The essence of Christianity
The Christian faith teaches that Jesus Christ lived, suffered and died as a man on earth. Christians believe that Jesus was sent by God to be the saviour of the world through his teachings which are recorded in the Bible. The Bible has two distinct sections: The Old Testament, consisting of books written before the life of Jesus Christ and The New Testament contains the books written during and after the life of Jesus Christ. Christ means the ‘Messiah’ or ‘Anointed One’ who was the Son of God and born of the Virgin Mary. Christian life is lived in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Practising the faith
Christians believe in the Holy Trinity (three aspects of one God) this is often said in prayer and ultimately means: God the Father (the creator), God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit (the power of God).
There are various groups in the Christian faith including Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, Methodists and Reformed. There are several sacraments and although not every individual receives every sacrament, they are on the whole seen as necessary means of salvation for the faithful.
Baptism (with the adult declaration of faith in Confirmation) is the sign of membership into God’s family and involves the immersion in or sprinkling of holy water.
Communion is the central ceremony in Christian life where bread and wine are received to symbolise the receiving of the body and blood of Jesus.
Penance involves asking for forgiveness through prayer or confession.
Marriage is considered as the beginning of a new family in God.
Holy Orders is the sacrament by which a man is made a bishop, a priest, or a deacon and Anointing of the Sick involves a priest anointing the sick with blessed oil.
Christians will perform regular prayer with weekly worship held in a Church on a Sunday (the Sabbath day – weekly day of rest)
Significant features of Christianity
The most familiar celebration in the Christian calendar is Christmas which celebrates the birth of Christ.
Many non-Christians also celebrate Christmas with the giving and receiving of presents. However, the most significant dates are Good Friday, which marks the death of Jesus on the cross and Easter Sunday which celebrates the resurrection of Christ. Ascension Day marks the celebration of Jesus’ ascension to Heaven, over forty days after Easter.
Lent is also an important period, held forty days before Easter, and includes fasting or abstaining from food or festivities.
Christianity in Bury
Christianity is the largest religion in the World and over 73% of the Bury population state their religion as Christian. There are hundreds of Churches in the Borough where followers can practice their faith.
