It is difficult to write a brief 'history' of Christianity and the Christian faith, but the following is supported by written, archaeological and historical evidence that most Christians would agree with. Two thousand years ago, in a remote part of the Roman Empire, something happened that has radically affected our world ever since. beginning the largest movement in the history of the world. Christianity is the most widely accepted religion on earth, with followers spread throughout every continent and nation in the world. Over a third of the planet s population, over two billion people, call themselves 'Christian'. The Holy Bible remains the world s best selling and most read book. But why? What do Christian s believe, and why does it matter? The Basics of Christianity 2,000+ years old. Began in the Middle East. Founded by the followers of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and that: God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from the consequences of its sins (i.e. its non-good behaviour), Jesus was both fully divine and fully human, and experienced this world in the same way as other human beings of his time, Jesus was tortured and willingly gave his life (as a sacrificial payment) on the Cross (the Crucifixion), Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after his Crucifixion (the Resurrection). Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. Christians believe that there is only one God, but that this one God consists of 3 "persons" (or three manifestations of the One God): o God the Father (Creator of all things), o God the Son (The Lord Jesus), o God the Holy Spirit (The Comforter Advocate ). Christians worship in churches, their spiritual leaders are called pastors, or ministers etc (NOT priests Jesus was the final sacrifice, therefore there is no longer need for priests). The Christian Holy Book, the Bible is a combination of the holy books of Judaism (Old Testament) and the inspired writing of the earliest Christian apostles, teachers and leaders (New Testament). Festivals such as Easter and Christmas, are also major milestones in the Christian calendar (and the Western secular calendar).
Jesus Christ Jesus is the Greek form of Yeshua which is also translated as Joshua; Christ is Greek for "the Messiah" or the "anointed one" Christians follow the teachings of, and about, Jesus of Nazareth, commonly referred to as Jesus Christ. Jesus was born, probably between 7 and 4 BC, into a very humble Jewish family. Trained in carpentry/building like His earthly father, Joseph, he then devoted the last three years of his life as an itinerant preacher. He was executed by the Roman occupying authorities in Palestine in the spring of the year AD 30 (March-April 0030?). Estimates range over about a five year interval from the late 20s to the early 30s. Jesus only lived on earth for just over thirty years, but Christians believe that God has left a unique written revelation of his character and works in the Holy Bible, and can speak to us, particularly through its pages. It is essential to explore the person of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that in Jesus, God revealed himself as a human being, living on earth. His life and teaching have been admired by millions, and have formed the moral basis of much of the world's culture and society ever since. But Jesus did not see himself just as a good moral teacher, but spoke of a 'new kingdom' breaking in to history which centred on him. What was even more unexpected was that, having been put to death by crucifixion at a young age, his followers were soon proclaiming that he had been raised from the dead, and had appeared to them. Moreover, they said, his death and resurrection had given the human race a fresh start enabling people to be reconciled in their relationships with God and each other and to find forgiveness for their wrongdoing (sin). Christians believe that Christ, upon the cross, became the sacrificial payment for all our sins, and conquered death by His subsequent bodily resurrection. The early Christians were just ordinary people, who became filled by God s Holy Spirit, knowing that that God accepted and loved them and wanted to use them in the service of his kingdom. Some were martyred for their beliefs - their hope was not confined just to life in this world, but to the certainty of an eternal life beyond death, with God forever. Jesus Himself had promised His followers another helper, who is called the Holy Spirit (God s Spirit), to be God s continuing presence and power in His followers. Both the Holy Spirit and the Bible have a central place in a Christian s journey with God. By the Holy Spirit Christians are linked together with the Church, that fellowship of all those who have responded to his call through time and history and which still is expressed in congregations today. The Holy Spirit came upon the first disciples of Jesus a short while after Jesus had returned to God (ascended back into heaven). He (the Holy Spirit) lives and works in every believer in Jesus, to produce a God-like character.
