Religion plays a huge role in the life of society and the state. It compensates for the fear of death with faith in eternal life, helps to find moral and sometimes material support for the sufferer. Christianity, if we talk briefly about religion, is one of the world’s religious teachings, which has been relevant for more than two thousand years. In this introductory article I do not pretend to be complete, but I will certainly mention the key points.
The emergence of Christianity
Definition 1
Christianity is one of the world’s so-called “Abrahamic” religions. There are three branches of Christianity: Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism. The basis of Christian teaching is faith in Jesus Christ, perceived as the God-man, the Savior, the incarnation of the second hypostasis of the triune Godhead, that is, the Trinity.
Christianity was formed in the 1st century AD in Palestine, the eastern province of the Roman Empire, as a consequence of the messianic preaching of Judaism, with which Christianity soon began to conflict (this happened after Christians were excluded from synagogue life in 70 AD).
The emergence and spread of Christianity is associated with the struggle of the oppressed sections of the population of the Roman Empire, which included subjugated ethnic groups and slaves. Powerlessness against the might of the empire created despair and apathy. Salvation was seen only in the hope of something better that would happen one day. They began to look for such hope in religion. Great Rome paid attention to the new religion and sought to use it to its advantage. The centralization of power in Rome was in harmony with the idea of one God. This is due to the collapse of the slave system, which required new ideological ways of influencing the authorities on the masses of people subordinate to them.
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The main ideological sources of Christianity, which became the basis of the religion:
- Judaism, from which Christianity took the recognition of the Old Testament, its content, the image of Christ, the idea of the Messiah;
- the ideology of the Qumran community, developing the doctrine of the second coming of the Messiah;
- the religion of the eastern peoples of the Roman Empire, from which many mythical images and stories were taken that made Christianity a multi-ethnic religion;
- religious and philosophical teachings of Philo and Seneca, who introduced into Christianity ideas concerning innate sinfulness, the need to save the soul as the goal of life, love for enemies and submission to fate.
Origin of Christianity
Oddly enough, Christianity, like Islam, is rooted in Judaism, or rather in its sacred book - the Old Testament. However, the immediate impetus for its development was given by only one person - Jesus of Nazareth. Hence the name (from Jesus Christ). This religion was originally another monotheistic heresy in the Roman Empire. This is the only way Christians were persecuted. These persecutions played an important role in the sacralization of Christian martyrs, and Jesus himself.
Once upon a time, when I was studying history at the university, I asked the teacher of Antiquity during recess, what was Jesus really like or not? The answer I received was that all sources indicate that there was such a person. Well, questions about the miracles that are described in the New Testament, everyone decides for themselves whether to believe them or not.
Speaking abstractly from faith and miracles, the first Christians lived in the form of religious communities on the territory of the Roman Empire. The original symbolism was extremely simple: crosses, fish, etc. Why did this particular religion become a world religion? Most likely, it’s a matter of the sacralization of the martyrs, in the teaching itself, and, of course, in the policy of the Roman authorities. So it received state recognition only 300 years after the death of Jesus - in 325 at the Council of Nicaea. The Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (himself a pagan) called for peace on all Christian movements, of which there were many at that time. Just look at the Arian heresy, according to which God the father is higher than God the son.
Be that as it may, Constantine understood the unifying potential of Christianity and made this religion the state religion. There are also persistent rumors that, before his death, he himself expressed a desire to be baptized... All the same, they were smart rulers: they would do something random while the pagans - and then bam - and before death they would convert to Christianity. Why not?!
Since then, Christianity has become the religion of all of Europe, and then of a large part of this world. By the way, I recommend a post about what religion is .
Stages of development of Christianity
Christianity went through several stages in its development:
- initial Christianity - the period when the first Christian communities arose and the definition of the first Christian positions began;
- early Christianity - the period of the formation of the church and the foundations of doctrine;
- the period of the Ecumenical Councils - the period of the existence of Christianity as the predominant religion in certain regions and the separation of the Western and Eastern churches;
- The development of Christianity after 1054 is the period after the division of the united Christian church into Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
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In the process of development of Christianity, basic principles and its own traditions were formulated, distinguishing this religion from many others. The basis of Christianity is such provisions as oral tradition, religious texts and the foundations of worship, which reflect the essence of faith, the source of faith - Revelation. The source of doctrine in Christianity is the Holy Scripture, the main thing is the Bible and the Creed.
