of God.”
-John 6:68-69
Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 CLOSING SONG

JESUS MY FRIEND

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 JESUS MY FRIEND
Fr. Nielo Cantilado, SVD

He's my friend, a Man yet a God You touched my heart, and taught me what
He is my friend, a Servant yet a King. is right
He stays with me every moment Of all my friends, You're really diff'rent
of my days You shaped my heart, to love as You have
Whose love a lamp unto my feet loved
A light unto my path. Love bears all things, believes all things,
Hopes all things, endures all things.
Jesus, my friend,
You are a friend to me.
In sadness, joy You stay so close to me.
You poured Your love.
And now I know You more.
Jesus, my Lord, my God, my friend.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 B. NON-BIBLICAL SOURCES

What is the significance of mentioning the Non-

Biblical sources about Jesus?

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
2.1. Roman Pagan Writings

Tacitus Cornelius (53-117 AD)

Roman historian; mentioned the
name of Christ on his account of
the Burning of Rome in 64 AD
which was falsely charged to the
Christians by Emperor Nero.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
Beginnings of Christian Martyrdom

The following account was written by the Roman historian Tacitus

in his book Annals published a few years after the event. Tacitus
was a young boy living in Rome during the time of the
persecutions.
"Therefore, to stop the rumor [that he had set Rome on fire],
he [Emperor Nero] falsely charged with guilt, and punished with
the most fearful tortures, the persons commonly called
Christians, who were [generally] hated for their enormities.
Christus, the founder of that name, was put to death as a
criminal by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea, in the reign of
Tiberius, but the pernicious superstition - repressed for a time,
broke out yet again, not only through Judea, - where the mischief
originated, but through the city of Rome also, whither all things
horrible and disgraceful flow from all quarters, as to a common
receptacle, and where they are encouraged. Accordingly, first
those were arrested who confessed they were Christians; next on
their information, a vast multitude were convicted, not so much
on the charge of burning the city, as of "hating the human race."

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/christia
ns.htm
Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 Suetonius- A compiler of the
biographies of the first 12 Roman
Emperors.
He mentioned about Christus (Christ) on the account of
the expulsion of the Jews in synagogue.
Claudius expelled the Jews and Christians from Rome
because of civil disturbance.
The Acts of the Apostles chapter 18:1-2 will confirm this.

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

There he met a Jew named Aquila,a a native of
Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his
wife Priscilla* because Claudius had ordered all the
Jews to leave Rome. - Acts 18:1-2
Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 Pliny the Younger (62-113 AD)
Governor of Bythinia in Asia Minor;
mentioned Christ in one of his letters to Emp.
Trajan, advising him on how to treat the
Christians.

He told Trajan to punish those who

will disobey him and release those
who will abandon their faith.
He also mentioned some of the
customs of the Christians.
Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 Pliny the Younger’s letter
to Roman Emperor Trajan (r.
98-117 CE) is one of our earliest
sources on Christianity from
an outsider's point of view. It
highlights the Christian
movement's impact on the
old Roman religion and
provides the earliest historical
evidence for Christian trials.

https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1846/pli
ny-the-younger-on-
christianity/#:~:text=Pliny%20the%20Younger's
%20(61,historical%20evidence%20for%20Christ
ian%20trials.
Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
Lucian of Samosata
Wrote the biography of his
friend Peregrinus.
He mentioned the reverence of
the Christians to the man who
was crucified in Palestine, whom
they still worshipped.
Considered Jesus as the first
lawgiver of Christians.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
Lucian of Samosata is used as evidence
for Jesus’ existence. He is a reliable
source because he was hostile to
Christianity and so would have no reason
to help Christians. His writing
demonstrates that Jesus’ existence was
simply an assumed fact, contrary to what
some atheists purport.

https://reformedwiki.com/lucian-of-samosata-
and-jesus-existence

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
 2.2. EARLY JEWISH WRITINGS
Joseph Flavius (37-100 AD)
A Jewish historian who wrote the 20-Volume
history of the Jews called the Jewish Antiquities.
Described Jesus as a wise man, doer of wonderful
deeds, teacher, condemned to death by Pontius
Pilate.
He also mentioned the execution of
James, the brother of Jesus. He
defended the trustworthiness of the
New Testament.
Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
The extant manuscripts of the
book Antiquities of the Jews, written by
the first-century Jewish
historian Flavius Josephus around 93–
94 AD, contain two references to Jesus
of Nazareth and one reference to John
the Baptist
The first and most extensive reference
to Jesus in the Antiquities, found
in Book 18, states that Jesus was https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
the Messiah and a wise teacher who /Josephus_on_Jesus
was crucified by Pontius Pilate. It is
commonly called the Testimonium
Flavianum

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
Jerusalem Talmud (200-300 AD)
An extended commentary on the Mishnah
(Jewish Law).
Made a reference to Yeshu (Jesus of Nazareth) as
the transgressor of Israel, practiced magic, misled
people, had disciples, hanged on the eve of the
Passover. The document also made references to
Christianity and the disciples of Jesus who healed
in His name.

Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0
Augustinian Value:
TRUTH
Genie U. Pedrosa
REEDCG2C0