Origins of Christianity

1. Origins of Christianity Basic Beliefs, Observances and Symbols

2. Basic Beliefs Central figure of Christianity Most popular religion Story told in Luke, 3rd book of New Testament Jesus Christ Birth Angel Gabriel told Virgin Mary she will give birth to son named Jesus Jesus will be Son of God and Holy Spirit will make birth possible Called the Immaculate Conception Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay taxes Gave birth in stable and placed Baby Jesus in manager • Visited by shepherds who followed a new Star • 3 Wise Men come to find the baby for King Herod, who wants to dispose of Jesus • Angel tells Joseph to flee to Egypt; Herod orders death of all male children under 2 • Family returns to Nazareth after death of Herod

3. Basic Beliefs • Turns water to Wine • During wedding servants fill 6 stone water pots with water, which turned to wine • Heals the Leper • Touched leper’s face and was healed • Told to tell no one except the priest • Healing on the Sabbath • Forgave sins of paralyzed man and man walked • Pharisees said only God had power to forgive • Jesus said power of forgiveness is also for man • Loaves and Fishes • Thousands of people came to hear sermon • Fed them with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes Miracles Walks on Water Walked on water to still raging sea Raises Lazarus from Dead 2 sisters sent word that brother, Lazarus, had died Jesus came 2 days later and commanded Lazarus to rise from the dead, and he did

4. Basic Beliefs Jesus Christ Ministry Began at age 30 Apostles Met brothers and Simon and Andrew 12 followers who helped Jesus teach Sermon on the Mount Given on mountain in Judea to thousands of people Includes the Beatitudes • Passover • Jesus traveled to Jerusalem; was proclaimed to be the Messiah • Pharisees began plotting against Jesus • Last Supper • Dinner with Apostles • Gave final commandment • Love One Another

5. Basic Beliefs Jesus Christ Garden of Gethsemane Betrayed by Judas Arrested and tried for organizing revolt against Rome Sentenced to death by crucifixion Tomb Body wrapped in linen and placed in sealed tomb • Resurrection • Means ‘rebirth’ • 3 days after Crucifixion, Jesus was resurrected • Continued to teach for 40 days before ascending to Heaven • Spread of Christianity began

6. New Testament (Bible) Monotheism Most basic belief Mono = one Theism = belief in God Hebrew word = anointed • Most famous book in history • Translated into every majour language • 27 books that tell story of Jesus and Christianity • 4 books (Old Testament) also included Holy Trinity • Father, Son, Holy Ghost • United as one, each with special purpose

7. Observances The Lord’s Prayer Baptism Began with John the Baptist Occurs a few days after birth Often given a name; called christening • Principal prayer for Christians “Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be the name. Thy kingdom come, They will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.” Forgiveness • Central to teachings of Jesus

8. Symbols Cross Icthus Greek word for ‘fish’ Secret symbol for Christians fearful of persecution Acronym for “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Saviour” in Greek Used in the late 2nd century • Symbolic of crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus • Found atop most Christian churches around the world • Many variations Linked Circles • Stand for the unity of God • Sometimes the Holy Trinity Dove of Peace • Symbolizes God’s spirit at baptism of Jesus

9. Holidays Easter Christmas Celebrates birth of Jesus Begins on December 24th Traditions Gift giving Christmas Tree Carols Nativity Scene • Lent • 40 days before Easter • Time of repentance for sins and mistakes • Ash Wednesday • First day of Lent • Cross made of ashes of foreheads; symbolic of mortality and purification • Holy Week • Week before Easter

10. Christianity Today Branches of Christianity Has divided into many separate churches Each with own set of beliefs and practices Great Schism, 1054 CE Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church Reformation, 1522 CE Protestantism Divided into hundreds of branches

11. Catholic Conclave, 2013 Write you answers in complete sentences, and explaining clearly. Do your own work and do your best. After watching the presentation, answer the following questions with the best possible answer. Write the questions out. Who: Who elects the new pope? (List three things you know about them.) What: What do they use to elect the new pope? When: When can a conclave take place? Where: Where does the conclave take place (city and building)? Why: Why does the Catholic Church have a pope? How: How do they determine who they will elect as the next pope? • http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/come-si-elegge-il-papa/

12. The Frontrunners • Peter Turkson • Ghanaian, son of miner and vegetable seller • Attended seminary in New York • Conservative on sex and Islam • Very ambitious • Luis Antonio Tagle • Filipino, second youngest cardinal • Uses social media and in tune with modern culture • 200,000 likes on FB page • Elections “are not a popularity contest or a reality TV race where the winner with the most text votes wins”. • Angelo Scola • Italian, well liked and close to Benedict • Loves crowds and connects with younger people • Marc Ouellet • Canadian conservative who has taken on liberal politicians • Timothy Dolan • American conservative from New York • great sense of humour • Has dealt with sexual abuse cases, bad priests and Obama

13. The End