Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 12
12 Jesus was put on the cross on a Friday afternoon and was there for a period of two to three hours. Consistent with the Jewish practice of observing Sabbath at sunset, Jesus’ body was removed from the cross. Two other thieves, who were also crucified at the same time as Jesus, were alive at that time. Again, in conformity with the prevalent practice, their legs were broken to ensure their death. Jesus' legs were not broken because he appeared dead to the Roman soldiers. According to the Bible, Pilate was surprised to hear of Jesus' death in that short time. Later, his "body" was handed over to his secret disciples who placed it in a cave and wrapped it in a linen cloth impregnated with herbs and spices. Later, Jesus was seen alive by a number of his disciples on their way to Emmaus. Jesus ate and rested with them and on a different occasion, told them that he was the real person and not a spirit. He even invited one of his disciples, Thomas, to feel his wounds that were inflicted as a result of his crucifixion. Later according to the Christian belief, Jesus ascended to heaven. DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIANITY AFTER JESUS' CRUCIFIXION Although all religions change with time, the changes that occurred in Christianity after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, affected the fundamental beliefs and principles of this religion. The developments in Christianity, from Jesus’ crucifixion when there were only a handful of devoted followers to the time when it became a dominant force in much of Middle East and Europe, can be divided into two distinct phases: the Jewish Phase and the Greek-Roman Phase. THE JEWISH PHASE (30-70 AD) In the beginning, Christianity was totally limited to the Jewish people. The Christians God had the same attributes as the God of the Jews. The early Christians also followed the Jewish traditions of circumcision, offering animal sacrifices and observing the Sabbath. They did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God in the literal sense. Based on recent discoveries, the early Christians believed that Jesus had survived the ordeal of his crucifixion and, therefore, did not subscribe to the idea of his physical resurrection. The only difference between these early Christians and the Jews was that the former believed in Jesus as the Messiah and considered faith in God more important than the following of the rigid Mosaic Law or the rituals of the rabbis. THE GREEK-ROMAN PHASE (70-500 AD) Initially, in accordance with Jesus' teachings, his disciples preached only to the Hebrew peoples. After Jesus' crucifixion, Saul (later known as Paul), a Jewish rabbi, accepted Christianity. His conversion radically changed this practice. Amid strong protests from the apostles, he encouraged his followers to preach to the non-Jews (gentiles) as well. He traveled extensively throughout Asia Minor and Eastern Europe, preaching the new religion to the gentiles or non-Israelites. The Greek civilization was very receptive to the teachings of the new faith. Having no emotional or traditional attachments with the Judaic tenets, the