CHRISTIANITY

Jesus Christ Yeshua ben Joseph Jesus of Nazareth Jesus of Galilee Believe in the teachings of Jesus Jesus is the son of God; God in the flesh Came to earth to save people from their sins Died to save their sins Descendent of David

Birth of Jesus Born in Bethlehem Born to Joseph and Mary Mary believed to be a virgin Angel Gabriel announces to Mary she is pregnant w/ God’s son 2000 years ago, during Roman times

Baptism of Jesus Jesus baptized in the Jordan River (Luke 3:21) Washed away his sins Recognized by John the Baptist as the savior of the world Jesus & John the Baptist were cousins

Jesus is tempted by the Devil Fasted for 40 days & 40 nights tell these stones to turn into loaves “You must not put the Lord your God t/t test” Shown all the kingdoms o/t world be off Satan (Matt. 4:1-11) Mount of Temptations in Jericho

Jesus’ work and teaching Chose 12 Apostles or followers Performed miracles, such as the fishes and the loaves fish becomes a symbol of Christianity (Matt. 14:13-31) made water into wine (John 2:9) Rose Lazarus from the dead (John 11) Love God w/ all your heart, soul & all your mind (Matt. 22:37) Do unto others as you would have others do unto you (Matt. 22:39)

Jesus’ work and teaching (John 3:16) Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life Jesus cures a cripple (John 5:1) Jesus walks on water (John 6:16) Jesus cures a blind man (John 9:1-7) Easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle, then for a rich man to enter heaven (Matt. 19:24)

Jesus popularity and Romans/Jews Romans resent the popularity that Jesus’ teachings and miracles brought see as a threat to their rule Jews resent Jesus because he says that love is more important than Jewish law breaks some Jewish laws cures on the Sabbath

Parables Jesus taught in parables Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) love thy neighbor (Matt. 19:19-20) love thy enemy (Luke 6:27) SERMON on the MOUNT (Matt. 5:1-12) the meek shall inherit the earth the poor will prosper in heaven Prodigal son story (Luke 15:11-32)

Last Supper Jesus knows that Jewish and Roman leaders want him dead Celebrates last supper with Apostles Passover supper Changes Bread and wine into his body and blood: transubstantiation

Judas and the Crucifixion Judas, one of Jesus’ apostles, betrays him to the authorities in Garden of Gethsame Jesus crucified by the Romans Judas commits suicide Resurrection Jesus was buried in a tomb, but on the third day after his crucifixion the tomb was found empty His followers said they had seen him and that he rose from the dead: transfiguration

History Romans continued to persecute Jews and Christians In fact, the goal of Nero in 70 CE was to destroy not only the Jews, but the Christians Christian martyrs

Jewish – Christian Split Paul 13 th Apostle Anyone can be a Christian Gentiles greatly outnumbered Jewish- Christians Peter Jesus’ favorite 1 st Pope Must be Jewish to be Christian Which belief won out?

Constantine Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in 313 CE. “in this sign, conquer” He made Christianity the religion of the Roman empire persecutions end persecutions of non- Christians begin Sent his mother, Helena, to find Christian holy sites in Palestine

Roman Empire splits 330 CE: Roman Empire splits in half Constantinople becomes the center of the Eastern Orthodox Church (Byzantine) Patriarch is head of church Rome becomes the center of the Western church (Roman Catholic) Pope is head of church catholic means universal

Reformation 1517 – Martin Luther protests corrupt Popes and indulgences ….splits Roman Catholic Church again New religions such as Protestantism, Lutheranism, and Calvinism

Church COUNCILS Council of Nicea 325 CE Doctrine o/t TRINITY Nicene Creed “one in being w/t Father” Council of Hippo 393 CE decided what books will go into the Bible

Christian sects (divisions) CONSERVATIVE Literal interpretation word for word fundamentalist Christianity The Bible says so... Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox Ethiopian Christian Church Coptic (Egyptian) Christians LIBERAL Protestantism looser interpretation Anglican Unitarianism Faith over acts or acts over faith??

Catholic Hierarchy

Customs & Traditions Eucharist, which means thanksgiving, is a reenactment of the Last Supper practiced every Sunday in churches Bread and wine (body & blood of Christ) Has different meanings in different churches

Baptism Initiation into the church John 3:16 Done with water…either total submersion or a few drops Some churches will only baptize adults

Confirmation Confirming faith in Jesus Person of the church becomes a full adult Age varies Local bishop confirms the Holy Spirit on that person

Clergy Called priests, reverends, ministers Priests wear a “dog collar” copied from those worn by slaves Bishop carries a crosier which is like a shepherd’s crook

Festivals Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ Good Friday crucifixion of Jesus EASTER Most holy Christian holiday Celebrates resurrection of Christ Lent – period prior to Easter…fasting Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

Churches Focal point of the church is the altar Baptismal font Regional church is called a cathedral

What’s more important and why? The Message or The Messenger