Christianity-+Group+2

=Period 5= =[]= = = = **RESEARCH GUIDE: CHRISTIANITY** = **1. What are the religion's followers called?** **Christians** **2. Religious Text:** (What is it made up of? Give a short explanation.) The Bible- The book including stories, songs, poetry, letters, and history. It also gives records of the miracles Jesus preformed while he was alive. It also shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the parables he taught. Their are two different sections. The Old Testament which is the original Hebrew bible. This is also according to before Jesus was crucified on the cross. it also explains how the earth was created in 7 days, and how humanity became seperated from God.This was written between (1200- 165bc). The second section of the Bible was the New Testament. This was written by some of the apostles, and many other Christians, (during the 1st century ad). This testament encompassed the birth of Jesus, and also Includes his death. Plus the resurrection of Jesus. This book teaches mainly about how Jesus's death was to save humanity for eternal damnation from hell. Their are a total of 39 books in the Bible.

**2. Special Days:** (What are they celebrating? Are there any special activities?) a. Christmas- This is a celebration of Jesus's birthday, which no one knows the exact date of his Birthday. The word Christmas comes from the meaning Christ's mass. Most Christians started celebrated Christmas around 3 AD. Special activities include worship services from the church including candlelight lighting for singing and worship. Also in Bethlehem Midnight Mass is celebrated in the church of the nativity.

b. Easter-This celebrates the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his death. Most churches just have and easter service celebrating Jesus's resurrection, but some also do 40 days of lent which is fasting. Easter usually is celebrated on after the first equinox and the the first moon.

**3. Person:** (What was this person's role?) Jesus- Jesus was the son of Mary and Joesph, he became a carpenter when he was older. Jesus was a carpenter until he was 33 and then began his earthly ministry teaching Gods word, and teaching that he was the Messiah and new he had to begin ministering God's work. He started telling parables and working miracles. many converted to Christianity through him. he formed the apostles which was his closest followers and his best friends. later on he was crucified, and took all the sin of man with him, to save humanity. Without Jesus's death, man would have been torn from God forever and faced Hell as the ultimate price.

**4. Sacred Sites:** (Where is this site and why is this site special?) Jerusalem- Site where Christ was crucified and resurrected. The Temple Mount which is where Jesus would go to pray. Also this is where a temple was built and jesus instructed his followers to pray with him, jesus prayed in 44 different languages here, or spoke in tongues.

Bethlehem- Bethlehem was where king David ruled. This was also where Jesus was born in a manager.

**5. Major Branches:** (what are the differences in beliefs and actions between these sects?) a. Catholic- To be excepted into the Church, you need to be initiated into the Church. Then after they reviewed you and you are excepted to the Church. You must regularly keep your faith, because if you disown God you can't re except your faith. You also must stay in Good morel standings with the Church. Catholic's only believe in one God. They think that Jesus is a strong follower and the son of man. They also emphasize a little more on Mary. A big difference between Catholics and protestant is that Catholics believe in purgatory. This is when Catholics try to pray people out of Hell sort of speak, or shorten their stay. They do believe in both a heaven and a hell.

b. Protestant- Protestant also believe in one God and that jesus was the son of man. They do not emphasize Mary as much as Jesus. For protestants, all you need to do is believe in God and except him as your personal savior. From their you are saved from eternal damnation, and their is no purgatory. Other then that you can never lose your faith.

**6. Primarily Located in the following countries:** (give numbers/percentages if available) In 2001 their were an was about 2.1 billion believers in Christ.

**7. Core Beliefs:** (What are the central ideas to the religion? a. That Jesus died on the cross to liberate man from their sin and etenal fate in Hell.  b.That God is everywhere and everything and that he is the only God and the only one to be worshiped.  c.That the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ and that no one get to heaven.

[|Christianity]