Eternal India Encyclopedia

RELIGIONS

Eternal India encyclopedia

* Jesus treated both the sinner and the saint with the utmost love and respect. * He showed a special liking for the poor, the down- trodden, the outcast and the sinners. SCRIPTURES * The Bible is the holy book. It consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament. * The Old Testament, much of which is also scripture for Jews and Muslims, consists of 39 books written by various authors and provides the background for the New Testament. * The New Testament consists of 27 books, including the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the letters of St. Paul. The Gospels give an account of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. The other books tell about the growth and teaching of the early church. * Many versions of the Bible, including those used by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, include a section of Apocryphal writings. These do not have the same authority as the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. * The Bible has been translated into most of the languages of the world. FESTIVALS * Advent (the season of preparation for Christmas). * Christmas (Christians celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ). * Lent (the season of preparation for Easter). * Good Friday (remembers the day of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion). * Easter (commemorates the day of Christ’s resurrection). * Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate many Saints days throughout the year. (F.D.)

* To many, Jesus appeared to be the Messiah. They became his followers. * He began to criticise the actions of some religious leaders. * The Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, had Jesus arrested and sentenced to death by crucifixion. * Jesus was nailed to the cross at Calvary. * He appeared again on the third day after his death. * After the resurrection,- Jesus appeared to his disciples and a few others for 40 days before ascending into heaven. * The disciples realized that Jesus was not an ordinary person but the "Son of God" and recognised in Jesus the God-Man. * This recognition was the birth of Christianity as a religion. * Constantine (324-337), the Roman emperor, embraced Christianity which became the official religion of the Roman Empire from the 4th Century. CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA * According to South Indian tradition St. Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, came to India from Syria in 52 A.D. Western traditions place work of St. Thomas in northwestern part of Indian subcontinent. * Traditional accounts say St. Thomas converted a number of persons to Christianity before being killed in India. Traditional tomb is located at Mylapore. now part of Madras city. * Historical evidence proves that Christians were in India from at least the end of the 3rd C. There has been a Christian community in the country ever since. * The Syrian Christians belong to the Oriental Orthodox family of churches. * Significant contacts with Western churches began only with arrival of the Portuguese in 16th C. * Extensive Roman Catholic Missionary activity under Portuguese patronage until 19th C. * Protestant missionaries first arrived in 18th C. * During 19th & 20th C the number of Christians has greatly increased. St. Thomas Christians still play an important role in Indian Christianity. Roman Catholics make up half Christian population. Protestants established numerous churches of various denominational traditions. * Indian church leaders and theologians play a leading role in Ecumenical Movement at national and international levels. THE TEACHINGS * Jesus referred to God as a loving and merciful father. * He asked every man to love his neighbours as well as his enemies. * He despised wealth. * He repeated the Ten Commandments and asked the people to lead a life of simplicity and morality. * Jesus announced the approaching Kingdom of God and called people to repentance. * He insisted on the necessity of showing love towards God through loving fellowmen without any distinction or reser- vation.

QUOTE And seeing the multitudes, he (Jesus) went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, * Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. * Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

* Blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the earth. * Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. * Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain mercy * Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see God. * * Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. * Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works , and glorify your Father which is in heaven. children of God.

Blessed arethe peacemakers: for they shall be called the

Sermon on the Mount - The New Testament