History

(Jesus to his disciples)

Christianity grew from Judaism and therefore the Hebrew Scriptures (in Christian terms, the Old Testament) are included in the Christian Bible. Christians, however, believe that the promised Messiah has already come in the person of Jesus (probably born around 6 BCE - Before the Common Era).

Christians are monotheistic, believing in one God, but within that oneness most Christians believe that God is expressed in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is believed to be the Son of God, both human and divine, and the Holy Spirit is God's continuing presence with his people. The New Testament recounts how Jesus was crucified (a form of execution carried out within the Roman Empire) and died and then rose from death three days later and gave further teaching to his disciples before returning to his Father. Christians believe in eternal life beyond death. For most Christians baptism with water is the basic sign of initiation into the Church, the Christian community founded by Jesus. Baptism is often given to infants, but in some Christian denominations baptism is only administered to believing adults.

 
The Christian Church is described in the Bible as ''the body of Christ'', suggesting a basic unity but with different parts and functions. Throughout Christian history various disagreements and rifts have led to the division of Christianity into different churches or denominations, reflecting a wide range of practices and theological positions. These different denominations or traditions in the Church include Roman Catholicism, various Eastern orthodox Churches, Anglicanism, Presbyterianism, Methodism, Baptist Churches, Quakers, the Salvation Army, Free Presbyterianism, and many others. These are not separate religions, however, and since the early years of the 20 th century there have been significant movements towards Christian unity- the ecumenical movement – often on the model of “unity in diversity”.