DK Society & Beliefs: Christianity
Christians believe in one God with three aspects: God the father, God the son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus’s role as the Messiah, who lived around 2,000 years ago, is revealed in the BIBLE.
Judaism teaches that a Messiah, or holy king, will come to Earth to complete God’s plan for humankind. Christians believe that Jesus (who was born a Jew) is this Messiah, while Jews believe he was a prophet, preparing the way for a Messiah yet to come.
The cross symbolizes the death and RESURRECTION of Christ. Christians believe that Jesus’s death brought salvation, by taking away their sins. When Christians are baptized, they are marked with the sign of the cross in remembrance of this sacrifice.
Christians believe that Jesus Christ came to life three days after his death and rose up to heaven to live again at the right hand of God. His resurrection is a symbol of hope for all Christians.
Jesus Christ lived in Roman-occupied Palestine. His mother was the Virgin Mary and his earthly father was Joseph. He worked as a carpenter before becoming a religious teacher. His teachings upset the Roman and religious authorities, and he was executed at the age of 33.
The Christian scripture is called the Bible. It combines the Jewish Bible (Old Testament) with a Christian Bible (New Testament) that includes accounts of Jesus’s teachings and those of his followers.
