Christianity

What it is and what it isn’t.

Christianity: Following Jesus Through History

Christianity began with a person, not an institution. Jesus of Nazareth called people to follow Him, taught them how to live, died by crucifixion, and His followers proclaimed that He had risen from the dead.

From those beginnings grew one of the largest movements in human history. But Christianity also developed institutions, traditions, doctrines, denominations, and systems of authority. Some of those developments helped preserve and explain the faith. Others reflected the influence of culture, politics, philosophy, and human disagreement.

Understanding that history can help answer an important question: What does it actually mean to follow Jesus?

The goal is not to tell you which denomination to join. The goal is to help you understand Christianity well enough to examine what you believe against the source Christianity itself claims to follow: the life and teaching of Jesus and the Scriptures.

How Christianity Came About

Christianity emerged in first-century Judea from the life, teaching, death, and reported resurrection of Jesus. His followers believed He was the Messiah and Son of God and began telling others what they had seen and believed.

It Started With Jesus

John 14:6

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Christianity did not begin as a collection of denominations, buildings, ceremonies, or theological systems. It began with Jesus and the people who believed His claims about Himself.

Jesus taught people to love God, love their neighbors, forgive, serve, repent, seek truth, and follow Him. The first Christians understood themselves primarily as disciples—people learning to live according to the teachings of their Master.

Put It Into Practice: Before deciding what Christianity means, start with Jesus. Read the four Gospels and pay attention to what He actually said, what He actually did, and what He asked His followers to become.

The First Christians Were Called Followers

Acts 11:26

“The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

The word Christian appears in Acts as a description of people associated with Christ. The early movement was made up of disciples, witnesses, teachers, and communities of believers spread throughout the Roman world.

That matters because the basic Christian question is not simply, “Which church do I belong to?” It is first: “Am I actually following Jesus?”

Put It Into Practice: Ask yourself whether your understanding of Christianity comes primarily from Jesus and Scripture—or primarily from a church tradition, political culture, family tradition, or denomination.

When Rome Became Involved

Christianity existed for centuries before it became closely connected with Roman political power. The relationship between Christianity and the Roman Empire dramatically changed during the fourth century.

Constantine Changed Christianity's Position

History — Edict of Milan, AD 313

For much of its early history, Christianity existed without the protection of the Roman government and was periodically persecuted. In AD 313, Emperor Constantine and Licinius issued the Edict of Milan, granting Christians legal protection.

Constantine then became an important patron of Christianity. He supported churches and Christian leaders and called the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 to address a major dispute over Christian belief.

Constantine did not simply declare Christianity the official religion of Rome. That happened later.

Think About It: When a religious movement becomes connected with political power, ask an important question: Which parts are coming from Jesus, and which parts are coming from the institution surrounding Jesus?

Rome Eventually Made Nicene Christianity Official

History — Edict of Thessalonica, AD 380

In AD 380, Emperor Theodosius I issued the Edict of Thessalonica, establishing Nicene Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire.

This was a major turning point. Christianity was no longer simply a movement of believers operating within the Empire. It had become connected to imperial authority, law, institutions, and political power.

That does not mean Christianity itself was invented by Rome. Christianity was already more than two centuries old. But Roman political involvement profoundly influenced the institutional development of Christianity.

Think About It: A government can recognize, protect, favor, or even enforce a religion. None of those actions can make a person genuinely devoted to Jesus.

Church History Became More Than Jesus' Teaching

Mark 7:8

“For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.”

As Christianity developed, Christians disagreed about doctrine, church authority, worship, leadership, sacraments, and the interpretation of Scripture. Councils and church leaders developed formal statements intended to define orthodox belief.

Some traditions developed as attempts to preserve Christian teaching. Others became deeply intertwined with particular institutions and cultures. Over centuries, the Christian world developed increasingly different expressions of the faith.

Jesus Himself warned His followers that human tradition can sometimes compete with the commands of God.

Put It Into Practice: Don't reject something simply because it is traditional. Don't accept something simply because it is traditional. Compare it with Scripture.

Why Are There So Many Kinds of Christianity?

Christianity is not one uniform institution. Centuries of theological disagreement, political separation, cultural differences, and reform movements produced different Christian traditions.

Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant

Ephesians 4:4–5

“There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

The broadest historical divisions within Christianity include Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestant Christianity. These traditions share many foundational beliefs about Jesus, Scripture, and the Christian faith, while differing significantly in authority, church structure, sacraments, tradition, and theology.

The Eastern and Western churches developed increasingly apart, culminating in the East-West Schism traditionally dated to AD 1054. Centuries later, the Protestant Reformation challenged major teachings and structures of the Western church and produced further Christian traditions.

Understand the Difference: A denomination's name tells you something about its history. It does not automatically tell you how closely every teaching in that church reflects Scripture.

Protestantism Became Many Traditions

1 Corinthians 1:12–13

“Every one of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos’... Is Christ divided?”

The Protestant Reformation began in the sixteenth century as reformers challenged the authority, practices, and theology of the established Western church. The movement emphasized the authority of Scripture and justification by faith.

But Protestantism did not remain one movement. It developed into Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Evangelical, non-denominational, and many other traditions. These groups can agree on central Christian beliefs while disagreeing about baptism, communion, church government, spiritual gifts, predestination, worship, and many other subjects.

This history illustrates something important: Christians can sincerely love Jesus while disagreeing about doctrines that developed around Christianity.

