Christianity - Origins

Dean Liddell
CHRISTIANITY
CHRISTIANITY
ORIGINS
DEAN LIDDELL
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All information in this document is subject to change without notice. Please check the proceeding research papers to see if there are updates.
Dean Liddell
CHRISTIANITY
Christianity
Origins
Written by:
Dean Liddell
© 2018 – Dean Liddell
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this work can be reproduced, printed, or republished without the written permission of the author.
NOTE:
This document does NOT include detailed information on people historically important to Christianity, such as
Jesus Christ, the Apostles, the Roman Catholic papacy, leaders and founders of Christian sects, and other
important peoples deemed historically important to the Christian faith.
Table of Contents
Christianity’s History................................................................................................................3
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CHRISTIANITY
Religious splits..........................................................................................................................4
Crusades....................................................................................................................................6
The Symbols of Christianity.....................................................................................................7
Chi Rho.............................................................................................................................................7
Ichthus..............................................................................................................................................7
The Cross..........................................................................................................................................7
Alpha and Omega............................................................................................................................8
Christian Flag...................................................................................................................................8
Bibliography..............................................................................................................................9
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CHRISTIANITY
Christianity’s History
There have been many suggestions, and views of how and when this faith have been officially established. The
faith that worships God in the form of the trinity, God the father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit, sometimes
referred to as “The Holy Ghost”, with a focus on the salvation from and the teachings of Jesus, which is found
in the New Testament. The believers of this faith are today known as Christians in the collective term, however,
there are many sects of this diverse faith, yet this is not the origins of each of these sects, these research papers
of them shall come later, lets focus on the origins of the faith itself.
Christianity, originally formed by people believing in the teachings of Jesus Christ, in the 1 st Century, according
to the website, “Patheos”, reports that the Christian faith was considered a Jewish sect, and it was treated as
such, under Roman law, and is considered a Jewish religious movement. [ CITATION PBS \l 3081 ]
[ CITATION Pat \l 3081 ]. In addition, Jewish converts where mostly Jewish by birth and, after converting,
followed basic Jewish laws, however, due to their belief in Jesus, it caused tensions between Jewish believers of
Christ, and religious Jews.[ CITATION His07 \l 3081 ].
The faith was expanded by believers, however, Paul, originally known as Saul, was a heavy persecutor of the
new Christian community, however, due to an event in his life, as recorded in the biblical text, reported that he
experienced a vision of Jesus, and after talking to Jesus in said vision, he went blind. After this, he went to a
near-by town and was healed by a Christian, and when he was reportedly healed, by said Christian, he believed
in Jesus, and dedicated his life to Jesus. [ CITATION BBC11 \l 3081 ][CITATION Zon \l 3081 ].
Paul, explained the persecution from the Jewish peoples as “we (Christians) preach Christ crucified: a
stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23 NIV) and due to his former faith, Paul
decided to do this. However, due to the vision as mentioned, he changed his mission of that of protecting his
faith, to that of promoting the Christian faith across the known world at the time. A noticeable way he did this
was the epistles Paul wrote.
The Christian faith soon had converts from other communities, and the faith it’s persecution from the Roman
Empire and was banned under the empire’s laws under the emperor Domitian. [ CITATION Pat1 \l 3081 ]
[ CITATION BBC091 \l 3081 ]. This caused the Christ followers to not be as public in their teachings but didn’t
impact their faith in Christ as far as we know during these periods.
Through human history, since the time of the acceptance of Christianity of the Roman Emperor, Constantine,
and the settlements of what a Christian actually believe with the creeds known as Apostles’ Creed, Nicaean
Creed, Creed of Nicaea, Caledonian Creed and Athanasian Creed. Which lay forth the beliefs of the Christian
faith. However, there are many creeds of the early church, the most popular and well-known ones can be put to
the Apostle’s Creed, Nicaean Creed and the Athanasian Creed historically depending on who you ask.
[ CITATION Tho17 \l 3081 ] [ CITATION Gra16 \l 3081 ][ CITATION Ont96 \l 3081 ].
Religious splits
As many people know, Christianity is split up into denominations, or sects, I’ll swap between the two
throughout this section. Though, many people may wish to go further into study of the different sects and
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CHRISTIANITY
movements, I’ll, in time, do research into different denominations, and I’ll add them to regions of their origin.
For example, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as The Mormon church, (A Christian
denomination), will be placed under the region of America on my website as a mere example. However, the
above shall come in due time, let us look at the historical splits through history.
Until the year of 1054, there were many splits, but they were stopped and not much is known of these small
groups, but in that year, the first great split in Christianity, the split between the Catholic and Orthodox
Christian churches (further information shall come at a later date) after. Then the Protestant Reformation split
occurred in 1517, when Martin Luther published the 95 theses and was quickly excommunicated by the Catholic
church. Around the same time, there was the swiss reformed movement, which will later go on to be called
Presbyterian. In addition, in the year of 1534, King Henry VIII broke away from the authority of the Papacy
and started Anglicanism, which is, to this day, still the official religion of the United Kingdom, whose head is
the Monarch of the United Kingdom. [ CITATION Rel17 \l 3081 ] [ CITATION Enc18 \l 3081 ][ CITATION
ABC17 \l 3081 ][ CITATION Rel16 \l 3081 ]
Many people and groups have designed photographic tools for people to show splits in the Christian faith. The
following are public domain images that show the splits. The splits shown here have been collected with basic
research of other peoples.
This file, known as the “major branches within Christianity” shows the council of Ephesus and Chalcedon,
Great Schism and the Reformation as discuss above. The next file, on the next page shows the protesetent
denominations, in other words, it shows the sects commonly considered as protestentism withing Christianity,
with coloured sections showing the general time of the Reformation, and the four great awakenings.
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CHRISTIANITY
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CHRISTIANITY
Crusades
The Crusades of the Christian faith were actions of the Christians in Europe, across Europe and the Middle
east, as a response to Muslim control of the Holy land. The Christian Crusades which are in five stages, had
different impacts on Christianity, and its relations to Islam and the Holy Land amongst getting former Christian
territories, and to convert the pagans of the surrounding areas.
The Crusades are as follows:
1. First Crusade, 1096-99
The First crusade, which is said to take place from 1096-1099, had a purpose was to capture city of Jerusalem,
which was controlled by the Islamic leaders of the time.
2. Second Crusade, 1147-49
The second Crusade, which is said to be between 1147-49, was led by King Louis VII of France and Emperor
Conrad III of Germany. The purpose of this crusade is to recapture the area of Edessa, which, when lost, was a
shock to both eastern and western Christians.
3. Third Crusade, 1189-92
The Third Crusade, which is said to be between 1189-1192, was to re-take control of Jerusalem after it’s fall.
And was called by Gregory VIII in a Crusade Bull.
4. Fourth Crusade, 1202-04
The Fourth Crusade was important to establish the Latin Empire of Byzantium, and to capture Jerusalem again.
5. Children's Crusade, 1212
The children’s crusade is said to be inspired by young children, and to convert Muslims to Christendom.
[ CITATION New171 \l 3081 ], [ CITATION BBC18 \l 3081 ], [ CITATION Rel161 \l 3081 ], [ CITATION
The18 \l 3081 ]
The Symbols of Christianity

