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Line 1: − − ==Jesus== − Christians frequently hold that Jesus is their Lord and Savior, the Son of God, the Messiah foretold by Jewish prophets, and many also believe that Jesus is the world's only hope for salvation. − − == Salvation == − The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This is often interpreted to mean that everyone has displeased God and is now separated from him in a kind of alienation and enmity that results from the fundamental conflict between selfish human interests and God's interests (Romans 8:5-8; James 4:4). − − However, Jesus offered a solution to this Biblical dilemma in that by repentance of sins and faith in him (Jesus), their sins would be forgiven. He said that "...the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." (Mark 2:10) Jesus also said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Mark 2:17, and "Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men" (Mark 2:28) − − Jesus Christ taught that "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Evangelical congregations often use the terms "saved" and "born again" interchangeably. − − Born again believers are expected to continue living by Christ's teachings (John 8:31), as is appropriate for "children of Light" (Ephesians 5:8-10). Some believe that this is necessary in order to stay saved. However, this is a common misconception of the text. It is rather referring to proving that one is a child of God by their "fruit" (things that they do and how they behave). The Bible says that salvation is irrevocable and that it cannot be lost, if it was genuinely part of one's life to begin with: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39; NASB). According to the Bible, the reason it cannot be lost by natural things is because salvation was obtained through a supernatural being, namely Jesus Christ. This does not negate Jesus' human side, only that he was both one-hundred percent God and one-hundred percent man, according to the Bible. The Bible also makes it clear that mankind cannot earn their salvation, and that it is a free gift. − − == Christian beliefs about God == − − As a monotheistic faith [[God]] is the centre of Christianity. There are many key attributes to God. Amoung them would be his strength. As it says in the Book of Numbers Chapter 23 Verse 22 "God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn." Or, depending on the translation a wild ox. "God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox"<ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2023%20;&version=9;</ref>. − − God is also [[omnipotent]], and all knowing. God sees all, hears all, and knows all. God can destroy nations, as seen in Numbers 24 8 "God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows."<ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2024%20;&version=9;</ref> − − == Evangelism == − − In what Christians sometimes call the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus sent his disciples out into the world to preach the Gospel (literally "good news") and make disciples. The importance of preaching is later emphasized in the New Testament (Romans 10:14). Christians consequently spend a great deal of energy and money in evangelistic efforts. It should be noted, however, that Jesus Christ said it was the Holy Spirit, not people, who was sent to convict the world concerning sin and righteousness (John 16:8). Also, Christian leaders after him credited God, not people, with the growth and maturity of the Church (1 Corinthians 3:5-7). In other words, Christians are instructed to tell others about Jesus, but only God can make a change in the heart (John 6:45). − − Line 36:
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Line 52: − − ==Christianity and Paganism== − There are many links between Christianity and paganism. For example, many of the holidays, such as Christmas or Easter, take place during pagan celebrations. Chrismas falls near the winter solstice, a time of great celebration, and Easter takes place around the beginning of spring, the timing of fertility celebrations for over four millenia. − + + + + − + − *[[Roman Catholic Church]] (Western branch of the Catholic Church) − *[[Orthodox Church]] (Eastern branch of the Catholic Church) − *[[Protestant]] − *[[Anglican]] − *[[Presbyterian]] − *[[Baptist]] − *[[Methodist]] − *[[Mennonite]] − *[[Amish]] − *[[Lutheran]] − *[[Conservative Christianity]] + − + − + + + + + +
reorganized sections / put see also section in alphabetical order
'''Christianity''' is a belief system with One person at the center, namely [[Jesus Christ]]. Aspects of Christianity ultimately come from the entire protestant canon (Bible), but primarily the [[New Testament]]. At least by supposed adherents, it is currently one of the world's largest belief systems, with over two billion members.
'''Christianity''' is a belief system with One person at the center, namely [[Jesus Christ]]. Aspects of Christianity ultimately come from the entire protestant canon (Bible), but primarily the [[New Testament]]. At least by supposed adherents, it is currently one of the world's largest belief systems, with over two billion members.
== Christian beliefs ==
== Christian beliefs ==
Church leaders, theologians and scholars over two millennia have struggled to provide a definitive summary of the Christian faith. While its interpretations vary drastically, probably the most commonly accepted statement of faith is the Nicene-constantinopolitan Creed below:
Church leaders, theologians and scholars over two millennia have struggled to provide a definitive summary of the Christian faith. While its interpretations vary drastically, probably the most commonly accepted statement of faith is the Nicene-constantinopolitan Creed below:
Other creeds may prove helpful in research. See also: the Apostle's Creed, Athanasian Creed.
