Difference between revisions of "Christianity"

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Christianity

Foundations Jesus Christ The Gospel Bible Old Testament New Testament Ten Commandments Christian Theology Trinity: Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit Atonement Nicene Creed Creation Defense of Christianity Salvation History and Traditions Messianic Judaism Roman Catholic Church Arianism Orthodox Church Crusades Protestant Reformation Counter Reformation Protestantism Missions Great Awakening Social Gospel Mainline Liberal Christians Evangelical Christians Fundamentalism Important Figures Saint Paul Saint Athanasius Saint Augustine Thomas Aquinas Martin Luther John Calvin Jonathan Edwards John Wesley Pope

Christianity is the world's largest religion, having approximately 2.6 billion followers in 2024.^[1] In terms of its geographic distribution, Christianity is the most globally diverse religion.^[2] Christianity has always been the best way to turn one's life around, to achieve more, to overcome addiction and anxiety, and to enjoy life to a much greater extent.

Christianity brings God closest to mankind through Jesus as the Son of God. Literally, Christianity means "of Christ," or "belonging to Christ," or "being like Christ."^[3][4][5] The Book of Acts (Acts 11:26 ) records that "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." The title Christian is also used in Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16. Christians believe in God, the virginal conception and the virginal birth of Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, Heaven, survival of the soul after death, the Second Coming of Jesus, the resurrection of the dead, the Last Judgment, the reality of Hell, and the teachings of Jesus Christ as written in the Bible.

History of Christianity

See also: History of Christianity and Historicity of Jesus and Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Christianity's teachings are derived from the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the 1st century A.D.^[6]

The historicity of Jesus focuses on whether Jesus Christ existed as a real historical person, or whether he is simply a mythological imagination. The evidence for the existence of Jesus is overwhelming, as is agreed upon by every professor in every academic institution in every relevant field in the world.^[7] In other words, for someone to argue that Jesus never existed (and thus is merely a myth) is to place himself against not only the field of scholarship and the historical record, but even against reason and common sense.

There is strong evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ (See: Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ).

Main Christian Divisions

The three largest self-governing bodies of Christians are:

• The Roman Catholic Church (approx. 1.1 billion baptized members) traces its roots back to Saint Peter whom Catholics believe was appointed as the first leader of the church by Jesus Christ and the succession of Popes as the spiritual leaders of Christendom.

• The Orthodox Churches (approx. 300 million baptized members) trace their roots back to the Apostles, in the five ancient patriarchates of the undivided Church of the first millennium of her history, known as the Pentarchy,^[8] and are organized in Autocephalous national or regional churches in communion with each other. The Pentarchy consisted of the Church of Rome, first in dignity of honor, Church of Constantinople, Church of Alexandria (Coptic), Church of Antioch, and Church of Jerusalem. Differing theological perspectives and the growing development of the doctrine of Petrine primacy in the Church of Rome led to the Great Schism between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches in A.D. 1054.

Anglican Christ Church in Western Australia

• Protestantism: the largest Communions are the Anglicans (approx. 115 million baptized members) and the Lutheran World Federation (approx. 68 million baptized members). Protestantism has its origins in the European Reformation. The Protestant movement broke from the Roman Catholic Church under Martin Luther when differences over the nature of faith and works in the role of salvation, as well as other practices of the Catholic Church that Luther saw as unBiblical, were raised. Within Protestantism are four major branches:
  • Mainline, which comprise many of the major denominations outside of the Baptists. These denominations usually have high church services and have increasingly become liberal in their theology and ecumenical in their dealings with other churches, even outside Protestantism.
  • Pentecostal, these groups are generally conservative in their theology, and are known primarily for their emphasis on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit as a separate event from salvation, and speaking in tongues.
  • Fundamentalist, these groups are very conservative theologically, but are better known for their emphasis on "separation" from both the world (bordering on, if not crossing over, into legalism) and groups who do not believe as they do (which often includes other fundamentalist groups).
  • Evangelical, this term tends to be a catch-all for a church or denomination not falling into one of the other three categories, but generally also holding to traditional Christian theology. Most non-denominational churches are generally evangelical, as well as the largest Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention. As the name suggests, they have a major emphasis on Christian evangelism. They are also known for their belief that Christians should be active in the political arena, opposing such political views as abortion and homosexual marriage; in this arena they will work with any group—Protestant or otherwise—who will work with them.