Early Church History A Brief 'History' of Christianity After Jesus' death, his (mainly Jewish) followers formed a movement centred in Jerusalem, probably led by one of his followers, Simon Peter. James, believed to be Jesus' brother, later took over leadership. They regarded themselves as a movement within Judaism, continuing to worship at the temple, follow Jewish kosher food laws, etc. However, they proclaimed the Kingdom of God and the Gospel - the new 'Way'. Saul of Tarsus, originally a persecutor of the Jewish Christians, had a vision of the risen Christ (AD 34) while on the road to Damascus where he had been sent to prosecute followers of Jesus. Adopting the new name of Paul, he became the greatest missionary and theologian of the early Christian movement. His inspired writings provide much of the theological foundation for the New Testament. The movement (sometimes known as 'The Way', and later becoming known as 'Christian') spread throughout the northern and eastern Mediterranean basin. Christians were known to each other as 'saints' (all Chrisitans are saints!). Paul's ministry was directed mainly to Gentiles (non-jews). After the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman Army in AD 70, the Jewish Christian movement was largely dissipated, leaving Gentile (non-jewish) Christianity as the dominant group. From its beginnings in the Middle-East, within a few hundred years the Christian faith had spread rapidly throughout Asia, Europe, Africa, India, the Orient and China; in later years the faith was spread to the Americas and the rest of the world. The Roman Empire recognised Christianity as a valid religion in AD 313, and later that century it became the official religion of the Empire. Church authority became concentrated among the five bishops or patriarchs located in Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, Jerusalem and Rome. With the expansion of Islam throughout the Middle East during the seventh century AD, Church authority became concentrated in Rome and Constantinople. The word 'catholic' means universal, and 'orthodox' means fundamental. These two Christian centres gradually grew apart in belief and practice. In 1054, a split was formalised between the Roman Church (catholic) and Eastern Churches (orthodox). The the split remains in effect today; efforts are being made to heal the division, but are making little progress. However, because of some corruption within the Roman Catholic Church (which had proclaimed itself a nation-state, taking to itself secular powers), and the worldly ambitions of its leaders, which were at variance with Biblical teaching, the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to a split within the western church. The Roman Church continues to recognise the Pope (Bishop of Rome) as it's spiritual leader, and Roman Catholics are followers of Jesus Christ in countries all around the world The Protestant movement allowed freedom of spiritual expression based on the inerrency of the Holy Bible. There are many individual Protestant 'denominations', groups of churches who are united around the unique claims of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the Holy Bible.
Current Christianity In the early years of the Third Millennium, about 33% of the world's total population now regard themselves as Christian. This percentage has been stable for decades but is now experiencing rapid growth. 'Fundamentalist' (those who believe in the inerrency of the Bible) and Evangelical (those who take seriously Jesus' command to tell others about Him) Christians regard "saved" individuals as the only true Christians. They look upon Christianity as a living relationship with their Saviour, believing truth is found exclusively in Christianity. The Roman Catholic Church remains committed to its political base (the Vatican City State), and encourages some beliefs and some practices which Protestants believe are not in accordance with Biblical teaching (worship of Mary, veneration of saints, prayer to 'saints', transubstantiation, infallibility of the Pope, etc.). Some Christian churches (often those related to national authorities) accept those who 'follows the teachings' of and about Jesus Christ, and even place value on non-christian religions, yet whose primary allegiance is to a political organisation. Protestant Christian Churches ('Church' means a group of Christians) believe Jesus Christ is the only Head of the Church, that only Jesus Christ is infallible, and that the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ was offered only once for all time, as recorded in Scripture. All Christians believe the Biblical teacahing that they have a civic duty to obey national laws and to uphold all the proper democratic responsibilities of the nation of which they are citizens. However, they have an overriding spiritual duty to obey God (who, as Creator of all things, is the Supreme Authority). Both membership, and leadership, of Christian Churches should be in accordance with the teaching of the New Testament of the Holy Bible. The State, or secular authorities, should have no part in dictating the leadership, membership, policies or beliefs of the Church. (There are other groups, or sects, which differ from mainstream Christianity and are not recognised by Christians because they reject and alter many of the teachings of Scripture: e.g. Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, etc.) The true Lamb. offers a sign to lead men to embrace salvation. That is why the false lamb s Satanic message is so deceiving. But the true sign is Himself, Christ s own miraculous life embodied in His church today, and the true salvation to which it points is also Himself, the living Christ. All other signs and systems are the voice of the beast (Satan) The Message of Revelation ~ Michael Wilcock (Rev)
