The History of Christianity

Christianity originally began in the first century A.D. in Jerusalem. It started off as a religion that was heavily persecuted but later became the state religion of the Roman Empire. Christianity would eventually spread to become, at one point, the worlds largest religion. Disputes within the church have resulted in many distinct sects of christianity.


www.wikipedia.com

4 Gospels

The Gospels narrate the life, death, resurrection, deeds and miracles of Jesus Christ. Each have subtle differences but have most of the same basic structure, all telling of Jesus' awesome legacy. They are found in the New Testament of the Bible, right before Acts.

The Power Four
Gospel of Matthew
Gospel of Mark
Gospel of Luke
Gospel of John



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament#Books

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism is a book of teachings first composed in 1992 under the authorization of Pope John Paul II. It contains four parts: 1. The Profession of Faith, which is the official statement, or creed, of the entire Catholic church. 2. The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, which is basically the sacred Liturgy, and the sacraments. 3. The Life in Christ, which is how to live by Christ's example and the Ten Commandments. 4. Christian Prayer, describes the power of prayer and various types of Catholic prayer which includes the Lord's Prayer (Our Father).



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_catechism

Sacraments

Eventhough in the previous post we discussed Baptism. We also would like to discuss all the sacraments, of which baptism is part of. It involves baptism, confirmation, eucharist, holy orders, reconciliation, anointing, and marriage(matrinomy).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacrament

Baptism

Baptism in the Catholic Religion is very important and typically happens during childhood. When they are baptized they also get godfathers. Once baptized the person/child is suppose to get rid of sin and is only one of the steps towards reaching heaven.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_bapt.htm

the Life of Christ

The Life of Jesus consisted of his actions, his death, and resurrection. Jesus's actions consisted of preaching the word of god and performing the occasional miracle. Jesus was then cruxified which led to his death and resurrection.


www.wikiopedia.com

12 Apostles

According to the Catholic Religion around the age of thirty Jesus chose 12 Apostles from many diciples that Jesus had. These apostles both helped Jesus before and after his resurection.


Both these websites give a pretty good idea of who and what the diciples did.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Apostles

http://www.sundayschoollessons.com/disciple.htm

Holy Trinity and The Sign of the Cross (link)

The Holy Trinity is a trifecta of holiness in Catholicism. Its a symbol of three beings in one, the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. These "three persons" simulataneously live and interact in one another. Supporting the Trinity is known as Trinitarianism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Trinity

The Sign of the Cross (Link)

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13785a.htm

Catholic Mass

Catholics pride themselves on their mass. Any given sunday, at any catholic church, you can go and hear the same gospel and readings. The mass is based greatly on ritual nad tradition. There is always the same structure but they change out the readings every week. At the end of mass, there is the sacrament of communion every week. Catholics believe that the bread that they eat and the wine they drink is the body and blood of christ. They do this because at what is known as the last supper, Jesus gave bread and whine to his deciples and told them that it was his body and blood.

www.wikipedia.com

The importance of the Pope

The Pope is considered the "Vicar of Christ", and therefore carries a heavy authority within the Catholic Church. This person is considered the spiritual leader of the roman Catholic Church. The current (265th) Pope is Pope benedict XVI. Not only is the Pope the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, but the head of state of the Vatican City as well. The papacy has had excessive power throughout history, especially within western Europe where the papacy elected emperors and had political superiority. The following image is the Emblem of the Papacy.

www.wikipedia.com

Christianity Video

This video explains the religion of Christianity. It helps becasue it is divided into segments that helps explain more in depth special parts of the religion. Like how it spread and about the bible.

http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/search/assetDetail.cfm?guidAssetID=68379F12-7D04-424A-803F-01F0CC4C04D9

Buddy Christ

Early History of Jesus

The story of Jesus takes place in Jerusalem where he based his ideas on the Jewish religion. Here he is born to Joseph and Mary. At the age of 30, Jesus began to serve God, his True father and emphasize the importance of following god and being good and free of sin. The story of his life is told in the following.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus

Art

Our Lady Of Guadalupe: Apparently, Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared to the measly peasant Juan Diego in 1521 in South America. She filled his cape with roses for proof of her miraculous self. After he emptied the flowers from his cape, this image appeared.

The Definition of "Limbo"

There are two main types of Limbo, Limbo of the infants and Limbo of the fathers..

Limbo of the Fathers - Refers to those who committ personal sins but still maintain friendship with God... they cannot enter heaven until Jesus redeems them.

Limbo of the Infants - Refers to those who die as infants before baptism into the church who are too young to committ sins. Since baptism is essential in salvation, the fate of this group has been debated over centuries.


www.wikipedia.com

The Bible

The bible is the Catholic holy book. It consistis of two parts called testaments, The Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is also the holy book of the Jewish religion and for them it is called the Torah. All that catholics believe comes from the bible. The New Testament contains the four gospels written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

http://www.wikipedia.com/

Seven Sacraments

Seven Sacraments :

1. Baptism – entrance into the church
2. Eucharist – the body of christ
3. Reconciliation – asking of forgiveness of sins
4. Conformation – seals the holy spirit in ones soul
5. Marriage – getting married
6. Holy Orders – becoming a priest, deacon, or bishop within the church
7. Anointing of the sick – giving spiritual aid to the sick and dying

Heaven, Hell and Purgatory

Heaven is described as the holiest place ever, only accessible by people who died and lived by various standards of divinity,goodness,virtue, piety, and other good things.

Hell is an afterlife of suffering where the wicked or unrighteous dead are punished for an eternity in fire.

Purgatory or "the final purification of the elect", is the process by which, according to Catholic doctrine, "all who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven."
The process of purification is also described as "temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace, are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions."

Holidays

Catholic Holidays

HOLIDAY NAME DATE CELEBRATED

Octave of Christmas, Mary Mother of God Mon., Jan. 1

Epiphany* Sun., Jan 7

Ash Wednesday Wed., Feb. 21
Lent Ash Wed. to Easter Sun.
Easter Sunday* Sun., Apr. 8

Ascension Day Thu., May 17

Pentecost Sun., May 27

Holy Trinity Sun., June 3

Body & Blood of Christ Sun., June 10

Sacred Heart of Jesus Fri., June 15

Assumption of Mary Wed., Aug. 15

All Saints Thu., Nov. 1

Christ the King Sun., Nov. 25

1st Sunday of Advent Sun., Dec. 2

Immaculate Conception Sat.., Dec. 8

Christmas* Tue., Dec 25


* Most Important