By: HISTORY.com Editors

Christianity

HISTORY: ChristianityChristmas (which celebrates the birth of Jesus) and Judaism—not create a new religion.

Rejected Books of the Bible and What Happened to Them

Believe it or not, some books just didn’t make the cut to be in the Bible. Watch as we countdown the top 10 rejected books of the Bible, in this History Countdown episode.

9:36m watch

When he was around 30 years old, Jesus started his public ministry after being baptized in the Jordan River by the prophet known as John the Baptist.

For about three years, Jesus traveled with 12 appointed disciples (also known as the 12 apostles), teaching large groups of people and performing what witnesses described as miracles. Some of the most well-known miraculous events included raising a dead man named Lazarus from the grave, walking on water and curing the blind.

Jesus's Teachings

Jesus used parables—short stories with hidden messages—in his teachings.

Some of the main themes that Jesus taught, which Christians later embraced, include:

  • Love God.

  • Love your neighbor as yourself.

  • Forgive others who have wronged you.

  • Love your enemies.

  • Ask God for forgiveness of your sins.

  • Jesus is the Messiah and was given the authority to forgive others.

  • Repentance of sins is essential.

  • Don’t be hypocritical.

  • Don’t judge others.

  • The Kingdom of God is near. It’s not the rich and powerful—but the weak and poor—who will inherit this kingdom.

In one of Jesus’s most famous speeches, which became known as the Sermon on the Mount, he summarized many of his moral instructions for his followers.

Jesus's Death and Resurrection

History of Easter

A look at the origins of the holiest day on the Christian calender.

3:32m watch

Many scholars believe Jesus died between A.D. 30 and 33, although the exact date is debated among theologians.

According to the Bible, Jesus was arrested, tried and condemned to death. Roman governor Roman Empire collapsed in A.D. 476, differences emerged among Eastern and Western Christians.

In A.D. 1054, the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox church split into two groups.

The Crusades

Between about A.D. 1095 and A.D. 1230, the Crusades, a series of holy wars, took place. In these battles, Christians fought against Mennonite

  • Christian Science

  • Sources

    Christianity Fast Facts

    Harvard University

    Life and Teachings of Jesus

    He is one of the most commonly painted figures in Western art. But what do we really know about his appearance?

    Still photo from HISTORY® Channel's series 'Jesus: His Life'

    The archives’ treasures are the stuff of legend—but their existence is absolutely real.

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