Christian Beliefs

Christian beliefs are well supported via a large body of compelling evidence. Theologians, over two millennia, have debated a definitive summary of the Christian faith. While its interpretations vary drastically, probably the most commonly accepted statement of the faith is the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed.

Christians and Christian denominations agree on many points of doctrine while disagreeing on some. According to an online Harris poll from 2003, 99% of all American Christians believe in God, 96% in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 93% in Heaven, 93% in the virgin birth, 92% in the survival of the soul after death, 82% in Hell, 50% in ghosts, 27% in astrology and 21% in reincarnation.^[9] Note that the latter two beliefs are in opposition to the religious tenets of most Christian denominations.

Nonetheless, the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed offers a general overall picture of what Christian theology looks like, and serves as a useful outline and historic standard. Other creeds may prove helpful in research. See the Apostles' Creed and the Athanasian Creed.

God

In the Bible, a dove is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit.^[10]

See also: God and Trinity and God the Father and God the Son and Holy Spirit

God is a triune being. Though there is only one Divine nature there are three Divine Personages: God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three Persons are collectively called the Trinity or the Holy Trinity. While God is tripartite, this does not imply that Christians are polytheists. The doctrine of the Trinity is central to Christian theology, although several denominations that usually are considered Christian are non-Trinitarian. The God of the Christian is the creator of all things, is everywhere present, exists in all times, is transcendent, all-knowing (omniscient), just, and all-powerful (omnipotent).

A major theme of the Bible is love. In the Hebrew Old Testament the idea is expressed in the Hebrew word hessed, which is variously translated as loyal love, tender mercy, steadfast love, mercy, goodness, etc. in the New Testament the same idea is expressed in the Greek word agape, which translates to love, compassion and charity.

Jesus

During the reign of Caesar Augustus the Son (i.e. the second Person of the Trinity) took flesh from a virgin woman and was incarnated as a man. He was born in the town of Bethlehem and was given the name Jesus. At approximately the age of thirty he was baptised by his cousin John the Baptist and began to preach in the area of Judea and Galilee. About three years later, his teachings and works of mercy prompted the Jewish authorities to plot Jesus' death. Jesus was crucified. He rose from the dead and was seen by over 500 people. He ascended to Heaven. The four Gospels contain the basic account of what Jesus did and said.

Jesus summarized his moral teachings in two commandments from the Old Testament:

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets". (Matthew 22:37-39; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18)

The night he celebrated his Last Supper with the Twelve Apostles before he suffered, he gave a new commandment:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13:34)

Morality

Jesus Christ and his apostles taught a gospel of love.^[11]

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.^[12] In the Hebrew Old Testament the idea is expressed in the Hebrew word hessed, which is variously translated as loyal love, tender mercy, steadfast love, mercy, goodness, etc. in the New Testament the same idea is expressed in the Greek word agape, which is variously translated as love, compassion, charity, etc.

There has been endless debate over how a person should express love for God in his or her moral behavior. This moral dialogue found expression in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul addressed such controversies as circumcision (Romans 2:25-29), eating meat that was sacrificed to pagan deities (1 Corinthians 8), speculating about myths and genealogies (1 Timothy 1:3-5), and observing ceremonial dates and seasons (Galatians 4:9-11).

"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life".

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things".