Chapter 29 Basic principles of Christian doctrine
I want to give eighteen basic Christian beliefs that will help you grow in God and have a good life. They are not comprehensive, but they will help you better understand the Bible.
1. Scripture
THE BIBLE WAS written by men inspired by God. She is a precious treasury of heavenly instructions. Its author is God. The purpose of writing it is salvation. Its essence is truth without the slightest admixture of lies. It reveals the principles by which God saved us. That is why, to the end of time, it will remain the infallible foundation of Christian life and the highest standard by which human conduct, doctrines and opinions should be judged.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that it may be perfect.
a man of God, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16,17; also 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Samuel 23:2; Acts 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psalm 119: 3; Romans 3:1,2).
“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who trust in Him” (Proverbs 30:5; also John 17:17; Revelation 22:17).
“Those who have sinned under the law will be condemned ” (Romans 2:12 and also 3:4).
“The word that I have spoken will judge... in
the last day
" (John 12:47,48; also 1 Corinthians 4:2-4; Luke 10:10-16,12:47,48).
2. True God
THERE IS ONLY ONE true God, the infinite intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah. He is “ever present” and revealing Himself (Isaiah 44:6; 45:18); Creator and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, glorious in His holiness, worthy of all honor, worthy of faith and love. In the unity of His essence there are three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who are one in divine perfection, although they play different roles in God's plan for the redemption of mankind.
"God is spirit"
(John 4:24)
“His understanding is immeasurable”
(Psalm 146:5),
whose one name is Lord, the Most High over all the earth”
(Psalm 82:19; also Hebrews 3:4; Romans 1:20; Jeremiah 10: 10).
“Who, like You, is majestic in holiness, worthy of praise, Worker of miracles?” (Exodus 15:11; also Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15,16; Revelation 4:6-8).
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30).
“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power ” (Revelation 4:11).
3. The Fall of Humanity
SCRIPTURE TEACHES that God created man “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27) to give people His life, love and purpose. People have infinite value in His eyes. God's only requirement was to believe His Word. But people chose unbelief, thereby embarking on the path of fall and death. They found themselves cut off from God and became slaves of the devil. The seed of unbelief was sown in all subsequent generations.
“And God created man in His own image” (Genesis 1:27) “And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good ”
(Genesis 1:31)
“And the woman saw that the tree was good for food... And she took of its fruit and ate; And she gave it also to her husband, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6-24, Romans 5:12).
“Through one man's disobedience many were made sinners” (Romans 5:19; also John 3:6; Psalm 50:5; Romans 5:15,19; 8:7). “we have all... turned every one to his own way ” (Isaiah 53:6; also Genesis 6:12; Romans 3:9-18).
“Among whom we also all once lived according to our fleshly lusts, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest” (Ephesians 2:3; also Romans 1:18,32; 2:1-16 ; Galatians 3:10; Matthew 20:15).
4. Path of salvation
PEOPLE CAN BE saved only by grace, through Jesus Christ, who took on human flesh but remained sinless. He accepted judgment for our sins by giving His life on the cross. He justified us and restored our relationship with God as if we had not sinned. Jesus rose from the dead and is now alive as our Representative, Savior and Lord.
“By grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:5; also Matthew 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 3:5-7; Acts 15:11).
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life ” (John 3:16; also 1:1-4; Hebrews 4:14; 12:24 ).
“He, being the image of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God; But he made himself of no reputation, taking on the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6,7; also Hebrews 2:9-14; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
“But He took upon Himself our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses... the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4,5).
“Wherefore He is able to save always those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
Basic provisions of the Christian doctrine “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9, and also Hebrews 2:8,7:26).
5. Revival
REVIVAL, or new birth, is a miracle that happens to all who believe that Jesus has redeemed them. His life and His righteousness are imparted to those who believe. They are reborn, changing from sinfulness to righteousness, from corruption to God's nature and God's life. They accept by faith Jesus Christ as the source of new life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born om d yxa is spirit»
(John 3:6).
