The Big Questions About ChristianityMuestra

How did Christianity begin?

Christianity began in the unlikeliest circumstances. The series of events that kicked off Christianity would be events most rational people would probably consider the least likely to start a religion. Just think about it for a moment.

The Romans had just crucified yet another Jewish religious teacher. It wasn't the first time they'd done that. His followers were devastated, all their hopes dashed. They were in hiding, waiting for a knock on the door that would mean their arrest and execution would be next, but no one expected what would come next.

These same people, total cowards, suddenly started standing up in public and saying their leader, Jesus, had risen from the dead (Acts 4:1-2). Even more so, they were saying that not only was he the Saviour of the world, he was God himself.

In that culture, to say something like that was stupid. Crucifixion was only reserved for criminals considered to be non-human. It was the ultimate shame. Everyone knew people didn't rise from the dead. Furthermore, the death of this Jesus had been officially certified.

This was so utterly ridiculous to anyone with half a brain that this stupid belief would die out within a few weeks. But it didn't, and the question is, why didn't it die out?

Hundreds of people could corroborate the story: people who verified they had indeed seen the risen Jesus. They were so sure of what they had seen they wouldn't crack under torture while being executed.

What made their statements stronger was what Jesus said about himself before his death. Many times, he predicted his death and resurrection. He claimed to have the power over life and death. He claimed to have come from God and to be the Saviour of the world.

It's no wonder the followers of Jesus Christ couldn't stop talking about Christ all the time. They were the first-called Christians, probably in a derogatory sense, but they owned the name and wore it with pride.

Because of what they believed, these first Christians lived differently from everyone else. In a culture where no one cared about anyone else, they cared for one another. They cared for the sick and the poor. They had peace and happiness that others didn't, but others wanted what they had.

Christianity started because of who Jesus was and what he did, and how he changed people's lives who trusted in him. I believe Jesus is still doing the same things today!

– Eliezer Gonzalez