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CONGRUITIES AND INCONGRUITIES BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND THE QUR'AN |
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We encounter information about Jesus's childhood days only in the Gospel according to St. Luke; according to which he had been circumcised as a baby. «And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.» (Luke 2/21) As one can see, Jesus, like every other Jewish boy, was circumcised as a baby; this was a sign of God's covenant with Abraham.
Mary after having given birth to Jesus in Bethlehem, proceeded in the company of Joseph on to Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2/39) He came to be known as Jesus of Nazareth, and his followers were named the Nazarenes.
Following the birth of Jesus, Mary married Joseph who was a carpenter. This marriage gave Jesus four brothers and sisters. Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? (Mathew 13/55).
James (Jacob), junior brother of Jesus, carried on the mission of his brother and was made head of the Church at Jerusalem for over thirty years following the Resurrection. He was referred to as a Nazarite, which meant a person who put himself completely at the disposal of God; he was known to be an honest and upright leader who closely followed the doctrine of Jesus Messiah. Of the 27 books of which the New Testament is made the 20th is entitled The Letter of James.
Jesus grew up in Nazareth along with his brethren; he was praised and loved by his entourage. When he was 12 years old, he was initiated into manhood. « Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother s aid unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, how is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. » (Luke 2/41-52)
THE MISSION OF JESUS