Study Notes on Christianity

Christianity Overview

Definition:
- Christianity is a religion that was intended to be universal.
- "Go teach all nations" – a command given by Jesus Christ to his disciples, emphasizing the call for universal outreach.
Origins:
- Christianity developed from Judaism.
- The Christian Bible includes the Hebrew Bible as their Old Testament.
- The majority of early Christian history is documented in the New Testament.

Divisions:
- The New Testament comprises four main parts:
- The Gospels:
  - Accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus.
  - Written by the four evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
- The Acts of the Apostles:
  - Describes the spread of early Christianity after Jesus’ ascension.
- The Epistles:
  - Letters addressing early Christian communities, notably authored by Paul.
- The Revelation:
  - Contains prophetic messages in symbolic language about the triumph of Christianity.

Gospels:
- Matthew (75-80 C.E.)
- Mark (65-70 C.E.)
- Luke (85 C.E.)
- John (90-100 C.E.)
History:
- Acts of the Apostles
Epistles:
- Pauline Epistles (c.50-125 C.E.):
- Romans
- 1-2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1-2 Thessalonians
- 1-2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
- Hebrews
- Universal Epistles (c.90-125 C.E.):
- James
- 1-2 Peter
- 1-3 John
- Jude
Prophecy:
- Revelation (c.95 C.E.)

Christian beliefs are summarized in creeds, which vary in specific wording but share common elements.
Holy Trinity:
- Acknowledgement of one God existing in three persons—God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- Majority of Christians regard this belief as fundamental.
Core Teachings:
- The essence of Christianity can be summarized by two commandments:
- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.”
- “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Life of a Christian revolves around:
- Praise and thanksgiving for God.
- Acts of love towards others.
- Belief in life after death is a significant tenet in Christianity.
- Christians, particularly Catholics, have additional devotion to Mary, the Mother of God.

c. 4 BCE – c. 29 CE: Life of Jesus
c. 4 -64 CE: Life of Paul
313 CE: Edict of Toleration issued by Constantine legalizing Christianity.
354-430 CE: Life of Augustine.
476 CE: Fall of the Western Roman Empire.
c. 480-c. 547 CE: Life of Benedict.
638 CE: Muslim conquest of Jerusalem.
1054 CE: Split between Eastern and Western Christianity.
1099 CE: First Crusade; conquest of Jerusalem.
1347-1351 CE: Black Death.
1453 CE: Conquest of Constantinople by Muslim forces.
1493-1546 CE: Life of Martin Luther.
1492 CE: Expulsion of Jews and Muslims from Spain.
1509-1564 CE: Life of John Calvin.
1517 CE: Start of the Protestant Reformation.
1534 CE: King Henry VIII founds the Church of England.
1565 CE: Introduction of Christianity to the Philippines.
1805-1844 CE: Life of Joseph Smith.
19XX CE: Establishment of Iglesia ni Cristo.
1948 CE: Initiation of the World Council of Churches.
1962-1965 CE: Modernization of Catholic practices in Second Vatican Council.

Sacraments:
- Considered signs of God's grace.
- Conversion Process:
- Prospective converts must undergo baptism.
- Eucharist:
- Gathering where participants share the Body and Blood of Christ.
- Confirmation:
- A blessing that follows baptism.
- Reconciliation:
- Confession of sins and receiving absolution.
- Matrimony:
- Lifelong commitment between partners with God at the center.
- Ordination:
- Commitment to priesthood.
- Anointing of the Sick:
- Administered to the ill individuals.

Annual Feast Days:
- Major feasts include Christmas and Easter.
Christmas Observance:
- Initially celebrated on January 6, shifted to December 25 aligned with Roman midwinter solstice.
- Traditional celebration lasts for 12 days until Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the wise men.
Easter Significance:
- Linked to the Jewish Passover, representing resurrection of Jesus on the Sunday following Passover.
Advent:
- Four-week preparation leading to Christmas, symbolizing the 4000 years believed to pass between Creation and Jesus’ advent.
Lent:
- A 40-day period of repentance in preparation for Easter, reflecting the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert.

Foundational Leadership:
- While main tenets originated with Jesus, the institutionalization occurred through his 12 disciples and eventual apostles.
Feast of Pentecost:
- Occurs 50 days post-resurrection; marked by the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus' followers, legitimizing their mission and considered the birth of the Christian Church.
Early Church Composition:
- Initially consisted of many Jews.
- Judaism and Christianity coexisted post Jesus' death for around 40 years.
- The destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE led to the decline of Judaism and the growth of non-Jewish Christianity.
Paul's Mission:
- Formerly a staunch Jew opposing Jesus as the Messiah; underwent a transformative reflection leading to his mission of spreading Christ’s teachings.
- Paul viewed Jesus as God’s manifestation of love and emphasized his teachings as salvation.
Faith vs. Law:
- Paul contended with resistance from Jews who advocated adherence to Mosaic Law, establishing tension between Torah-observant Jerusalem Church and his own vision.
- In Galatians, Paul articulates that salvation is found in Jesus Christ rather than through the Law.
- Fruits of Faith:
- Include charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, humility, self-control, and faithfulness.
- His advocacy for faith led to the development of a universal Christianity, liberated from Mosaic Law constraints.