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--- christianity [2025/08/07 04:27] – graham
+++ christianity [2025/08/09 02:55] (current) – [References and Resources] graham
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 Christianity is the world’s most widely practiced religion, encompassing a rich diversity of traditions and expressions. Despite denominational differences, Christians are united in their faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Saviour of the world. At its heart, Christianity is not merely a moral system or a cultural tradition, but a living relationship with the [[Trinity|Triune God]], revealed supremely in the person and work of [[Jesus]] Christ.
-The term Christianity is derived from the Greek word Christ ([[:greek:5547|Χριστός]]), meaning “Anointed One,” which is the equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah ([[:hebrew:4899|מָשִׁיחַ]]). Christians are thus those who follow Jesus, the Christ.
+The term Christianity is derived from the Greek word Christ (<autott>greek:5547|Χριστός</autott>), meaning “Anointed One,” which is the equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah (<autott>hebrew:4899|מָשִׁיחַ</autott>). Christians are thus those who follow Jesus, the Christ.
 ===== The Essence of Christianity =====
-Christianity is fundamentally the story of God’s initiative to reconcile fallen humanity to Himself. [[God]] created the world and everything in it ([[Genesis 1:1|Genesis 1:1]] (<autott>genesis_1:1:niv|NIV</autott>)). God is a personal, holy, and loving Creator, eternally existing as one God in three persons - [[God the Father|Father]], [[Jesus|Son]], and [[Holy Spirit]] ([[Matthew 28:19|Matthew 28:19]] (<autott>matthew_28:19:nlt|NLT</autott>)).
+Christianity is fundamentally the story of God’s initiative to reconcile fallen humanity to Himself. [[God]] created the world and everything in it (<autott>genesis_1:1|Genesis 1:1</autott>). God is a personal, holy, and loving Creator, eternally existing as one God in three persons - [[God the Father|Father]], [[Jesus|Son]], and [[Holy Spirit]] (<autott>matthew_28:19|Matthew 28:19</autott>).
-Humanity was created in God's image ([[Genesis 1:27|Genesis 1:27]] (<autott>genesis_1:27:niv|NIV</autott>)) to live under his rule in relationship with Him. However, through sin and rebellion, humanity has turned away from God ([[Romans 3:23|Romans 3:23]] (<autott>romans_3:23:niv|NIV</autott>)). The result of [[sin]] is spiritual death and separation from Him ([[Isaiah 59:2|Isaiah 59:2]] (<autott>isaiah_59:2:niv|NIV</autott>)). Yet God, in His mercy, did not abandon His creation. Instead, He entered the world in the person of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man ([[John 1:1|John 1:1]] (<autott>john_1:1:niv|NIV</autott>), [[John 1:14|John 1:14]] (<autott>john_1:14:niv|NIV</autott>)).
+Humanity was created in God's image (<autott>genesis_1:27|Genesis 1:27</autott>) to live under his rule in relationship with Him. However, through sin and rebellion, humanity has turned away from God (<autott>romans_3:23|Romans 3:23</autott>). The result of [[sin]] is spiritual death and separation from Him (<autott>isaiah_59:2|Isaiah 59:2</autott>). Yet God, in His mercy, did not abandon His creation. Instead, He entered the world in the person of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man (<autott>john_1:1|John 1:1</autott> and <autott>john_1:14|John 1:14</autott>).
-Jesus lived a sinless life, proclaimed the good news of the [[Kingdom of God]], and willingly laid down His life on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners ([[1 Peter 3:18|1 Peter 3:18]] (<autott>1_peter_3:18:niv|NIV</autott>)). On the third day, Jesus [[Resurrection of Jesus|rose bodily from the dead]] ([[Luke 24:6|Luke 24:6]]) demonstrating His victory over sin and death and confirming His divine identity.
+Jesus lived a sinless life, proclaimed the good news of the [[Kingdom of God]], and willingly laid down His life on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners (<autott>1_peter_3:18|1 Peter 3:18</autott>). On the third day, Jesus rose bodily from the dead (<autott>luke_24:6|Luke 24:6</autott>) demonstrating His victory over sin and death and confirming His divine identity.
-Jesus calls all people to repent of their sin, trust in Him for salvation, and follow Him as Lord (Mark 1:15 and Romans 10:9). Through faith in Jesus, believers are justified, that is, declared righteous before God, and not by works, but by grace alone ([[Ephesians 2:8|Ephesians 2:8]]-[[Ephesians 2:9]]).
+Jesus calls all people to repent of their sin, trust in Him for salvation, and follow Him as Lord (<autott>mark_1:15|Mark 1:15</autott> and <autott>romans_10:9|Romans 10:9</autott>). Through faith in Jesus, believers are justified, that is, declared righteous before God, and not by works, but by grace alone ([[Ephesians 2]]:<autott>ephesians_2:8|8</autott>-<autott>ephesians_2:9|9</autott>).