Jesus Christ affirmed, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another". (John 13:35) In trying to understand the reason for the growth of Christianity in a pagan culture, it has been noted that while love of one's neighbor is not an exclusively Christian virtue, it appears that the primitive Christian church practiced it much more effectively than any other group.^[13]

In addition to sacrificially showing care for those within the community as well as to those without, (cf. Gal. 6:10) the Christians elevated the sanctity of life, opposing abortion, infanticide, child abandonment, suicide, and gladiatorial contests.^[14][15] While the primitive church tolerated the existing and pervasive cultural economic institution of slavery in the Roman Empire, the mandate of equal pay and just treatment (Col. 4:1; Eph. 6:9) greatly ameliorated the treatment of slaves, while advising them to seek freedom if possible, (1Cor. 7:21) and requiring that the escaped slave Onesimus be received back not "as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved". (Philemon 1:6) The Christian ethos of love also motivated a great expansion in the building of hospitals.^[16][17] By A.D. 500, most large towns in the Roman Empire had erected them.^[18]

Atonement

The Christ of St. John of the Cross by Salvador Dalí, 1951.

Christians believe with the New Testament that the death of Jesus, in conjunction with His resurrection, is an indispensable event for the reconciliation of lost sinners with God. There are three elements they see to the understanding of His death on the cross.

- Jesus having the knowledge that His path would lead to his own death, desired and willed that that take place, and persevered in that path though there was opportunity for Him to avoid it. "I have power to take my life and I have power to lay down my life. I lay down my life for the sheep".

- Jesus saw that in His death there would be a way for people to be brought back to the God from whom they were alienated and lost because of their sins. This would involve a substitution of Himself to effect, i.e. atone for, that development. "For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many". How this would take place was not new to the Jews of His day from their understanding of contemporary everyday practice of substitute payment - as in redemption of the first-born (Pidyon Ha Ben), or in the understanding of what aggadic stories such as the Binding of Isaac implied (see Midrash), but it was not the prevalent view that the Messiah was to be that payment. Though while alive on earth, he had hinted at it in sayings such as "unless a seed falls and dies, it remains alone, but when it dies, it brings forth."; it was only after He had risen from the dead that He explained Scripture (the Old Testament) clearly about the necessity of His death to have taken place. The disciples would henceforth preach, and Peter among them, that the death of Jesus the Messiah and His resurrection was for-planned and for-ordained by God the Father, and foretold in the Scripture (Isaiah 53).

- Christians of all generations have looked to the perfect Atonement, and the hope for reconciliation, accomplished by Jesus on the cross, to provide the means of understanding the solution to the vexing problems of the mind and of life itself.

Salvation

The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fallen 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). 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 said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life" (John 5:24).

Jesus Christ taught that "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Repentance, or a turning away from sin and toward God is necessary. Protestant Evangelical Christianity often uses the terms "saved" and "born again" to mean conversion, with conscious acknowledgment of immediate divine juridical exoneration of all guilt, complete amnesty and full eternal pardon issued on acceptance of the redemptive, saving sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross in the place of each guilty sinner (Hebrews 1:3; 7:25-27), while other Christians, such as the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, use the phrase born again as a synonym for baptized, referring to the sacrament of baptism through which the divine life of God in the blood of Jesus is actually infused by the power of his grace directly into the soul of the baptized by the washing of water with the word (Ephesians 5:25-27) and is entirely healed of the eternal deadly effect of all past sins, effecting an ontological change of spiritual birth by washing away the defect of sin, the power of God unto salvation flowing abundantly through the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, through whom the baptized is united to Him and actually partakes of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

Christians 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 be saved. Others say that this is a common misconception of the text, that it refers instead to the "fruits" of saving faith. Still others say that the free, unmerited gift of salvation from sin and death in hell must be maintained or retained by actively producing the fruits of corporal and spiritual works of mercy according to ability, or it will be lost (Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 6:4-8), unless before death the fallen away believer repents and returns (James 5:19-20; 1 John 5:16-17). Christians in the Reformed tradition (following the teaching of the 16th century French lawyer and theologian John Calvin) say that salvation cannot be lost. One Bible passage often cited is John 10:28-29 in which Jesus said of his own Apostles that they could not be snatched from his hand.

