Christianity

INTRODUCTION• Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah

promised in the Old Testament.

• Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

• Christians believe that God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from the consequences of its sins.

CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION

• One of the most important concepts in Christianity is that of Jesus giving his life on the Cross (the Crucifixion) and rising from the dead on the third day (the Resurrection).

JESUS (HAZRAT ISSA A.S)• Jesus, also referred to as Jesus of Nazareth, is the

central figure of Christianity (the world's largest religion)

• In the light of Islam Jesus was sent by God in the Jewish people to make them believe in one God.

• Jesus performed miracles such as Bringing back from the dead, healing the blind and leprosy.

• Unlike other Prophets who performed miracles, Jesus himself was a miracle, as he was born of a virgin mother

• While still in the cradle, spoke out to protect his mother Mary from any accusations people may have placed on her due to having a child without a father.

• A Table Laden with Food

SECTS IN CHRISTIANITY • There are three types of sects in Christians. • 1- Orthodox (Greek)• 2- Protestant• 3- Roman Catholic (roman)

Topic Orthodox Protestant Roman Catholic

Bible - Composition of

Accept the 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books, but also a collection of books not found in the original Hebrew Bible. These are known as Deuterocanonicals.

Protestants reject the deuterocanonicals as not being inspired scripture

Agrees with Orthodoxy as to the validity of these books.

Abortion and euthanasia

expresses itself in opposition to doctrinaire advocacy of euthanasia.

Abortion and euthanasia accepted by many Protestant churches.

Abortion and euthanasia prohibited.

Baptism The Orthodox also practice infant baptism on the basis of various texts

Infant baptism often discouraged in spite of Acts 16:15

Infant baptism encouraged.

Marriage and divorce

Church stands opposed to divorce, does permit divorced individuals to marry a second and even a third time.

Divorce and re-marriage allowed despite Mk 10:11.

Divorce and re-marriage prohibited whilst first spouse lives

ETHICSABORTION: The Roman Catholic Church says that deliberately causing an abortion is a grave moral wrong.But under some circumstances abortion could be permissible.

EUTHANASIA (Physician-Assisted Suicide): Christians are mostly against euthanasia. The arguments are usually based on the beliefs that life is given by God.

Capital Punishment: The Christian Churches accepted that capital punishment was a necessary part of the mechanisms of society.

HOLY DAYS• EPIPHANY: The Epiphany is an ancient Christian feast

day, it celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. It also celebrates Jesus' birth.

• HALLOWEEN: dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows) and all the faithful departed believers.

• CHRISTMAS: Christmas is marked on the 25 December (7 January for Orthodox Christians).

• EASTER: Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the most important Christian festival, and the one celebrated with the greatest joy.

• PENTECOST: Pentecost is the festival when Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is regarded as the birthday of the Christian church, and the start of the church's mission to the world.

HISTORY • A major turning point in Christian history came in the

early 4th century AD, when the Roman emperor Constantine converted to Christianity.

• In the meantime, the considerable religious, cultural, and political differences between the Eastern and Western churches were becoming increasingly apparent.

• These various factors finally came to a head in 1054 AD, when Pope Leo IX excommunicated the patriarch of Constantinople, the leader of the Eastern church. The Patriarch condemned the Pope in return, and the Christian church has been officially divided into West ("Roman Catholic") and East ("Greek Orthodox") ever since.

Additional Information.• Church has referred to itself as the “Catholic Church”

at least since 107 C.E.

According to Christian history pope Simon was the first pope of Christianity

Pope Benedict XVI (16) is pope emeritus of the catholic church, having served as Pope from 2005 to 2013.