Jesus Christ is unique among all of the religious leaders and ethical teachers in the history of the world in that his legacy was never intended to merely be in what he said or spoke, but especially in his life and, more importantly, his death. His coming was predicted by the Jewish Scriptures and even, to a certain extent, by the writings of Pagans all over the world. He was the second person of the Divine Trinity made flesh in a human nature given to him freely by the Virgin Mary and was born in the town of Bethlehem in Israel, which was then ruled by Rome. Aside from a few years spent in Egypt to avoid being killed by King Herod, who was fearful of the prophecies of the Messiah coming true, Christ's early life was quiet and largely unknown.

His public ministry did not begin until he was thirty years of age. John the Baptist had at the time begun his ministry, calling people to repent of their sins and offering a ritual baptism in water. Christ, though he was sinless, took this baptism, showing his sympathy with mankind's sinful state. He now began to preach the themes which pervaded his ministry and confirmed them with many miracles. Man, he taught, was in desperate need of salvation from his sins, and needed to turn to God to receive forgiveness. A life of true happiness could be gained by giving up the things which the world valued so much, like wealth, power, and status. Though he preached these ideas forcefully, few understood him. He was the Messiah, and people had been hoping for a political leader who would free them from the oppressive rule of the Romans. His purpose, however, was to establish a spiritual kingdom.

The worldly interests of the people is also why few, including his own Apostles, understood him when he said that he must die. If he was truly the Son of God, no one could understand why he would allow himself to be tortured and killed. To suffer and die, however, was the purpose of his coming to earth, even more so than his teaching, because by suffering and dying he would redeem mankind from its sins. Thus, after three years of preaching, he was taken prisoner by the temple authorities who persuaded Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, to crucify him. His dead body laid for three days in the tomb, and his disciples scattered, not believing his word that he would rise from the dead in three days. But three women found his tomb empty three days after his death; he had spoken the truth. For forty days, he remained with the Apostles, conferring on them the authority to rule over his Church and to forgive sins. When his time was done, he left the Earth and ascended into Heaven, but his presence remained in his Mystical Body, the Church.