Jesus Christ's atonement, the suffering in Gethsemene/Crucifixion and subsequent resurrection was performed to benefit all who ever lived or will ever lived. One need not be Christian to be counted among the beneficiaries. One need only to have been born. All men have gained salvation due to this seemingly simple act. What the Lord endured for all mankind in the Garden of Gethsemene is not comprehensible in our current state of progression. He literally paid for all our wrongdoings. Suffice it to say, had the Lord not done what he did, we would cease to exist.
Christ organized his church upon the earth prior to his death. The apostles went about spreading his message until they, too, were murdered. Due to the profound and loving nature of Christ's teachings, the world was changed and greatly affected by this one soul. Over time, the true teachings of Christ became distorted by man, and with the deaths of the 12 apostles, the authority to act in the name of God, the priesthood was taken from the earth. There was a need for a restoration of this power and of Christ's pure teachings, unmarred by the hands of generations of self-promoting men.
Through the restoration of the power to act in God's name, all can be baptized by those with the proper authority, the first of many saving ordinances.
So, in conclusion, all have gained salvation through Christ's sacrifice. Salvation is but the first step. Exaltation requires not only faith in the Lord, but it requires a demonstration of one's faith. This is the purpose of Judgment Day, when all will be assigned their glories based on their level of devotion, or better said, one's level of obedience. There are three glories, but that is another discussion entirely.
Best analogy...Christ is the key. We can do all that is possible on our own to get to the gate, but without the key, we cannot open the door. Also, we can hold the key in our hand, but if we do not recognize our need to travel the narrow path to the gate, the key is useless to us.
Thus, faith without works is dead. We must do our part as the Lord has done his part. The two combined equal exaltation. It is entirely possible to be saved, but not exalted. Many will be greatly dismayed when this realization comes to fruition on Judgment Day.
The next question should be...What does it mean to be saved vs. exalted?
Christians follow Jesus and salvation from God through Jesus. Anyone who God allows and who wants to, can become a real Christian and gain wisdom from the Holy Bible.
The same as one could gain today if they believe and follow Jesus......eternal life! Many of the early Christians lost their lives here on earth spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and gained life everlasting in Heaven. Jesus said in Mattew 10:39 "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he who loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Christians believe that by accepting Jesus and his teachings, they will gain forgiveness of their sins, eternal life in heaven, a relationship with God, guidance for living a moral and fulfilling life, and hope for the future.
Jesus brought the message of eternal life to his followers. His death and resurrection made it possible for his followers to be with God. Death in this world is not the end for those who believe.
The disciples of Jesus, Peter and Paul came to Rome and began the ministry, but it was the Christians themselves who were the main ones to spread the religion. The early Christians had the belief that it was their duty to try to convert others and thus gain for themselves a higher place in heaven.
They didn't. Only a very few Jews followed him, which is why the early Christians soon turned to non-Jewish centers of population to gain adherents. See:Why didn't the Jews believe in Jesus?
Jesus Christ and St. Paul, the founders of Christianity, were both born in Asia. Jesus in Palestine, Paul in Tarsus, a bit north of there.
The bent cross or crucifix is just an artistic depiction of the cross. One possible interpretation is that the wood is bending under the weight of the world's sins. All those "satanic" interpretations are people trying to read evil interpretations on anything Catholic. They are all made up out of thin air.
Cleopas and his companion pressed their invitation to the stranger, who was revealed to be the resurrected Jesus, because they recognized the significance of his presence and teachings. Their insistence reflected a deep desire for understanding and connection, as they sought clarity on the recent events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection. By inviting him to stay, they hoped to gain further insight and experience a transformative moment that would solidify their faith and understanding of his message. Ultimately, this moment led to a profound revelation, strengthening their belief and mission.
The greatest prize for which the holy war, particularly the Crusades, was fought was control over Jerusalem and the Holy Land. This region held immense religious significance for Christians, as it was the site of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. Consequently, the struggle for dominance in this area symbolized a broader conflict between Christianity and Islam during the medieval period. Ultimately, the control of Jerusalem represented not just territorial gain but also spiritual authority and legitimacy.
What do you mean? Jesus was already perfect and new everything.
No! Christians follow God's Word, the Bible. They attempt to spread Christianity because they care about people and want them to go to Heaven. They believe that the Bible tells that the only true way to Heaven is through repentance of sins and belief in Jesus Christ. Christians got their religion from the God of the Bible.