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''In brief''{{quote | text={{Bible verse|John|3|16|lang=WEB}} [[John 3:16]]}}{{Infobox_Contents | topic_name = Christianity[[Image: Christians at lourdes.jpg|thumb|center|Christians in a procession at [[Lourdes]].]] | subtopics = [[God]], [[Jesus Christ]], [[Essence of Christianity]]* [[Bible]], [[Christian literature, art, music and media]]* [[Church]], [[Church history]], [[Denominations]]* [[Famous Christians]]* [[Christian doctrine and debates]], [[Grace]], [[Love]]* [[Current issues]], [[News]]* [[Cults and other religions]]* [[Places]], [[Mission]], [[World-wide church directory]] |opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |}} Christianity is the world's most widely practiced [[religion, with around 2 billion adherents (]] and although it has many may claim [[denomination]]s and great diversity, all Christians are united in [[Jesus Christ]]. At the heart of Christianity is a loving creator [[God]] who is also our redeemer. ===Etymology=== The name "Christianity" comes from the [[Koine Greek|Greek]] word [[Christos]], meaning "annointed", a reference to be [[Jesus]]. The word "Christian without having actually received " doesn't appear in the message)entire Bible until the book of [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]]. ===[[Essence of Christianity]]=== [[Christianity]] is about [[God]] reaching out his hand in friendship to mankind. Christians believe that the whole world and everything in eternal life with it was created by God. God is a personal being, and by some mystery that we cannot understand, he is three, yet one: [[Godthe Father|Father]], [[Jesus|Son]] and [[Holy Spirit|Spirit]] (see the [[Trinity]]). He created people in heaven through his image, to [[love]] him. Yet every person has rebelled against God. Yet instead of turning his back on us, God became a man, [[Jesus Christ]], who was born about 4 BC and living lived among us. He taught a message of love throughout Palestine but public opinion turned against him and he was executed as a moral life young man. He died because of us - the death that we should have died. He was crucified on eartha cross, but he rose from the dead, and now calls us to trust him, to love him and to [[repent]] of our rebellion. If we do this, then we our relationship with God becomes restored and we will live forever with God. Many non-Christians may think that being a Christian is about belonging to a particular [[church]] or following a certain set of rule. Most Christians however would agree that at its root, being a Christian means to be in a living relationship with [[Jesus Christ]].  ====[[Love]]==== An underlying theme of Christianity is divided into many groups love, in particular, God's love for people. [[1 John 3:16]] tells us that Jesus' love was so great that he lay down his life for his us: ''{{Bible verse|1 John|3|16|lang=WEB}}Early in the [[New Testament]] Jesus summarized the Law, saying that differ on many we should love God, and love our neighbour, in [[Mark 12]]:28-30: ''{{Bible verse|mark|12|28|lang=WEB}}'': ''{{Bible verse|mark|12|29|lang=WEB}}'': ''{{Bible verse|mark|12|30|lang=WEB}}'' ====[[Grace]]==== Another key issuesconcept in Christianity is grace. These are called Grace is [[denominationGod]]'s[[love]] poured out on undeserving humanity. The doctrine about grace teaches us that although all people have fallen short of the glory of God and have [[sin]]ned and turned away from God, God loves us still. TodayNothing we do can restore us to a right relationship with God. It is only through faith in [[Jesus Christ]], in his death and resurrection that we can return to God. This gift of restoration of right relationship with God is called grace. ===[[Bible]]===[[Image:Biblewithlight.jpg|thumb|An open Bible.]] The Bible is the Christian church faces many issuescollection of documents acknowledged by Christians to be inspired by God. There It contains 66 books and is a great number divided into the [[Old Testament]] and the [[New Testament]]. It tells of the story of the [[creation]] of people who have not heard the good news universe and [[man]] by [[God]], the rebellion of man against God and his rescue plan for humanity through his Son, [[JesusChrist]]. Also, billions It tells of the history of people live in terrible poverty without clean water or the opportunity for good health. If we are nation of Israel leading up to truly follow in the footsteps time of Jesus, and then these are issues that should be close the formation of the early church following Jesus. Not only does it record history, it also contains stories and parables, poetry, proverbs and prophecy. ===[[Church]]=== A [[church building]] is a building used in [[Christian]] [[worship]]. The term church also refers to our heart toothe combined Christian community of believers. In  ====[[Church history]]==== Since the West[[church]] was formed, issues major events and conflict, often over matters of [[doctrine]] have resulted in significant rifts in the church. One of the most notable debates in the Christian church has been the debate about [[salvation]] (being saved) by faith alone (belief in Jesus and nothing else) or through faith and good works (belief in Jesus ''and'' performing good deeds). This debate was the key issue in the [[Reformation]] of the sixteenth century and lead to do the split of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] with the role formation of [[Protestant]] churches such as the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]]. ====[[Denominations]]==== Although there is only one [[Catholic]] [[Church]], there are tens of thousands of [[Christian]] denominations or churches. These denominations have formed and divided since the time of women [[Christ]], because Christians have had differences in beliefs and practices. Some of the church main groups include [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], [[Roman Catholicism]] and the [[Protestant churches]] and marriage [[Pentecostal churches]]. [[Image:Mount sinai.jpg|thumb|Sunrise at Mount Sinai in Egypt]] ===[[Christian literature, art, music and sexuality media]]=== Throughout church history, people have come devoted themselves to forefront great works of literature and art for God's glory and honour. Today, a [[:Category:Media_Workers|number of Christians]] are creating works of art in recent yearsa variety of media, music and visual mediums.

