Origins of Christianity

Words to Know Yeshua Yeshua Simon Simon James James Paul Paul Protestant Protestant Purgatory Purgatory Roman Catholic Roman Catholic Trinity Trinity

There are on the order of 1,500 different Christian faith groups in North America which promote many different and conflicting beliefs. Further, many groups believe that they alone are the "true" Christian church and that all of the others are in error. As a result, one cannot write an introduction or a history of Christianity that is acceptable to all faith groups.

About Yeshua (Jesus): Christians follow the teachings of Yeshua of Nazareth, commonly referred to as Jesus Christ. (Jesus is the Greek form of Yeshua which is normally translated as Joshua; Christ is Greek for "the Messiah" or the "anointed one.") Yeshua was a Jewish preacher who was born probably between 7 and 4 BCE. He was executed by the Roman occupying authorities in Palestine, perhaps on a Friday, in the spring of the year 30 CE. Most Christians regard him as the son of God. They further believe 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.) Most Christians believe that Jesus co-existed with God before the creation of the world, was born of a virgin, was bodily resurrected about a day and a half after his death, and later ascended to Heaven. Most conservative Christians believe that the underworld awaits anyone who has not repented of their sins and trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Jesus Holy Trinity

Church history: Church history: After Jesus' death, his followers formed the Jewish Christian movement, centered in Jerusalem. One of Jesus' followers, Simon Peter, may have headed the group. James, who was either Jesus' brother, cousin, or friend, took over leadership later. They regarded themselves as a reform movement within Judaism; they continued to sacrifice at the temple, follow Jewish kosher food laws, etc.

Jesus SimonJames Holy Trinity

Interactive Notebook Question 1’s and 2’s work together: 1’s and 2’s work together: What religion did Jesus practice? What religion did Jesus practice?

Saul of Tarsus, originally a persecutor of the Jewish Christians, reported having a vision of the risen Christ, in 34 CE. Adopting the new name of Paul, he became the greatest theologian of the early Christian movement. His writings, along with those of the Gospel of John, provided much of the theological foundation for what has been called Pauline Christianity, a movement that he spread throughout the northern and eastern Mediterranean basin. Paul's ministry was directed mainly to Gentiles -- non-Jews. Another belief system was Gnostic Christianity. They taught that Jesus was a spirit being sent by God to impart knowledge to humans so that they could escape the miseries of life on earth. They regarded the Yahweh of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) to be an inferior, short tempered, vicious creator deity who performed many genocides, and other evil acts. In addition to Gnostic, Jewish, and Pauline Christianity, there were many other versions of Christianity being taught. Often, there would be a number of conflicting Christianities being propagated within a single city. CE

Jesus SimonJames PaulHoly Trinity

The Roman Empire recognized Pauline Christianity as a valid religion in 313 CE. Later in that century, it became the official religion of the Empire. Church authority became concentrated among the five bishops located in Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, Jerusalem and Rome. Gnostic Christianity was severely persecuted, both by the Roman Empire and the Pauline Christian churches. It was almost exterminated, but is experiencing rapid growth today. With the expansion of Islam throughout the Middle East during the seventh century CE, power became concentrated in Constantinople and Rome. These two Christian centers gradually grew apart in belief, and practice. In 1054 CE, a split was formalized between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches; their leaders excommunicated each others. The split remains in effect today. The Roman Empire recognized Pauline Christianity as a valid religion in 313 CE. Later in that century, it became the official religion of the Empire. Church authority became concentrated among the five bishops located in Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, Jerusalem and Rome. Gnostic Christianity was severely persecuted, both by the Roman Empire and the Pauline Christian churches. It was almost exterminated, but is experiencing rapid growth today. With the expansion of Islam throughout the Middle East during the seventh century CE, power became concentrated in Constantinople and Rome. These two Christian centers gradually grew apart in belief, and practice. In 1054 CE, a split was formalized between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches; their leaders excommunicated each others. The split remains in effect today.

The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to a split within the western church. The Protestant movement further fragmented into what is now thousands of individual denominations and groups of denominations. The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to a split within the western church. The Protestant movement further fragmented into what is now thousands of individual denominations and groups of denominations.

Interactive Questions 1’s ask: 1’s ask: What did Saul/Paul do for Christianity? What did Saul/Paul do for Christianity? 2’s ask: 2’s ask: Which empire was responsible for the death of Jesus yet became followers of him later? Which empire was responsible for the death of Jesus yet became followers of him later?

A prime belief: life after death: Christian beliefs about one's destination after death vary greatly: Many conservative Protestant Christians believe that people are born and remain sinful. They will end up after death being eternally tortured in the underworld 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 Savior. Roman Catholics also believe that salvation comes from God. But they believe that it is channeled through church sacraments to sinful but repentant persons. Most people, at death, enter Purgatory, which is a type of temporary H***; a few go directly to Heaven; others go permanently to the underworld. 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 liberals generally interpret the underworld 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. savedPurgatorysavedPurgatory

Learning Log On the left side of your paper, answer these questions: On the left side of your paper, answer these questions: 1. Today I learned… 1. Today I learned… 2. What part of Christianity did you struggle with? 2. What part of Christianity did you struggle with?

Bibliography Robinson, B.A. Excerpts from : A BRIEF OVERVIEW TO CHRISTIANITY. Religious Tollerance.org