important facts and key beliefs of christianity you may be unaware of
Important Facts and Key Beliefs of Christianity You May be Unaware of
Christianity is an Abrahamic religion that has evolved from Judaism, which is also an Abrahamic religion. The word in itself is derived from the Greek word 'Christos', meaning 'The Anointed One'. Here are some interesting facts about Christianity―the world's largest religion―that are not common knowledge.
- God: There exists only one God.
- Holy Trinity: Christians believe in the Holy Trinity; God as Father, His Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Church: Manifestation of the Holy Spirit on Earth.
- Baptism: Commitment made towards the teachings of Christ.
- Life After Death: Christians believe in life after death.
- Humans Nature: The human nature is considered to be born in sin.
- Christian beliefs date back centuries before Christ.
- Christianity evolved from Judaism towards the end of 1st century C.E.
- The Roman Empire accepted Christianity as an official religion in the 4th century C.E.
- Today, there are over 40,000 denominations in Christianity. A majority, though, follow Roman Catholicism.
- Christianity has the largest number of followers spread worldwide.
- The Bible has been translated into 1,200 different languages. This also includes Klingon, for Star Trek enthusiasts.
- The Bible has been written by about 40 different authors.
- In 1054, Christianity split into two denominations: Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church.
- In 1517, as a result of the movement started by Martin Luther, called the Reformation, a new denomination was born in Christianity; 'Protestantism'.
- The Bible is the most sold book, and also the most 'shoplifted' book in the world.
- There are close to 6 million books written about Christianity.
- Originally, in the Bible, angels were portrayed as monsters/fearsome creatures. This changed around the end of the 4th century, when angels started to be depicted with two wings, the way we know them today.
- Genesis 6:3 says, "And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years." This points to the fact that humans can live to a maximum age of 120 years.
- Contrary to popular belief, the 3 wise men did not reach the manger in which Jesus was born in time.
- Adam and Eve were not expelled from the Garden of Eden because they had sinned. This happened so as to prevent them from eating from the 'Tree of Life', because if they did so, they would become spiritual bodies, and live forever.
- Everyone is taught that man thought the Earth was flat, before Christopher Columbus discovered that the Earth was actually round. Well, there is mention of a round Earth long before Christopher Columbus existed. Isaiah 40:22 - "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth...".
- The prophet Muhammad is mentioned by name just 4 times in the Quran, while Jesus is mentioned 37 times, and Moses 177 times.
- The Holy Bible consists of 66 books.
- There are 7 Deadly Sins: lust, pride, anger, envy, sloth, avarice. and gluttony.
- There are 7 Virtues: prudence, courage, temperance, justice, faith, hope. and charity.
- The words "Don't Be Afraid" appear 365 times in the Bible, the same number as the days in a year.
- The 2 most important teachings of Jesus are: 'to love God with all your heart, mind, and soul'; and 'to love your neighbor as yourself'.
- The Bible was first written in 3 languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek.
- The 12 disciples were forbidden from carrying food, money, or extra clothing.
- The only apostle who was actually present at the crucifixion of Jesus was John.