Christianity traces its beginning to a miraculous birth, adulthood, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, known as Jesus Christ. Over 2000 years ago in Palestine (today's Israel), Jesus was born into a humble Jewish family in Bethlehem, then grow up in Nazareth. His mother was a young peasant woman named Mary. Christians believe that his father was the God in Heaven, making Jesus both fully human and fully divine. His earliest followers came to believe that he was the Messiah, or messenger, sent by God to free humanity from slavery, sin, and death. God sent his son Jesus in human form so that people would have a better understanding of God as a caring and loving parent. Jesus lived and experienced the suffering of humans. Jesus healed the sick, told stories, fed people with only a few loaves of bread, and teaches sermons that taught what God wanted people to do – to love God with all their hearts and love the people surrounding them as well as themselves. Jesus taught by example. By being loving and forgiving himself, Jesus taught others to be loving and forgiving - especially toward those who were considered lowest of the society. This is the central message and style of Jesus' teaching. During his adulthood in Jerusalem, Jesus built up loyal followers, led by his twelve disciples. But Jesus also made enemies among the religious and political leaders of his time. In the end, these powerful leaders were so threatened by Jesus' growing following that the Roman governor sentenced Jesus to death and had him crucified. The third day after Jesus' death, his followers found his tomb empty and discovered that he rose from the dead (resurrection). Christians believe that the painful sacrifice of Jesus' life on the cross shows how much God loves people. Jesus paid with his life on Earth for the sins of the world. Christians believe that in raising Jesus' from the dead, God showed that Jesus' message of love and forgiveness was more powerful than death, and that believing in Jesus and following the example of his life and his teaching would lead to eternal life after death. The resurrection (rising from the dead) is the sign of God's salvation offered to all the people who believe, admit their sins, and follow Jesus. After ascending to heaven, Jesus his Holy Spirit down to guide and comfort his followers. Then, Jesus' followers, and missionaries, spread Christianity throughout the world and create Christian Churches. Today, there are about 2.1 billion Christians living all over the world.
By Victor
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