  Christianity |
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Christianity (from the Ancient
Greek word Χριστός, Khristos, "Christ", literally "anointed one")
is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as
presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings. Adherents of
the Christian faith are known as Christians.Christianity was founded in the
early 1st century AD, with the teaching, miracles, crucifixion and resurrection
of Jesus of Nazareth. Today it is the largest religion in the world, with
around 2 billion followers. Especially dominant in the western world, today's
Christianity has a wide variety of forms, beliefs and practices but all center
around faith in Jesus Christ.
Christians believe that Jesus is
the Son of God, God having become human and the saviour of humanity. Because of
this, Christians commonly refer to Jesus as Christ or Messiah.The three largest
groups in the world of Christianity are the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern
Orthodox churches, and the various denominations of Protestantism. The Roman
Catholic and Eastern Orthodox patriarchates split from one another in the
East–West Schism of 1054 AD, and Protestantism came into existence during the
Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, splitting from the Roman Catholic
Church.
Christianity began as a Jewish
sect in the mid-1st century.Originating in the eastern Mediterranean coast of
the Middle East (modern Israel and Palestine), it quickly spread to Syria, Mesopotamia,
Asia Minor and Egypt. It grew in size and influence over a few decades, and by
the 4th century had become the dominant religion within the Roman Empire. During
the Middle Ages, most of the remainder of Europe was Christianized, with
Christians also being a sometimes large religious minority in the Middle East, North
Africa, Ethiopia and parts of India. Following the Age of Discovery, through
missionary work and colonization, Christianity spread to the Americas, Australasia,
sub-Saharan Africa, and the rest of the world.
Christians believe that Jesus is
the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, referred to as the "Old
Testament" in Christianity. The foundation of Christian theology is
expressed in the early Christian ecumenical creeds which contain claims
predominantly accepted by followers of the Christian faith. These professions
state that Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and was resurrected from the dead
in order to grant eternal life to those who believe in him and trust him for
the remission of their sins (salvation). They further maintain that Jesus
bodily ascended into heaven where he rules and reigns with God the Father. Most
denominations teach that Jesus will return to judge all humans, living and dead,
and grant eternal life to his followers. He is considered the model of a
virtuous life, and both the revealer and physical incarnation of God. Christians
call the message of Jesus Christ the Gospel ("good news") and hence
refer to the earliest written accounts of his ministry as gospels.
As of the early 21st century, Christianity
has approximately 2.2 billion adherents. Christianity represents about a
quarter to a third of the world's population and is the world's largest
religion. Christianity is the state religion of several countries.[23] Among
all Christians, 37.5% live in the Americas, 25.7% live in Europe, 22.5% live in
Africa, 13.1% live in Asia, 1.2% live in Oceania and 0.9% live in the Middle
East.
This section provides basic facts
on Christianity in a quick, at-a-glance format. Here you can get a general
sense of the Christian faith before exploring it in greater depth, get the
basics in order to compare Christianity to other religions, study for a test on
Christianity, play a Christian trivia game, or just learn something new.
Date founded: c. 33 AD
Place founded: Palestine
Founder: Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish carpenter
Adherents: 2 billion
largest world religion; See Religion Statistics
Main location:
Europe
North America
South America
Major sects (denominations):
Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant
Sacred texts:
The Bible, comprised of the Old Testament and New Testament
Original languages:
Aramaic, Greek, Latin
Other beliefs:
Angels, Devils & Demons, Holy Spirit, Mary, Purgatory, Salvation,
Stigmata
Religious professionals:
Priest; bishop; archbishop; patriarch; pope; pastor; minister;
preacher; deacon
House of worship:
Church, chapel, cathedral, basilica, meeting hall
Type of theism:
Trinitarian Monotheism
Ultimate reality:
One God (a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
Human nature:
Created good but now born sinful
Purpose of life:
Know, love and serve God
How to live:
Have faith in the true God and Christ's resurrection, do
good works, participate in sacraments
Afterlife:
Resurrection of body and soul, purgatory (Catholic and
Orthodox), and eternal heaven or hell
Symbols:
Cross, dove, anchor, fish, alpha and omega, chi rho
Major holidays:
Advent (Nov. 30 - Dec. 24)
Christmas (Dec. 25)
Epiphany (Jan. 6)
Lent (40-day period prior to Easter)
Good Friday (last Friday before Easter)
Easter (date varies)
All Saint's Day (Nov. 1)
Books of the New Testament :
Gospel of Matthew
Gospel of Mark
Gospel of Luke
Gospel of John
Acts of the Apostles
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
Two Greatest Commandments
1. Love God with your heart, soul and mind.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself. {4}
Four Last Things
1. second coming
2. judgment
3. heaven
4. hell
Seven Deadly Sins
1. pride
2. greed
3. lust
4. envy
5. gluttony
6. anger
7. sloth
Seven Ecumenical Councils
1. Council of Nicea (325 AD)
2. Council of Constantinople (381)
3. Council of Ephesus (431)
4. Council of Chalcedon (451)
5. Second Council of Constantinople (553)
6. Third Council of Constantinople (681)
7. Second Council of Nicea (787)
Twelve Apostles
1. James, son of Zebedee
2. John, son of Zebedee
3. Philip
4. Bartholomew
5. Thomas
6. Andrew (Peter's brother)
7. Simon Peter
8. Matthew the tax collector
9. James, son of Alphaeus
10. Simon the Zealot
11. Judas Iscariot
12. Thaddaeus {5}
Fourteen Stations of the Cross
1. Jesus is condemned to death
2. The cross is laid upon him
3. Jesus' first fall
4. Jesus meets Mary
5. Simon of Cyrene bears the cross
6. Veronica wipes Jesus' face
7. Jesus' second fall
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9. Jesus' third fall
10. Jesus is stripped of his garments
11. Jesus is crucified
12. Jesus dies
13. Jesus' body is taken down
14. Jesus's body is laid in the tomb |
