Beliefs About Jesus Flashcards
Describe what Christians believe about the death of Jesus. (6)
Jesus was condemned to death by the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate.
Jesus is crucified between two thieves at 9am.
During the crucifixion, Jesus is offered wine mixed with gall but refuses it.
Passers-by and one of the thieves mock him (some accounts say both thieves mock him)
There is a period of darkness for 3 hrs.
Jesus dies at 3pm.
Jesus was placed into a garden tomb on Friday, and a heavy stone was used to seal the entrance.
What do Christians believe about the Incarnation? (6) (ie: the nature of Jesus)
Incarnation means in a flesh and blood form. The idea that God enters the
human realm in the form of Jesus. Jesus has a miraculous virgin birth, confirming his divine nature.
Jesus was truly human and truly God at the same time — a paradox. Jesus is part of the Trinity, God the Son. God had sent prophets, but the people hadn’t listened to them, so now he was sending his Son.
The Incarnation means that God has experienced everything about being a human being, apart from sin.
Jesus was the only person that could deal with consequences of sin by dying on the cross, and beating death.
Jesus is ‘the Word’ — how God communicates his nature and his will to the world — if you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen God.
Explain why beliefs about the death and resurrection of Jesus are important for Christians today. (4)
Christians today believe that Jesus died to overcome sin which separates men and women from God.
The love and obedience Jesus had in dying can still somehow make up for everything that men and women do wrong. This process is described as atonement.
Humanity is moved to repentance, and asking for forgiveness is a response to God’s love, demonstrated by the sacrifice made by Jesus.
God enters into the suffering of the world on the cross and offering people a way out of it; that evil does its worst to Jesus and death is shown not to be the end. There is hope and a new way to live with God and one another.
Christian martyrs today are people who are willing to die for their faith, following the example of Christ and bearing witness to the Truth, even at the price of life itself.
The Resurrection of Jesus is at the heart of the Christian faith. It is important because it showed God the Father’s approval of Jesus.
It proved that Jesus was who he said he was – the Messiah and the Son of God – and that what he had said was true.
Explain why beliefs about Jesus as an incarnation of God is important for Christians today? (4)
It helps us to understand that Jesus wasn’t just a human being but is actually God the Son. This helps us to understand the nature of God better. By knowing Jesus, we know God.
The incarnation helps us to see Jesus as the perfect example of a human being. If we following Jesus’ words and actions, then we can be the best people we can possibly be.
The incarnation gives us hope because God loves humanity so much that he is willing to become one of us to show the depth of that love.
The incarnation is important because it shows us the way to overcome sin. Jesus lives a perfect life. This gives us hope that sin and death aren’t the end and that we too can share in eternal life through God.
“Jesus must have risen from the dead.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (8)
FOR
Jesus is divine; therefore the resurrection is quite possible.
There is evidence in the Gospels that Jesus rose from the dead.
Jesus foretold that he would rise from the dead.
It was a consistent teaching from the earliest days of the Christian community.
Many of the early Christians were willing to die for their faith, so it is unlikely that people would die for something they knew to be a hoax.
Christians feel that Jesus is alive today.
AGAINST
It is scientifically impossible for someone to rise from the dead.
The only evidence come from witnesses who might not be reliable.
The Gospel accounts of the resurrection may appear contradictory. Therefore you cannot rely on the evidence from the Bible.
His body could’ve been stolen from the tomb.
How might belief about the incarnation affect the life of Christians? (4)
They would worship Jesus as God, asking for his help and guidance in their lives.
Some Christians use images of Jesus as a focus for prayer and devotion.
In communion, they would remember how Jesus died for their sins.
People will celebrate Christmas, God coming into the world.
“Jesus is the Son of God.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (8)
AGREE:
Matthew’s Infancy Narrative shows that:
Jesus is shown to be God the Son by fulfilling the prophecies of the Messiah, and by being given the title Emmanuel; ‘God with us’.
