A Brief Introduction to Christianity
Origin
Christianity originated with the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The exact time of Jesus Christ's birth is not known but it is believed to be between 4 BC and 6 AD. The Christian Gospel began to be widely spread after Jesus' death and resurrection.
Basic Beliefs
Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary by Immaculate Conception. Jesus began his ministry around the age of 30, preaching of his divine existence as the Son of God, teaching parables, giving sermons, and performing many miracles. According to the Christian faith Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind and raised the dead.
After approximately three years of preaching to the multitudes, Jesus was arrested, tried and sentenced to death by the Romans for claiming to be the Son of God. Central to Christianity is the belief that Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world and on the third day was resurrected. After his resurrection Jesus appeared to his apostles and then ascended into Heaven with a promise of returning for the final judgment of the living and the dead. It wasn't until after Jesus appeared to his twelve apostles that they began to widely spread the Christian Gospel.
The Second Coming
Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ will return from Heaven to Earth in glory to judge the living and the dead and to establish his kingdom on Earth. Christians look forward to the resurrection of the dead and in life after death.
The Bible
The Bible is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Christians believe in the divinity of both the Old and New Testaments. Many different versions of the Bible exist, the most widely accepted being the King James Bible.
The Trinity
Most Christian denominations believe in the trinity (one God consisting of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost), however, some denominations believe that the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings.
Statistics
Today Christianity has over 2 billion followers and is the largest faith of the world. There are several different denominations and religions within the Christian faith with varied beliefs, though all are centered around Jesus Christ as Lord and Messiah.
