Christianity

Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ (4 BC-30 AD).

Jesus was born and raised Jewish, and then preached a distinct new religious teaching somewhat related to Judaism. He lived in the Roman province of Palestine (current Israel, Palestine, and Jordan), and spent much of his life in the cities of Nazareth and Jerusalem. He spoke mainly Aramaic.

After gaining a following of people and transmitting his ideas to twelve disciples known as Apostles, Jesus was later crucified (executed by being nailed to a cross) by his opponents. Christians believe that Jesus died for people’s sins, and he was resurrected after his death, spent 40 more days on Earth and spoke to several people, and then ascended to Heaven. Christians use the cross as a symbol of Jesus and their religion.

The various sects of Christianity differ on their view of the divinity of Jesus, but most believe that he was the son of God, or God in human form. Most Christians also believe in a divine Trinity, or three forms of God: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.

Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire in the 300s AD, and has spread worldwide over time. There are about 2 billion Christians in the world today, making it the world’s most followed religion.

Central to the Christian faith is the book titled the Bible, which is considered the most influential, widely translated, and best selling book ever. The Bible contains a section known as the New Testament in addition to the Jewish Tanakh scriptures, which Christians refer to as the Old Testament.

The New Testament, which is a collaboration of several different works, was written around 30 AD to 120 AD, and compiled into its current organization in the 300s. Of the 27 books in the New Testament, the first four (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are referred to as the Gospels. They make up about half of the New Testament, and are considered accounts of the life and message of Jesus.

There are three main branches of Christianity: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. Protestantism contains many various sects / denominations, including Adventist, Amish, Anglican, Baptist, Christian Science, Episcopal, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, and Society of Friends (Quaker). Another notable branch of Christianity is the Church of Latter-day Saints (Mormon).

Some Christian themes include holidays such as Christmas (celebration of the birth of Jesus) and Easter (feast / celebration of the resurrection of Jesus), baptism (a holy ceremony involving water), churches, priests, mass (the main Catholic religions service), the Catholic organizational hierarchy headed by the pope, the Sabbath (the day of rest in each week), and penance of sins (used mainly by Catholics and Orthodox).

New Testament Bible Passages

Blessed are the pure in heart… (Matthew 5:8)

Blessed are the peacemakers… (Matthew 5:9)

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works… (Matthew 5:16)

And why do you behold the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me pull out the speck out of your eye,” and at that time a beam is in your own eye? …First cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:3-5)

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you—for everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Therefore in all things, whatsoever you would have others to do to you, you should also do so to them… (Matthew 7:12)

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

…Unless you are converted and become like little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)

… Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 19:19, and also in Matthew 22:39)

…Many are called, but few are chosen. (Mathew 22:14)

And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mark 3:25)

And as you would have others do to you, you should do to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)

A good man brings that which is good from the good treasure of his heart… (Luke 6:45)

For what is a man advantaged if he gains the whole world, and loses himself or be cast away? (Luke 9:25)

…Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of the things that he possesses. (Luke 12:15)

…The kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21)

Don’t be surprised that I said unto you, “You must be ‘born again.’” (John 3:7)

You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

… Love one another. (John 13:34)

…If you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it. (Acts 13:15)

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us; for in him we live, and move, and have our being... (Acts 17:27-28)

Therefore, you who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? (Romans 2:21)

…If the roots are holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:16)

And don’t be conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… (Romans 12:12)

Be in harmony with each other… (Romans 12:16)

If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith people may elevate one another. (Romans 14:19)

Don’t you know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (I Corinthians 3:16)

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world [just because of a faulty public opinion], let him become a “fool” so that he may be wise. (I Corinthians 3:18)

… I will not be enslaved by anything. (I Corinthians 6:12)

There are no temptations that come to you that are not [also] common to others… (I Corinthians 10:13)

…[Unless you] speak with words that are easily understood, how will it be known [by anyone] what is spoken [by you]? [It will be like] you are speaking into the air. (I Corinthians 14:9)

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good character. (I Corinthians 15:33)

Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (II Corinthians 3:17)

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; (II Corinthians 4:8-9)

While we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporal; but the things that are not seen are eternal. (II Corinthians 4:18)

… Let us cleanse ourselves from all impurities of the body and spirit… (II Corinthians 7:1)

...Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good unto all people…(Galatians 6:10)

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (Ephesians 4:23)

And be kind to one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, (Ephesians 4:32)

Make the best of the [/ each] moment [/ time]… (Ephesians 5:16)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

And that you study to be quiet, and do your own business, and work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that you may have lack of nothing. (I Thessalonians 4:11-12)

… Elevate and encourage one another… (I Thessalonians 5:11)

Test all things; and stick to what is good; (I Thessalonians 5:21)

… Do not become weary of doing good. (II Thessalonians 3:13)

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; storing up for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on genuine life. (I Timothy 6:18-19)

…[God gave us a spirit of] power, love, and sound mind; (II Timothy 1:7)

Don’t get involved in foolish and ignorant issues, knowing that they begin quarrels. (II Timothy 2:23)

Unto the pure all things are pure... (Titus 1.15)

…Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law—for they are unprofitable and vain. Warn a conflicting person once, and then once again [if necessary], but no more than that. (Titus 3:9-10)

My brethren, consider it all joy when you fall into diverse challenges. Know this, that the trying of your faith develops perseverance. And let perseverance have her supreme work, that you may be supreme... (James 1:2-4)

Blessed is the man that endures during challenges… (James 1:12)

But those of you who only hear the word are deceiving your own selves. For anybody [who] hears [the] word but does not apply it is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, sees himself and then goes his way, and without delay forgets what manner of man he was. (James 1:22-24)

… Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you… (James 4:7-8)

… What is your life? … (James 4:14)

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing: that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (II Peter 3:8)

He that does not love does not know God; for God is love. (I John 4:8)