Luke’s Infancy Narrative shows that:
Jesus is shown to be God the Son through the annunciation by Gabriel and the angels’ message to the shepherds.
The Baptism of Jesus shows that:
God the Father’s words about Jesus show that he is God the Son.
The Healing of Jairus’ Daughter shows that:
Jesus shows that he is God the Son by having power over sickness and death.
DISAGREE:
How can an Everlasting God come on earth and decide to die on earth?
If Jesus is the Son of God, how could he be begotten as normal sinners do?
Jesus said in the Bible “My God, why have you forsaken me?” Why is he questioning Gods will if he is God himself?
If Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him, why did he not expel Judas, or let him among his ranks of his trusted disciples, which shows Jesus has a limited understanding.
Explain what the Baptism of Jesus means for Christians today. (4)
It marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
It demonstrates Jesus’ willingness to fully participate in the human experience.
It highlights Jesus’ identity as the second person of the Trinity - The Son of God, hence pointing to the divinity.
It becomes the origin of the Christian Sacrament of Baptism which cleanses from original sin and welcomes believers into the faith community.
Explain why the Last Supper is important for Christians today. (4)
It is the origin of the Eucharist.
Jesus commanded his followers to “do this in remembrance of me”.
The bread and wine are now the source of Jesus’ body and blood for Christians (transubstantiation/commemoration).
It is a reminder of the New Covenant as Jesus becomes the new Paschal Sacrifice.
“Believing in the resurrection of Jesus is not essential.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
FOR
Some Christians feel the resurrection isn’t meant to be taken literally ― they see it as a metaphor or a myth. It shows that Jesus’ power lived on after his death, but through his teachings and the lives of his followers.
Some will argue that Jesus didn’t talk a lot about what happens after death. He was most concerned with teaching people to bring about God’s Kingdom in this world while they were alive, so believing in His resurrection isn’t essential.
Some Christians feel that they can’t accept the supernatural elements of the story, because it doesn’t fit with how science understands what a human being is. However, they believe it is still possible to be a true follower of Jesus if you live by his teachings.
They might feel that the resurrection appearances were a spiritual experience rather than a physical one. This would explain why Jesus seems to have been able to appear in a locked room and wasn’t always recognised by his followers.
AGAINST
The resurrection demonstrates God’s awesome power. If you say it didn’t happen you’re limiting God.
For Christians, the hope of life after death is central. Jesus’ resurrection is the proof that this is possible, and helps them to have confidence that one day they will rise from the dead too.
It removes the ‘sting of death’ which is its finality.
Jesus’ resurrection confirms that Jesus saying the truth ― he was the Messiah, and an incarnation of God.
The resurrection is essential because it shows that Jesus was able to beat death, and that good truly won over evil.
If Jesus didn’t rise, being a Christian would be a waste of time, as it would remove hope of life after death. If there’s nothing after death, it doesn’t matter how people live this life.
For those who take the Bible literally and see it as God’s word, it must be true, because God’s word can be trusted completely.
Describe a miracle of Jesus. (4)
The Calming of the Storm
Jesus was with his disciples on a boat in the Sea of Galilee.
While at sea, it was quite common for storms and gales to affect boats.
The disciples wanted to go across to the other side when suddenly a great gale arose, and the waves became choppy.
The disciples woke Jesus up and he commands the storm and the waves die down and the gale stops.
This miraculous miracle indicates that Jesus has control over nature which only God can have. This shows that he is the incarnation.
Describe what Christians believe about the resurrection of Jesus. (4)
Jesus was placed into a garden tomb on Friday, and a heavy stone was used to seal the entrance.
On the Sunday morning there was a violent earthquake and an angel descended and rolled the stone from the entrance to the tomb
The soldiers fainted when they saw the angel.
Some women who came to anoint the body found the stone rolled away from the entrance and the body of Jesus was gone. In John’s account, the grave clothes were folded up and left behind.
The angel told them Jesus had risen and that they should go and tell the disciples.
