$JES 911 Essence of World Religions Reference Book

Author(s): Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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Essence of World Religions
Sects Christianity is divided into three main sects; Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant. Among Protestants there are over 2,000 smaller sects, including Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists and so on. Adherents Over 1 billion, the largest of world religions, is represented in most areas of the world.
Goals The goal of Christianity is eternal life with God in heaven, a perfect existence in which God's glory and bliss are shared. It is also a personal life, enjoyed differently by individuals.
Path of Attainment Man's plight is caused by disobedience to God's will as revealed in the law of God found in the Bible. God's justice demands that penalty must be paid for that disobedience. That penalty was paid by God himself taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus and dying the ignominious and completely undeserved death of a criminal on a cross. By this sacrificial act, God, out of sheer grace and love made it possible for all those who believe in the saving power of this act to have complete forgiveness of their sins. Jesus' resurrection from the dead is proof of God's power over sin, death, and proof that he can save in this way. Those who accept God's gift of salvation are empowered by the Holy Spirit to begin to live a life of increasing virtue and obedience to God and in this way show their gratitude to God for freeing them from the guilt of their sins. The good Christian lives a life of virtue and obedience to God out of gratitude to God for sacrificing Jesus for the sins of all who come to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. Jesus is to return again to judge the world and bring God's rule to earth. Through following the law of God as found in the Holy Bible and through God's grace, man attains salvation. Synopsis Christianity is the religion of about a billion people whose belief
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