Everyone, when asked “what is the symbol of Christianity?” will almost certainly say the cross. However, this
was not always the symbol of Christianity. So, what is the historical and current symbols of the Christian Faith?
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CHRISTIANITY
In this section, we’ll look at the faith’s symbols and what they mean to Christianity, overall. For specific
symbols of different denominations, we’ll look at that in the research papers for each individual denomination,
for each denomination, happen to have their own symbols, It would be no justice to this document if we don’t
discuss the historic symbols used by Christians over the approximately 2000 years of Christianity.
Chi Rho
The Chi Rho symbol is a signifying Jesus Christ. The symbol originally
appeared in around the fourth century with Constantine. it is reported that
Constantine had a vision with this symbol. It is also reported that Eusebius,
who is a church historian, in addition to speaking to Constantine about said
vision, stated "On the top of the whole was fixed a wreath of gold and precious
stones, and within this the symbol of the Saviour's name, two letters indicating
the name of Christ by means of the initial letters, the letter X intersection P at
the centre.” [ CITATION Rel162 \l 3081 ]
Ichthus
The Ichthus, otherwise known as the Christian
“Fish”, originated around 1st and 2nd century A.D., was used by believers
after, and during the persecutions from the Romans, to double check
if the person they just met is a friend, or a foe, and to mark tombs and
meeting places as this wouldn’t be an obvious symbol for Christians.[
CITATION Rel171 \l 3081 ], [ CITATION Rel09 \l 3081 ],
The Cross
The cross is the most recognised symbol in regard to the Christian faith, it has
been used by the Church to represent the crucifix used for the death of Jesus
Christ. Though there are many versions of the cross, dependent on the Christian
movement, this is the most well-known variant. The cross of Christianity, as
featured to the left, is also known as the ‘Latin cross’, and is featured on most
western churches, like the catholic, Anglican, and protestant churches. This form
on the cross is also featured on the Christian flag, which will be talked about later
in this document due to the well-known simplicity of this symbol.
[CITATION The11 \l 3081 ] [ CITATION Rel172 \l 3081 ]
Alpha and Omega

The Alpha and Omega symbols which are Greek in origin, which are often
together, alongside the Cross and Chi-rho symbols are meant to represent
Jesus, as the first and the last, as seen in the biblical context, in Revelation
1:8, it states “I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who
is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” [NIV], in addition to
this, “I am the first and the last” as read in Isaiah 44:6. [ CITATION
Rel173 \l 3081 ], [ CITATION New07 \l 3081 ].
Christian Flag
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CHRISTIANITY
The Christian flag originates from Charles C. Overton 1, on September 26,

