Foundations
What Is Christianity?
The core beliefs of Christianity, its sacred text, and its major branches.
An Overview
Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. With roughly 2.4 billion adherents worldwide, it is the largest religion by number of followers, and traces its origin to first-century Judea.
Core Beliefs
Central Christian beliefs include: one God existing as a Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the creation of the world by God; the fall of humanity into sin; the incarnation of the Son of God as Jesus Christ; his death and resurrection as the means of salvation; and his eventual return.
Sacred Text
Christianity's sacred text is the Bible, made up of the Old Testament (Scriptures shared with Judaism) and the New Testament (the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles, and Revelation, written in the first century AD).
Major Branches
The three major branches of Christianity today are Catholicism (roughly 1.3 billion members, led by the Pope), Eastern Orthodoxy (roughly 220 million members), and Protestantism (encompassing many denominations, roughly 900 million members combined). Their historical separations are covered in the History of Christianity article. Many of these traditions also honor the saints as examples of faith and ask for their intercession.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Christians are there in the world?
Roughly 2.4 billion people worldwide identify as Christian, across all its branches, making it the world's largest religion by number of adherents.
What is the difference between Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant?
All three affirm core Christian beliefs about Jesus, but differ in church authority and structure, some doctrines and sacraments, and worship practices — see the History of Christianity article for how these branches came about.