Jesus

• Born 4 BCE in Judea, a Roman province• Hebrew name,Yeshua ben Miriam

(“Joshua, son of Mary”)• Jesus of Nazareth, a preacher for three

years, before being crucified by the Roman authorities.

• Jesus did not write anything down. His followers wrote the new testament

Early Life

• Christ born in Bethlehem

• Raised in Nazareth near the Sea of Galilee

Family Life

• Parents Joseph and Mary• Many brothers and sisters• Father a carpenter• Story of Jesus begins at age 30

John The Baptist

• Jesus baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist

• Gospel of Mark: Chapter 1 (the oldest gospel)

Jesus’ Ministry

• John the Baptist is arrested• Jesus retreats to the desert for 40 days to

fast and pray• He is tempted by Satan• He returns and begins preaching that

people must repent to prepare for the kingdom of God

• For three years Jesus preaches• He performs miracles• He heals the sick• Heads to Jerusalem for Passover• Upends the money changers tables at the

temple (yes, THAT temple.)• Warrant is issued for his arrest.

The Last Supper• Jesus and the disciples share the

Passover meal in Jerusalem

• Jesus washes the feet of the disciples

Crucifixion

• Judas betrays Jesus to the authorities• He is arrested• Tried for sedition• Sentenced to death• Crucified

Resurrection and Ascension

• Jesus is raised from the dead

• Ascends to heaven 40 days after the resurrection

• Why is 40 days significant?

Day of Pentecost (Shavuot)

• Ten days after the Ascension, fifty days after Easter Sunday, Jesus’ followers meet in an upper room

• They share a religious experience.• All start speaking in foreign tongues.• Considered the birth of Christianity • They begin to spread Christ’s teachings

Roman Empire

• Christianity spreads through the Roman Empire, first to Jewish communities , then to the Gentiles.

• Many episodes of persecution and martyrdom for the next 200 years

Thrown to the Lions

Council of Nicea

• By the early 300s, 10% of Roman citizens are Christians

• Emperor Constantine assembles all the Bishops at Nicea 325 AD

• They hammer out the Nicene Creed• They determine which books will become

the bible• The Nicene Creed

What Christians Believe: The Nicene Creed 325 AD

• I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

• And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

• Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

• And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

• And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Nicene Creed 325 -

381 AD• The fathers of

the first council of Nicea 325 A.D.

Practices and Rituals

• Rituals: formal established acts and ceremonies through which believers worship their deity.

• Most rituals take place in a house of worship – a church

• Do you know of any Christian rituals?

Examples of Christian Rituals

• Roman Catholics dip two or three fingers in a holy water font at the back of a church and bless themselves with the sign of a cross

Examples of Rituals

• Eastern Orthodox Christians cross themselves, light a candle and kiss the icons of Jesus and religious figures at the entrance

Christian Worship Service• Prayers• Scripture readings• Singing of psalms from the Old Testament• Consecration of bread and wine• Communion• Collection of offerings for the poor• Sometimes a homily or sermon by clergy• Many take place on Sunday or Saturday

evening

Holy Communion

• The Holy Eucharist:• Started as Passover, evolved into a

communal meal in a home, then into churches.

• Bread and wine = body and blood of Christ• “Transubstantion” – the “host” becomes

the actual body and blood of Christ

Prayer• Individually and in

groups• Lord’s Prayer - most

widely used in Christianity. Taught by Jesus to followers.

• rosary – chain or string that holds a cross and beads: used by some Christians to guide prayer sequence

Contemplation and Meditation

• Some Christians read and reflect on the Bible to bring them closer to God

Fasting

• Abstinence from food, or certain kinds of food for a period of time

• To seek pardon for misdeeds or participate more fully in religious teachings

• Example during Lent before Easter to commemorate 40 days Jesus fasted in wilderness

Practice of Giving

• Contribute to Church financially• Service duties such as choir member, read

in church, collect donations, etc• Service organizations such as Habitat for

Humanity (Christian volunteer group)• Support the poor and suffering

Christian Pilgrimage

• Pilgrims: religious travellers bound for a holy place, or special religious event

• To deepen or broaden faith• May be to seek favor from God• Examples: World Youth Day,

shrines, the Holy Land

World Youth Day, Toronto

Basilica of Saint Anne de Beaupre, Quebec

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

• Located on the hill of the skull, site of Jesus’crucifixion and burial (close together)

Check your Understanding

• Complete questions 1, 2 and 3 on p. 284 (on paper) – we will discuss after

Christian Symbols

• The lamb of God

Symbols

• Cross, Crown of thorns, Fish, • Chi-Rho, Trinity, Dove

Chi Rho

• Two letters of Greek

Word meaning Christ• Used by early

Christians

The Fish

• Jesus’ words to his disciples: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”

The Cross

• Jesus’ death on the cross• Early church didn’t use it because of the

suffering associated with it• Common today:

Where have you seen this symbol?

See p. 279 for variations

• Catholic Cross

• End. P. 280

Icons and Images

Icons: stylized images, not realistic portraits – show heavenly glory of Jesus and other figures

Some branches (Eastern Orthodox only allow icons, not realistic images)

Roman Catholic Church and many protestant churches use realistic images

• iconography

• Statue in a Roman

Catholic Church

Stained Glass

Stained Glass – Cornwall United Church

Milestones

• Different branches recognize different sacraments

• Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches mark seven sacraments to mark passage of life

• Protestant Churches acknowledge two of these

Baptism

• Cleanses the soul, begin Christian life

• Most practise infant baptism, some Protestant churches delay until adolescence or adulthood as a sign of choice

• A Catholic baptism at 5:17

Holy Communion• Celebrate the Last Supper –

Passover meal Jesus shared with his apostles the night before he was crucified

• Transubstantiation: belief that bread and wine undergoes a change in substance

• This sacrament varies in branches of Christianity

Confession or Reconciliation• Some churches periodically

discuss their sins and struggles with priest or minister

• Called confession• Face to face or behind a

screen• Attempt to achieve

reconciliation with those who were wronged

Chrismation or Confirmation

• Confirmation: becoming a adult member of the church

• Eastern Orthodox church Chrismation rites performed on infants at time of baptism, including anointing with oils

Ordination• Most Christian Churches

use education programs at religious colleges and seminaries to prepare candidates for life as a cleric (priest, minister, etc)

• A few Christian churches see no need for formal clergy

Matrimony

• Marriage - sacred vow made in front of witnesses, promise to be faithful to one another with help of God

• Some churches see it as a sacrament and therefore the bond cannot be dissolved

Anointing the Sick or Dying

• Jesus healed the sick in his ministry• Some churches continue the practice by

blessing and saying prayers, giving communion, preparing for death

Funerals• Christian funeral has

two purposes: commend the deceased to heaven and console family and friends

• Some include cremation and some do not

• Prayer, hymns and other music often included

Check Your Understanding p. 289

• Please complete #s 1, 2 and 3