This page will attempt to explain more about the Christian faith.
Be sure to view the PowerPoint Lesson on the PowerPoints page!
Christianity has it's roots in Judaism. The founder of Christianity was a man named Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem (in what is now Israel) to a young Jewish woman named Mary.
He grew up to become a carpenter by trade and a spiritual leader and teacher among the poor. His followers believed that he was the "messiah", a messenger from God, foretold in the Bible as the person sent to free people from suffereing and death. Jesus himself proclaimed his "divinity" (divine nature) at about the age of 30 and was himself baptised by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (see "Customs"). He then fasted and prayed for forty days in the wilderness prior to the start of his ministry.
Following his baptism, Jesus began preaching to the people around him and was generally quite popular with poor people and with those who were suffering. Much of what Jesus taught, however, was thought to be threatening to traditional Jewish clergy and to those in power. They thought that Jesus might try to "take over" or encourage an uprising by his supporters, so these leaders got together to plot what they might do to try to prevent Jesus from becoming powerful. The leaders decided to execute Jesus and used one of Jesus disciples (followers) to help them in their plot
Jesus was found guilty of blasphemy (showing contempt for God by proclaiming to be a god) and was sentenced to death by crucifixion. Crucifixion is death by hanging from a cross. It is for this reason that many Christian churches use crosses to signify Jesus.
Important Event:
The most historically important event in the history of Christianity is the death and subsequent resurrection (return to life) of Jesus .
According to the Bible, Jesus was warmly welcomed into Jerusalem when he entered the city to participate in Passover services. His warm welcome is remembered during Easter Week as Palm Sunday because his followers placed palm leaves and flowers at his feet for him to walk upon.
However, even as he was revered by his followers, political leaders were plotting against Jesus. Jesus knew that he would be betrayed by one of his disciples. For this reason, Jesus met with his closest friends for one last meal together. This is commemorated in churches today by the ceremony of "communion" or "eucharist".
The next day, Jesus was executed by crucifixion. This day is remembered as Good Friday. For three days, Jesus' friends watched over his tomb -- a cave with a rock rolled against it. On the third day, Easter Sunday, Jesus emerged from the tomb alive, bearing the scars of his execution. Numerous witnesses documented his return to life after death and he visited with several people prior to his ascension into heaven.
Customs:
Baptism: Water is often an important component of religion and Christianity is no exception. In the custom of baptism, a person is either fully immersed in water, or purified "holy water" is placed upon the head, of a person in order to signify a covenent with God.
Communion: Also called the Eucharist, this is the act that is performed in memory of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, in which bread and wine (or water) is blessed by a priest or bishop. The bread and wine are then eaten by members of the church as a token of remembrance of Jesus.
Holidays:
Christmas: Celebrates the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. According to tradition, three wise men (probably astrologers) from the east brought gifts to the newborn Jesus. The exchange of gifts at Christmas is part of the Christmas celebration.
Easter: Celebrates the resurrection (coming back to life) of Jesus following his crucifixion and death at the hands of Roman and religious leaders.
Lent: When Jesus decided to perform his ministry, he spent forty days and forty nights in the wilderness, fasting and praying. Lent takes place prior to Easter and celebrates this period of prayer and reflection. Practicers of Lent will usually give up one or more pleasures in remembrance of what Christ gave up during his time of prayer.
2. Who founded Christianity?
3. Christianity is related to which other two religions? How are they related?
4. What is the meaning behind the Christian celebration of Easter?
5. What is baptism? Why do Christians practice this custom?
(click here)
and the URI.org page.
2. Write a one-page (5 paragraph) summary of Christianity. Submit to your teacher.
3. Following this lesson, answer the questions to the right of this page. Submit responses to your teacher.
4. View the PowerPoint Presentation (above)
5. Watch a short video about Christianity. Click here then select Christianity and select your connection speed.
6. Take the Chrisianity Quiz (below)
(Take the quiz by clicking here)