“As being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible seed, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:23).
“When He desired, He begat us with the word of truth” (James 1:18).
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation ” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “Everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him” (1 John 2:29).
“And put on the new man, created according to God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).
“And you, who were dead in sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all your sins” (Colossians 2:13).
“Present yourselves to God as having been alive from the dead ” (Romans 6:13).
“Who delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son ” (Colossians 1:13).
“Which were not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13).
“And such were some of you; But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).
6. Repentance
REPENTANCE is a change of mind and will - a personal act under the influence of God's Spirit. A person who hears that Christ, out of His love, suffered for his sins and atoned for them, decides to reject sin and accept the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith.
“In those days John the Baptist came and preached in the desert of Judea, and said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
“From that time Jesus began to preach and say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
“And saying that the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ” (Acts 3:19).
“Therefore, leaving the times of ignorance, God now commands people everywhere to repent.”
(Acts 17:30).
“Proclaiming to the Jews and Greeks repentance before God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ”
(Acts 20:21)
“For godly sorrow produces repentance unfailingly leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
“And repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem ” (Luke 24:47).
“God has exalted him at his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel” (Acts 5:31).
“But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of righteous judgment from God” (Romans 2:5).
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the wicked his thoughts, and turn to the Lord ” (Isaiah 55:7).
7. Faith
FAITH IS THE ACCEPTANCE, without question or hesitation, of the fact that God's Word is infallible and worthy of complete trust. By agreeing with Scripture with the mind and believing in it with the heart, a person establishes a living relationship with God, receives justification by grace and trusts in salvation in Christ, completely devoting his heart and life to Him.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you and all your house will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
“For the end of the law is Christ for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4).
“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Romans 5:1).
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
“And without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).
“In Him the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written: “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).
“And the word of the Scripture was fulfilled: Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (James 2:23).
“Blessed is the man who trusts in God, and whose trust is the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:7).
“He who trusts in the Lord, like Mount Zion, does not move; he abides forever” (Psalm 124:1).
“The Lord will deliver the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him will perish ” (Psalm 33:23).
“For we walk by faith and not by sight ” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
“The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ is to all and to all who believe” (Romans 3:22).
“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).
8. Justification
A JUSTIFIED MAN returns to God to become His friend and partner, as if sin had never existed. Justification was made possible because Jesus Christ legally accepted the punishment for our sins on the cross. He did this to show how much God loves us. Since no punishment can be inflicted twice and no debt must be paid twice, we are declared innocent. By God's infinite mercy, we become regenerated and redeemed as if we had never committed sin.
“And they received of His fullness...” (John 1:16; also Ephesians 3:8).
“And in everything in which you were not able to be justified by the law of Moses, everyone who believes is justified by him ” ( Acts 13:39, also Isaiah 53:11,12, Romans 8:1).
“Much more therefore now, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him ” (Romans 5:9; also Acts 10:43; Zechariah 13:1).
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1; also 6:11; 1 Corinthians 1:30,31; 1 Timothy 4:8).
9. Body of Christ
The CHURCH is the body of Christ. It consists of all people who accept Jesus Christ as the only Savior from sin, who trust in His sacrifice and His blood, which alone can cleanse their sins, who confess Him as the Lord of their lives. The body of Christ consists of all believers, and each believer individually is the body of Christ. A genuine Christian is a genuine church. Christ lives in the believer, and He works by showing His compassion, His love, His life, and carrying His words through the Christian, who is His church, His body.
“And you are the body of Christ, and individually members ” (1 Corinthians 12:27; also Romans 12:4,5; Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 1:18-24).
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own ?” (1 Corinthians 6:19; also Philippians 1:20 , 21 ) .
“What is the relationship between the temple of God and idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God said: “I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people ” (2 Corinthians 6:16; also Hebrews 3:6).
“In which the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in which you also are being built into a habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21,22).
“We are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones ” (Ephesians 5:30; also 1 Corinthians 12:12-20; Ephesians 4:15,16; Philippians 1:20,21).