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

See also: Resurrection of Jesus Christ and Christian Apologetics and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

"The Resurrection" by Carl Heinrich Bloch

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is critical to the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul wrote, "if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain" (I Cor:15:14). Traditionally, Christianity has believed in a physical resurrection of Jesus Christ.^[19]

In recent history, Gary Habermas is considered a leading Christian apologist for defending the resurrection of Jesus.^{[20][21][22][23][24]} Other notable defenders of the resurrection include: William Lane Craig,^[25] Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell,^[26] Edwin M. Yamauchi,^[27] N.T. Wright^[28] and Michael Horner.^[29]

The Meaning of the Resurrection for Christians

The fact of the Resurrection of Christ is also believed to produce certain effects on the lives of Christians.

1. It is because Jesus rose from the dead that believers now can resort to a living Savior to help and deliver them from sin and from situations overwhelming for them by their own powers.

2. The New Testament sees in the resurrection of Christ a certain vindication of what apparently to the world and to all beings was a failure and an overcoming of Him by His crucifixion.

3. The coming of Jesus back to life means to the believer that, indeed, his sins are totally forgiven. This is because believers know that His death was as a payment for sins - a "wage of death" for our sins that He received in our stead. If He remained dead, believers would know that the wage had not been fully paid.

4. It is a now-living Savior that Christians know can go before them, can closely lead them through life — as He did when He was on earth. This makes following Him practical and real.

5. The New Testament reveals that it is the Risen Christ who received from the Father the Holy Spirit and He, through Himself, ascended to the Father, has given the Holy Spirit to us. This gives the believer in Christ both the knowledge and the power to live a godly life and live a life that can be an intimately and personally directed one.

6. The resurrected Christ was no mere reassembling of the molecules and particles of the Body that had been crucified. It was, indeed, a physical body, but one that was fully glorified. It was a "spiritual body". Christians know that likewise, they will one day be granted the nature of a spiritual body, and be full of health. They therefore are full of hope and consolation, and consider that, even now in this life, there is an overcoming through Him.

Worship and the Sacraments

Christians normally attend worship services at once a week, typically on Sundays. Some denominations, such as the Seventh Day Adventists, worship on Saturdays. Commonly, megachurches often hold services on both Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings to accommodate growing crowds. More conservative denominations, such as independent Baptists and churches of Christ, hold services on Sunday evenings and Wednesday evenings as well.

The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox denominations have seven sacraments: baptism, eucharist, confirmation, confession, anointing of the sick, marriage, and holy orders. Of these, Protestants observe only baptism and eucharist as sacraments,^[30] which are the only two for which they find Scriptural support.^[31]

Evangelism

In what is called the Great Commission, Jesus sent his disciples out into the world to preach the Gospel (literally "good news") and make disciples.

Great Commission

But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." --Matthew 28:16-20 NASB

The Departure of the Apostles by Charles Gleyre.

Internet Evangelism

See also: Internet evangelism

Campus Crusade for Christ International (CCCI) is one of the world's largest evangelism organizations within Christendom and has over 25,000 full-time missionaries. In 2006, Alan Beeber of CCCI predicted that internet evangelism will result in more conversion that all other forms of evangelism for CCCI combined.^[32] Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) is a worldwide broadcast and internet online and Facebook ministry proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord 24 hours a day with Christian apologetics programs, News Nightly news broadcast from a Catholic Christian perspective, The World Over with Raymond Arroyo, and daily broadcast worship and prayer seven days a week four times a day.^[33] EWTN claims to be the largest religious media network in the world.

Growth of worldwide Christianity

Hong Kong Christians at Gateway Camp. In 2005, there were four times as many non-Western World Christians as there were Western World Christians.^[34]

see also: Growth of Christianity and Historical examples of the exponential growth of Christianity and Global Christianity and Internet evangelism and Evangelical Christians and Resources on becoming a Christian

Christianity has seen tremendous growth over its 2000-year history (See: Growth of Christianity).^[35] Christianity has recently seen explosive growth outside the Western World.^[36] In 2000, there were twice as many non-Western Christians as Western Christians.^[37] In 2005, there were four times as many non-Western Christians as there were Western World Christians.^[38] There are now more non-Western missionaries than Western missionaries.^[39]