-To be a Christian, then, is not merely to adhere to a moral code or belong to a religious institution, but to be born again by the Holy Spirit ([[John 3:3|John 3]] (<autott>john_3:3:nlt|NLT</autott>)), adopted into God's family, and transformed by the ongoing work of grace. To be Christian is to know and walk with Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, and Friend.
+To be a Christian, then, is not merely to adhere to a moral code or belong to a religious institution, but to be born again by the Holy Spirit (<autott>john_3:3|John 3:3</autott>), adopted into God's family, and transformed by the ongoing work of grace. To be Christian is to know and walk with Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, and Friend.
 ===== The Bible =====
+<sub>See also: [[Bible]]</sub>
-The [[Bible]] is the divinely inspired and authoritative word of God, comprised of 66 books, 39 in the [[Old Testament]] and 27 in the [[New Testament]]. Written by human authors under the guidance of the [[Holy Spirit]] ([[2 Timothy 3:16|2 Timothy 3:16]] and [[2 Peter 1:21|2 Peter 1:21]]), it is without error in its original manuscripts and is the authority in all matters of faith and life.
+The Bible is the divinely inspired and authoritative word of God, comprised of 66 books, 39 in the [[Old Testament]] and 27 in the [[New Testament]]. Written by human authors under the guidance of the [[Holy Spirit]] (<autott>2_timothy_3:16|2 Timothy 3:16</autott> and <autott>2_peter_1:21|2 Peter 1:21</autott>), it is without error in its original manuscripts and is the authority in all matters of faith and life.
-The Bible tells the grand story of [[redemption]]: creation, fall, promise, fulfillment, and new creation. The Old Testament points forward to the coming of the Messiah through God’s covenant relationship with Israel. The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of those promises and details the birth and growth of the early Church.
+The Bible tells the grand story of redemption: creation, fall, promise, fulfillment, and new creation. The Old Testament points forward to the coming of the Messiah through God’s covenant relationship with Israel. The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of those promises and details the birth and growth of the early Church.
-The Bible includes various genres including historical narrative, poetry, wisdom literature, prophecy, gospel, and epistle. It calls readers not only to knowledge but also to faith, obedience and worship. Te Bible is the standard by which all doctrine and experience must be tested.
+The Bible includes various genres including historical narrative, poetry, wisdom literature, prophecy, gospel, and epistle. It calls readers not only to knowledge but also to faith, obedience and worship. The Bible is the standard by which all doctrine and experience must be tested.
 ===== The Church =====
+<sub>See also: [[Church]] and [[Church History]]</sub>
-The Church is not primarily a building, but the community of all who have been redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ. It is described in Scripture as the body of Christ ([[1 Corinthians 12:27|1 Corinthians 12:27]]), the bride of Christ ([[Ephesians 5]]:25–27), and the temple of the Holy Spirit ([[1 Peter 2:5|1 Peter 2:5]]).
+The Church is not primarily a building, but the community of all who have been redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ. It is described in Scripture as the body of Christ (<autott>1_corinthians_12:27|1 Corinthians 12:27</autott>), the bride of Christ ([[Ephesians 5]]:25–27), and the temple of the Holy Spirit (<autott>1_peter_2:5|1 Peter 2:5</autott>).
 While Christians are united spiritually in one body, the visible church is expressed in a multitude of local congregations and denominations. These reflect historical, cultural, and theological differences. Among the largest traditions are Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism—including Reformed, Anglican, Baptist, Pentecostal, and non-denominational churches.
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 The Christian life is one of ongoing discipleship, growing in holiness, love, and obedience through the work of the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love their neighbours as themselves ([[Matthew 22]]:37–39).
-Christians are also called to engage in mission, proclaiming the gospel to every nation ([[Acts 1:8|Acts 1:8]]).
+Christians are also called to engage in mission, proclaiming the gospel to every nation (<autott>acts_1:8|Acts 1:8</autott>).
 This calling is not only the task of clergy or missionaries but the calling of every follower of Jesus. As salt and light ([[Matthew 5]]:13–16), Christians are to reflect God’s character in every sphere of life, including work, family, politics, and the arts.
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 <barchart>100|Christians:32,Muslims:23,Hindus:15,Buddhists:7,Folk:6,Other:1,Unaffiliated:16</barchart>
-Despite the global presence of Christianity, believers in many countries face significant opposition, ranging from social exclusion to legal restrictions and persecution. Yet the gospel continues to spread, and Jesus’ promise remains: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” ([[Matthew 16:18|Matthew 16:18]]).
+Despite the global presence of Christianity, believers in many countries face significant opposition, ranging from social exclusion to legal restrictions and persecution. Yet the gospel continues to spread, and Jesus’ promise remains: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (<autott>matthew_16:18|Matthew 16:18</autott>).
 ===== Quotes =====
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-Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first — rock and roll or Christianity - John Lennon, 1966
+Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first — rock and roll or Christianity - //John Lennon, 1966//
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-I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else - C.S. Lewis
+I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else - //C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity//
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