Christianity is a religion based on belief in Jesus Christ and his teachings. For Christians, Jesus is the Son of God, the Creator of the Universe.
The history of Christianity begins with the coming of Jesus to Earth, a little over two thousand years ago. Thus, Christian timing starts after Jesus' birth. Note that historical episodes are marked by dates a. Ç. (before Christ) and d. Ç. (after Christ).
It is the religion with the largest number of believers in the world. Currently, it is estimated to have about 2.2 billion adherents, representing 29% of the world's population.
history of christianity
The history of Christianity begins with the arrival of Jesus Christ on Earth, precisely from his birth, which took place in the city of Bethlehem, located in Judea (Israel's territory). He was the son of Mary and Joseph.
The adherents of Christianity believe that Jesus is the son of God, having incarnated on Earth to bring teachings based on the love in God and love of neighbor.
O birth of Christ, portrayed by Gerard van Honthorst.
The moral principles demonstrated and lived by Jesus during his passage on Earth are great teachings of him and even today are considered as a model that should be followed by all Christians.
The history of Christianity tells that the way of behavior, the teachings left and the miracles performed by Jesus caused great inconvenience to the Roman leaders of the time, who did not accept the arrival of a new leader with so much appeal to the people.
Through his actions throughout his life, Jesus aroused the interest of countless people who began to follow him. This would be the main reason that led him to be relentlessly persecuted by the Romans. As a result of this persecution, Jesus was killed, nailed to the cross, at 33 years of age. His condemnation and death came by order of Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea.
It is said that his resurrection took place three days after his death, an event that later gave rise to the Christian Easter, the time of year in which the rebirth of Jesus is commemorated.
Even after his death, the story of Jesus was replayed over the years. And it was the legacy of his ideas and teachings that gave rise to Christianity.
The story of Jesus and the New Testament
The story of Jesus on Earth is told in the Bible - the holy book of Christianity. The New Testament is composed of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The word Gospel can be translated as "good news", that is, in the Gospel the story of the good news is recorded: the arrival of Jesus on Earth and the memory of his teachings.
Learn more about the history of Jesus and read about the Gospel.
Main characteristics of Christianity
The main characteristics of Christianity are:
- is a monotheistic religion (belief in one God),
- is based on belief in Jesus Christ and his coming to Earth,
- the Bible is the holy book that must be followed by Christians,
- belief in the Holy Trinity (formed by Father, Son and Holy Spirit),
- the first and most important commandment of religion is: "Love God above all things",
- is the religion that has the largest number of adherents in the world,
- has the belief that after death people pass on to eternal life,
- belief in the day of judgment, which would happen with the return of Jesus Christ.
the day of Final judgment painted by Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel (Vatican/Italy).
Also read the meaning of Bible, monotheism and religious diversity.
Symbols of Christianity
Some of the most used symbols in Christianity are: dove, fish, cross and bread and wine.
Dove
The dove is the representation of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Christian history tells that the symbol is used because on the day of Jesus' baptism, in the Jordan River, the presence of the Holy Spirit was materialized by the arrival of a white dove.
Fish
There are some stories that explain the symbology of fish in Christianity. One of them mentions the fact that many of Jesus' apostles were fishermen, in addition to the fact that fish was a very common food at the time.
Another interesting explanation is that the initials of the word ichthus - which means fish in Greek - formed the phrase Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior (ICHTHUS - Iesus Christos Theos Huios Sopter).
See also the meaning of fish at easter.
Cross
The cross is probably the most representative symbol of Christianity. It portrays the memory of Jesus and his death, which meant an act of love for the salvation of society.
Despite not being a symbol that emerged with Christianity, it was adopted by Christian religions and is present in churches and in many objects used by Christians.
Read more about the meanings of cross.
Bread and wine
The bread and wine are symbols that refer to Holy Communion, the last supper that Jesus Christ shared with the apostles before the moment of his crucifixion.
Today, bread and wine are used in the celebration of masses and at the time of the Eucharist, as a representation of the spiritual food that exists in communion with God.
The Last Supper of Jesus. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the Church Santa Maria delle Grazie (Milan/Italy).
