Christianity - General Law - Lecture Slides, Slides of Law

Download Christianity - General Law - Lecture Slides and more Slides Law in PDF only on Docsity! Christianity Docsity.com Introduction • Worlds largest! • Approximately 1 in 3 people consider themselves Christian. • Believe that Jesus is the son of God and saviour of the world. • The majority of Canadians are Christian. Docsity.com Early Life of Jesus • The Roman empire had expanded into the region of present day Israel, then known as Palestine. • Scholars believe Jesus was born around 4 BCE, in the town of Bethlehem. • According to Christian scriptures, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin named Mary, who was engaged to Joseph. • He was born in the town of Bethlehem because Rome had ordered a census and people were required to return to the town of their birth to be recorded. • Because of this, the town was crowded and they could not find a place to stay, taking shelter in a stable. • Here, Mary gave birth to Jesus, which was then announced by angels to local shepherds, who spread the news of Jesus’ birth. Docsity.com Docsity.com Docsity.com • John the Baptist was to prepare the way for Jesus. He immersed his followers in the river Jordan, a ritual baptism that washed away their sins. • When Jesus came to the river, John realized who he was and said you should be baptizing me. After John baptized Jesus, the Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove), the life-giving presence of God, came to Jesus and said: • "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". The dove and the voice of God were a sign to John that Jesus was the Messiah who had been promised. Docsity.com Docsity.com Jesus’ Ministry • Jesus was about 30 years old when he started to preach in the synagogues. His message challenged accepted views and he was not popular with the Jewish authority. • He gathered around him a group of disciples or spiritual apprentices, 12 men who traveled with him. • He spoke to crowds, small and large, and preached the golden rule. He forgave even the most sinful and despised members of society. • The Gospels describe spectacular works, called miracles, Jesus did during his ministry. (Canaan wedding, the loaves and the fishes, Lazarus) • He also was known for telling stories, called parables, moral stories drawn from situations in life. He used them to emphasize values and teach lessons. Docsity.com Docsity.com The Church of the Holy Sepulchre • Perhaps the holiest structure in all of Christianity! • Located in Jerusalem, it was built on the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Docsity.com Death and Resurrection • Jesus was taken to the “place of the skull” where he was crucified, or nailed to the cross. • This event is called the Crucifixion, which Christians believe brought about the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. • After his death Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb cut from rock, with a large boulder rolled in front of its entrance. Three days later Mary Magdalene and other female disciples went to anoint his body, only to discover the tomb was empty. • An angel appeared to them and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. This is referred to as the Resurrection. Docsity.com Persecution of Christians • Early converts to Christianity were Greeks who took the name Christians, from “Christos” which is Greek for Messiah. • Soon after Jesus’ death, an early missionary named Paul (his name was originally Saul) actively spread Christianity in the eastern Roman empire. He wrote letters called Epistles, instructing early Christians and providing inspiration and guidance. • What is ironic is that Paul was once a major persecutor of Christianity: then an amazing event led to a dedication to his faith that makes him often referred to as the 13th apostle. Docsity.com The Lord, seeing in him a "chosen vessel," called him to Apostolic service by miraculous means on the road to Damascus. During his journey, a bright light enveloped Saul, from which he fell to the ground blind. A voice resounded from the light, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Saul asked, "Who are you?" Jesus answered, "I am Jesus, Who you are persecuting." The Lord commanded Saul to go to Damascus, where he would be instructed on what to do further. Saul's companions heard the voice of Christ, but they did not see the light. After being led by the arm to Damascus, Paul was taught the faith and on the third day was baptized by Ananias. The moment Saul was submerged in the baptismal water, he regained his sight. From that point on, he became a zealous preacher of the teachings he had formerly persecuted. He went to Arabia for a short period and then returned to Damascus to preach about Christ. Docsity.com Thrace Macedonia Philippl_Neapolis le en _ nee Athens. Rhegium Crete aun Fairhavens _-~ Second _ Journey to Rome Bythinia Cappodocia Galatia oe Paphos Senaurets Tyee “Alexandria Egypt CHRISTIAN MARTYRS TO THE LIONS IN THE 00) CM AT ROME D8esity!com Pai a Docsity.com Festivals • Christmas – celebration of the birth of Jesus. • Lent – The forty days before Easter, it represents the forty days Jesus spent in the desert. Traditionally it is a time of fasting. Begins on Ash Wednesday, where Christians are marked with ashes on their foreheads to remind them of their mortality. • Easter – Begins with Palm Sunday, the day Jesus first entered Jerusalem, Holy Thursday which marks the day of the Last Supper, Good Friday which marks the day of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion and Easter Sunday, which celebrates Jesus’ resurrection. Docsity.com Sacred Writings • The Bible; Old and New testaments. • The New Testament tells the story of Jesus and includes the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles and the Book of Revelation. Docsity.com The Gospels • Mark – oldest, written about 70 CE. It is also the shortest, but it forms the core of Matthew and Luke’s Gospels, which were written later. The three are considered the Synoptic Gospels because of their shared perspective. • Matthew – written about 80 CE. , Matthew was one of the 12 apostles. (the tax collector) It is the longest of the Gospels and is set apart from the others because it tries to connect Jesus with the old Testament and it provides great detail about the teachings of Jesus. Docsity.com The Epistles • Mostly written by Paul, there were also three from John and some from other early church leaders. They are letters written to early Christian communities to provide guidance and encouragement. • Paul’s are the earliest and were written from 50 to 60 CE. They are used as readings during Christian services and ceremonies. Docsity.com The Book of Revelation • Last book of the New testament, it was written about 95 CE by a persecuted Christian named John, not necessarily the apostle. • It is an example of apocalyptic literature, describing in symbolic and visionary terms, the destruction of Christian enemies. • It also foretells judgment day or the apocalypse. Docsity.com "18: This calls for wisdom: let him who has understanding reckon the number of the beast, for it is a the name of a human person, its number is six hundred and sixty-six". Docsity.com Docsity.com fh are ia | 4 EA i iS re  ie IBYoXesyiAVores 2) Docsity.com Docsity.com E 9 ° > = Q 6 ° a  180° 120° 60° oF br 120° 180° . Aro ic of Capriorn pl =— » ANTARCTICA Scale by latitude Priretpal Denomination in Countries with a Christian Majority 30° 7 Countries without a O 1,000 2,000 miles | ‘Orthod: — a ’ " r |} ngox Christian Majority 0 1,610 3,220 km estant By Mixed Denominations 2006 Enoydop PGR QTc, Christianity in Canada • Christianity is the most widely held faith in Canada. • Many Canadian cities have beautiful churches which attract tourists and Christians alike. • Our educational system includes publicly funded Catholic school systems . • Many cities, towns and streets in Canada have names associated with Christianity. • Many of our holidays are Christian in origin including Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. Docsity.com