Major World Religions: Christianity
Which three continents have the largest populations of Christians?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
History & Origins
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_______________________________________________ is the central figure of the Christian religion.
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Jesus was born in the town of ______________ around the year ____________ To Mary and Joseph.
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Some Jews living in Judea regarded Jesus as the ___________________, or “Anointed One,” which meant he
was the ____________ sent by Yahweh (____________) to _______________ ________________ from their
______________.
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Jesus was a __________, and therefore believed in _______ _______. He honored the ____________
________________ and ______________ and he preached the _________ ___________________________.

He lived and preached primarily in _________________________, among fellow Jews. As He preached, He
began to attract many followers and large crowds.

However, not everyone in the Roman Empire welcomed Jesus and his message. In particular,
_________________ and _________________ leaders alike were concerned about the growing popularity of
Jesus.

Roman leaders felt __________was __________________ of _________________ ___________, while Jewish
leaders found His teachings to be ___________________________ (false).

Roman and Jewish leaders wanted Jesus _______________________ for the charges mentioned above. One of
Jesus’ disciples, ____________________________, identified Jesus for the authorities, and in return was given
____ pieces of ______________.

Jesus was taken before the Roman governor, ___________________________, who under pressure from a
________________ ____________________ _______, sentenced Jesus to ____________ by ______________.
This was the most common form of _______________ _________________________ in the
_________________ Empire.

On the ________________ day after His death, His ________________ was __________________
_______________.
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Christians believe Jesus descended into __________________ on this day.

He was later seen by His _____________________ and many other believers, whom He commanded to
_______________________ and _____________________ others.
Beliefs

Christianity teaches that ________________ is the __________ of ___________, God having became human
and the saviour of humanity

Jesus __________________, ________________, was __________________, and was ________________ from
the ________________ to open heaven to those who believe in him and trust him for the ______________ of
their sins (___________________________).

They further maintain that Jesus bodily ascended into heaven where he rules and reigns with God the Father.

Most denominations teach that ________________________________________________________________,
living and dead, and grant __________________ ____________ to his followers. He is considered the model of a
virtuous life, and both the revealer and physical incarnation of God.

Christians call the message of Jesus Christ the __________________ ("good news") and hence refer to the
earliest written accounts of his ministry as gospels.

The ____________________ is an essential doctrine of mainstream Christianity.

"_______________________________________" represents both the immanence and transcendence
of God.

God is believed to be _________________and God's presence may be perceived through the actions of
Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Christianity regards the ________________, a collection of _______________________ books in two parts (the
Old Testament and the New Testament), as the authoritative word of God

Most Christians believe that human beings experience ________________ __________________ and are
rewarded either with _____________________________________ (heaven) or
________________________________ (hell).
Facts

Christianity is the ___________________ religion in the world, with about ___________________ followers.

Christians believe that they reach salvation by following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Christianity is a ______________________________ religion, which means Christians believe in one God.

The Bible is the ___________ ____________________ _______________ of the Christian religion. It is divided
into two major parts: the Old Testament, which focuses on _______________h history, and the New
Testament, which describes the ______________________ of _______________

Christianity spread from the _______________________ and Europe through _____________________
_______________ and __________________________.

In order to follow Jesus' command to serve others, Christians established hospitals, churches, schools, charities,
orphanages, homeless shelters, and universities in the areas in which they spread Christianity

__________________ is considered a holy day and a day of _______________p in Christianity. It is believed to
represent the _______ day from the book of Genesis in which God rested after creating all of the Earth.
Divisions with Christianity

________________ _________________________:
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Leader is ___________, he is the highest authority in matters of faith, morality and Church governance
◦
__________________ group in Christianity
◦
Based in ________________________ ______________
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Defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising
charity

_______________________________________:
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Founded in the 16th century by Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, and John Calvin during the period of
____________________________ __________________________

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Technically the 2nd largest group, but Protestants are broken into ____________ ___________________
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Believe that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus and commitment to him rather than good works
______________________ ____________________________:
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Found predominately in __________________ ____________________
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2nd largest group in Christianity
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The goal of Orthodox Christians from baptism is to continually draw themselves ______________ to
_______ throughout their lives. This process is called _______________, or deification, and is a spiritual
_____________________ in which each person strives to both become more holy and more "Christ
Like" within Jesus Christ.
Sacraments of the Catholic Church

__________________
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Baptism is usually conferred today by pouring water three times on the recipient's head, while reciting
the baptismal formula: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”
◦

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Baptism is also practice in other sects of Christianity
__________________
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Process in which followers receive the Holy Spirit and become adult members of the Catholic Church
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Said to strengthen baptism
__________________
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Partaking of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and allow followers to participate in his one sacrifice
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Commonly known as Communion
◦
Communion is practice in other sects of Christianity as well
__________________
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(1) Contrition (the Penitent's sincere remorse for wrongdoing or sin, repentance, without which the rite
has no effect); (2) Confession to a Priest with the faculty to hear confessions (Canon 966.1) – while it
may be spiritually helpful to confess to another, only a Priest has the power to administer the
sacrament; (3) Absolution by the Priest; and, (4) Satisfaction or Penance.

______________________________________

_____________ ________________

__________________
Christian Observances

________________________:
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Easter is a spring festival that celebrates the ____________________ of _____________. It is the
_____________ Christian holiday and the ____________ __________________ day of the church year.


_____________ ________________________:
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Friday before Easter
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Observance of the _____________________ of Jesus on the ____________
_____________________________:
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The celebration of the ________________________________________
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Gifts are usually exchanged in symbolism of the gifts the Three Wise Men brought to Jesus when he was
born

________________ ________________________:
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Palm Sunday is the sixth Sunday of Lent and the last Sunday before Easter. It commemorates the
triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
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The term stems from the fact that when Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, a large crowd of people in
the city spread out palm branches on the ground before him as a sign of his kingship

______________:
◦
Lent is a _______________ period of ______________ and ___________________ in preparation for
Easter
◦
Christians usually abstain from one pleasure during this period
Christian Symbols

The _____________ is an early symbol of Christianity. There are many theories about the origin of the symbol,
but some Christians believe that it derives from the fact that Jesus called his disciples, or followers,
“__________________ of _______”

The cross is the earliest and most widely used Christian symbol. It represents the crucifixion of Christ.

Bread & Wine
◦
Many Christian worship services include _____________________, in which bread and wine are
consumed in _______________________ of ________________ ___________. Communion celebrates
the _______________ _______________Jesus took with his disciples, as illustrated in the Last Supper by
Leonardo da Vinci.