'''Overviews'''* ====[[An overview of Christianityand the Internet]]* [[Christianity (wikipedia)]]====

'''Topics'''* ===[[The essence of ChristianityReligious clothing and symbols]]===* There are no requirements in [[GodChristianity]]about what we should wear, although, in many denominations there are special uniforms for those involved in the organisation and running of the denomination. Many Christians also wear symbols of their faith, such as a cross or [[God the Fathercrucifix]], . In many countries with predominant [[Jesus ChristEastern Orthodox]], and [[ChristologyRoman Catholic]]populations, people may erect a [[The Holy Spiritshrine]]* or symbol of an aspect of their faith that is important to them. In the [[Church history and denominationsReformation]], there was a backlash against these symbols which were often seen as [[Denominationsidol]]s.* ===[[Christian doctrine and debates]]===* Doctrine means a set of beliefs or teaching. Various [[SoteriologyCreeds]], and catechisms have been written as statements of the beliefs of different Christians. Today there are still considerable differences in understanding on major themes in Christianity like [[Gracejustification]], [[Salvationsalvation]], and [[Justificationgrace]].* Christians believe in one God who is yet three persons as described above. They also believe that [[BibleJesus]] was both a man and both God, and that he bore the [[Christian art, literature and musicsin]]s of mankind on the cross and was resurrected three days later. * Christianity is primarily are religion of [[Directory listing of churches around the worldlove]]. It is about God's love for us, and our response. We are asked to respond by loving God with our whole hearts, [[Places]]and loving our neighbours, including our enemies, [[Travel stories]]as ourselves. * However, the Bible also makes clear that the every person has rebelled against God and sins. In the [[Current issuesRomans|Book of Romans]] in it says that "all have sinned". Later however, the Church today author goes on to tell us that we can be forgiven and [[News]] appear without sin before God, and that this is through the faith in [[Christian CalendarJesus]]and his death and resurrection. * ===The [[TestimoniesPersecuted Church]], [[Proclaiming the Gospel|Mission]] * [[Cults and other religions]]* [[Miscellaneous topics]] and [[Christian TopicsPlaces|Christianity around the world]]===

'''Quotes'''[[Martin Luther King, Jr.]]* : My parents would always tell me that I should not hate the white man, but that it was my duty as a [[Quotse about ChristianityChristian]]to love all.

'''External links'''* {{returnto}} [[http://www.refdesk.com/factrel.html WORLD RELIGION RESOURCESMain Page]]* [http[Category://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html#Christianity Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents]]