Origins of Christianity



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Origins of Christianity

Christianity emerged as a sect of Judaism in the early first century A.C.E. It drew upon the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians believe was the Messiah, meaning “King of the Jews,” prophesized in the Torah.

According to Christian tradition Jesus was born around 4 B.C.E to a young virgin, Mary of Bethlehem. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. When he was about thirty years old, he left Nazareth and met a prophet named John “the Baptist,” who baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. (Baptism is a Christian ritual where a person can be figuratively washed of their sins and born anew.) Following this, Jesus spent forty days in the Judean wilderness fasting and praying to God.

After this period, Jesus went back to Galilee and began to preach to people to repent their sins. He also preached a radically new kind of Judaism, emphasizing compassion for others over strict observance of the commandments. He quickly acquired twelve close followers who he termed disciples, along with many other strong believers. He continued preaching for three years, allegedly performing many miracles. Opposition to Jesus’ teaching began soon began to grow, until he was condemned to death by Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate. According to Christian tradition, three days after his death, Jesus’ body disappeared from its tomb. Jesus appeared to many of his disciples unexpectedly for a period of forty days until ascending to heaven.

After his death, many gospels were written about the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Many of the disciples and other followers went throughout the Roman world attempting to make more converts. This was largely unsuccessful until the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in the fourth century. Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire and combined the gospels with the Hebrew Torah to create The Bible, Christianity’s most sacred document.

-Source: William A. Young, The World’s Religions, World Views and Contemporary Issues (New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2005).

Basic Christian Beliefs

♦Christians believe in the Apostle’s Creed, which starts, “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth…”

♦Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God, born unto the world as a savior of humanity.

♦Christians see those who sin as in a state of rebellion against God. Acts of immorality are referred to as sins that can only be forgiven by God.

♦Christians believe in the Divine Trinity, or three incarnations of God: The Father (God the Creator), the Son (Jesus of Nazareth), and the Holy Ghost (God’s presence on Earth).

After reading the above, answer the following questions.

1. What was the messiah? Why is this person an important difference between Christianity and Judaism?

2. What is baptism?

3. Who condemned Jesus of Nazareth to death?

4. What are gospels?

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