10. Christian baptism
THOSE PEOPLE WHO believe in Jesus Christ and confess Him as their personal Savior follow His example and are baptized in water.
Baptism is the outward expression of an inward change, a public witness that symbolizes the fact that, just as Christ died on the cross, we count ourselves dead to sin.
Just as Christ was buried, we are buried with Him in baptism.
Just as Christ was raised from the dead, we are raised from the water with the life of God abiding in us.
“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4; also Acts 10:48, 22:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20,21).
“The eunuch said: Here is water; What prevents me from being baptized? Philip said to him: if you believe with all your heart, it is possible. And they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch; and baptized him" (Acts 8:36-38, and Matthew 3:5,6; 28:19; Mark 16:16; John 3:22,23; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32- 34; 18:8).
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19 and Acts 10:47,48).
“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
“Who can forbid those who, like us, have received the Holy Spirit, to be baptized with water? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:47,48, and also Galatians 3:27,28).
“So those who gladly received his word were baptized, and about three thousand souls were added that day; and they continued continually in the teaching of the apostles, in fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and in prayer” (Acts 2:41,42).
11. Lord's Supper
The LORD'S SUPPER consists of bread and wine, which symbolize the body and blood of Christ. Christians take the supper in remembrance of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this way, Christians show their faith in the love of Christ and in the eternal life that they have received through His Resurrection.
“And he took the bread and gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying: This is My body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. Also the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:19,20; also Mark 14:20-26; Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 10: 16, 11:27-30).
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes ” (1 Corinthians 11:26, also Matthew 28:20).
“Let a man examine himself, and in this way let him eat of this bread and drink of this cup ” (1 Corinthians 11:28, and also Acts 2:42-46, 20:7-11).
“And they continued continually in the teaching of the apostles, in fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and in prayer” (Acts 2:42).
12. Spiritual and physical healing
GOD CREATED HUMANS to live in perfect harmony with Him. He wants our spirit, our soul and our body to be strong. According to the Old Testament, God's covenant included healing from physical illnesses and diseases. This covenant was confirmed by the healing ministry of Christ described in the Gospels. The Apostolic Church taught and practiced divine healing for the physical body. The ministry of the church, established by Christ and strengthened by the Holy Spirit through the Apostolic Church, remains unchanged today.
“And those (sinners) who received Him...were born of God” (John 1:12,13). “And as many as (the sick) touched Him were healed ” (Mark 6:56).
“If you obey the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight... then I will not bring any disease on you, for I am the Lord your healer ” (Exodus 15:26).
“He forgives all your iniquities, He heals all your diseases ” (Psalm 102:3).
“But He was wounded for our sins and tormented for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed ” (Isaiah 53:5).
Christ “healed all the sick, so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses” (Matthew 8:16,17).
“He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, so that we, having been freed from sins, should live for righteousness; by His stripes we were healed ” (1 Peter 2:24).
“I pray that you may prosper in health and prosper in all things, just as your soul prospers ” (3 John 2).
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
“Are any of you sick? Let him call the elders of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will heal the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:15:15).
13. Evangelization and the Holy Spirit
JESUS CHRIST'S MISSION in the world was to redeem mankind. He commissioned all believers to proclaim the Good News to all people that He died for the sins of men, that He rose again for their justification, and that He is the only Savior and Lord.
To accomplish this mission, Jesus empowered His followers with the power of the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers to perform miracles to prove that He is alive again, demonstrating to the world that the gospel is truth.
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (Timothy 1:15; also Isaiah 53:4,5; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Titus 2:14; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 2:24 ,3:18; 1 John 3:5).
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost” 19:10, and also John 3:17; Acts 5:31; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:18-20).
“All things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18; also Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 2:17).
“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself ” (John 5:19,20; 15:5).
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:38, and Luke 4:18,24:49)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8; also 2:32; 3:15; 4:33; 5:32; Matthew 24: 14).
“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19; 28:19,20; Mark 16:15).
14. Sowing and reaping
It is the primary responsibility and privilege of every Christian to take the Gospel to all people, throughout the world. Since the evangelistic ministry is the most important thing for the church, Scripture calls all Christians to contribute financially to the evangelistic ministry.