Other creeds may prove helpful in research. See also: the Apostle's Creed, Athanasian Creed.
== Christian moral teaching ==
===God===
As a monotheistic faith [[God]] is the centre of Christianity. There are many key attributes to God. Amoung them would be his strength. As it says in the Book of Numbers Chapter 23 Verse 22 "God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn." Or, depending on the translation a wild ox. "God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox"<ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2023%20;&version=9;</ref>.
God is also [[omnipotent]], and all knowing. God sees all, hears all, and knows all. God can destroy nations, as seen in Numbers 24 8 "God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows."<ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2024%20;&version=9;</ref>
===Jesus===
Christians frequently hold that Jesus is their Lord and Savior, the Son of God, the Messiah foretold by Jewish prophets, and many also believe that Jesus is the world's only hope for salvation.
===Morality===
The fundamental principle in Christian moral teaching is love and forgiveness, as expressed by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Testament. Jesus summarized his teachings in two commandments from the Old Testament:
The fundamental principle in Christian moral teaching is love and forgiveness, as expressed by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Testament. Jesus summarized his teachings in two commandments from the Old Testament:
Jesus Christ affirmed, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)
Jesus Christ affirmed, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)
===Salvation===
The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This is often interpreted to mean that everyone has displeased God and is now separated from him in a kind of alienation and enmity that results from the fundamental conflict between selfish human interests and God's interests (Romans 8:5-8; James 4:4).
However, Jesus offered a solution to this Biblical dilemma in that by repentance of sins and faith in him (Jesus), their sins would be forgiven. He said that "...the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." (Mark 2:10) Jesus also said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Mark 2:17, and "Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men" (Mark 2:28)
Jesus Christ taught that "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Evangelical congregations often use the terms "saved" and "born again" interchangeably.
Born again believers are expected to continue living by Christ's teachings (John 8:31), as is appropriate for "children of Light" (Ephesians 5:8-10). Some believe that this is necessary in order to stay saved. However, this is a common misconception of the text. It is rather referring to proving that one is a child of God by their "fruit" (things that they do and how they behave). The Bible says that salvation is irrevocable and that it cannot be lost, if it was genuinely part of one's life to begin with: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39; NASB). According to the Bible, the reason it cannot be lost by natural things is because salvation was obtained through a supernatural being, namely Jesus Christ. This does not negate Jesus' human side, only that he was both one-hundred percent God and one-hundred percent man, according to the Bible. The Bible also makes it clear that mankind cannot earn their salvation, and that it is a free gift.
== Evangelism ==
In what Christians sometimes call the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus sent his disciples out into the world to preach the Gospel (literally "good news") and make disciples. The importance of preaching is later emphasized in the New Testament (Romans 10:14). Christians consequently spend a great deal of energy and money in evangelistic efforts. It should be noted, however, that Jesus Christ said it was the Holy Spirit, not people, who was sent to convict the world concerning sin and righteousness (John 16:8). Also, Christian leaders after him credited God, not people, with the growth and maturity of the Church (1 Corinthians 3:5-7). In other words, Christians are instructed to tell others about Jesus, but only God can make a change in the heart (John 6:45).
== Christians and politics ==
== Christians and politics ==
Because of these and other such disputes, it is vitally important to stress that many devout practicing Christians are not politically conservative, and that Christ never personally endorsed any particular brand of political thinking.
Because of these and other such disputes, it is vitally important to stress that many devout practicing Christians are not politically conservative, and that Christ never personally endorsed any particular brand of political thinking.
== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[Amish]]
*[[Anglican]]
*[[Baptist]]
*[[Catholic Church]] (the original Christian Church)
*[[Christian apologetics]] (Defense of Christianity)
*[[Christian apologetics]] (Defense of Christianity)
*[[Catholic Church]] (the original Christian Church)
*[[Conservative Christianity]]
*[[Episcopal Church]] (Non-UK branch of the Anglican Church)
*[[Episcopal Church]] (Non-UK branch of the Anglican Church)
*[[Evangelical Christians]]
*[[Evangelical Christians]]
*[[Fundamentalist Christians]]
*[[Fundamentalist Christians]]
*[[Judaism]]
*[[Liberal Christianity]]
*[[Liberal Christianity]]
*[[Judaism]]
*[[Lutheran]]
*[[Islam]]
*[[Mennonite]]
*[[Methodist]]
*[[Orthodox Church]] (Eastern branch of the Catholic Church)
*[[Roman Catholic Church]] (Western branch of the Catholic Church)
*[[Protestant]]
*[[Presbyterian]]
==References==
==References==