Christianity

OverviewWorld's largest religionover 2.2 billion followers

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OverviewCentered around Jesus of NazarethMonotheistic religionRelated to Judaism and Islam through Abraham and his sons Isaac and IshmaelCame out of JudaismJesus was JewishNow is divided intoRoman CatholicEastern OrthodoxProtestant

The TrinityGod the Fathercreator of Heaven and Earth, created humans in his image

God the SonJesus took human form so that he could die as a sacrifice for peoples sins

God the Holy Spiritthe spiritual presence of God; Gods active force

The TrinitySt. Patrick used the shamrock to explain this concept to the Celts in Ireland

The BibleOld Testamentknown as the scripturesstories about early Hebrews (Isrealites) such as Abraham, Noah, Moses, etc.

New Testamentwritten by the followers of Jesusabout the life of Jesus, his teachings, about living the Christian life, and about the early Church

Jesus of Nazareth

Christ / MessiahChrist from the Greek noun (Khrists) which means anointed oneMessiah from the Hebrew noun (Moshiach) which means savior or anointed oneChristian means belonging to Christ or of Christ

Christ / MessiahBelieved to be the Son of God and the Messiah (savior) of the JewsGod in human formAtonementJewish belief in a sacrifice meant to take the place of sinsJesus is known as the Lamb of God who took the place of animal sacrifice to become the ultimate sacrificeChristians do not sacrifice animals, they repent and ask for forgiveness

BirthAngels visited Mary & Josephcity of Bethlehem in modern IsraelAugustus taxno room at the innaround 4 BC celebrated as ChristmasChrists Mass

Birthearthly parents were Mary and Joseph, but Jesus is considered to be the son of God Mary without sinImaculate Conceptiona virginvenerated by Christians, but not worshippedJoseph a carpenterdescended from King Davidlittle is known

Youthnot much is knowngrew up in NazarethJoseph a carpenter Jesus a carpenter ??knew the Jewish scriptures (the Torah)Jesus was found in a synagogue teaching the rabbis

Adulthoodrabbi taught Gods love for manmiracles healing, multiplied food, calmed storms, water into wine, walk on waterdisciples followers (discipline)12 Apostles most important disciples

DeathJewish high priests became jealousaccused of blasphemy (speaking against the teachings of Judaism)Pontius Pilate Roman Governor of Judaea crucifixion (hung on a cross) in Jerusalem (around AD 30)sacrifice Lamb of GodINRIIESVSNAZARENVSREXIVDORVM(Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum)

ResurrectionThe Resurrection Jesus rose from the dead after three days (celebrated as Easter Sunday)appeared to disciples (doubting Thomas)ascended into Heaven

JudgmentThe Second ComingThe RaptureJesus will return to Earth to judge peoples souls (inner spirits) good Heavenbad Hell

Goals of ChristianitySalvationforgiveness of sins; being savedEverlasting Lifesalvation allows followers to live forever in Heaven Heavena peaceful place where God and his faithful followers spend eternityHella fiery place to avoid where Satan and sinners spend eternity (obviously not a goal!!!)

SaintsNot all Christians have the same view of the Saintspeople who have died and are in Heaven (people on Earth who will be in Heaven when they die ???)MaryJosephPeterPaulMother Theresa ??

AngelsSpiritual beings who serve God in HeavenGuardian AngelsAngel of DeathAngels fighting evilMichaelAngels as messengersGabrielle Raphael

DemonsLucifer (bright and shining one) Angel who thought he was better than God God banished Lucifer to Hell Satanbad angels followed Lucifer demons who try to corrupt the souls of people on Earth

TeachingsTen Commandments (from Judaism Old Testament)have only one Godkeep the Sabbath day as a day of worship and rest (Christians celebrate on Sunday)dont use Gods name as a way of cursingobey your parentsdont lie, steal, sleep with someone without being married to him/her, etc.

