The History of Christianity

By Dennis King

This essay, The History of Christianity, does not presume to establish a definitive, all-inclusive document. There are many conflicting ideas of what the “Christian Religion” is or has been. Christianity's development can be very confusing and it is often discussed in more “scholarly” terms than necessary. Therefore, this was written as straightforwardly as possible to highlight the more significant events in Christianity's history. Topics within are sequenced in a more-or-less chronological timeline.
Christianity is a bible based religion founded upon the teachings of Jesus Christ. ‘Christ’ is not the last name of Jesus. The word, ‘Christ,’ means the anointed one of God the Father. Jesus, anointed by God, was born fully human to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies and laws. He performed many miracles and instructed shepherds and priests alike. These acts were recorded on scrolls, by eyewitness accounts, and supported by non-biblical documents. Individual scrolls and manuscripts were aggregated into today's books of the Bible(s).
Near the end of His first earthly ministry, Jesus, Son of the Most High, willingly, though somewhat reluctantly, died on the cross for the remission of all our sins so we could have a chance of salvation. Three days later, He physically rose from death, left the burial tomb, and proved to the Apostles—He was alive again before ascending to heaven.
Christianity teaches there is only one Supreme Being manifested as the Holy Trinity; God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God made the universe and the earth while creating humankind in His image. The Son is the only way to salvation. The Holy Spirit convicts sinners but works in the hearts and minds of all humanity to save those who exercise their faith and believe in Jesus.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dennis King
• Release date: May 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005854843

Dennis King

Hello friends, if you are looking to download my free or low-cost selections of books and essays, you've reached the right place. All you have to do is scroll down a couple of pages to peruse those offerings.What is your favorite reading genre? If you like adventures or stories with military intrigue, try “Betrayed by Soldiers” and follow that up with “Deep Cover Shakedown.” If you like poetry, you can read 20,000 words of original, rhythmical composition in “Romantic Poetry”? By poking around in the nooks and crannies of the offerings listed you will find illustrated children's stories, Sci-Fi, and many short essays that have proved useful in informal Bible Studies or self-help for the troubled souls suffering from worry or anxieties.For those of you that wish to know a little about me, after growing up in the small town of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, I served for twenty years in the military. During that time, I served two volunteer tours in classified combat situations and flew more than 100 combat missions manning a .50 machine gun from the side-door of a Marine helicopter at the height of the war. After being promoted to Staff Sergeant (E-6), I requested Officer Candidate School. As a Signal Officer, I served in Field Artillery, Signal Battalions, and Recruiting Command. My last assignment was at the Pentagon with the Army Research & Development Agency.For the avid card players out there, I invented and offer TOSS Playing Cards, comprised of an eight-suited deck that plays every card game you know with more excitement and challenges. The deck can be reviewed at Toss.iWARP.com.Retired, I now serve as a Red Cross Disaster Services team member and Spiritual Care. Please, feel free to email any comments, favorable or not. Every author, like to hear from the fans or critics. You can reach me directly at [e-mail].

Book preview

The History of Christianity

by

Dennis D. King

ISBN TBD

Copyright 2021 Dennis King

License

This work is licensed for your personal enjoyment. Any and all lessons herein may be used in Christian Bible Study without seeking additional permissions. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

Disclaimer

This is a Biblical based instruction. All subjects and persons mentioned are from information gathered from private and public sources.

Acknowledgments

I wish to thank unnamed others for their assistance to bring you these Christian messages.

Author's Notes

As a certified and ordained Chaplain, I have led ministries in Prisons, Jails, Senior Facilities, Rehab Centers, and Baptist or non-denominational Bible Study groups. By way of a transparent introduction, I have no theological degrees whatsoever. As you may gather, I do have a burning desire to do my small part to encourage spreading the Word of God. Shoring up the weak in faith and helping unbelievers gain insight into salvation are two of the most rewarding efforts a person may indulge in.

I was baptized (sprinkled) in a Lutheran Church at the age of thirty. Decades later, I was properly baptized by full submersion in a Baptist Church. Baptism by a layperson, Chaplain, Priest, or Pastor, is not an act of salvation. It is a public demonstration of a singular contract between God and yourself. Yes, God offers salvation to the masses, but it is always a one on one contract. You to God and God to you!

Every topic included within this brief writing has been discussed in volumes by believers and unbelievers alike in studies, books, videos, and a multitude of inerrant and errant opinions scattered all over the world and airwaves of the Internet.

To that regard and for the salvation of souls, I have written this to be a simplistic, unadorned understanding of Christian history. To do so, I have incorporated material information from traditional (non-biblical) sources. For clarity, I generally use the New International Version (NIV) of the Holy Scriptures. To achieve a more in-depth enlightenment, please refer to any King James Bible version. Or speak with any bonafide Christian Clergy.

A host of information is offered freely at the BibleGateway internet site. Once there, you may choose any Biblical version(s) you prefer. I frequently compare the same verse against several interpretations. Any amount of time familiarizing yourself with the various reference options will be well spent.

Also consider, you do not have to join a church to visit on any given Sunday. Or to speak with a Minister! If you are searching, I wholeheartedly encourage you to visit more than one church to find the Pastor and congregation that is most appealing to you.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Oral and Early Written History

Old Testament

Old Testament Prophecies About Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ Arrives

The Disciples Become Apostles

The Catholic Church

Martin Luther

The Protestant Reformation

The New Testament

Ecumenical Creeds

Apostle's Creed

Athanasius Creed

Who Determined the Books of the Bible?

Should We Trust the Bible?

Major Religions in the United States of America

Novels and Books by This Author

Children Stories

Christian Essays

Eight Suited Christian Playing Cards

Introduction

This essay, The History of Christianity does not presume to establish a definitive, all inclusive document. The targeted audience is not biblical scholars, but interested laypersons of any denomination.

There are many conflicting ideas of what the Christian Religion is or has been. Christianity's development can be very confusing and it is often discussed in more scholarly terms than necessary. Even as written presentations of God's Word have vacillated, likewise the material inserted or deleted from the various Bibles has also fluctuated. Therefore, this was written as straightforwardly as possible to highlight the more significant events in Christianity's history. Topics within are sequenced in a more-or-less chronological timeline.

Christianity is a bible based religion founded upon the teachings of Jesus Christ. ‘Christ’ is not the last name of Jesus. The word, ‘Christ,’ means the anointed one of God the Father. Jesus, anointed by God,