Christianity
The Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.
—The New Testament
“Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
—Jesus Christ
Psalm 116 Alleluia!
Christianity is based on service, self-sacrifice, and surrender to God. In short, “Loving thy neighbor as thy self.” Faith in Lord Jesus as the Son of God on earth is essential to the devout Christian. It is this faith that makes Jesus and his teachings a living presence in the Christian heart.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea and grew to manhood as the son of a carpenter in the town of Nazareth. His ministry began in earnest at the age of thirty with his baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.
During the following three years, he traveled throughout Palestine with his twelve disciples and many followers. He performed miracles, healed the sick, and taught “the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus spoke the pure truth without fear, despite the disapproval of those in power. Eventually, he was crucified on the cross, under Roman law, as a criminal in Jerusalem. Three days after the death of his physical body, Jesus rose from the grave, appeared to his followers, and ascended to heaven.
Several generations after his crucifixion, the drama and lessons of Jesus’ life were recorded in one of history’s most influential books, the Holy Bible. The teachings of Jesus recounted in the Bible stress forgiveness, love, inward purity of heart and mind, and the return of good for evil.
In this modem world of fear and distrust among nations, the words of Jesus spoken in his Sermon on the Mount, ring through the ages with the power of love and truth:
“You have heard that it hath been said: thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thy enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father in heaven. For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and unjust. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Christianity Display in LOTUS All Faiths Hall
All Faiths Hall Quotations
“Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and all else shall be added unto you.”—Jesus Christ
“Unless you become as little children, you certainly will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”—Jesus Christ
“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.”—Jesus Christ
“Faith, like light, should always be simple and unbending; While love, like warmth, should beam forth on every side and bend to every necessity of our brethren.”—Martin Luther