TeachingsBeatitudes (from Jesus Sermon on the Mount)Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.Blessed are they who sorrow: for they shall be comforted.Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after holiness: for they shall be filled.Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

TeachingsGreat CommandmentLove God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.Love your neighbor as yourself. (referred to as the golden rule)

Gospelsstories about life and teachings of JesusMatthewMarkLukeJohn

TeachingsParablesJesus used parables to teachstories that teach a lesson

Parables activity

Statement of Faith (Belief)The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.The third day He arose again from the dead.He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.Amen.

*The word "catholic" with a small letter c refers to the entire universal Christian Church.

The ChurchChurch was founded and led by Peter the rockJesus gave him Keys to the Kingdom of HeavenPeter became Bishop of Rome and is considered the first PopeCrucified upside-down

Church LeadershipUsed by all Christians until 1517. Catholic Church still uses this hierarchy, but many Protestant denominations use different systems

Popehuman leader of the worldwide Christian Church. Bishop of Rome. Peter was the first Pope. Cardinalelects the Pope and governs a large territory (multiple states)Bishopleader of several different churches in a smaller territory (northwest Ohio)Priestpastor or minister to one or more churchesDeaconassists the priest

PersecutionPersecutionbeing treated badly because of your beliefsoutcast, execution Nero, Diocletian, etc.Martyrsomeone who dies because of their beliefsJesus, Perpetua and Felicity, Peter, PaulDiasporaAD 70 spreading out of the JewsRomans conquered and destroyed Jerusalem, burning the Temple

Conversion of the EmpireConstantineAD 312 converts to Christianity after battlemakes Christianity legalsolidifies many doctrineshelps build the Bible

TheodosiusAD 391 Christianity becomes the official religion of the EmpireChristianity becomes required

Division of the EmpireWestern Empire / Eastern EmpireRoman Empire is too big Emperor DiocletianWest (Rome) / East (Byzantium Constantinople)Rome (West) falls in AD 476, but Eastern Empire continues in ByzantiumByzantium renamed Constantinople by Emperor ConstantineChristianity in the West (centered in Rome) and East (centered in Constantinople) began using different practices

Christianity in the EastJustinianEastern Emperor AD 527-565Code of Justiniansimplified / organized Roman lawsguaranteed fair treatment for allBuilt the Hagia Sophiamost famous Orthodox Churchnow a Muslim mosque

SchismsGreat Schism (1054)schism = splitRoman CatholicWestern Church; headquartered in RomeEastern OrthodoxEastern Church; Byzantium (Constantinople) Reformation (1517)Martin Luther priest; protested corruptionProtestants followers of Martin LutherDenominations divisions of Church

Divisions of ChristianityWorldwide 2.2 billion Christians (33% of worlds population)

1) Roman Catholic1115 million17% of all humans54% of Christians2) Protestant663 million10% of all humans32% of Christians3) Eastern Orthodox297 million5% of all humans14% of Christians

These numbers are 2005 estimates

Divisions of ChristianityIn the US 237 million Christians (79% of Americans)

1) Protestant 54% of Americans68% of US Christians 2) Roman Catholic 24% of Americans30% of US Christians3) Eastern Orthodox 1% of Americans1% of US Christians

These numbers are 2005 estimates

Protestants WorldwideCommon Protestant denominations 663 million worldwideBaptist - 110 millionCalvinist - 75 million Methodist - 75 million Anglican - 73 millionLutheran - 70 millionAssemblies of God - 51 million Mormon (Seventh-day Adventists / Latter-day Saints) 26.5 million Church of God in Christ - 7 million The Pentecostal Mission - 6.7 million Anabaptist (Mennonite, Amish, Brethren) - 6.35 million Apostolic Church - 6 million Zion Christian Church - 2.5 million Quaker - 0.35 million Non-Trinitarian - 20 million Jehovah's WitnessUnitarian

These numbers are 2005 estimates