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Eternal India
encyclopedia
RELIGIONS
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To many, Jesus appeared to be the Messiah. They became his
followers.
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He began to criticise the actions of some religious leaders.
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The Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, had Jesus arrested and
sentenced to death by crucifixion.
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Jesus was nailed to the cross at Calvary.
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He appeared again on the third day after his death.
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After the resurrection,- Jesus appeared to his disciples and a
few others for 40 days before ascending into heaven.
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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
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Jesus referred to God as a loving and merciful father.
*
He asked every man to love his neighbours as well as his
enemies.
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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.
*
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
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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
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Advent (the season of preparation for Christmas).
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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.)
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
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Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see God.
*
Blessed arethe peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God.
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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.
Sermon on the Mount - The New Testament