Christianity originated in the 1st century AD centered on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, who is regarded as the founder of Christianity. Jesus was a Jewish preacher seen by his followers as the Messiah and the Son of God, whose death and resurrection form the core of Christian faith
. While Jesus is considered the founder, the Apostle Paul played a crucial role in shaping Christianity as a distinct religion. Paul, initially a persecutor of Christians, converted and then preached extensively to Gentiles, emphasizing salvation through faith in the resurrected Christ rather than strict adherence to Jewish law. This helped Christianity evolve from a Jewish sect into an independent religion
. In summary:
- Jesus Christ is the founder of Christianity, as Christianity is defined by faith in Him and His resurrection
- Paul significantly influenced the spread and theological development of Christianity, especially among Gentiles, but he is not considered the founder
Thus, Christianity began with Jesus, and Paul helped establish it as a global faith.
