Christianity Basics

Christianity: Christ means the “anointed one” and is a monotheistic religion based on life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament

Christians believe Jesus is the son of God having become ma and the saviour of humanity. Christians, therefore, commonly refer to Jesus as Christ or Messiah.

Beliefs:

-          There is one God

-          Belief in the Trinity

-          God created the world and it is good

-          Man is created in the image of God

-          Jesus, the son of God, was sent to save mankind

-          Belief in God brings salvation

-          The Holy Spirit directs the church

-          Man has free will

Denominations/Variants: Three main branches-

Roman Catholicism:

Orthodox Church: comprises churches in communion with the Patriarchal Sees of the East, such as the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Split in the 11th Century/Great Schism, the nation of Turkey, known then by the Eastern Church Constantinople, did not agree with the power of the Pope. This forms the Orthodox Church.

Protestantism:  In the 16^th century, Martin Luther, John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli inaugurated what has come to be called Protestantism.  There are many different form Protestant religions.  It is a branch within Christianity containing many denominations with some differing practices and doctrines that principally originated in the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation.

The Catholic Church comprises those Particular churches, headed by bishops, in communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, as its highest authority in matters of faith.

Variants Task:

1.       Roman Catholic: 1.1 Billion

Protestant: 370 Million

Orthodox: 218 million

2.       Roman Catholic beliefs:

-          The Pope is the ultimate ruler

-          Authority within the church lies within the hierarchy of the church

-          Believe baptism is a sacrament that purifies

-          Truth is found in the bible

-          Accept 66 books of the Bible

-          Believe in Hell and purgatory

-          Forgiveness of sin achieved through confession in church rituals

-          Immaculate Conception

-          Have saints/ can pray to them

-          Believe in the Eucharist

Protestant Beliefs:

-          Authority lies within the believer

-          Some variants e.g. Calvinism do believe in baptism, most don’t

-          Forgiveness is received through direct confession to God

-          Accept 66 book of bible

-          Only believe in Hell

-          No Immaculate Conception

-          Do not believe in the Eucharist

-          Pray only to God, no saints- saints are born again believers

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