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Christian Faith
Christianity and Judaism

Christianity and Judaism

Jesus and his first disciples were Jews who adhered to the Jewish faith, and continued to do so. This fact is very important for the Christian faith, as the apostle Paul says. But Paul did emphasise that non-Jews could also be entirely equal followers of Jesus.

Similarities between Christianity and Judaism

Christianity centres around the special meaning of the life and teachings of Jesus, but all the elements that it consists of, have their origin in Judaism:

  • the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament, which forms the largest part of the Christian Bible);
  • faith in God;
  • faith in God’s good creation;
  • the ethics of respect and love for fellow creatures;
  • worship services including reading from the Scriptures, giving thanks and prayer;
  • the symbolic meal.

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