What Christians Believe I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full Jesus Christ (as recorded in John s Gospel, chapter 10, verse 10) Summary of Christian Beliefs Christians are people who believe that Jesus Christ lived in the Holy Land 2,000 years ago, and who follow his teachings as they are recorded in the Scriptures (Holy Bible); that he was the Son of God, and that He is God, the second person in the Trinity (the Trinity consists of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; three separate persons, all eternal, all omnipresent, all omnipotent, all omnibeneficient, who form a single, unified Deity). Christians believe that Jesus co-existed with God before the creation of the world, was born of a virgin, was bodily resurrected on the third day after his sacrificial death by crucifixion, and later ascended to Heaven. Most conservative Christians believe that an eternity of Hell awaits anyone who has not repented of their sins and trusted in Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. God Christians believe in one God, whom they call "Father" as Jesus Christ taught them. Jesus Christians recognise Jesus as the Son of God who was sent to save mankind from death and sin. Jesus Christ believed and taught that he was Son of God. His teachings can be summarised, briefly as the love of God and love of one s neighbour. Jesus believed that he had come to fulfil God's law rather than teach it. The Trinity Christians believe in the Trinity - that is in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Some confuse this and think that Christians believe in three separate gods, which they don't. Christians believe in one supreme God, the almighty Father of Creation, who on earth took human form as Jesus Christ and who, through the work of the Holy Spirit, is present today and evident in the works of believers. Justification by Faith Christians believe in justification by faith - that through their belief in Jesus as the Son of God, and in his death and resurrection, they can have a right relationship with God whose forgiveness was made once and for all through the death of Jesus Christ. Saints The word "saint" is often used to refer to a Christian who has lived a particularly good and holy life on earth, and with whom miracles are claimed to have been associated after their death. The formal title of "Saint" is conferred by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches through a process called
"canonisation". Members of these Churches believe that Saints created in this way can "intercede" with God on behalf of people who are alive today. This is not scriptual, and is not accepted by Protestant Christians. In the Bible the word "saint" is used as a description of anyone who is a committed believer, particularly by St. Paul in the New Testament (e.g. Ephesians 1.1. and 1.15). Thus, all those who accept Jesus as Lord of their lives may be called saints. Life After Death Christians believe fervently that there is a life after death on earth. While the actual nature of this life is not fully known, Christians believe that many spiritual experiences in this life help to give them some idea of what "eternal life" will be like. Christian beliefs about one's destination after death vary: Protestant Christians believe that people are born and remain sinful. They will end up after death being eternally tortured in Hell unless they were "saved" during their life on earth. Salvation is a gift of God and is attained by repenting of sin and trusting Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Roman Catholic Christians also believe that salvation comes from God but that, channelled through church sacraments to sinful but repentant persons, at death men and women enter Purgatory (a type of temporary Hell); a few go directly to Heaven, others go permanently to Hell. RC's beleive their destination depends on the good and evil deeds that they have performed during life, and their exact status with regard to the sacraments at the time of their death. Religious liberal Christians generally interpret hell symbolically, not as an actual place. They reject the concept of a loving God creating a place of eternal torment for the vast majority of humans. Through the years, time and again Christian influence has been an active source of good in the world, motivated by the love and grace of God that Christians have come to experience. by grace you have been saved, through faith not of works lest any man should boast (Saint Paul to the Ephesians) sola scriptura ~ sola fide ~ sola Gratia ~ solus Christus ~ soli Deo Gloria by Scripture alone ~ by faith alone ~ by Grace alone ~ through Christ alone ~ Glory to God alone One God who presents Himself to us as Father, Son (the Lord Jesus) and Holy Spirit He is God ~ unique, incarnate, passionate, crucified, resurrected, forgiving, redeeming ~ Lord of all ( Clive Hilton )