Christianity

Beliefs, Traditions, Facts

The middle of the Abrahamic
faiths.
About 2,000 years old.
One of the largest of the five
major world religions.
All about Jesus.
Origins

Was real. Born between 7-2 BC. Died 30-33 AD.
Lived in Judea. At this time, Judea was a province in
the Roman Empire.
Had 12 disciples who traveled with him while he
preached.
Sentenced to die by Pontius Pilate, killed by
crucifixion.

Jesus
Jesuss disciples wrote down their experiences and
the teachings of Jesus.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Christianity started out as a sect of Judaism.
Were persecuted in the Roman Empire.
Constantine was the first Christian Roman Emperor,
stopped persecuting the Christians.



After Jesus
Monotheistic. One God.
Jesus is the son of God. Jesus is both fully divine &
fully human.
Christians believe in the Trinity: God as Father, Son, &
Holy Spirit.
Christians believe that God took human form as Jesus
Christ and that God is present today through the work
of the Holy Spirit and evident in the actions of believers.
Beliefs
Christians believe that Jesus died for everyones sins.
Believe in divine reward & retribution.
Believe in baptism an outward sign of an inward
commitment to Jesus.
Believe in the Eucharist thanksgiving.
Commemorates the Last Supper
Beliefs
There is only one God
God is a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit
God is perfect
God is omnipotent
God is everywhere
God knows everything
God created the universe
God keeps the universe going
God intervenes in the universe
God loves everyone unconditionally (though people have to
comply with various conditions in order to achieve salvation)
Human beings can get to know God through prayer, worship,
love, and mystical experiences
Understanding God
God lived on earth as Jesus
Jesus was both wholly God and wholly human
Jesus was born to a human woman, Mary, but
conceived of the Holy Spirit
Because Jesus was wholly human he was subject to
pain, suffering, and sorrow like other human beings
Jesus was executed by crucifixion but rose from the
dead at the Resurrection
Jesus's life provides a perfect example of how God
wants people to live
Jesus died on the Cross so that those who believe in
him will be forgiven all their sins
Understanding Jesus
After the Resurrection, Jesus remained on earth for
only a few days before going up into Heaven
Jesus promised that he would stay with his followers,
so after he went to Heaven he sent his Spirit to guide
them
The Holy Spirit continues to guide, comfort, and
encourage Christians
Understanding the Holy Spirit
The Bible: includes the Old Testament & New
Testament
Texts
Denominations
Catholicism is the first and oldest branch of
Christianity.
Catholics believe that the Pope, based in Rome, is the
successor to Saint Peter whom Christ appointed as
the first head of His church.
The Papacy can be traced back all the way to St.
Peter, one of Jesus disciples.
The Catholic Church was a major political player, on
par with kings and queens.
Catholicism (Roman Catholic)
This is an
Popes
This is an example
Catholic Churches
Comprised of self-governing churches.
The Orthodox Churches are united in faith and by a
common approach to theology, tradition, and
worship. They draw on elements of Greek, Middle-
Eastern, Russian and Slav culture.

Orthodox
Orthodox priests
Orthodox
This is how its broken down.
Protestantism
Originated with the Protestant Reformation.
Started as a reaction to the corruption of the Catholic
Church.
Each individual can interpret the Bible.
Protestantism
This is an example
Protestantism
Two main creeds: Apostles Creed & Nicene Creed
Creeds
Creeds
Apostles Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of
Heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of
the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell; the third day He rose
again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the
right hand of God, the Father almighty; from
thence He shall come to judge the living and the
dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic
Church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body
and life everlasting.
Amen.
Nicene Creed:
WE BELIEVE in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus
Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the
Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were
made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the
Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was
buried.

On the third day he rose again
In accordance with the
Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand
of the Father.
He will come again in glory to
judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no
end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father
and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he
is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the
Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic
and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of
the dead,
and the life of the world to
come.
Amen.
Christmas Christmas is marked on the 25 December (7
January for Orthodox Christians).
Christmas is a Christian holy day that marks the birth of Jesus,
the son of God.
Lent Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before
Easter in the Christian calendar. Beginning on Ash
Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation
before the celebrations of Easter. Lent is marked by fasting,
both from food and festivities.
Easter - Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus
Christ. Churches are filled with flowers, and there are special
hymns and songs. But not all Easter customs are Christian;
some, such as the Easter Bunny, are pagan in origin.
Holidays
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