In 2023, the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary reported that there are over 2.6 billion Christians worldwide and this number will increase to 3.3 billion Christians by 2050.^[40][41]

In 2011, the American Spectator declared concerning research published in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research: "The report estimates about 80,000 new Christians every day, 79,000 new Muslims every day, and 300 fewer atheists every day. These atheists are presumably disproportionately represented in the West, while religion is thriving in the Global South, where charismatic Christianity is exploding."^[42]

Despite strong persecution in the Middle East, thousands of Muslims are turning to Christ.^[43]

Growth of Christianity

See also: Growth of Christianity

In March 2024, Frontier Partners International reported:

Where Christianity is growing the most

• Where Christianity Is Growing the Most, 2024

Center for Global Christianity - Annual statistics - including projected growth of Christianity statistics

See also: Center for the Study of Global Christianity and Growth of Christianity

The Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) declares about their organization that it is "an academic research center that monitors worldwide demographic trends in Christianity, including outreach and mission. We provide a comprehensive collection of information on the past, present, and future of Christianity in every country of the world."^[45]

Every year in the International Bulletin of Mission Research the Center for the Study of Global Christianity publishes an annual snapshot of global Christianity which includes projected growth of Christianity statistics.

Center for the Study of Global Christianity, annual snapshot of Christianity in the world:

• Center for Global Christianity - Annual statistics

Christianity by continent

See also: Christianity by continent

Below are articles on Christianiy in the six continents with major populations:

• Christianity in Africa
• Christianity in Asia
• Christianity in Australia, Oceania, New Zealand
• Christianity in Europe
• Christianity in North America, Caribbean
• Christianity in South America, Central America

Projected growth of Christianity graph

See also: Growth of Christianity and Future of Christianity

Projected growth of Christianity graph.^[46]

Early Church Community and Commitment: The Biblical Period

Jesus Christ

The Bible records that that, at least initially, the church saw itself as united. In the community:

"...they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. {43} And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. {44} And all that believed were together, and had all things common; {45} And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. {46} And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."(Acts 2:42-47; 4:32)

This community was soon "scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles," due to determined persecution which resulted in the dispersed disciples going "every where preaching the word." (Acts 8:1,4) Christian communities were primarily to be found in two separate cultural and liguistic entities—the Greek and Latin-speaking empires of Europe and the mid-east, and the Aramaic speaking sphere of the Parthian empire of the mid-east and far-east. This latter sphere encompassed not only the eastern portions of Syria, the Arabian peninsula, and Persia, but also extended to portions of southern India and even China. To this day there are many Aramaic Church members in the Kerala province of south India.

Early Church Community and Commitment: the Post-Biblical Period

Orthodox Church's icon artwork.

Justin martyr 100 A.D. - 165 A.D. From the "First Apology" (Defense)

But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching, bring him to the place where those who are called brethren are assembled, in order that we may offer hearty prayers in common for ourselves and for the baptized [illuminated] person, and for all others in every place, that we may be counted worthy, now that we have learned the truth, by our works also to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments, so that we may be saved with an everlasting salvation. Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands. And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to genoito [so be it]. And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion. (Chapt. LXV - administration of the sacraments)

And this food is called among us Eukaristia [the Eucharist = the Thanksgiving], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, "This do ye in remembrance of Me, this is My body;" and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, "This is My blood;" and gave it to them alone... (Chapt. LXVl - of the Eucharist)

And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead...(Chapt.LXVll - weekly worship of the Christians)

Tertullian (A.D. 160 -220), an Early ecclesiastical leader and writer, in his Apology (response to pagan charges) in describing the early church community wrote, ca. AD 197:

