The Mission of Jesus

The Qur'an says that God sent Muhammad, the Prophet, with evident signs and miracles to set mankind on the right path. Jesus was similarly one of the messengers or Prophets of God. This is mentioned at four places in the Qur'an.

Even the New Testament confirms that Jesus was a messenger (Apostle) of God, at Hebrews 3:1: "Consider Jesus, the Apostle." The New Testament Greek word apostolos corresponds exactly with the Arabic word rasoul.

At one point it declares:

"And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil). Let the People of the Gospel judge by that which God hath revealed therein. Whoso judgeth not by that which God hath: revealed such are evil-livers." (5:49-50)

It should be mentioned here that while Muslims believe that Jesus was given God's "Good News," they do not recognize the present "Four Gospels" as the utterances of Jesus. Even the Church agrees that the "Four Gospels" were written by four different men, but they maintain that they were divinely inspired. This idea is rejected by Muslims. It can be argued that if the four writers were divinely inspired, then why are there so many serious discrepancies and omissions in their individual accounts of the life of Jesus? Moreover, the "Four Gospels" were written some 35 to 65 years after the ministry of Jesus, and represent merely a fraction of the so-called "Gospels" written at that time, the others being rejected by the Church.

Another of Jesus' missions was to tell people about the coming of a final Prophet after him. This is mentioned clearly in the Qur'an:

"Gospel." In N.T. Greek, Evangelion: "Good news." God's message is always "good news" to the reghteous. Corresponds with Arabic bushra.

"And when Jesus son of Mary said: O Children of Israel! Behold! I am the Messenger of God unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One [translation of the Arabic Ahmad, one of Prophet Muhammad's names]. But when he hath come unto them with clear proofs, they say: This is mere magic." (61:6)

The New Testament also speaks of the coming of a "Comforter" after the ministry of Jesus. The Church interprets the promised "Comforter" as the Holy Spirit, but this view cannot be successfully maintained when the word is considered in its original context along with the meaning given by the different sects of Christendom. The Muslims, therefore, believe that this term " Comforter" of necessity refers to Muhammad (peace be upon him)! (See Qur'an 21:107, where Muhammad is called "a M ercy to all creatures.")