The Lord created the wealth of our land to be used by God's children to do His will. Financial support for all church programs should be provided by Christians who: a) honor the Lord with their firstfruits; b) bring their tithes to the storehouse; and c) donate money to the evangelistic ministry.
God wants believers to prosper as their souls prosper. God wants their wealth to increase according to the law of sowing and reaping, just as a farmer reaps more than he sows so that next time he can sow even more and reap even more.
“The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine, says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8; also Exodus 19:5; Leviticus 25:23; Psalm 49:10).
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your increase; and your barns will be filled to overflowing" (Proverbs 3:9,10).
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse... and test Me in this, says the Lord of hosts: will I not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out blessings upon you until there is abundance?” (Malachi 3:10).
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, shaken together, pressed, and running over, will be poured into your bosom; For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38; also 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Timothy 6:17-19).
“The blessing of the Lord - it enriches, and does not bring sorrow with it
”
(Proverbs 10:22; also Ecclesiastes 5:19; Psalm 113:1-3).
“He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully ” (2 Corinthians 9:6; also Galatians 6:7; Acts 20:35).
15. Civil government
CIVIL GOVERNMENT was instituted by God for the benefit of human society, for the purpose of maintaining order. Christians are to pray for, honor, and obey those in authority, except when doing so is contrary to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the only Master of our conscience. He is the King of kings of the earth.
“Now the powers that exist have been established by God... For those in authority are not a terror to good works, but to evil ones” (Romans 13:1-7).
“Be subject therefore to every human authority, for the Lord's sake” (1 Peter 2:13).
“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” (Matthew 22:21; also Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:1-8).
“We must obey God rather than men ” (Acts 5:29). “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28, also Daniel 3:15-18, 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20).
“You have one Master, Christ” (Matthew 23:10). “Who are you, judging another man’s slave?” (Romans 14:4). “On His robe and on His thigh is written the name: King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16; also Psalm 71:11; Romans 14:9-11).
16. The World to Come
THE END OF THE WORLD is approaching. On the Last Day there will be a final separation. Unbelievers will be condemned to endless suffering, but the lot of the righteous will be endless joy and eternal perfection.
“The end is near. Therefore be wise and watchful in prayer” (1 Peter 4:7; also 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Hebrews 1:10-12; Matthew 24:35,28:20; 1 John 2:17).
“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him going into heaven” (Acts 1:11; also Revelation 1:7; Hebrews 9:2-8; Acts 3:21).
“There will be a resurrection of the dead, of the just and of the unjust” (Acts 24:15; also 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28,29; 6:40; 11:25,26 ; 2 Timothy 1:10; Acts 10:42).
“So it will be at the end of the age: angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the righteous” (Matthew 13:49, and also 13:37-43,24:30,31).
“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life” (Matthew 25:46).
“If in this way all this is destroyed, then what kind of holy life and piety should you be, who are waiting and desiring the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens will be on fire and the elements will melt?” (2 Peter 1:11,12).
17. My personal dedication
Having accepted the LORD Jesus Christ and given myself completely to Him, I choose to live with Him, with love for those around me, for His glory. Knowing His ability to help me, I make the following decisions:
I will show genuine concern for those around me and will take every opportunity to help and inspire everyone I meet.
I will seek fellowship with other believers by publicly confessing Jesus as my Savior and Lord.
I will take time to worship God and study the Bible with my family and disciple my children in the Scriptures. I will share with my neighbors, and with everyone else, the life and love of Christ.
Because I am the light of the world and the salt of the earth, I will constantly be aware that Christ is working in me and through me. I will allow Him to use my eyes, my hands, my feet, and everything I have to bring His life to those around me.
I will systematically give a portion of my income to serve the Lord. I will bring my firstfruits, tithes and financial offerings to the evangelistic ministry so that God can enrich me and that the money will be used to preach the Gospel to all the people of the world.
In all life situations, and until death, I will strive to live for the glory of the One who called me out of darkness into His wonderful light.
18. Apostles' Creed
THE APOSTOLIC Creed is a statement of the fundamental Christian doctrines in the most condensed form. It was adopted in the fourth century AD and is considered the oldest body of church doctrine. According to Augustine, it is small
in number of words, but
grandiose
in significance. With unsurpassed clarity he presents the fundamental truths of the Christian faith.