We are a body knit together by one faith, one discipline and one hope. We meet together as a congregation, uniting together to offer prayer to God. We pray for the emperors and all in authority, for the welfare of the world, for peace and for the delay of the final end. We read our holy scriptures to nourish our faith, hope, steadfastness and good habits. We hear exhortations and rebukes. We take such judging very seriously – as befits those who believe they are in the sight of God – especially seriously when anyone sins so grievously we have to cut them off from our prayer, our congregation and all sacred things. Our elders preside over us, obtaining that honor not by money, but by their established character. There is no buying and selling in the things of God. Though we have a fund, but not because people can buy religion. Once a month, anyone who wants to makes a small donation – but only he who is able and willing; there is no compulsion. It is not spent on feasts, but to support and bury poor people, to provide for orphans, the elderly old persons, victims of shipwreck and those in prison for their faith.^[47]

Pliny the Younger, the Roman governor of Pontus & Bithynia (northern Turkey) from A.D. 111–113, reporting to emperor Trajan of Christians, whom such pagan rulers found intolerable:

... Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer with incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for this purpose together with statues of the gods, and moreover cursed Christ--none of which those who are really Christians, it is said, can be forced to do--these I thought should be discharged. Others named by the informer declared that they were Christians, but then denied it, asserting that they had been but had ceased to be, some three years before, others many years, some as much as twenty-five years. They all worshipped your image and the statues of the gods, and cursed Christ.

They asserted, however, that the sum and substance of their fault or error had been that they were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god, and to bind themselves by oath, not to some crime, but not to commit fraud, theft, or adultery, not falsify their trust, nor to refuse to return a trust when called upon to do so. When this was over, it was their custom to depart and to assemble again to partake of food — but ordinary and innocent food.^[48]

Implications of the growth of worldwide Christianity

see also: Global Christianity and Internet evangelism

Given the increase in the public's access to global communications, it is thought that the more theologically conservative non-Western Christian churches could influence Western Christianity to move in a more theologically conservative direction.^[49] For example, non-Western Anglicans are exerting influence within the worldwide Anglican Communion against the stance of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion's North American provinces with regard to homosexual practices.^[50][51]

History of Christianity timeline

Early Christianity

See: Early Christianity

Positive effects of Christianity on societies

St. Basil of Caesarea founded the first hospital. Christian hospitals subsequently spread quickly throughout both the East and the West.^[52] See: Christianity and hospitals

See also: Christianity statistics

Historically, Christianity has had a positive effect on societies and there are a number of statistics which demonstrate this matter (see: Christianity statistics).

Christianity and social stability

See: Christianity and social stability

Christianity and hospitals

See: Christianity and hospitals

Atheism vs. Christianity

See also: Atheism vs. Christianity

In the latter half of the 1600s, there was an increase in the degree of ideological conflict between atheism and Christianity in the Western World. At first the conflict was of a secretive nature via the use of clandestine tracts.^[53][54]

As a result of militant atheism in the 20th century, there was widespread persecution against Christians in Communist countries such as the former Soviet Union and various Communist countries such as China continue to persecute Christians (see: Communism and religious persecution).

The 21st century is projected to be a century of desecularization and atheists are expected to lose influence in the West (and the world as a whole) as a result of religious immigration and the religious conservatives having a much higher fertility rate (see also: Growth of global desecularization).

In 2011, the American Spectator declared about the global population:

In 2022, the left-leaning Pew Research Center projected that Christianity would lose its majority in the United States by 2070, but that assumes a lack of renewed evangelism.^[56]

Resources related to becoming a Christian

see also: Resources on becoming a Christian

Below are some resources on becoming a Christian:

• Are you a good person?

• New Christian - UK

• Free audio Bible and Bible audio streaming

• AllAboutGod.com

• Evidence for Christianity

• Christian video testimonies

• Repentance

• What Must You Do To Be SAVED?

Tips on choosing a Christian church:

• Choosing a Christian Church

Books

• The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ by Bill Hull. ‎NavPress; Annotated edition (November 6, 2006)
• The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. NavPress; Enlarged edition (November 3, 2016)
• The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges. NavPress (June 1, 2016)

See also

Pentarchy in 565 AD.

