Did Jesus Really Start a New Religion?

On Easter Sunday Dr. Robert Jeffress, Senior Pastor at the huge First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, was interviewed on Fox News. He was asked to share his views on the resurrection of Jesus and the impact it had.

Here’s a snippet of what Jeffress said, “Within five weeks of the alleged resurrection of Jesus, you had 10,000 Jews in Jerusalem who suddenly gave up their most cherished beliefs, 1,400 years of their religion to follow a new religion of this rabbi named Jesus.”

Dr. Jeffress, let’s not confuse what is largely accepted as true with the actual facts.

Jews and Christians have been debating who Jesus is for centuries, and this review may not necessarily change any hearts or minds. Moreover, it is not my intent to dissuade anyone’s view of who Jesus is. That is a highly personal choice between each individual and God.

However, the importance of the topic requires a factual recounting of events. As senior pastor of a huge church, and speaking in front of a TV audience of millions, Dr. Jeffress bears a great responsibility when he speaks.

I found his comments not only inaccurate, but potentially divisive and harmful to relations between Christians and Jews which have been in need of reparation for much too long.

In plain English, what Dr. Jeffress said is 10,000 Jews turned their backs on everything they believed in. They looked upon Jesus as someone who came to do away with the Law (Torah), abandon the eternal covenant God made with the Jewish people, convert to a new religion which he started that became known as Christianity.

This is problematic in several ways and reinforces negative stereotypes that have long divided Jews and Christians.

Let’s attempt to transition from Dr. Jeffress’s statement to fact …

Jesus is a Jew. He came from the tribe of Judah. His lineage is outlined in the first chapter of the New Testament book of Matthew. While His lineage has been questioned by both Jews and Christians over the centuries, these days more and more of them are realizing Jesus was, in fact, a Jew. Jewish followers and indeed many Christians argue since He was a Jew, He will return as one.

During the approximately three years that He spoke and taught, His ministry was to His own people—the Jews. “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). For the uninformed, he never spoke in a Christian church on Sunday. Why? There were no Christian churches when he was alive. Since he was a Jew, he only taught in Jewish synagogues on Shabbat (Saturday).

Regarding how many believed in him and followed him, hard numbers have been speculated for centuries. However, it seems a pretty safe bet at the time of his crucifixion the number was significant … and growing. Yet were his first followers Jews or Christians?

His closest inner circle was known as the apostles. Their names were Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddeus, Simon the zealot and Judas Iscariot.

They were all Jews.

Jesus, being a Jew followed the Torah and spoke about its importance. However His comments regarding this have been widely argued about. Many Christians think He abolished it, but did He?

Matthew chapter 5:17-18 deals with this. He said, “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law (Torah) or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a jot or tittle will pass from the Law (Torah), not until everything that must happen has happened.”

In plain language, Jesus is saying to His fellow Jews ” if any of you think I came to do away with the Law (Torah) that is not the case. In fact, not the smallest detail of the Law (Torah) will change until heaven and earth disappear.” Yet, in spite of what appears to be pretty clear language many Christians and Jews think he abolished it.

Moreover, this is why approximately 30 years after the crucifixion of Jesus you have Paul saying “… how many tens of thousands of believing Jews there are, and they are all zealous for the Torah (Law).” (Acts 21:20)

All of His first followers who believed in Him were Jews. One main reason why they came to believe in Him is because he was a Jew who affirmed Jewish principles and practices. None of them felt He was teaching against what they were taught. Thus, does it follow that they no longer thought of themselves as Jews, and converted to a new yet unknown religion when they came to believe in Him. Why would they?

Dr. Jeffress, suggests otherwise.

Isn’t a dedicated Christian or Jew supposed to follow what Scripture says? So if a Christian is supposed to follow what the New Testament says, I would ask Dr. Jeffress to point out what verse(s) indicate that Jesus abandoned being a Jew, and initiated a new religion called Christianity.

Before anyone reading this sees red, I am merely attempting to separate what’s accepted as true from the facts.

Let me explain:

Pew studies have shown that the vast majority of Christians who attend services on a regular basis don’t read the Bible. This suggests they are accepting as true what is being taught by leadership. Instead, what they should be doing is checking teachings against what the Bible actually says. Sadly, with the majority of Christians not checking teachings against Scripture, what they have come to accept as true doesn’t stand up to the facts in many cases.

One major example is replacement theology or supersessionism. This is the view that Jews abrogated their position as God’s chosen people because they didn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah, and have been replaced by the Christians. In spite of Paul (a Torah observant Pharisee) making it clear God has not rejected the Jews in Romans 11:1. The majority of Christians adhere to this view. 

The life and teachings of Jesus were controversial to say the least. Great debates ensued before and subsequent to his crucifixion. 300 years after his life Rome convened the Council of Nicaea, which set doctrine in place for what became known as Christianity. I find Dr. Jeffress’s suggestion that Jesus started a new religion disturbing. Such comments only fan the flames of division between Christians and Jews.

It is my hope the day will come when many Christians and Jews will hunger enough for the facts and that they will not blindly accept what is taught and confirm it for themselves by reading Scripture and studying. Further, I hope the day will come when Christians and Jews can love one another, and stand together in unison without prejudice and dividing walls.

Dr. Jeffress comments did not bring us any closer to such a day.

Note: The writer’s views don’t necessarily reflect those of Charisma Media.

Dan Calic moved to Israel in 2011 with his wife, D’vorah. He is a writer, history student and speaker and creator of the Bless Israel Network. To read more of Dan Calic’s articles see his Facebook page.