The founder of Christianity was Jesus Christ. He was a Jew born on 25^th December 4 B.C.E. at Bethlehem in Judea. Joseph and Virgin Mary were his parents. The birth of Jesus and the simultaneous appearance of the Easter star made the priests to believe that Jesus was a divine Entity.

He led a simple life and was associated with the poor. At the age of 12, he went to a Jewish synagogue and expounded the meaning of the difficult Jewish religious texts. Jesus was profoundly influenced by John the Baptist who baptized him at the age of 30. Jesus became a wandering preacher.

His simple teachings and messages in the form of parables attracted people who flocked around him. He travelled in and around Judea with his 12 disciples, who recognized him as the Messiah. Jesus called himself as the Son of God, which enraged the orthodox Jews.

His crucification took place on the 3^rd April 30 C.E., at Mount Calvary at Golgotha, a hill near Jerusalem. His resurrection took place 3 days later, after which he remained with his disciples for 40 days and then ascended into heaven. The teachings of Jesus are found in the holy book of Christians, namely the Bible.

1. Jesus preached the existence of one God. We are his sons. God is omnipotent, the King of Heaven. He is all-merciful. 

2. Jesus preached the fatherhood of God and brotherhood of men. Men should live like brothers and be devoted to God. 

3. Jesus believed in forgiveness and love towards mankind. He insisted on justice, humility and duty. He said, “Love your neighbours, love your enemies, bless them who curse you and do good to those who hate you and pray for them”. 

4. According to Jesus, humility, purity of heart, sincerity, and fulfillment of duty were the gateway to heaven. 

5. Jesus said, “Service to people is service to God”. Such a service is a tool for spiritual attainments. 

6. Forgiveness is a great virtue and persons blessed with that are close to God.

Thus Jesus preached simple principles which are helpful to mankind, to achieve salvation.

Spread of Christianity

1. Personality of Jesus: The simplicity of Jesus attracted common people. His appeal towards the poor, sinners and sufferers and his spiritual power helped in the spread of religion.

2. Simple principles: Jesus’ principles like fraternity, compassion, forgiveness, and faith in the Kingdom of Heaven – all these made Jesus popular among the poor and the slaves.

3. Role of Apostles: The 12 Apostles played a dominant role in spreading Christianity by popularizing the principles of Jesus. Among them St. Peter and St. Paul are important. St. Peter founded a Church at Rome and became the first Pope to spread Christianity in Rome and Asia Minor. St. Peter was executed by Nero-the Emperor of Rome which made him a martyr. St. Paul became the second Pope.

Role of Church. The Church became the chief institute for the preservation and propagation of the faith. People believed in Church as a way to Heaven and Pope as the representative of God. Despite persecutions, Christianity gained popularity.

5. Role of Constantine: The persecution of the Christians stopped when Constantine became the Emperor of Rome. He built a new city called Constantinople and dedicated it to Virgin Maty. He issued the Edict of Milan, which made Christianity a legal religion in the Roman Empire and gave permission to the Christian missionaries to spread Christianity in the East. Under Emperor Theodisius in the 4^th century C.E., Christianity became the state religion.