The Fundamentals of Christian Faith and Doctrine

Christianity: Core Beliefs and History

The testimony of the Gospels responds to an intention (the desire to share the conviction of the editors) and a petition (the preachers who had not known Jesus and needed data).

The Concept of God

Christianity holds a belief in a uni-Trinitarian God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). God became incarnate in Jesus of Nazareth and is present in the world and among people.

Founder: Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus of Nazareth is considered the Son of God. Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Mary through a miracle of the Holy Spirit. He was born in a manger and spent his childhood in Nazareth. At the age of 30, he was baptized by John the Baptist. During his sermon, he performed many miracles.

The Central Message

God became a human being in Jesus of Nazareth, who proclaimed that God is the loving Father. God sent his Son so that all human beings may be saved and continues to work through his Spirit in the Church and in the world.

Sacred Texts: The Christian Bible

The Christian Bible is the set of canonical books of Christianity. According to this religion, the Bible conveys the Word of God. It consists of 73 books (46 belonging to the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament).

• The Old Testament mainly tells the story of the Hebrews.
• The New Testament focuses on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, his message, and the history of the early Christians.

The Community of Believers (The Church)

The Church is a hierarchical community of believers in which there is an authoritative word to interpret the Gospel and guide the community, which is that of the bishops and the Pope.

Moral Teachings and the Great Commandment

The great commandment is: "Love one another as yourselves and love others." This is a morality of love that calls for perfection in love, especially toward the poorest and most vulnerable.

Major Branches and Denominations

Christianity consists of three major branches:

• Orthodox
• Protestant: This group includes many denominations and doctrines. Many identify themselves simply as Christians, following only what the Bible says.
• Anglican

Life After Death and Resurrection

Christian visions of life after death usually involve Heaven (also called Paradise) and Hell. Through Jesus Christ, our hope is resurrection—a new life with God after death. The Gospels speak about a Doomsday in which God will reward the righteous with eternal life.