6. Christianity in it's three major groups: Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy compose the worlds largest religion. Some parts of this religion are easy to explain and other parts are quite complex and intricate. The major focus of Christianity is on the life of Jesus Christ whom the term Christianity (Christ likeness) is derived. In essence Christians strive to be like Christ as much as possible in every aspect of
their lives. Jesus was born around 4 B.C. in present day Palestine a.k.a Bethlehem and was taken to Nazareth where he was raised. When he became of age he was baptized by John who was a prophet that was
very popular in the region for his proclamation of God's return and judgment on the world. He taught and healed many people and were at odds with many of the Jewish population especially the Pharisees
and Sadducees who eventually gave him up to the Romans to crucify in exchange for the release of a murderer. According to scripture in Luke Jesus declared that the Holy Spirit was upon Him and in Him.
Jesus not only believed in tradition but also believed in changing aspects of tradition to be all inclusive of all of civilization. When John saw the power of Jesus he became one of his first followers. Jesus was then tested and was put to test in the wilderness where it is said he fasted forty days and nights and returned to the world empowered by God himself. He was able to cast out demons, stop harsh storms, part the seas, and resurrect the dead. He brought a new sense of hope to a people who were looking for a Savior and for a purpose driven life. He taught to love your enemies and to be in the world yet not part of it and to change for
the better. The Jews wanted God's revenge while Jesus taught of compassion. He brought unclean and clean food together and acceptably eatable by all, got rid of categorizations of people and
acceptable all. He allowed Jews and Gentiles to come together and allowed to be saved together. This was extreme in that day and age and seen as hostile. Eventually this lead to his betrayal arrest
and crucifixion. When you look at Jesus from a believers perspective you see that He is looked at as God is that He is God in mans form and He is fully man yet also fully God. Most people think of Jesus for performing miracles however, in the Bible he never did many public displays of this, most where in private. It was the
fact that "He went about doing good." as Peter is found saying according to Smith. He counseled people, talked to them, fed them, cleaned them, healed them, etc. If good could become human Jesus was it. Not only was his miraculous abilities brought into Christian thought but His words and sermons and parables. He taught
to not scowl at the splinter in your brothers eye without first removing the plank in your own. To cut your hand off if it causes you to sin or to gauge your eye out if it causes you to sin. He taught of people being so dedicated to their outward appearance that their inner life was in shambles and dispicable. He taught love, as
in the Bible "Love your neighbor as yourself. What you would like people to do to you, do to them. Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. You shall know the
truth, and the truth shall set you free." He taught to turn the other cheek to evil, to love your enemies, to pray for them. He taught it is more important to be happy and love then have wealth. He taught that God loves us no matter what. Not only did he teach these things but He lived them out in every aspect of His life.
Never once was hypocritical about anything. He was perfect in goodness. After Christ was crucified his gospels tell of His revelation of himself after death and not in an earthly body but in a spiritual perfected body. This allowed Him to be known as God and allowed Him to be omnipotent or everywhere. The people who followed
Him became known as Christians and were persecuted and met in private hidden places. People who saw how they lived wondered what was up as they were always so happy and loving towards others. They
viewed everyone as equals and lived with purpose. The no longer feared death, guilt, or self-centeredness according to Smith. One of the greatest teachings is found in 1 Corinthians "Love is patient;
love is kind; love is not envious or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." Christians who spread the Bible and the "Good News" of Christ knew themselves as branches to the tree of God. Paul was one of the key elements in the spread of Christianity. Paul felt that the church was a body and that it needed all it's parts to function and that
includes all of us. We are all part of the body of the Church and the body of Christ. Christ died and sacrificed himself so that our sins were paid by a perfect body one that hadn't sinned. It was the only sacrifice due. Christians believe in a Holy Trinity which includes God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christians claim that these are all personalities of God and all God yet three separate as well. For each has it's own individual purpose. The closest example is in the family with Husband, Wife and Child all being a
family yet each having a role. Because God sent his Son Christ to earth and to become fully human and bear the cost of sin being death and raise again to God that our sins are paid for. God bridged the gap between God and man in this event. He allowed open communication between man and Him. However, we must take the next
step and open communication.