Introduction

A major tenet of the Jewish faith is the expectation of the Messiah, who is destined to usher in the blissful Messianic Era. Thus far, the Jews insist, he has not come.

However, Christians claim that in the first century C.E. there lived a Jew who is this anointed Messiah. Thus, he is given the title Christ, a derivative of the Greek word Christos, meaning the anointed one.

In the New Testament, the events of Jesus' life, and death are associated with passages in the Hebrew Bible, creating the impression of prophecy and fulfillment. It is generally assumed that the veracity of these accounts must be a matter of faith. However, faith is justifiable only when knowlege cannot determine the truth. And since the "messiahship" of Jesus rests primarily on existing records, a study program can be undertaken to ascertain its validity.

This endeavor must include:
a. An examination of the Hebrew Bible verses quoted in the New Testament and/or quoted by missionaries, to determine if they are Messianic prophecies.
b. And if so, whether they were fulfilled by Jesus.
c. An in-depth analysis of the New Testament.
d. A comparative study of the New Testament to other first century religions.
Hence, the contents of this anthology.

First Edition 1990 (Gefen Publishing House, Ltd.).
Second & Third Editions 1993, 1995 (Feldheim Publishers).
Typeset by Targum Press.
ISBN 965-229-070-X.