ABSTRACT
Jewish preacher whose teachings form the basis of Christianity, now the world’s largest religion. Although his public ministry lasted only a brief time and ended with his execution as a criminal, Jesus’ followers believed him to be the messiah, or promised savior of the Jewish people. The term Christian comes from the Greek word for messiah—Christos, or Christ. After his crucifixion, followers claimed that Jesus rose from the dead and instructed his closest supporters to spread his teachings throughout the world. Today, more than 2 billion people worldwide worship Jesus as the Son of God.
