 In its broadest sense, Christianity is a religion based

upon the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

 It is a way of life, embodied in a corporate society or
fellowship and centered on the worship of one God
revealed to the world Through Jesus.
 He lived as a human being for 30 years in Palestine
and was crucified by the Romans at Jerusalem.
The Origin of Christianity
 The Christian community is called the “Church” the
word in Greek was “Ecclesia”, those who were “called
out” they were called out of their former lives into a
new community.
 The birth of Christianity or what is associated with as
Church is a given a full account in the Acts of the
Apostle. The Book of Acts 2:44-47
 The Church is a community of people.
 Most important, the Church is described as the “Body
of Christ”. I Corinthians 12:12
 The religion spread throughout the Philippines,
evident in preset Filipinos, most of whom are
Christians.
Jesus of Nazareth
 The name Jesus means “Adonai is Lord” rendering of
the Hebrew name “Yehoshua or Joshua.
 The full name of Jesus of Nazareth would have been
Jesus. Son of Joseph. And “Cristos” means Anointed
one.
 Jesus of Nazareth was born in a turbulent Period of
History in an explosive place, filled with poverty,
exploitation, greed, class division, repeated
bloodshed, and massive unrest.
 Jesus also was born around 4 B.C.E in Bethlehem in
Judah, but grew up in the little town of Nazareth,
southwest of the lake of Galilee.
 Mother- Mary (Hebrew Miriam) was married to
Joseph a construction worker and craftsman.
 He was baptized by John the Baptizer and may have
been one of His Followers.
 He went out of his own and began preaching.
Matthew 4:17.
Two major Schisms
1. During the “Great Schisms” in 1054 between Western
and Eastern Christianity.
2. Another in Western Europe during the Protestant
Reformation beginning in the 16th century
Three Major Families of Christian Confessional
Tradition.
1. Roman Catholicism
- The English word catholic has its roots from the
greek adjective “Katholikos”
- Led by bishops who believe themselves to be in
continuity with the original universal church founded
by the Apostles chosen by Jesus.
- They are considered the successor of the Apostle
Simon Peter.
- Acknowledges the Pope as its head.
- Papacy came from the word “pappas”
- Popes are considered the “father” of the early church.
2. Eastern Orthodox
- The eastern orthodox branch of Christianity began
when the Roman Empire split into two churches in
1054.
- The split was a result of a rivalry between the Pope of
Rome and the Patriarchy of Constantinople.
- Orthodox Christians believes in 7 first sacraments.
- The Holy Trinity
- The death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
- They believe in the sayings of the bible
- Christ died for the sins of Humanity.
- There is NO POPE. But there are Bishops who govern
specific regions.
3. Protestantism
- In the 16th century, political struggles and corruption
in the church in the West led to the upheaval known
as the “Protestant Reformation”.
- The word Protestant is often popularly understood as
one Protesting Against the errors of the Roman
Catholic Church.
- Divided into numerous denominations: Lutheran,
Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, or Baptist.
Creed
- A brief summary of the apostles teachings.
- Most common and widely accepted creeds among
Christians.
One God, Three Persons
- The English word Trinity derives from the latin
Trinitas, “Triad”
- Believe that this One God exists as a Trinity of co-
equal divine Persons.
- The concept of trinity expresses the Christians belief
that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three persons
in One GOD.
- Bible = 39 books in Old Testament, 27 books in New
Testament
Incarnation
- The Incarnation refers to the mystery in which the
Son of God assumed human nature, or become flesh,
to bring about our salvation.
- The Incarnation is key to our Christian Faith. The Son
of God became flesh so that he could save us from sin
and death. The Incarnation fulfilled God’s covenant
 with the people of Israel and all humankind by
making God’s Word fully and uniquely present as
Jesus Christ, the word made flesh.
Practices
Baptism – the person is cleansed with water, to signify
repentance and cleansing.
Eucharist – Christians gather in the church and share
the Body and Blood of Christ.
Confirmation – Blessing of initiation after Baptism
Reconciliation – where someone confesses his/her sins
and gets absolution