Denominations or branches of Christianity

• Roman Catholic Church
• Pentarchy
• Eastern Churches -- Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East
• Protestant
  • Anglican (Church of England)
    • Episcopal Church (USA affiliate)
  • Baptist
  • Congregationalist
  • Disciples of Christ and Churches of Christ
  • Evangelical Christianity
  • Friends (Quaker)
  • Fundamentalism
  • Lutheran
  • Mennonite
    • Amish
  • Messianic Judaism
  • Methodist
  • Pentecostal
  • Plymouth Brethren
  • Presbyterian
  • Reformed
• Coptic Church
• Ethiopian Church
• Indian Orthodox Church
• Independent Catholic Churches

Disputed

• Christian Science
• Jehovah's Witnesses
• Latter-day Saints
• Unitarian
• Seventh-day Adventist
• SSPX traditionalist Catholicism Latin mass
• Liberal Catholic Church
• Oneness Pentecostalism
• Liberal Christianity

Christianity in the World

• Global Christianity
• List of countries by number of Christians

American Christianity:

• American Christianity

Christianity by continent

• Christianity in Africa
• Christianity in Asia
• Christianity in Australia, Oceania, New Zealand
• Christianity in Europe
• Christianity in North America, Caribbean
• Christianity in South America, Central America

Other articles

The prominent historian Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch, professor of the History of the Church at Oxford University, indicates that he believes Christianity faces a "bright future" worldwide (See also: Global Christianity).

According to MacCulloch, "Christianity, the world's largest religion, is rapidly expanding – by all indications, its future is very bright."^[57]

See also: Future of Christianity

• Future of Christianity
• Christianity and social stability
• Easter
• Christmas
• Adiabene
• Essay: The earliest Christian Church, a prison in Armageddon
• Aramaic Church
• Cathedral
• Catholicism
• Apostolic Tradition
• Christian apologetics (Defense of Christianity)
• Christians and the Law of Moses: an essay
• Christianity and Science
• Christianity and women's rights
• Christian marriage
• Church
• Conservative Christianity
• Eucharist
• Evangelical Apostolic Church of North America (Syro-Chaldean)
• Ex opere operato and ex opere operantis
• Evidence for Christianity
• Gospel reading in the Church: the Turgama
• Infant baptism
• Inspiration of Holy Scripture: An Eastern Christian and Jewish Perspective
• Jesus Christ
• Judaism
• Messiah
• Head covering (Christianity)
• New Testament understanding through the Jewish perspective
• Jewish Biblical way of interpretation: a solution for New Testament understanding
• Early Aramaic Jewish Christian prophesying
• First Century Aramaic Jewish Christian Gospel and poetry
• Aramaic Judaism, Jewish Aramaic Christianity, and John 1:1
• God on earth, the original!: an essay
• Passover Seder
• Persecution of Christians
• Revelation, Book of (historical exegesis)
• Red-letter Christian
• Sign of the Cross
• The Sign of the Cross: of Jewish Origin
• Essay: The Way of Salvation
• Gates of Hell
• Anti Abortion activism: a personal essay
• Transmigration of Words in Religion: an essay
• Singing the Hebrew Scriptures
• Christmas in the Holy Land: an essay
• Essay: How to "get" a church
• Essay: How to choose a Bible
• Essay: Water baptism cannot save, the Church cannot save, Born again by faith alone
• Bible translations
• Essay: The superiority of the King James Bible: Looking through!
• Essay:Christianity Needs Conservatism
• Essay:Christian First, Conservative Second
• Essay:How Many Christians In The World
• Essay:How Conservatism Is Essential to the Future of Christianity
• Essay:Important Christian Cities
• Essay:Virtue: Christian vs secular
• Essay:Counter-cultural Christianity
• Essay:Why Christianity is incompatible with Liberalism