This is the symbol:
I believe in God, the Almighty Father, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried, and descended into hell.
On the third day He rose from the dead.
He has ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God Almighty.
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit; into one catholic and apostolic Church; into the communion of saints; for the forgiveness of sins; to the resurrection of the body and to eternal life. Amen.
Blessing
“Now may the God of peace, who raised up from the dead that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ, perfect you in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ.
Glory to him forever and ever!
Amen"
(Hebrews 13:20,21).
Anomaly - electronic library
Christianity (from the Greek christos - “anointed one”, “Messiah”) originated in the 1st century. n. e. in Palestine as one of the sects of Judaism. This original relationship with Judaism - extremely important for understanding the roots of the Christian religion - is also manifested in the fact that the first part of the Bible, the Old Testament, is the holy book of both Jews and Christians. The second part of the Bible, the New Testament, is recognized only by Christians and is the most important for them.Spreading among the Jews of Palestine and the Mediterranean, Christianity already in the first decades of its existence won adherents among other peoples.
Christianity as a new religion arose in the eastern part of the Roman Empire and subsequently spread widely throughout the world. The emergence and spread of Christianity occurred during a period of deep crisis in ancient civilization and the decline of its basic values. This religion was initially an expression of protest by slaves and the poorest segments of the population against the slave system, but then Christian teaching attracted other, more prosperous segments of the population who were disillusioned with the Roman social system. The basis of the Christian religion was the belief in the redemptive mission of Jesus Christ, who, through his martyrdom, atoned for the sins of mankind. Christianity offered its adherents a path of internal salvation: withdrawal from the corrupted, sinful world into oneself, into one’s own personality; rough carnal pleasures are contrasted with strict asceticism, and the arrogance and vanity of the “powers of this world” are opposed with conscious humility and submission. Depending on the way of life, following all religious canons, faith in the second coming of Christ, everyone should be rewarded according to their deserts: to whom the Last Judgment, to whom heavenly reward, to whom the kingdom of God.
The first Christian communities already noted the unity that can be traced in a later period. Members of Christian communities tried to think not only about themselves, but also about the destinies of the whole world, to pray not only for their own good, but also for the common salvation. People of different nationalities became members of the community, which predetermined the further development of Christianity as a world religion that knew neither national nor linguistic boundaries.
The main feature of Christian morality is that the tenets of Christian doctrine are considered unchangeable, and the basic norms of morality remain valid in each new generation of believers. Christian morality includes a set of rules governing relationships between people.
The next step in the development of the concept of “church” began to focus on its infallibility; individual Christians can make mistakes, but not the church. The thesis is substantiated by the fact that the church received the Holy Spirit from Christ himself through the apostles who founded the first Christian communities.
Since the 4th century, the Christian Church periodically gathers the highest clergy at the so-called Ecumenical Councils. At these councils, a system of dogma was developed and approved, canonical norms and liturgical rules were formed, and methods of combating heresies were determined. Christian morality included a set of norms regulating relationships between people in the family, society, and society. These were the Old Testament and Gospel commandments and other moral instructions, which together constituted what was officially approved and called by the church the code of Christian morality .
The First Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea in 325, adopted the Christian Creed - a short set of main dogmas that form the basis of the doctrine. Christianity develops the idea of a single God, matured in Judaism, the possessor of absolute goodness, absolute knowledge and absolute power. The two central dogmas of Christianity speak of the trinity of God and the incarnation. According to the first, the inner life of the deity is the relationship of three “hypostases”; the Father (the beginningless beginning), the Son, or Logos (the semantic and formative principle), into the Holy Spirit (the life-giving principle). The Son is “born” from the Father, the Holy Spirit “proceeds” from the Father. Moreover, both “birth” and “procession” do not take place in time, since all the modes of the Christian Trinity have always existed - “eternal - and equal in dignity - “equal in honor” "
Man, according to Christian teaching, was created “in the image and likeness? God. However, the Fall committed by the first people left the stain of original sin on man. Christ, having suffered on the cross and death, “atone* for the sins of people, suffering for the entire human race. Therefore, Christianity emphasizes that suffering purifies a person; any restrictions on one’s desires and passions also lead to purification; “by accepting one’s cross,” a person can overcome evil in himself and in the world around him. Thus, a person not only fulfills God’s commandments, he is transformed, spiritualized and becomes closer to God. This is the purpose of a Christian, this is his justification for the sacrificial death of Christ. Connected with this view of man is the concept of “sacrament”, characteristic only of Christianity - a special cult action, with the help of which “under a visible image, the invisible grace of God is communicated to believers,” that is, which is intended to really introduce the divine into human life. There are seven sacraments recognized in Christianity: baptism, communion, fidgeting (repentance), church marriage, confirmation, unction (unction), priesthood (ordination to the clergy).
