Christianity

Christianity is the world's largest religion. It is a monotheistic religion based upon the teachings
and miracles of Jesus. Jesus is the Christ. The word "Christ" means anointed one by God the
Father as a savior of humanity. Christ is not Jesus' last name. The central tenet of Christianity is
the belief in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah (Christ). He died on the cross and rose
from the dead physically. Through belief in and acceptance of the death of resurrection of Jesus,
sinful humans can be reconciled to God and thereby are offered salvation and the promise of
eternal life. He performed many miracles which were recorded in the Gospels by the
eyewitnesses. Little of Jesus' childhood is recorded in the canonical Gospels. In comparison, his
adulthood, especially the week before his death, is well documented in the Gospels contained
within the New Testament, because that part of his life was believed to be most important. The
Biblical accounts of Jesus' ministry include: his baptism, miracles, preaching and deeds.

Christians believe that Jesus is divine in nature as well as human. Jesus, having become fully
human, suffered the pains and temptations of a mortal man, but did not sin. As fully God, he rose
to life again. According to the Bible, God raised him from the dead, ascended to heaven, is
seated at the right hand of God the Father and will ultimately return.

Christians consider the resurrection of Jesus to be the cornerstone of their faith and the most
important event in history. Among Christian beliefs, the death and resurrection of Jesus are two
core events on which much of Christian doctrine and theology is based. According to the New
Testament Jesus was crucified, died a physical death, was buried within a tomb and rose from the
dead three days later. Jesus' death and resurrection are commemorated by Christians with special
emphasis which includes Good Friday and Easter Sunday. 

Trinity

Christian believes in Trinity. It refers to the teaching that the one God comprises three distinct,
eternally co-existing persons; the Father, the Son (incarnate in Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.
Together, these three persons are sometimes called the Godhead. Christians believe as "the
Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God and yet there are not three Gods but
one God". They are distinct from another: the Father has no source, the Son is begotten of the
Father, and the Spirit proceeds from the Father. Though distinct, the three persons cannot be
divided from one another in being or in operation.

Christianity teaches that there is only one God in all existence and that God made the universe,
the Earth and created Adam and Eve. God created man in His image. Image means the likeness
of God's character, rationality etc. God created Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of
Eden and gave them the freedom to choose between right and wrong. They chose to sin. Sin is
doing that which is contrary to the nature and will of God. For example, God cannot lie,
therefore, lying is sin. The sin of disobeying God that Adam and Eve committed resulted in their
being expelled from the Garden of Eden as well as suffering the effects of death. As a result of
their sin, their children and all of us inherited a sinful nature. In other words, our offspring are
not perfect in nature. We don't have to teach children to be selfish or how to lie. They know how
to do these things naturally. This shows that we are born in a fallen state.

Christian Beliefs
1. God created all that is seen and unseen

Christians believe that God is the creator of all people, the world, the universe, and everything
seen and unseen.

2. Jesus is the Son of God and is one with God

Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God that he is one with God and that he was sent here
for our salvation.

3. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary

Christians believe that Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit of God and born through the
Virgin Mary. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came
together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

4. Jesus suffered and was crucified

Jesus suffered and died for our sins. Jesus was falsely accused of being an anti-government rebel.
He was brought to Pontius Pilate to be executed through crucifixion. He was mocked, beaten,
taunted and crucified by the Romans.

5. Jesus died and was buried

Jesus died after being crucified. He was buried in a tomb.

6. Jesus rose again (the Resurrection)

Jesus was resurrected which means that he died and was brought back to life again.

7. Jesus ascended into Heaven

Jesus ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. This happened
after Jesus was resurrected. Bible mentions that we too can go to Heaven through faith in Jesus
Christ.

8. Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead

Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

9. Anyone can have salvation

All people may receive salvation in the name of Jesus Christ.

10. People who repent of their sins will be forgiven

People are forgiven and saved if they confess their sins.

Branches in Christianity

1. Catholicism
2. Protestantism

The division in Christianity is the issue of the sufficiency and authority of Scripture. Protestants
believe that the Bible alone is the source of God’s special revelation to mankind and is necessary
for our salvation from sin. Protestants view the Bible as the standard by which all Christian
behavior must be measured. This belief is commonly referred to as “sola scriptura” (sola in
Latin means “alone”) 

Another disagreement between Catholicism and Protestantism is over the office and authority of
the Pope. According to Catholicism the Pope is the “Vicar of Christ” (a vicar is "a substitute")
and takes the place of Jesus as the visible head of the Church. As such, the Pope has the ability to
speak with authority on matters of faith and practice, making his teachings infallible and binding
upon all Christians. On the other hand, Protestants believe that no human being is infallible and
that Christ alone is the Head of the Church.