… So Jesus said to them, “Because of your [e]unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting (Mat. 17:L20-21)”
The New Testament accounts of the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ and His Apostles demand serious consideration, despite the skepticism they often encounter. The notion of a God-made man, conceived spiritually in the womb of Mary, is challenging for many to accept. Scholars firmly assert that Jesus was born between 6 BC and 4 BC and was crucified around AD 30 or AD 33. This places Jesus’ life approximately 2,000 years ago, with His ministry lasting between 1 and 3 years. Therefore, it is evident that He died at an age between 30 and 40 years.
The ministry of Jesus lasted approximately three years, during which he traveled over 3,000 miles within a relatively small region that spanned about 50 miles east to west and 150 miles north to south. His primary areas of ministry were Galilee, Judea, Samaria, Perea, Decapolis, and Phoenicia, covering more than 25 towns, villages, and significant sites. Most of his work took place in Galilee (northern Israel) and Judea (southern Israel), with frequent travels between these areas. Billy Graham’s ministry, on the other hand, lasted for about 60 years. He was ordained in 1939, and his final crusade took place in 2005. During Graham’s ministry, he preached to nearly 215 million people across over 185 countries. While Jesus’ ministry had a profound local impact in a relatively small region, it has resonated worldwide for over 2,000 years. Despite the geographical limitations of Jesus’ ministry, its influence has endured far beyond that of Billy Graham and other contemporary ministries, showcasing its lasting significance throughout history.
Billy Graham passed on February 21, 2018, at the age of 99. Subsequently, like the Apostles and Disciples who came along, other crusading giants preached in the wind of God’s Word. Joseph Smith, prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was among countless messengers of Christ’s movement of faith.
Billy Graham and his Evangelistic crusade believed the Bible to be the infallible, inspired Word of God and the ultimate authority for life, consistently using the phrase “The Bible says”. His teachings focused on the essentials of faith: that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone, the necessity of repentance, the reality of Heaven and Hell, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asserted the need for a “Restoration” of original Christian doctrines. He emphasized the reality of an eternal, personal God with a body of flesh and bones, the literal Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the necessity of continued revelation. Smith firmly taught that salvation is achieved through faith, repentance, baptism, and the reception of the Holy Ghost.
The Book of Mormon is essential to the LDS Church and serves as crucial evidence of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith, its first prophet and president. Revealed by the angel Moroni in 1823 and translated in 1829, it provides the doctrine needed to restore Christ’s Church. Like evangelists such as Billy Graham, Smith spread both his faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
As of 2024–2025, the Roman Catholic Church has 1.4 billion baptized members, making it the largest Christian denomination. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has over 17.5 million members globally. Pope Leo XIV, elected in May 2025, is the first American-born pope, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. Previously known as Father Prevost, served as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. As the Bishop of Rome and head of state of Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV leads over 1.3 billion Catholics, guiding Church doctrine, fostering interfaith dialogue, and addressing global social issues.
Christian denominations are numerous and primarily arise from differing interpretations of the Bible, historical divides, cultural influences, and disagreements over non-essential doctrines. Despite having a common foundation in the core message of Jesus Christ, there are over 30,000 denominations that often differ in worship styles, baptism methods, and theological nuances. While they are united on major beliefs, these variations reflect the diverse ways in which people understand and practice their faith.
The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, allowing individual Bible interpretation and leading to the creation of various denominations. Over time, Christianity has evolved into diverse traditions, from Eastern Orthodox to Western Protestant, influenced by local cultures.
Different groups highlight aspects of the message like spiritual gifts, liturgy, or social justice. Personal differences often lead people to leave one church for another that better aligns with their beliefs, echoing the theme of Christ’s suffering and ours.
Jesus’ Christian movement on earth aligns with the Old Testament writings and prophecies, providing a way back to God through atonement. Jesus offered His bloodshed as a ransom for repentant sinners, inviting one to eternal life. Through free will, God allows people to make choices that can lead to heaven after death. However, it’s crucial to remember that the only alternative is a hell-bound destination. Embracing the “walk of faith” offers nothing to lose and is free. Be cautious about what you wish for, as it could be worse than our earthly existence.
18. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring [f]us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, [g]when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him (1Peter3:18-22, NKJ)
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