The Early Years
Christianity has no single founder, instead its core beliefs draws upon centuries of ancient history and theological tradition. It began as a small Jewish sect in the first century, and its roots can be traced back to Hebrew Scriptures. Christianity at the time had some similarities with Judaism, such as the belief in one God and the ten commandments. But the advent of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the most important event in Christianity and was the catalyst for a new approach to faith and belief. This crucial event marks the end of the Old Testament and the start of the New Testament.
Even though Jesus is not formally recognized as the founder of Christianity, his life and teachings remain the fundamental element of faith for Christians. His teachings concerning love, peace, grace, mercy and forgiveness shaped the values that many Christian denominations still abide by today. Many of the modern Christian doctrines are rooted in the words and actions of Jesus. In fact, Jesus himself prophetically declared that he was “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). His crucifixion ultimately earned him the title of “God”.
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
The crucifixion of Jesus is one of the most significant events in Christianity. It’s often referred to as the moment when Jesus sacrificed his life for the salvation of mankind. The event is documented in the New Testament and is part of the Christian faith. By accepting his suffering and death, Jesus was said to have atoned for the sins of his followers and those who came before them.
As a human sacrifice, Jesus’ crucifixion symbolizes the ultimate act of love, and it has become a cornerstone of Christian teaching. Followers of Jesus believe that through his death, he became the one and only mediator between God and humanity. Most Christian denominations also believe that Jesus was resurrected following his death and that he ascended into heaven.
The Teachings of Jesus
Jesus’ teachings remain the cornerstone of Christian doctrine and have been passed down and studied for centuries. His teachings, which are outlined in the Gospels, focus on justice, mercy, and forgiveness. Much of Jesus’ teachings address universal suffering and the possibility of an afterlife. His teachings also emphasize the importance and power of love, which many Christian denominations believe to be the ultimate force of redemption and salvation.
Jesus’ teachings are divided into three key topics:
1. The Kingdom of God – Jesus taught about God’s reign on earth, which made him a leader of a popular revival of Hebrew monotheism.
2. The Parables of Jesus – Jesus also told many parables, which are stories that illustrate moral concepts.
3. The Beatitudes – Jesus recited the Beatitudes, which are statements that express and teach universal virtues.
The Disciples and Early Church
While Jesus himself was not considered the founder of Christianity, it is generally accepted that his disciples carried on his teachings after his death and established the Christian Church. This group of devoted followers included Peter, John, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Paul, among others.
The disciples were charged with spreading the teachings so that people would accept Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. After Jesus’ death, the disciples came together as a group and built the Church, a collective of followers of Jesus’ teachings. This same group compiled the New Testament, which is how Jesus’ teachings and prophecies were preserved for later generations.
Persecution and Expansion
The spread of Christianity as we know it today is due largely in part to the persecution, martyrdom, and diasporas that the early Church faced. Persecution of the Church began in the first century when the government tried to suppress the movement’s teachings of the Kingdom of God and the threats posed to their own power. As a result, several of the disciples, including Peter, Paul, and James, were martyred for their beliefs.
Despite persecution, Christianity flourished and spread across the ancient world. It was embraced by the Roman Emperor Constantine and eventually declared the official religion of the Roman Empire in the 4th century. As Christian teachings spread, the Church became the largest and most visible institution in the world and its teachings were embraced by thousands of converts.
Modern Day Christianity
Today, Christianity is the largest religion in the world, with more than two billion adherents spread across six continents. There is no single founder or leader of Christianity, although Jesus remains the central figure in the faith.
Christianity is also an incredibly diverse faith and there exist a broad range of denominations that adhere to a variety of teachings. From small Baptist churches to massive cathedrals, Christianity is a global faith that has spread to virtually every corner of the world.
Canonization of Scripture
The canonization of scripture is the formal process by which certain religious texts are recognized and accepted as authoritative. This process was largely conducted by the early Church, which ultimately established the New Testament as the basis for modern-day Christianity.
By accepting Jesus’ teachings and the writing of his followers as authoritative, the Church laid the groundwork for Christian doctrine, which continues to be studied and taught today. The canonization of scripture is essential to Christianity, as it established a uniform set of teachings and dogma that has been embraced by believers throughout the centuries.
The Role of the Church
The role of the Church in Christianity is important and it continues to be crucial to the faith. The Church serves as a vessel for God-given knowledge, and it is the primary locale for religious education and activities. The Church also serves as a place for Christian worship and acts as a spiritual community for believers.
The Church is responsible for carrying out the mission and teachings of Jesus and spreading the gospel. By acting as a physical location for congregations and a marker for Christian identity, the Church has been a vital force in the spread of Christianity since its inception.
Immorality and Sin
Christianity has long held that immoral behavior and sin lead to negative consequences both in this life and in the afterlife. Christian morality is based on the idea that humans are created in the image of God and, as such, have a duty to live and act in accordance with what God expects.
Christian morality not only outlines the sins that people should avoid but also establishes the behaviors that one should pursue in order to live a moral life. Jesus’ teachings are filled with examples of moral behavior, such as love, mercy, forgiveness, and altruism.
Social Justice and Activism
Christianity encourages its followers to fight for justice and to help the poor and oppressed. The Bible includes numerous examples of activists and prophets who spoke out against the injustices of their time. Christianity has become an increasingly active force in social justice initiatives such as the fight for racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrant rights.
Jesus himself championed the cause of justice and mercy, and he encouraged his followers to help “the least of these.” Christian activists believe that it is their duty to stand up for those in need and to seek justice for the suffering and oppressed.
Conclusion
Christianity is a global religion that has been shaped by centuries of history and the teachings of its most important figure, Jesus Christ. While Jesus is not formally recognized as the founder of Christianity, his life and teachings remain the cornerstone of faith for believers. From the perspective of biblical study and Christian history, Jesus’ role in the founding of Christianity is unique and his teachings are timeless.
