History of Christianity

History of Christianity

Christianity

Christianity is widespread all over the world. It's been around for approximately 2000 years. Most scholars today estimate that Jesus was born in 6-4 B.C. The Christian story says that Mary was foretold of her virgin conception, and was to give birth to Jesus. Christianity is one of the world's largest religions. Jesus was born into a working class family in Nazareth. After Jesus was born, he was taken to Bethlehem, because the Roman Empire was taking census of the land. When they arrived, there was no place to stay, even though Mary was pregnant. So the new Lord Jesus was placed in a manger. He was visited by some shepherds and astrologers. These that sought out this newly born baby, tried to spread the word. One prophet even said that "he was to be the rise and fall of many in Israel."' Besides the one time when something took place when He was 12, the rest of his life story jumps ahead till he is about 30. Christianity is one of the largest religion's, it is followed by people all over the world who believe in the Holy Trinity and that all your sins are forgiven when you are baptized. At the age of 30, he began to follow a prophet named John the Baptizer. Stories started to circulate that "He was to be the rise and fall of many in Israel."' Jesus went to fast and pray for 40 days and 40 nights to gain insight. He was tempted by the devil to prove himself, but He refrained from using them for personal gain. He taught that people were more important than rules. He freely mixed with "sinners"' and forgave them of the bad things they had done, he even healed the sick and fed the poor. Jesus had many close disciples, which were chosen from the "inner circle"'. These twelve men were called "apostles"', or "those who are sent"'. The people knew Him as "The Son of David"'.

The Roman's considered this a political claim to power. In His eyes the temple should be a house of prayer, and not a den of thieves."' The other religious leaders decided they needed to do something about him. At the traditional Jewish Passover meal with His apostles, he took the bread and wine, which were the central elements of the meal, and identified Himself with them. The bread he took and broke, and said "this is my body, given for you"', then he took the wine and said "this is my blood, drink this in remembrance of me"'. After eating with his apostles he went to go pray in a garden, where he was arrested. He was betrayed by Judas, one of his apostles. Under Pontius Pilate, he was found guilty of treason and arrested. The next day He was taken out and nailed to a cross, the slow method of execution used by Roman's when dealing with their worst ...