Put It Into Practice: Learn what a church actually believes before identifying yourself with its label. Read its statement of faith and compare its important teachings with Scripture.

Don't Confuse Christianity With Every Christian Tradition

Acts 17:11

“They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily.”

Scripture does not tell Christians to blindly accept everything a religious leader says. The Bereans were commended because they listened to Paul's teaching and then examined the Scriptures to determine whether what they heard was true.

That is a powerful model for Christian maturity: listen respectfully, think carefully, examine Scripture, and be willing to change your mind when the evidence requires it.

The goal is not to become suspicious of every church. The goal is to become discerning enough that your faith does not depend entirely on someone else's interpretation.

Put It Into Practice: When you hear a strong theological claim, look it up. Read the entire passage—not just the verse someone quoted— and ask what the Bible actually says.

What Does It Mean to Be Christian?

Christianity is more than identifying with a religion. At its center is a relationship with Jesus Christ and a life increasingly shaped by His teaching.

Believe in Jesus

John 3:16

“Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Christianity begins with Jesus. The Christian claim is that Jesus is not merely a moral teacher but the Son of God who came to reconcile people to God.

Christian faith therefore involves trust: trusting who Jesus said He was, trusting what He did, and trusting God enough to follow Him.

Ask Yourself: Do I simply believe that Jesus existed, or am I actually placing my trust in Him and choosing to follow Him?

Follow His Teaching

John 14:15

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Jesus connected love with action. Following Him means allowing His teaching to influence how we treat people, make decisions, handle money, respond to conflict, forgive, serve, and live.

Christianity is therefore not simply a belief system. It is a way of life.

Put It Into Practice: Choose one teaching of Jesus that challenges you and deliberately practice it this week.

Let Scripture Shape Your Thinking

2 Timothy 3:16–17

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.”

If Christianity is about following Jesus, then Christians need a reliable way to learn what Jesus taught and how His followers are supposed to live.

Scripture provides that foundation. Church traditions, pastors, teachers, books, and denominations can help us understand Scripture, but they should not replace the need to know Scripture ourselves.

Put It Into Practice: Don't make your church your only source of biblical knowledge. Read the Bible yourself. Ask questions. Compare what you hear with what Scripture actually says.

How Do You Find a Bible-Based Church?

If you are looking for a church, don't begin with the music, building, denomination, personality of the pastor, or quality of the children's program. Those things can matter—but first determine what the church believes and whether Scripture actually has authority in the life of the church.

Ask What Authority the Church Recognizes

2 Timothy 3:16–17

Ask directly: “What is your ultimate authority for what you believe?”

A Bible-based church should be able to explain clearly how Scripture functions in its teaching and decision-making. It should not require you to accept a leader's teaching simply because that leader says it is true.

Look For: A church that encourages people to read Scripture, understand context, ask questions, and examine teaching rather than discouraging independent biblical study.

Read the Church's Statement of Faith

1 John 4:1

“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God.”

Before joining a church, read what it actually believes. Look at its statement of faith and investigate teachings that are especially important to you.

Pay particular attention to what it teaches about Jesus, salvation, Scripture, God, sin, forgiveness, baptism, communion, and the authority of church leadership.

Practical Test: Don't ask only, “Is this a Christian church?” Ask, “What does this church believe Christianity means?”

Listen to Several Sermons

Acts 17:11

Before committing yourself, listen to several sermons. Don't judge an entire church by one message.

Ask whether Scripture is being explained in context or simply used to support conclusions the speaker already wants to make. Does the sermon consistently point people toward Jesus and Scripture, or primarily toward the institution, political causes, personality of the pastor, or a particular ideology?

Listen For: Open the Bible while the sermon is being preached. Read the passages yourself. Ask whether the message actually follows the text.

Look at the Fruit

Matthew 7:16

“You will know them by their fruits.”

Jesus taught His followers to pay attention to fruit. That means looking beyond words and examining what a community actually produces.

Are people encouraged to love God and love others? Are humility, honesty, forgiveness, service, generosity, self-control, and compassion visible? Can leaders admit mistakes? Can members ask difficult questions? Is disagreement handled with grace?

Remember: A church can have excellent music, a large building, polished preaching, and impressive programs. None of those things by themselves demonstrate spiritual health.

Find People Who Want to Follow Jesus, Not Just Defend a Label

John 13:35

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

A healthy Christian community should ultimately be recognizable by the way people treat one another.

You do not need to find a church where everyone agrees with you. You need a church where Jesus is central, Scripture is taken seriously, people are encouraged to grow, and disagreement does not automatically become division.

Final Test: Look for a church where you are encouraged to know Jesus, know Scripture, serve others, grow in character, and think biblically for yourself.

Jesus Is Bigger Than a Denomination

Christianity has a complicated history. Jesus began a movement of disciples. That movement spread across cultures and nations. Institutions developed. Councils settled disputes. Political power became involved. Traditions accumulated. Churches separated. Reformers challenged established systems. New denominations emerged.

None of that changes the central question: What did Jesus teach, and am I willing to follow Him?

A denomination can help organize believers. A pastor can teach. A tradition can preserve wisdom. A church community can provide encouragement and accountability. But none of them should replace your responsibility to know what Scripture says.

Don't let the complexity of Christianity keep you from Jesus. Start with Him. Read the Bible. Ask questions. Test what you hear. Look for the fruit. And find people who are genuinely trying to follow Christ.