Christianity 101 | National Geographic

Summary

Two thousand years ago, Christianity emerged in Judea with Jesus Christ's teachings. Initially a small Jewish sect, it grew into the world's largest religion with two billion followers. Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection form the faith's core. Paul the Apostle expanded it across the Roman Empire. Today, despite denominational diversity, Christianity's message of peace and forgiveness endures.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Christianity originated about 2,000 years ago in the Middle East.
• 🕊️ It is a monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, believed to be the son of God.
• 📜 The Gospels are the primary source of information about the early days of Christianity and the life of Jesus.
• 🐣 Jesus was born in Judea and was immaculately conceived according to tradition.
• 🛠️ Jesus was possibly trained as a carpenter before he began preaching at the age of 30.
• ✝️ The central message of Jesus was forgiveness of sins for achieving righteousness.
• 🔗 Jesus was crucified but, according to the Gospels, was resurrected by God.
• 🌐 Paul the Apostle played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity across the Roman Empire.
• 📚 The Christian faith has developed a vast collection of scriptures, forming the Bible.
• 🌉 Christianity has diversified into many denominations and is practiced across all continents.
• 🌟 With two billion followers, Christianity is the largest religion in the world.
• 🕊️ The core message of peace and forgiveness remains central to Christianity after 2,000 years.

Q & A

What is the significance of Christianity in the context of the Middle East?

Christianity originated in the Middle East about 2,000 years ago in the province of Judea, and its teachings have since defined the lives of billions and altered the course of world events.

What is the core belief of Christianity?

Christianity is a monotheistic religion that centers on the teachings of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the son of an almighty Universal God. Believers access God and the afterlife through faith in Jesus Christ.

How did Christianity begin?

Christianity began in Judea as a sect of Judaism with a small number of followers. It was founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ, who preached forgiveness of sins as the key to righteousness.

What are the Gospels and why are they important?

The Gospels are four books that provide the earliest accounts of the life of Jesus Christ. They are considered the foundation of Christian beliefs and teachings.

How was Jesus Christ's conception described in the Gospels?

According to the Gospels, Jesus was immaculately conceived by God to Mary, his mother, and Joseph, his father, was a carpenter or builder by trade.

What was the turning point in Jesus Christ's life?

The turning point in Jesus Christ's life was when he began preaching at the age of 30, emphasizing forgiveness of sins as the path to righteousness.

Why was Jesus Christ crucified?

Jesus Christ was crucified because the Jewish religious leaders and Roman rulers declared him an agitator, perceiving his teachings as a threat to their authority.

What is the significance of Jesus Christ's resurrection according to the Gospels?

The resurrection of Jesus Christ's body by God is a central tenet of Christianity, symbolizing victory over death and the promise of eternal life for believers.

Who was Paul the Apostle and what role did he play in the spread of Christianity?

Paul the Apostle was a Greek-speaking Jew who, after a vision of Jesus Christ, converted to Christianity and made it his mission to establish churches across the Roman Empire, thus spreading the faith.

How did Christianity evolve over the next two millennia?

Over two millennia, Christianity grew from an esoteric Jewish sect to the world's largest religion, with scriptures like the Gospels forming the Bible and numerous denominations emerging.

What is the estimated number of Jesus Christ's followers today?

Today, Christianity has approximately two billion followers across all seven continents.

How has the message of Christianity remained relevant over the centuries?

The simple message of peace and forgiveness from Jesus Christ has remained powerful and relevant, adapting to the spiritual needs and desires of its adherents worldwide.