At first, Christianity was persecuted. Some believers had to go through a series of difficult trials; imprisonment and torture (“confessors”) or they were sentenced to death (“martyrs”). These persons began to be revered in Christianity as saints. Subsequently, the ideal of the martyr became central in Christian ethics.
Time passed. The conditions of the era and culture changed the political-ideological" context of Christianity, as a result of which Christianity splits into many different movements, and competing varieties of Christianity - "confessions" - appeared. Thus, in ZI the city Christianity became officially permitted, and by the end of the 4th century. under Emperor Constantine - the dominant religion, under the tutelage of state power. In the same century, a split emerged between Eastern and Western Christianity. In the 40s V century there is a gradual weakening of the Western Roman Empire, ending, ultimately, with its collapse. This contributed to the fact that the influence of the Roman bishop (pope) increased significantly. .In 1054 there was a division of the Orthodox and Catholic churches and the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches appeared. At the heart of the schism was the conflict between the Byzantine theology of the sacred power - the position of church hierarchs subordinate to the monarch and the Latin theology of the universal papacy, which sought to subjugate the secular power.
Already in the V-VII centuries. In Byzantium, and during the so-called Christological disputes, the Monophysite direction of Christianity became isolated. Unlike the Ogdiophysigius (who make up the majority of Christians), who recognize two natures in Jesus Christ - divine and human, the Monophysites considered Christ not a God-man, but a runner. At the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon, the monophysigs were defeated, and THEIR teaching was condemned as heresy.
In the 5th century Another direction also arose - Nestorianism (named after the Patriarch of Constantinople Nestorius), which taught that Jesus was not a god and but a God-man, but a Gyaovek who became the abode of the deity. Like the Monophysite movement, Etorianism was condemned as a heresy at the Ephesus assembly.
After the death of Byzantium in 1453 under the onslaught of the Ottoman Turks, Russia became the main stronghold of Orthodoxy.
In Rus', the first step towards Christianity was the baptism of Kyiv by Prince Vladimir and Novgorod;! Dobrynya. The widespread acceptance of this faith was facilitated by the development of the northern territories at the end of the 18th century. In the wake of resettlement, Christianity gradually spread and established itself throughout the territory of Rus'.
An extremely important stage in Orthodox history was also the time of the life of Sergius of Radonezh. During this period, the cult of the Trinity became one of the main social ideas, a symbol and banner of national unity, and a teaching about the reorganization of life on new moral principles.
After the victory on the Kulikovo Field, Rus' quickly grew stronger economically and politically. In 1448, the Council of Russian Bishops, independent of Constantinople, elevated Bishop Jonah of Ryazan to the see of Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus'. This marked the beginning of autocephaly, the independence of the Russian Church.
The patriarchate in Russia was established by Yari Boris Godunov. In 1589, Metropolitan Job became the first patriarch in Rus'.
In the 17th century disputes over the norms of ritual practice led to a schism, as a result of which the Old Believers separated from the Orthodox Church.
In the West, the ideology and practice of the papacy aroused increasing protest throughout the Middle Ages both from the secular elite (especially the German emperors) and from the lower classes of society (the Lollard movement in England, the Hussites in the Czech Republic, etc.). By the beginning of the 16th century. This protest in various segments of the population took shape in the Reformation movement - an anti-Catholic movement. The product of the Reformation was Protestantism.
