Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 14
14 WORSHIP IN CHRISTIANITY Worship in Christianity varies considerably with the sect and the geographic location in the world. Worship may be private and individual or congregational. Private worship generally takes the form of "silent prayer" invoking God's mercy and help usually through the person of Jesus Christ. Congregational worship in the churches takes on the form of an elaborate pageant involving priests in their ornate robes and music sung by the choir. The congregation usually joins in the singing of hymns and psalms while the priest may deliver a sermon. Many Christians fast during lent, a forty-day period before Easter. The fasting is in memory of the forty days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. An important Christian rite involves baptism. In the early days of Christianity, baptism marked the initiation into the new faith. The practice of baptism was initiated before Jesus' ministry and John (the Baptist) baptized Jesus himself. Today, some churches still carry out this rite on the confession of personal faith by believers. Other churches perform baptism on newborn children on the promise that they will be "confirmed" in their faith later. THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST To properly understand the teachings of Jesus Christ one has to turn to the Gospels. The only place in the Gospels where an attempt has been made by the narrators to quote Jesus Christ word-for-word, is the account of the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon illustrates the emphasis of Jesus' teachings, which was directed towards an unpretentious, honest and altruistic life; excerpts from this sermon are reproduced below: 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 children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am come not to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. . .