Further reading

Encyclopedias

• Bodensieck, Julius, ed. The Encyclopedia of the Lutheran Church, (3 vol 1965), ECLS perspective
• Brauer, Jerald C. The Westminster Dictionary of Church History (1971), 880pp
• The Catholic Encyyclopedia (1907-1913), old but highly detailed and online
  • New Catholic Encyclopedia, edited by the Catholic University of America, 17 vol. 1967–1979.
• Cross, F. L., and E. A. Livingstone, eds. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd ed. 1997), 1840pp; excerpt and text search; online at OUP
• Elwell, Walter A., ed. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology‎ (2001) 1312 pages; articles by over 200 Evangelical or Fundamentalist scholars
• Hastings, Adrian et al. eds. The Oxford Companion to Christian Thought (2000) 808pp; 600 articles by 260 Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox scholars; excerpt and text search; online at OUP
• New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge (1911), major sources of older scholarly articles; mainline Protestant perspective
  • Vol. 1: Aachen - Basilians
  • Vol. 2: Basilica - Chambers
  • Vol. 3: Chamier - Draendorf
  • Vol. 4: Draeseke - Goa
  • Vol. 5: Goar - Innocent
  • Vol. 6: Innocents - Liudger
  • Vol. 7: Liutprand - Moralities
  • Vol. 8: Morality - Petersen
  • Vol. 9: Petri - Reuchlin
  • Vol. 10: Reutsch - Son
  • Vol. 11: Son of Man - Tremellius
  • Vol. 12: Trench - Zwingli
  • Vol. 13: Index

Histories

• Briggs, J. H. Y., Robert D. Linder, and David F. Wright. Introduction to the History of Christianity: First Century to the Present Day (2006) excerpt and text search
• Gonzalez, Justo L. A History of Christian Thought: Volume 1: From the Beginnings to the Council of Chalcedon (2nd ed. 1987); excerpt and text search vol 1; A History of Christian Thought: Volume 2: From Augustine to the Eve of the Reformation (2nd ed. 1987) excerpt and text search vol 2; A History of Christian Thought: Volume 3: From the Protestant Reformation to the Twentieth Century (1987) excerpt and text search vol 3
• Horsley, Richard A. Christian Origins: A People's History Of Christianity, Vol. 1 (2006), 318pp excerpt and text search
• Latourette, Kenneth Scott. A History of Christianity (2 vol 1975) excerpt and text search vol 1, to 1500, by leading Baptist scholar
• Latourette, Kenneth Scott. A history of the expansion of Christianity (7 vol 1939–1970), monumental history of missionary work worldwide
• MacCulloch, Diarmaid. The Reformation (2005), influential recent survey excerpt and text search
• McGonigle, Thomas D., and James F. Quigley. A history of the Christian Tradition: From Its Jewish Orgins to the Reformation (1988); A History of the Christian Tradition, Vol. II: From the Reformation to the Present (1996) excerpt and text search vol 2
• Pelikan, Jaroslav. Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine (5 vol 1975–91) excerpt and text search v. 3, 600 AD -1300; excerpt and text search vol 4, 1300-1700; excerpt and text search vol 5, 1700-present This is the standard history of Christian doctrine.
• Ward, Keith. Christianity: A Beginner's Guide (2008), 195pp

United States

• Ahlstrom, Sydney E. A religious history of the American people‎ (1979) 1192 pages; classic history from broad perspective excerpt and text search
• Balmer, Randall. Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism (2nd ed. 2004), 655pp Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism online edition
• Lippy, Charles H. and Peter W. Williams, eds. Encyclopedia of the American religious experience: studies of traditions and movements (3 vol 1988) 1872 pages; standard reference work; long essays by scholars
• Noll, Mark A. A history of Christianity in the United States and Canada‎ (1992), by leading Evangelical historian excerpt and text search
• Queen, Edward L. et al., eds. Encyclopedia of American Religious History (3rd ed. 2 vol. 2009) 1200pp
• Reid, Daniel G. et al. eds., Dictionary of Christianity in America (199)
• Wooley, Davis C. ed. Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists‎ (5 vol 1958–19820; 2565 pages)

References

External links

• What Liberals Say - Category: Christians, Accuracy In Media
• Christian Social Network
• Jesus through the Fabric of our Lives
• Real Life and Death: the interplay of Bible, Israel, America
• Who can be saved? Who can not be saved?