Rituals and Beliefs of Christianity
There are some rites that are cultivated in Christianity. The main ones are:
- prayer habit: is probably the fundamental habit of Christians. Prayer addressed to God is a form of praise, thanksgiving, or a request for help. Among the best known prayers are the Our Father (prayer taught by Jesus), the Ave Maria and the Credo.
- Prayer of the Rosary: praying the Rosary (or the Rosary) is a way of giving faith and showing love for God. During prayers, Christians often reflect on the four Mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous).
- religious sermon: the sermon is a common rite in times of celebration of the faith, especially during masses. It is the moment when the celebrant passes the word of God to the faithful. Reading and reflecting on biblical passages is a fundamental part of Christian sermons.
- celebration of the sacraments: the Sacraments exist or are adopted in different ways in each of the aspects of Christianity. But in general, the Sacraments are: Baptism, Confession, Eucharist, Confirmation, Order, Matrimony and Anointing of the Sick.
- Baptism: Sacrament in which the baptized person becomes a Christian.
- Confession: moment when the priest, in the name of God, grants the forgiveness of sins. Confession must be made before the Eucharist.
- Eucharist: moment of communion, through the consecration of the host and the wine, which represent the body and blood of Christ.
- Chrism: it is also called Confirmation, as it is a Sacrament that confirms the baptismal vows of the beginning of Christian life.
- Order: Priestly Ordination is a ritual that grants the degree of priest to a seminarian, that is, to whoever goes through the process of preparation to become a priest of the Church.
- Marriage: celebration of the religious wedding, which takes place in the Church. It is performed by a priest, who represents God's blessing for union.
- Anointing of the Sick: it is a sacrament given to people who are sick, with the aim of strengthening their faith to face the disease.
What are the Christian Churches?
Christianity is divided into some strands that have their particularities regarding some fundamental points. They are: Catholic Church, Orthodox Church and Protestant Church.
Catholic church
The Catholic Church is the oldest functioning Church. In it, there is the leadership of the Pope, the highest degree of the Church, which does not happen in the other aspects.
Other characteristics of the Catholic Church are: mandatory celibacy, the adoption of the Bible as a sacred book and the belief in the existence of purgatory. There is also cult of Catholic Saints and the adoption of Seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confession, Confirmation, Eucharist, Order, Marriage and Anointing of the Sick.
orthodox church
The Orthodox Church emerged after a split within the Catholic Church. It has more fans on the European continent, but it is also adopted by Brazilians.
It differs from the Catholic Church in aspects such as the absence of a leader. Furthermore, in the Orthodox Church celibacy is not mandatory and there is no belief that the faithful can go to purgatory after death.
As points in common with the Catholic Church, the use of liturgical garments, the Bible as a sacred book and the belief that the salvation of humanity is in the power of faith can be cited.
Protestant church
It is the most recent of the three Christian divisions and emerged from the occurrence of the Protestant Reformation, promoted by Martin Luther, in the 16th century. Like the other Churches, it also adopts the Bible as a sacred and fundamental book.
As happens in the Orthodox Church, in the Protestant there is no figure of leader equivalent to the Pope of the Catholic Church. Protestants adopt only three Sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist and Catechumenate (equivalent to Catechesis) and also do not believe in the existence of Purgatory.
Christianity Feasts
The main festivities in the calendar of Christianity are:
- Lent: it is a period of reflection and interiorization for Christians. It starts 40 days before the Easter celebration.
- Easter: date on which Christianity commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Pentecost: commemoration of the moment when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles of Jesus. The festivities take place 50 days after the Easter celebration.
- Christmas: Christian feast that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated annually on December 25th.
Read more about the meanings of Lent, Christian Easter, Pentecost and Christmas.
Christianity in Brazil
Christian religions are the most popular in the country. According to IBGE data, in Brazil, approximately 86% of the population considers themselves Christian. Among the divisions of Christian religions, the largest number of adherents are from the Catholicism.
The number is slightly lower than recorded in recent decades. But, according to the Institute, despite the decrease in the number of followers, Brazil is still the country with the highest concentration of Christians in the world.
See also the meanings of Christian and Christ.