1897. However, this is not the official flag of the Christian faith, as there is
no one flag accepted by every single denomination, it is often used by
Christians, and is accepted as an officially unofficial flag. The Christian
flag is a white field, meant to signify ‘purity’, with a blue section on the top
left (canton) region, meant to signify Courage, and a red Latin cross,
meant to signify the sacrifice of Jesus for humanity. It could also signify the
blood of Christ.[ CITATION Enc16 \l 3081 ], [ CITATION Sod18 \l 3081 ].
Bibliography
Sodality of the Christian Flag. (2018, May 24). Christian Flag. Retrieved from Sodality of the Christian Flag:
http://christianflag.weebly.com
ABC. (2017, October 31 ). Reformation: Here's what Martin Luther thought the Catholic Church was wrong
about. Retrieved from ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-31/what-martin-luther-thought-the-
catholic-church-was-wrong-about/9031732
BBC . (2009, 6 8). The basics of Christian history. Retrieved from BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/history_1.shtml
1
A Sunday school superintendent in New York
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CHRISTIANITY
BBC. (2011, 6 21). Paul. Retrieved from BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/paul_1.shtml
BBC. (2011, 09 12). The cross. Retrieved from BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/symbols/cross_1.shtml#top
BBC. (2018). Events leading up to the Crusades. Retrieved from BBC:

https://www.bbc.com/education/guides/zjbj6sg/revision/4
Encycloepdia Britannica. (2016 , Oct 21). Christian Flag. Retrieved from Encycloepdia Britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christian-flag
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2018). Schism of 1054. Retrieved from Encyclopaedia Britannica:

https://www.britannica.com/event/Schism-of-1054
Grace Communion International. (2016). Three Historic Creeds. Retrieved from Grace Communion
International: https://www.gci.org/history/creeds
History World International. (2007 , January ). A History Christianity. Retrieved from history-world:
http://history-world.org/origins_of_christianity.htm
New Advent. ( 1907, March 1). Alpha and Omega (in Scripture). Retrieved from New Advent:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01332a.htm
New World Encyclopedia. (2017, February 11 ). Children's Crusade. Retrieved from New World Encyclopedia:
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Children%27s_Crusade
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. (1996, OCT 23). Overview of the historical Christian creeds: The
Nicene, Apostles', and Athanasian creeds. Retrieved from Religious Tolerence:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_beli.htm
Patheos. (n.d.). Early Developments. Retrieved from Patheos.com:

http://www.patheos.com/library/christianity/historical-development/early-developments
Patheos. (n.d.). Early Developments. Retrieved from PAtheos:

http://www.patheos.com/library/christianity/historical-development/early-developments
PBS. (n.d.). "The Jesus Movement". Retrieved from PBS:

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/first/themovement.html
Philip, G. (1852). Palestine or the Holy Land According to its Ancient Divisions & Tribes. Liverpool, England,
United Kingdom.
Religion Facts. (2016, Nov 18). Anglican Organization. Retrieved from Religion Facts:
http://www.religionfacts.com/anglicanism/organization
Religion Facts. (2016, October 29). Chi-rho. Retrieved from Religion Facts: http://www.religionfacts.com/chi-
rho
Religion Facts. (2016, November 22). The Crusades. Retrieved from Religion Facts:
http://www.religionfacts.com/crusades
Religion Facts. (2017, February 10). Alpha and Omega. Retrieved from Religion Facts:
http://www.religionfacts.com/alpha-omega
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CHRISTIANITY
Religion Facts. (2017, March 5). Christian Cross. Retrieved from Religion Facts:
http://www.religionfacts.com/cross
Religion Facts. (2017, March 22). Christian Denominations. Retrieved from Religion Facts:
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/branches
Religion Facts. (2017, May 18). Fish Symbol . Retrieved from Religion Facts: http://www.religionfacts.com/fish
Religious Tolerence. (2009, November 17). Christian symbols: Fish (Ichthus), cross and crucifix. Retrieved from
Religious Tolerence: http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_symb.htm
The Crusades. (2018). Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/event/Crusades
Thought Co. (2017, March 17). Different Christian Creeds. Retrieved from Thought Co:
https://www.thoughtco.com/different-christian-creeds-700363
Zondervan. (2011). Holy Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Usa: Zondervan.
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Dean Liddell

© 2018 – Dean Liddell

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The Crusades are as follows:

1. First Crusade, 1096-99

2. Second Crusade, 1147-49

3. Third Crusade, 1189-92

4. Fourth Crusade, 1202-04

5. Children's Crusade, 1212

The Symbols of Christianity

[CITATION The11 \l 3081 ] [ CITATION Rel172 \l 3081 ]

Alpha and Omega

The Christian flag originates from Charles C. Overton 1, on September 26,

BBC. (2011, 6 21). Paul. Retrieved from BBC:

BBC. (2011, 09 12). The cross. Retrieved from BBC:

BBC. (2018). Events leading up to the Crusades. Retrieved from BBC:

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2018). Schism of 1054. Retrieved from Encyclopaedia Britannica:

Patheos. (n.d.). Early Developments. Retrieved from Patheos.com:

Patheos. (n.d.). Early Developments. Retrieved from PAtheos:

PBS. (n.d.). "The Jesus Movement". Retrieved from PBS:

The Crusades. (2018). Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/event/Crusades

Zondervan. (2011). Holy Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Usa: Zondervan.

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