Founded: Christianity began 1,950 years ago in Palestine.

Founder: Jesus of Nazareth.

Major Scriptures: The Bible.

Adherents: Estimated at 1 billion -- largest of religions.

Sects: Christianity is divided into three main sects:

----- Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant.

----- Among Protestants, there are over 2,000 smaller sects.

The Majority of Christians adhere to the Apostles' Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of the Heaven and Earth, and Jesus Christ His only Son, our LordWho was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried.

He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended unto Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost .... the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting."

Protestant differ in various ways from this, but most Christian faith revolves around these basic points. Christianity has the unserving belief that it is the only true religion, the only path to salvation.

This engenders a missionary zeal, an urgency to evangelize around the world. Stress is placed on acceptance of Jesus as God and Savior, on good conduct, compassion, service to mankind, faith, and preparation for the Final Judgement.

Only good Christians will be saved. Today, over half of all Christians are Blacks. Membership is diminishing in developed nations but increasing in Third World nations.

Christian Beliefs:

1. I believe in God, the Father, Creator of the Universe, reigning forever distinct over man, His beloved creation.

2. I believe man is born a sinner, and that he may know salvation only through the Savior, Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son.

3. I believe that Jesus Christ was born of Mary, a virgin.

4. I believe that Jesus Christ was crucufied on the cross, then resurrected from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father as the final judge of the dead, and that He will return again as prophesized.

5. I believe that the soul is embodied for a single life time, but is immortal and accountable to God for all thoughts and actions.

6. I believe in the historical truth of the Holy Bible, that it is sacred scripture of the highest authority and the only word of God.

7. I believe that upon death and according to its earthly deeds and its acceptance of the Christian faith, the soul enters Heaven, Purgatory or Hell, there awaiting the Last Judgement when the dead shall rise again, the redeemed to enjoy life everlasting and the unsaved to suffer eternally.

8. I believe in the intrinsic goodness of mankind and the affirmative nature of life and in the priceless value of love, charity and faith.

9. I believe in the Holy Trinity of God who reveals Himself as Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and in the existence of Satan, the personification of evil, deception and darkness.

The Goals of Christianity:

The goal of Christianity is eternal life with God in Heaven, a perfect existence in which God's glory and bliss are shared.

It is also a personal life, enjoyed differently by souls according to the amount of grace achieved in life.

 

 

 

 

Path of Attainment:

Man's plight is caused by disobedience to God's will. Man needs redemption from the forces which would enslave and destroy him -- fear, selfishness, hopelessness, desire and the supernatural forces of the Devil, sin, and death against which he is powerless. His salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, that is, acceptance of Jesus' resurrection from the dead as God's power over the forces of sin and death. The Good Christian lives a life of virtue and obedience to God out of gratitude to God for sacrificing Jesus for the sins of all who come to accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. Jesus is to return again to judge the world and bring God's rule to the earth. Through following the law of God as found in the Holy Bible and God's grace man attains salvation.