Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
Pangasinan Division II
FLORES INTEGRATED SCHOOL
San Manuel, Pangasinan

Introduction to World
Religions & Belief
Systems

The Christian Distinctives

Quarter 1- Module 6

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Examine the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs,
practices, and related issues of Christianity.
POST TEST
Directions: Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen
letter on a separate sheet.

1. John the Baptist played an important role in the ushering of Christianity

because .
a. he was one of the zealots.
b. he was the prophesied Messiah.
c. he was the one who baptized Jesus.
d. he was instrumental in the beginning of public ministry of Jesus.
2. Reading from the passage in Acts 2:1-41, the day of the Pentecost was a
significant event in Christianity because .
a. it ushered the birth of the Christian church.
b. it marked the mission to be carried out by the church.
c. it initiated the ministry of Peter to the Jews and the Greeks.
d. it was the first miracle happened right after the ascension of Jesus in
heaven.
3. The first to follow Jesus and believed him to be the Messiah .
a. Andrew c. James
b. Peter d. John the Baptist

4. The zealots were one of the religious groups which emerged as a reaction to
the oppressive Roman rule. What was the role of the zealots in the time
before the advent of Jesus and during His ministry?
a. They led in the collaboration with the Roman rulers.
b. They were Jews who were satisfied with the Roman rule.
c. They led the staging of pocket guerilla resistance against the Roman
rule.
d. They were Jews who live the ascetic life in the Judean wilderness
anticipating the coming of the Messiah.
5. Christianity as one of the largest and most practiced religion in the world is
founded in whose life and teachings?
a. Peter c. Paul
b. Jesus d. John the Baptist
 EXPECTATIONS

You will examine the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and
related issues of Christianity.

Specifically, this module will help you to:

 analyze the fundamental beliefs, and practices of Christian faith
 discuss the schism that ensued in Christianity
 conduct interview on the common beliefs of Christian churches

PRETEST

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. In 1054 Christianity was split into two main divisions. These were
.
a. the Eastern Orthodox church and the Oriental Orthodox church
b. the Eastern Orthodox church and the Roman Catholic church
c. the Roman Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Church
d. the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Churches
2. The history of Christianity was marked by great schism and further divisions
which make it at present be divided to three major denominations,
namely , , and .
a. Anglican, Baptist, and the Roman Catholics
b. Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and the Protestant
c. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity
d. Calvinist, Evangelicals, and the Catholics
3. What did the resurrection of Jesus from dead prove for Christians?
a. It proved that Jesus defeated death and sin and that they too, will be
raised from the dead.
b. It proved that Jesus stayed with his disciples as accounted by the Four
Gospels of the New Testament Bible.
c. It proved that Jesus would come back to reign with saints.
d. It proved that Jesus ascended to heaven.
4. Christianity believes and worships one God. This means it is a
religion.
a. monotheistic c. theistic
b. polytheistic d. atheistic
 5. In AD 313, Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire by the Edict of
Milan. Who was the emperor responsible for the issuance of this edict?
a. Nero c. Justinian
b. Augustus d. Constantine

LOOKING BACK TO YOUR LESSON

Tri Questions

Direction: Recall the past lesson on the ushering of Christianity and answer the
questions below.
1. What was the day of the Pentecost as accounted by the book of Acts in
chapter 2?
2. Why it was considered the birthday of the Christian church?
3. How many were converted to Christianity according to verse 41?
 BRIEF INTRODUCTION
The Christians’ Distinctive

In the previous lesson you have learned that Christianity is the largest and the
most widely practiced religion in the world which has about 2.5 billion followers or
about one-third of the total world population. This figure, however, is complemented
by another fact that Christianity is broadly divided into three major branches or
denominations and further divided into a numerous sect, each with their own
specific ways of practices and teachings. Nonetheless, all are united in the
acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and as they based their
teachings on the holy scripture, the Bible.

In this module, we will discuss the Christian churches by its general divisions,
and common beliefs, practices, and traditions.
 DISCUSSIONS
Lesson
The Christian
2 Distinctives

Main Division

During the first century in the Roman province Judea, Christianity began as a Second Temple
Judaic as Jesus’ apostles and their followers were scattered around the Levant, Europe, Anatolia,
Mesopotamia, Transcaucasia, Egypt, and Ethiopia because of the persecution (Christianity, 2020).
They were able to attract more gentile believers which led to a gradual departure from Jewish
customs and eventual ending of Temple-based Judaism after the Fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.

In AD 313, Emperor Constantine the Great legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire by the
Edict of Milan. In AD 380, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire until AD
1054 when the Great Schism ensued between what would become Eastern Orthodox Church in the
East and the Roman Catholic Church in the West due to differing theological and political stance.
Another split occurred in the 16th century which involved the Roman Catholic and the Protestant
Reformation.

At present there are three major historic and theologically distinctive streams of Christianity –
Roman Catholic, Protestant and Eastern Orthodox.

Christianity to date has 2.51 billion populations with the following breakdown according to its
major denominations (List of Christian denominations by number of members, 2020)

 Catholicism – 1.329 billion

 Protestantism – 900 million
 Eastern Orthodoxy – 230 million
 Oriental Orthodoxy – 62 million
 Non-Trinitarian Restorationism – 35 million
 Miscellaneous branches – 2 million
 Christianity at a Glance

Name Means followers of Christ (Greek christos, Messiah)

Place Founded Southern Levant (modern-day Israel, Palestine, and Jordan)

Date Founded c. 30 CE

Founder(s) Jesus, Peter, Paul

Major Roman Catholic; Eastern Orthodox; Protestant

Branches

Texts Bible (Hebrew Bible + New Testament)

Symbols Cross, dove, anchor, fish, alpha/omega, chi rho

Source: religionfacts.com

Major Beliefs

a. God
Christianity is a monotheistic religion. It acknowledges that there is only one God whom they
worship. By nature, God is a Spirit and He is a living and personal God (Samms, 1996). In Genesis
1:26, God created man according their image and likeness. The image and likeness are referring to
personal characteristics which both God and man share as basic characteristics of personality.
According to Samms (1996), personality consists of three basic characteristics: intellect, emotions,
and will.
So, the God whom Christian’s worship is not like other gods that are impersonal. In fact, He
possesses qualities such as being holy, love, mercy, grace, compassion, longsuffering, and kindness or
goodness while also has the following attributes.

• Omnipresent – this means that God is present in all places and at the same time.
• Omniscient – this means that God knows all things.
• Omnipotent – this means the ability of God to do everything.

The Names of God

Hammond, (as cited by Samms) lists three categories of Hebrew name of God to know more
about the personality of God
 1. General Names
• El (singular) – has “strength” as its underlying thought. It occurs some 250 times. It
occurs in phrases such as El Elyon, “The Most High”. El Olam, “The Everlasting
God”, and El Shaddai, “God Almighty”

•Elohim (plural) occurs over 2000 times and implies “The God of Creation” ,
“Providence” and “Supreme Ruler”
2. The Covenant Name
• Jehovah (Yahweh) is God’s most frequently used name in the Old Testament, and
occurs some 7000 times. It means, “The Self-existing One”
3. Compound Name
• Names occurring in combination with Jehovah, such as:
• Jehovah-Jireh, “The Lord Will Provide”
• Jehovah-Nissi “ The Lord, My Banner”
• Jehovah-Tsidkenu “The Lord Our Righteousness”

b. Jesus
Christians acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God who was sent to save humanity from the
penalty of sin which is death. He is also recognized as fully human and fully divine and that through
believing in him and following his teachings they can inherit eternal life.

c. Justification by faith
Christians believe in justification by faith - that through their belief in Jesus being the Son of
God, and in his death and resurrection, they can be at peace with God and receive forgiveness once
and for all through the death of Jesus Christ.

For the Roman Catholic this doctrine is complemented by good works.

d. The Trinity
Generally, Christians do believe in the doctrine of Trinity. According to Perman (2006) this
doctrine means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons — the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit. Stated otherwise, God is one in essence and three in person. These definitions express
three crucial truths:

 The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons;

 each Person is fully God; and
 there is only one God.

e. Life after death

Christian belief about life after death is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians
believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection are part of God’s divine redemptive plan to save the world.
Through the death of Jesus on the cross, the penalty of sin which is death was paid and by which the
relationship of men with God was restored.
For Christians the death and resurrection of Jesus proved that he conquered sin and death.
Though all may face death, but those who put their faith and hope in Jesus will subsequently share
with Jesus resurrection and be given everlasting life in heaven.
 Religious Observances, Festivals, and Days of Significance

1. Christian Worship

In Christianity, worship is any act that shows reverent devotion or love for God and can be
conducted corporately or individually by praying, singing of hymns and/or praises, and reading the
Bible. Though the corporate or congregational worship can be conducted on any time of the day or
night but the usual is Sunday morning.

According to Christian Worship (2020), present day worship is diverse depending on traditions
and theological views of the church. Actual worship services have some elements that are universal,
however, style and content varies greatly relative to history and differing emphases of the various
denominations of Christianity. Below are the common elements of worship that characterize the
worship of almost all Christian churches as mentioned in the article.

Common Elements
 Meeting on Sunday (Sabbath in Christianity; Sabbath in seventh-day churches is an exception)
 Bible Readings
 Communion or the Eucharist
 Music, either choral or congregational, either with or without instrumental accompaniment
 Prayer
 Teaching in the form of a sermon or homily
 A collection or offering

1. Christian Festivals and Days of Significance:

a. Christmas – generally, Christian churches celebrates the birth of Jesus yearly on the 25th of
December and on the 7th of January for Orthodox. This celebration is matched with other
traditions such as the singing of carols, hanging of Christmas decors, and gift giving.

b. Easter – most of Christian denominations celebrate this festival which may fall at different
dates each year, during March and April. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on
the third day after his crucifixion. It begins on Maundy Thursday, the night before Jesus died,
then is celebrated on Good Friday, the day Jesus died. It will last on Sunday, the Easter Day,
with joyful celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

c. All Saints’ Day - According to Feast of the Holy Trinity (2020), “All Saints’ Day, also called
All Hallows’ Day, Hallowmas, or Feast of All Saints, in the Christian church is a day
commemorating all the saints of the church. It is celebrated on November 1 in the Western
churches and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Eastern churches. In Roman
Catholicism, the feast is usually a holy day of obligation”
2. Other important religious practices to Christians:

 The Eucharist, Communion, Lord’s Supper: these are different words for the same ritual
of commemoration of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples.
 Baptism or some other form of initiation
 Prayer meeting

ACTIVITIES
Activity 2.1 My Personal Creed
Objective: to reflect and articulate one’s beliefs on major doctrines
Directions: Examine your own beliefs with regards to the following boxed words
and answer the corresponding questions that follows. You may choose to interview
anyone of your choice for this activity if you are from another religious group.

God What do I believe in God?

Jesus What do I believe in Jesus?

Spirit What do I beleive in the Holy Spirit?

Church What do I believe about church?

Forgiveness What do I beleive about forgiveness?

Everlasting LifeWhat do I beleive about life everlasting?

 Activity 2.2 Survey Interview on Beliefs of Christian Denominations and Sects

Objective:

To analyze the beliefs of Christian denominations and sects

Directions: Using the chart below, conduct a survey interview with your classmates.

Instructions: Fill out the chart below based on the interviews you had with your classmates. For Each belief write a Y for “Yes” an N for “No”
and M for “Maybe” under each denomination or sects.
Belief

Roman Catholic

Witness
Jehovah’s

Iglesia ni Cristo

Born Again Christian

Baptist

Church of God

Seventh Day Adventist

Belief in One God

Belief in the Holy Trinity

Belief in Jesus as the Son of God

Belief in Justification by Faith

Belief in the Resurrection

Belief in the Bible as the Word of God

Belief in the Judgement and the Reign of Christ

Instructions: Fill out the chart below based on the interviews you had with your classmates. For Each belief write a
Y for “Yes” an N for “No” and M for “Maybe” under each denomination or sects.
Belief
Roman Catholic

Witness
Jehovah’s

Iglesia ni Cristo

Born Again Christian

Baptist

Church of God

Seventh Day Adventist

Belief in One God

Belief in the Holy Trinity

Belief in Jesus as the Son of God

Belief in Justification by Faith

Belief in the Resurrection

Belief in the Bible as the Word of God

Belief in the Judgement and the Reign of Christ

 CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Reflection

Directions: Read and analyze the passage below. Write a reflection on how these
great commandments would change individuals and transform our society to be
better. You may consider the following questions: (Critical Thinking,
Communication, Character)
 How does your right relationship with God change you as a person?
 Would it change how you trust Him with your time, talent, and treasures? Explain.
 How would it change your relationship with your immediate family and with your
neighbors if we try to really love that way?
 How would things change in your community?

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Th

REMEMBER
 Christianity began as a Second Temple Judaic which grew as the disciples and apostles were scattered due to persecution by the
Romans.
 In AD 70, Jerusalem was destroyed which led to a gradual ending of Temple-based Judaism.

 Constantine the Great made Christianity legal in the Roman Empire in AD 313.
 Edict of Milan was a proclamation issued by Constantine the Great which officially established Christianity as religion within the
Roman Empire.
 Great Schism came about due to differing theological and political stance between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox
Churches in 1054 AD.
 Roman Catholic, Protestant and Eastern Orthodox are the three main division of Christianity to date.

 Monotheistic the admission that there is only one God.

 Trinity Christian doctrine that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

 Jesus is acknowledged as the Son of God.

 Justification by Faith the forgiveness of sin by faith in Christ atoning sacrifice on the cross which for Roman Catholic Church is
complemented by good works.
 Resurrection the belief of Christians that they will subsequently share with Jesus resurrection from the dead as they put their faith
in His atoning sacrifice on the cross.
 Christmas, Easter, and All Saints’ Days are the common festivals of Christianity and are observed respectively, on every 25 th of
December, at different dates each year during March and April, and every 1 st of November.
 POST TEST

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. In 1054 Christianity was split into two main divisions. These were
a. the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Churches
b. the Eastern Orthodox church and the Roman Catholic church
c. the Roman Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Church
d. the Eastern Orthodox church and the Oriental Orthodox church

2. The history of Christianity was marked by great schism and further divisions
which make it at present be divided to three major denominations, namely,
, , and .
a. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity
b. Calvinist, Evangelicals, and the Catholics
c. Anglican, Baptist, and the Roman Catholics
d. Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and the Protestant
3. What did the resurrection of Jesus from the dead prove for Christians?
a. It proved that Jesus ascended to heaven.
b. It proved that Jesus would come back to reign with saints.
c. It proved that Jesus defeated death and sin and that they too, will be
raised from the dead.
d. It proved that Jesus stayed with his disciples as accounted by the Four
Gospels of the New Testament Bible.
4. Christianity believes and worships one God. This means it is a
religion.
c. monotheistic c. theistic
d. polytheistic d. atheistic
5. In AD 313, Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire by the Edict of
Milan. Who was the emperor responsible for the issuance of this edict?
c. Nero c. Justinian
d. Augustus d. Constantine
6. Christianity believes that Jesus is the and he came to save the
lost.
a. Prophet c. Nazarene
b. Angel d. Son of God
7. Which Christian doctrine teaches that there is one God who eternally exists
as three distinct persons- the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?
a. Christology c. Divinity
b. Eschatology d. Trinity
8. Justification by faith is one of the Christian doctrines. This means that by
believing in Jesus and His death and resurrection one can have
.
a. the forgiveness from sins
b. the status of being an angel
c. the membership in church
d. the pass to heaven.
9. In Christianity, worship services vary depending on traditions and theological
views of the church. However, there are some common elements that
characterize the worship of almost all Christian churches. Which is not
included from the common elements?
a. Meeting everyday c. Prayer
b. Teaching in the form of a sermon or homily d. Bible reading
10. One of the major Christian festivals is the celebration of the birth of Jesus
which is observed yearly on the 25 th of December and on the 7th of January
for Orthodox. To which does it refer?
a. Valentine’s Day d. All Saints’ Day
b. Easter Sunday d. Christmas
 REFLECTIVE LEARNING SHEET
Name Grade and Section
School: Date: Subj. Teacher:

Quarter: 1 Module No.: 5 Week No.: 1

MELC: Examine the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and
related issues of Christianity.

Objectives: to critically and accurately answer the questions below as a manifestation

of essential understanding of the recently concluded lesson

Directions: Now that you are through in this first lesson, the birth and the flourishing
of Christianity, try to answer the following questions as far as you can recall.

1. Who is Jesus? Try to list words as possible as you can to describe him and
choose one from your list which you think best describe him in light of
Christian beliefs.

2. How did his ministry begin? Cite specific instances that describe the events
when he started his ministry. You may quote passages from the Bible.
3. How did his ministry catch the attention of the public and attract his own
adherents? Give specific passages that illustrate how he was able to gather
crowds and eventually his disciples.

4. What things did Jesus do that confirm his being the messiah for Christians?

5. What was his last command for his disciples when he ascended to heaven?

6. Describe the events that took place in the day of the Pentecost.

7. Why was it considered as the birthday of the Christian Church?

 REFLECTIVE LEARNING SHEET
Name Grade and Section
School: Date: Subj. Teacher:

Quarter: Module No.: I Week No.: 2

MELC: Examine the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices,
and related issues of Christianity
Objectives: to critically and accurately answer the questions below as a
manifestation of essential understanding of the recently concluded lesson.
Directions: Read and answer the following questions. You may consult other
sources of information or interview a Christian for the relevant answers to this
activity.

1. What does the cross symbolizes in Christianity?

2. What is the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus for Christians?

3. How do beliefs about the afterlife and judgement influence Christians?