Christianity
Notes by Trevor Mander, BSc, MDiv, DipTchg.
History
John 8:58. 'I tell you the truth,'
Jesus answered, 'before Abraham was born, I am!'
Exodus 12:3. I will bless those who
bless you [Abraham], and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples
on Earth will be blessed through you. (2100BC.)
Genesis 3:15. And I will put enmity
between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring
and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.
Jesus of Nazareth born 3-4BC (2000 years
ago). Entered public ministry at the age of 33 before being crucified
three years later. The claim by his disciples that he then rose from
the grave formed the basis of the Christian message.
Eyewitness records and letters became
the New Testament of the Holy Bible.
Adherents: About 2 billion.
Basic Beliefs
Beliefs are summarised in the Nicene
Creed, the Apostle's Creed.
6 basics:
- Full authority of the Bible - how
we know about Jesus.
- Deity of Christ/tri-unity (Trinity)
of One God - who Jesus is.
- Virgin conception - how God came to
us.
- Atonement of sin at the cross - how
we go to God.
- Bodily resurrection of Christ - future
of mankind.
- Second coming - future of Christ.
This festival celebrates both the supernatural
acts and miracles that characterised the early church and the new
relationship with God that those acts signified; eg, speaking in other
languages a universal message.
Other Practices
Daily prayer and Bible reading. Universal
practice of baptism and communion (mass).
Motivation for Character Reform and
Social Action
His divine power has given us everything
we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who has
called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given
us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you
may participate in the divine nature and escape corruption in the
world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every
effort to add to your faith goodness; and to your goodness, knowledge;
and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance;
and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness, love.
For if you possess these quantities
in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and
unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3-8.
Hospitals and social action in countries
such as India.
Religious Practices
Passcha (Easter) Festival
Good Friday celebrates the death of
Christ on the cross and the victory which it indicates of God's forgiveness
over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:55). Easter Sunday refers to
Christ's bodily resurrection three days later as a visible sign of
God's power (Romans 1:1-4).
Christmas
Though historically not as important
as the Easter festival, it nevertheless celebrates the incarnation
of Christ as a man (Philippians 2:4-11) and looks forward to the time
when Christ would purchase mankind's salvation.
Pentecost
Celebrating the supernatural infilling
and power of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles (Acts 2
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