Christianity today

 

Christianity symbol

 

                                 Christianity          

Christianity is the monotheistic religion founded by the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus, a Jew, was born in about 7 B.C and assumed his public life probably after his 30^th year, Galilee. The Testament Gospels describe Jesus as a teacher and miracle worker. He proclaimed the kingdom of God, a future reality that is the same time already present. Jesus set the requirements for participations in the kingdom of God as a change of heart and repentance for sins, Love of God and neighbor, and concern for justice. Circa A.D 30 he was executed on across in Jerusalem, a brutal form of punishment for those considered a political threat to the Roman Empire.

                        After his death his followers came to believe in him as the Christ the Messiah. The Gospels report his resurrection and how the risen Jesus was witnessed by many of his followers. The Apostle Paul helped spread the new faith in missionary travels. Historically, Christianity arose out of Judaism and claims that Jesus fulfilled many of promises of the Hebrew Scripture (often referred to as the Old Testament).

                         The new religion spread rapidly though out the Roman Empire. In its first two centuries. Christianity began to take shape as organization, developing distinctive doctrine. Liturgy, and Ministry. By the fourth century the Christian Church had taken root I countries stretching from Spain in the West to Persia and India in the East. Christian had been subject to persecution by the Roman state, but gained tolerance under Constantine the Great (AD, 313). The Church became favored under his successors, and in 380 the emperor Theodosius proclaimed Christianity the state religion. Other religions were suppressed.

                     Because differences in doctrine threatened to divide the Church creed was formulated by bishops at successive ecumenical councils, the first which was held in AD 325 (Nicaea), important doctrines were defined concerning the trinity-in other words, that there is one God in three persons: Father, Son and holy spirit (Constantinople, AD . 381). And the nature of Christ as both divine and human (Chalcedon, AD. 541) . Christians came to accept both Hebrew Scripture at the New Testament authoritative. The New Testament comprises four Gospels (narratives of Jesus’ life), 21 Epistles, The Acts of the Apostles, and Revelation.

                            Because of difference between Christians of the East and West the unity of the Church was broken in 1054. The religious center for the Eastern Orthodox Church was Constantinople, and Roman Catholic Church defines doctrine and practice for Christians in the West. In 1517 the Reformation began, which ultimately caused a schism in the western church. Reformers wished to correct correct certain practices within the Roman church, but they also came to view the Christian faith in a distinctly new way. The major Protestant denominations (Lutheran, Presbyterian, Reformed, and Anglican), [Episcopalian] thus came into being. Over the centuries, numerous denominations have broken with these major traditions .Resulting in a spectrum of Christian expression. In the 21^st century, many Christian hope to regain a sense of unity through dialogue and co-operation among different traditions . The ecumenical movement led to the formation of the world council of the Churches in 1948 (Amsterdam).Which has since been joined by many denominations.

     Though it missionary activity Christianity has spread to most parts of the globe.