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All Saints' Church, East Hanningfield |
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Christianity |
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What is Christianity?This is from the website of the Archibishop of York, John Sentamu For two thousand years people in every country and culture have discovered that Jesus Christ has brought them to God. Christianity remains the world's largest religion, and the Bible the world's best selling book.
Jesus Christ lived in what is now the Middle East and was executed by being nailed to a cross in about AD30. He was in his early thirties when he died Jesus was put on trial for speaking out about God's rule of justice and for criticising the values of his society. He was sentenced to death and was crucified. To the amazement of his followers, who watched him die, on the third
day the tomb where he was buried was found empty. Jesus appeared to his disciples. He broke bread and had breakfast with some. He also appeared to more than five hundred men and women. These experiences transformed the lives of ordinary men and women. They had witnessed evil overwhelmed by good. Christianity had begun. God's forgiveness movement was inaugurated. |
What do we believe?We believe that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is God's guarantee that he cares for us forever. We believe that the teachings of Jesus during his lifetime show us the way in which we should live. We aspire to follow these teachings in our daily lives and to apply them. We know that no-one is perfect and that everyone make mistakes. We all
do. But we believe God forgives us when we turn in sorrow with the desire
to live differently, as we try to learn from what we have done wrong. We don't have all the answers. Only God does. By entering into a relationship with God, by the power of God's Holy Spirit, we look to serve Him and other people better with the life he has given us in Jesus Christ. Life itself now has a new meaning. No failure or disaster is ever without hope. God offers his forgiveness and love unconditionally. How we respond to that love informs our lives and actions. God believes in us and is never disappointed with us. Once a person has accepted God's unconditional love for them, they cannot but look at other people in a new way – for God is equally concerned for every one of us due to our infinite worth before Him. Prayer – listening and talking to God - is also for everyone, but it takes time and practice. In prayer, as in other areas, Jesus showed us how we can approach God. All the important things in life – work, sex, money, relationships – are of concern to God. Human beings are trusted by God to be generous with their lives. After death we shall account to God for the way we have lived.
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Useful Websites about ChristianityExcellent site with lots of multimedia, where you can learn more. Highly recommended. Official Church of England page on Christianity with more links |
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For more information contact Rev'd Pamela Pennell 01277 841179 All Saints' Church, East Hanningfield © 2009 |
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