Christianity: Core Beliefs and Practices

The Apostles

An apostle is one who is sent forth. Jesus chose 12 men among his disciples. They are responsible for the animation of the communities after Jesus' Resurrection.

Disciples

Disciples are a smaller group that Jesus called to go with Him throughout Palestine. Jesus has a high-level communication with them. They listen to Jesus' teachings and make them a way of life. Their mission is to announce this message worldwide.

Crowds

The crowds simply listen to Jesus. They want something from Jesus.

Pentecost

For the Jews: God gave the commandments to Moses at Sinai, and it is the offering of the first fruits of the harvest.

For Christians: The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, the Church is born, and the message is not just for the Jews. The disciples received the strength to proclaim Jesus' message. The Holy Spirit is a help to understand Jesus' message.

The Second Vatican Council

Pope John XXIII opened the council in 1962 but died in 1963 before its conclusion. His successor, Pope Paul VI, finished it in 1965. The council proposed an emphasis on the community dimension and new attitudes towards the world. Its mission is to proclaim the Kingdom of God and work for a fair society.

Sacraments

Sacraments are different celebrations throughout a Christian's life to underline relevant moments:

• Baptism
• Eucharist
• Marriage
• Confirmation: Jesus promised his disciples the Holy Spirit to give them strength to announce the Gospel. They received it at Pentecost. Confirmation is celebrated when the baptized are adults in their faith so that they can assume their obligations as Christians. It is conferred only once, and only to those who are already baptized. Once the candidates have been introduced to the bishop, he lays hands on them while he asks the Holy Spirit to descend upon them. Then, the bishop dips his thumb in the Chrism and makes the sign of the cross on their foreheads while he says, “Receive through this sign the gift of the Holy Spirit.” We celebrate the growth in the faith. The candidate is invited to be a witness to Jesus’ message and to collaborate with the Church. Through Confirmation, he is given special strength to bear witness to his faith.
• Reconciliation
• Anointing of the Sick
• Holy Orders: Through this sacrament, the mission that Christ entrusted to the apostles continues. It is conferred to bishops, priests, and deacons. The apostles chose people to help them in their ministry. They are a memory of Jesus as the one who joins together the community of believers. That is why they perform the same actions as Jesus. The three must be consecrated by a bishop. The common gesture is the laying of hands. The new bishop is anointed on the head and is given the mitre, the Gospels, the ring, and the crosier. The new priest receives the stole and the chasuble. The new deacon is consecrated and clothed in his new diaconal vestments.