1. Christianity: An Overview

2. Christianity is considered a world religion.
Why?

3. 4th Oldest World Religion
Rank of world religions
Oldest = Hinduism
Judaism
Buddhism
Christianity

4. Christianity grew out of the Jewish faith
The Jewish faith is monotheistic
Jews believe God would send a Messiah (Savior) to bring salvation to the people of Israel.
Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah sent by God.

5. Christian Population – Largest in the World
Estimated 1.6 – 2 billion followers globally
Christian population currently growing in Africa, Latin America and Asia while declining in North America and Europe

6. Jesus Christ
“Jesus” a translation of the Hebrew name, Y’shua. “Christ” is a variation of the Greek word “Christos” meaning “the anointed one.”

7. The Beginning of Christianity
Jesus born in Bethlehem, present day Israel in 4 C.E.
Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, born on earth to redeem the human race.
After Jesus’s birth, little is known about his life until early adulthood
Christianity officially begins with the death of Jesus in 33 C.E.

8. Religious Text: The Bible
Believed to be the inspired by the word of God and passed onto Jesus' disciples.
The Bible is divided into two sections: Old and New Testament.
The Old Testament is made up of 39 sacred texts from the Torah (Jewish religious text).
The New Testament is made up of 27 books from the years following the ministry of Jesus.

9. Christians believe there are three “parts” of God
Known as the Holy Trinity
The Father
The Son (Jesus)
Holy Ghost

10. God the Father
Christians believe that God is the father of all things. He is the creator of life, the universe and all things in it, including Jesus Christ.

11. God the Son
Christians believe the Jesus, although taking the human form, was God in the flesh. Jesus was the Son of God, and placed on earth to feel human emotions and teach the people of the earth God’s message of love and forgiveness.

12. The Holy Ghost The Holy Ghost has a variety of roles including:
witnessing of the Father and His Son
revealing the truth
cleansing sins
and giving us comfort and peace.

13. “Big Ideas” of Christianity
Jesus is the Son of God
Before his death, Jesus traveled the Middle East – preaching his message of love, tolerance and faith.
Christianity embraced social outcasts and sinners and challenged the rigid religious and social structure of both the Jewish and Roman cultures and faith.
Jesus preached mercy and forgiveness.

14. Jesus was crucified in 33 C.E.
His death is viewed as the beginning of Christianity
Killed by the Romans and his death was supported by the Jewish community who felt challenged by his teachings
Christians believe in dying and rising from the dead, overcame human sin and made redemption possible.

15. Basic Christian Belief
Whoever believes in Jesus, follow his ways and asks for forgiveness of their sins will be allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven.