In 1054 the faith split into Western Roman Christianity (now known as the Catholic Church), led by the Pope, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. These two groups still exist today, although the Western Roman Church in England was split in the sixteenth century when King Henry VIII declared himself the head of the newly established Church of England. Also during this period Christians in Western Europe were breaking away from the Roman Church, and the Protestant branch of Christianity was forming. This is known as the Reformation. The Protestant Church has, since then, split further into groups ( called denominations) such as the Baptist and Pentecostal Churches.
Even though the three branches of Christianity have some differences in their beliefs, way of worship and lifestyle, their belief in God is universal. Christianity is a monotheistic religion. This means all Christians believe there is only one God, who they believe creates and sustains all the exist. God is believed to work through history, guiding and inspiring people to do God's will for the good of all people. Christians claim to have a relationship with God and communicate with God through prayer.
" I am the LORD your GOD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me " Exodus 20:2 - 3
Although many Christians refer to God as 'he' and 'Farther', they do not believe that God is male. God is thought to exist without the restrictions of gender, showing both traditional ideas of male characteristics, such as power and strength, together with traditional ideas of female characteristics, such as care, gentleness and love.
Christians believe that God has various qualities or attributes. They believe that God is perfect and that these qualities are proof of God's perfection. Some of God's qualities are not possible for humans to achieve but others are, and provide examples that Christians should aspire to.
In order to be the perfect 'Supreme Being', it is important that God is omnipotent. This means all powerful with unlimited authority - there is nothing God cannot do or achieve. In the Bible, the angel Gabriel answered Mary when she questioned for forthcoming pregnancy: Nothing is impossible with God Luke 1:37
Although many traditional images show God's omniportence in term of physical power and strength, it also consists of power and authority to do good. This is how Christians often interpret omnipotence: God's omnipotence is benevolent.
For Christians, the idea that God is loving is very important. They believe that because God loves humans, God wants what is best for them, They believe that God created humans because he is all loving and desired to bestow his love upon creatures. This encourages to love each other in their daily lives by treating everybody with care and respect.
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
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