Difference between Jews and Christians

Key difference: Jews are the ones, who follow Judaism religion, whereas Christians are the ones who follow Christianity.

The Jews are the people who follow Judaism. The Jewish people originated from early Israel, and were known as the Israelites (Hebrews). The modern State of Israel was established as a Jewish nation-state, and is defined in its Basic Laws. The population of Jews is in majority in Israel country. Jews had also enjoyed political independence twice before in ancient history. There was around 16.7 million of population prior to the time of to World War II, and the number decreased to 6 million after the World War II as, around 6 million Jews were killed during the World War II.

Jews are the ones who define the specific characteristics of thier nation, ethnicity and religion in the society. Their culture is highlighted in their way and standard of living. Today there are very few Jews all over the world, and have scattered in some or the other parts. The Jews follow and believe that there is only ONE God. They do not follow Jesus, as according to them Jesus was not a Messiah but a teacher and a follower of God and that Jesus did not have a virgin birth, but a normal one. They believe in living their lives according to the scriptures of God and ultimately gaining admittance into Heaven. Hebrew is the liturgical language of Jews, but now these people speak the local dominant languages in the area where they dwell and live. The three most commonly spoken languages among Jews today are English, Hebrew, and Russian.

In general, according to the modern secular usage the Jews comprises of three groups:

  • The ones, who were born in the Jewish family;
  • The ones, who have some Jewish ancestral background or lineage; and
  • The ones, who are without any Jewish ancestral background or lineage but who have formally converted to Judaism

The Christians are the followers of Christianity. The word Christianos, originated from Greek means follower of Christ. The Christians comprise a large share in the world’s population today; there are the ones who follow Christianity, which is an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion. They are all the followers of Jesus and his teachings, as he is regarded as the son of God. The term "Christian" is also used adjectivally to describe anything associated with Christianity, or in a proverbial sense.

Christians are those people who associate with the cultural aspects of Christianity, irrespective of personal religious beliefs or practices. These are the ones who follow the fact that Jesus is the Messiah, and they all are his children. They are real followers who visit to Church and follow their prayers by offering candles and sayings. Their standards are all based upon the Bible and its teachings. They follow and obey to “church Fathers” and “Sisters”. According top the religion any person can adapt to Christianity on his/her own belief and will have to preach Christianity throughout his/her life. There are several types of churches practiced and preached all over the world, these are based upon their religious beliefs and standards. As of the early 21st century, Christianity has around 2.1 billion adherents. The term, ‘Christians’ is used in many parts of the world according to the standards and rules, one such example is; according to New Testament "Nazarenes" is another term for Christians, and which is used by the Jewish lawyers Tertullus in Acts 24.

There are three main groups within Christianity:

  • Eastern Churches such as Greek Orthodox;
  • Roman Catholic; and
  • Protestant

Comparison between Jews and Christians:

 

Jews

Christians

They are

Followers of Judaism

Followers of Christianity.

Place of Birth

Israel

Jerusalem

Founder

Jesus Christ (c. 4 B.C. - 30 A.D.)

Abraham (First Patriarch, born c. 1800 B.C.)

Definitions

Judaism is the relationship between the God and the Children of Israel. Monotheistic religion. Only ONE God.

Christians follow the teachings of the Old Testament and the New Testament, which consists the teaching of Jesus. Believes in the trinity, Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Believes Jesus Christ is the son of God.

Believe in Jesus or not

They do not follow Jesus.

They are wholly and solely followers of Jesus.

Holy Text

Tanakh and the Torah

Holy Bible in two parts; the Old Testament and the New Testament

Original Language spoken

Hebrew

Greek, Latin, Aramaic

Branches

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Humanistic, Reconstructionist

Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox

Holy days/Official Holidays:

Shabbath, Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Tu BiShvat, Purim, Passover, Lag BaOmer, Shavout.

Sunday (The Lord's Day), Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost

Standards and belief

Jews focus on this life and making things right.

Christians focus on an afterlife.

Salvation

Through good works, prayers and the grace of God. There is no parallel to the Christian view of substitution atonement.

By grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Population

They are few in numbers.

They comprise of world’s large population.

Image Courtesy: beliefnet.com, informafrica.com

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