Christianity
Christianity is a monotheist Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Christianity dominates religious and cultural life in Europe and has adherents in Africa and Asia.
At the core of Christianity is the belief that Jesus was the Messiah prophesied in Jewish faith, and that God, while indivisible, has three consubstantial aspects: Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit, known as the Holy Trinity.
Christians believe in an afterlife for the soul. Worthy souls go to heaven, usally after a period of time in purgatory to purify them of sins, and unworthy souls go to hell. Equally important in the Christian outlook is the concept of original sin - that all humanity is tainted with the sin of Adam and Eve, the first people, and redemption is only possible through Christianity.
The Christian holy book is the Bible, usually only available in Latin in the West. Full copies containing all the books of the Bible are rare, and few people can read them anyway. Most people's knowledge of Christian teachings is through their priest, from wall paintings or from folklore.
History
Early history
The Apostolic Church
Christianity begin as a messianic, apocalyptic Jewish sect in Roman Palestine following the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth around 33 AD. According to the Acts of the Apostles, the first church in Jerusalem had around 120 Jewish followers shortly after the Crucifixion, but expanded rapdily as Jesus' disciples, filled with Holy Spirit, began their mission. The earliest church was led by the apostles Peter, James the Just and John. They were soon joined by Paul, a Pharisee devoted to stamping out the Christian cultists who experienced a change of heart. Peter experienced a vision that told him Christ's message was for both Jews and gentiles (non-Jews Paul was instrumental in spreading Christian teachings through the eastern Mediterranean. According to the Acts, the Apostles devoted themselves to teaching and prayer. The early Chsistians had no possessions and lived communcally; supporters sold land to provide donations to the community. This Apostolic church inspired the later monastic movements, and the papal reformers of the 11th century, who saw themselves as restoring the Catholic Church to an earlier, purer version.Tenets of Faith
The core tenets of Cristianity are set out in the Nicene Creed, developed at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. The statements of belief contained in the Nicene Creed not only define Christian belief, but stand in opposition to the heresy of Arianism.
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.A second, the Apostles Creed, developed during the 5th century, also holds the key tenets:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen
Ethics
The most important ethical instructions of Christianity are the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.
In the form used by the Catholic Church they are:
1. I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
3. Remember the Lord's day, to keep it holy.
4. Honour thy father and thy mother.
5. Thou shalt not murder.
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
7. Thou shalt not steal.
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, or his slaves, or his animals, or anything of thy neighbour.
2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
3. Remember the Lord's day, to keep it holy.
4. Honour thy father and thy mother.
5. Thou shalt not murder.
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
7. Thou shalt not steal.
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, or his slaves, or his animals, or anything of thy neighbour.
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