Christianity: Foundations and Beliefs

With an estimated 2.5 billion believers, Christianity is the world's largest religion.

It is the predominant religion in Europe and the Americas.

Christianity is a religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus

Like Judaism and Islam, Christianity is a monotheistic (belief in one God) religion.

Christians believe Jesus to be the Son of God and the Messiah foretold by Hebrew prophecies.

The core Christian belief is that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, sinful humans are forgiven and gain salvation and the promise of eternal life.

Christians believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, that Jesus appeared to his disciples, and told his followers to "make disciples of all nations.”

Christianity regards the Bible as written by human authors under the inspiration of God.

Jesus honored the Old Testament’s teachings, however, he offered a new message…

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. " - Matthew 22:35  

Christians believe that all people should strive to follow Christ in their everyday actions. For many, this includes obedience to the Ten Commandments.

In most church services, a collection occurs in which the congregation donates money for the support of the Church and for charitable work.

Major Holidays: Christmas remembering the birth of Jesus Major Holidays: Christmas remembering the birth of Jesus. Easter commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Today the best-known Christian symbol is the cross which refers to the method of Jesus' execution.

Crosses are sometimes worn by Christians and can often be seen in and outside their churches.

There is a diversity of practices among groups of Christians There is a diversity of practices among groups of Christians. These groups are called denominations.

Christianity may be broadly divided into three main groupings: ▀ Roman Catholic, ▀ Eastern Orthodox, and ▀ Protestants (groups such as Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, etc.)

Until the early 1600s, the Catholic Church was the predominant Christian church. But some congregations and religious leaders, such as Martin Luther, wanted to change (reform) the church according to their interpretations of the Bible.

The Protestant Reformation was the beginning of the many Protestant denominations practicing Christianity today.