Christianity

Christianity is based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New
Testament. The Christian faith is essentially faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and as Savior
and Lord. Primarily, the Church came to be during the celebration of the Jews of the Pentecost
wherein the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles.

Almost all Christians believe in the Trinity, which teaches the unity of Father, Son (Jesus Christ),
and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead. Most Christians can describe their faith with the
Nicene Creed. As the religion of Byzantine Empire in the first millennium and of Western Europe during
the time of colonization, Christianity has been propagated throughout the world making it the world’s
largest religion.

Christian - the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus.
It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were
"brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers." But as distinguishing them from the multitude
without, the name "Christian" came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but
three times in the New Testament ( Acts 11:26 ; 26:28 ; 1 Peter 4:16 ).

Creed of Christianity

Features of Christianity:

1. Christianity share with Judaism the belief in one God of History, the God of Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob, the God of Israel who set His people free and gave them the Land of Canaan.
2. Christianity places the figure of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. Christians believe this Jewish
prophetic figure to be the Messiah, while Judaism believes that the true Messiah is yet to
come. For Christians, Jesus is God’s Son, the ultimate expression of God’s care for people who
completes and strengthens the covenant. However, Jesus improved the covenant by inviting
the Gentiles to join the Jews in their covenant with God.
3. Christians believe that the spirit of Jesus became a driving force of history and invited people
to join the new community, a new people of God, the Church.
4. Christians join again Judaism in its view of the “goal of history”. Together the Christians and
Jews believe that God wrote the first chapter of history in “creation” and confirmed this
beginning by being present within the life of His people will also write the last chapter for He
will bring history together towards an end and final consummation or “Parousia” in Greek.
5. Jesus may found the Church in terms of laying the foundation of the Church.

Essential Doctrines:

 Trinity – It involves God as “one” in three persona (Son, Father and Holy Spirit). There is harmony
in God and thus Absolute and the Ultimate reason for everything to exist – in mind, heart, and
action of the believer.
 Virgin Birth – The Virgin birth tells us of the wondrous deeds of God and shows us His love and
care to His people. The theological significance is that “virginity means purity of heart.” This is in
line with the “immaculate conception of Mary,” which states that from the first moment of
conception in the womb of her mother, she was graced and thus preserved from all stain of
original sin. She was “filled with grace” that is, made holy by God’s presence. This privilege was
given to her in view of the merits of Christ Jesus the Savior of human race.
o The perfect model of discipleship. The first ever Christian.
 Resurrection – It is the focal point of Christian faith connected to Jesus’ ministry of preaching
the Kingdom of God. Proofs that Jesus returned back to his former body was not the concern
of early Christians instead the proof that they believe in Jesus was their unity of faith and
radically converting (‘metanoia’ or complete overturn) people to God.
 Last Judgment – The belief of the last judgment called ‘Parousia’ in Greek means that God is
the beginning and end of human life. This Parousia is not something that Christians are not
afraid about when they die instead, an anticipated and steadfast faith that sustains God’s
presence forever in the lives of people.

Code of Christianity
  Christians share with Judaism the Decalogue. But Christianity has its own ethical character. For
Christianity, the figure of Jesus of Nazareth represents a basic model of a view and manner of
life that can be realized in many ways.
 Discipleship of Jesus distinguishes the Christian. In discipleship, the Sermon on the Mount plays
an important role. Matthew and Luke have collected the ethical demand of Jesus in the
writing of the sermons. For Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount should not be considered as laws
but as radical ethical appeal to do the will of God. For Jesus, this can only be expressed in
terms of unconditional or boundless love for one’s neighbors.

The text of St. Matthew runs as follows: (The 8 Beatitudes)

o Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3)
o Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. (Verse 4)
o Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5)
o Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6)
o Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7)
o Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8)
o Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9)
o Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. (Verse 10)
*Kingdom of God/ Kingdom of Heaven/ Reign of God – this is the central theme of Jesus’ public
ministry (teaching, preaching, & healing ministry) where an era of peace, justice, harmony, and
proper human development are always present and all hostility will cease, all enmities will
disappear, all pain, sorrow and suffering be assuaged. (freedom, truth, peace, justice, and love =
fullness of life)
- In the Gospels, the Kingdom of God was always described by Jesus through his Parables.
These are simple stories which are meant to make us examine our own life in the light of the story
and in the light of our Christian duty, and to question our assumptions, attitudes, our way of
acting. Basically, this is an invitation to see differently and to experience the Kingdom of God. The
parable of the Leaven follows the parable of the Mustard Seed in Matthew and Luke, and shares
the theme of the Kingdom of Heaven growing from small beginnings. The parables of the Lost
Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost (Prodigal) Son form a trio in Luke dealing with loss and redemption.

Ceremony of Christianity

 The events of the ministry of Jesus and death, faith in the resurrection has formed the
framework of Christian worship. At the very early stages of Christianity, Jesus’ disciples
developed two specific rituals that commemorated Jesus’ gift of self.
 First is Baptism, the person is baptized to be a Christian and a member of the community. This
new community gathers together and celebrates the Lord’s Supper.
 Secondly in the meal, they renew their fellowship with Jesus while looking forward to His
coming in glory.

Rituals

 Today, majority of different churches celebrated the Seven Sacraments. These basic rituals are
surrounded by an elaborate liturgical tradition with a plurality of memorials, prayer practices
and devotions. They are as follows:
o Baptism – Entry to the Christian community and symbolizes new life with Christ.
o Confirmation – Strengthening the Christian faith into maturity with the aid of the Holy
Spirit.
o Holy Eucharist – One significant sacrament popularly known as the Holy Mass where
Christians remember Jesus’ Last Supper symbolized by bread and wine.
o Reconciliation – Remembrance of Jesus healing ministry appreciated through
confession.
o Anointing of the Sick – Based on the Judeo-Christian tradition of caring for the aged
and the sick in the community.
o Matrimony – The celebration of blessing and joy for the couple with the Christian
community blessed by the Church. It is a vocation of commitment and faithfulness
to build a Christian family.
 o Holy Orders – It is a vocation for ministers of clergy to preach the teachings on faith
and morals of Jesus to the members.

Sects of Christianity
The main divisions of Christianity are, according to the number of adherents:
 The Catholic Church, led by the Bishop of Rome and the bishops worldwide in communion
with him, is a communion of 24 Churches sui iuris, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern
Catholic churches, such as the Maronite Catholic Church.
 Greek Orthodoxy which include Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and the Church of
the East.
 Protestantism, separated from the Catholic Church in the 16th-century Protestant Reformation
and is split into thousands of denominations. Major branches of Protestantism include
Anglicanism, Baptists, Calvinism, Lutheranism, and Methodism, though each of these contain
many different denominations or groups.
There are also smaller groups, including:
 Latter Day Saint movement, founded by Joseph Smith in the late 1820s.
 Jehovah's Witnesses, founded in the late 1870s by Charles Taze Russell.
 Iglesia ni Cristo
Contributions of Christianity to Global Responsibility

1. Jesus Ethic of Love

2. A House of all Nations