Beliefs and Teachings (Christianity) Flashcards
Define Ascension
Going or being taken up; the event forty days after the resurrection when Jesus returned to glory in heaven.
Define Atonement
Making amends or payment for a wrong. The belief that reconciliation between God and humanity that was brought about by the death of Jesus as a sacrifice.
Define Christ
Literally means ‘Anointed One’ in Greek; the Hebrew equivalent is Messiah. The leader promised by God to the Jews; Christians believe Jesus to be the Christ
Define Creation
Bringing the world into existence; the belief that the world is God’s loving creation.
Define Crucifixion
The death of Jesus; a form of the death penalty used by the Romans.
Define Evil
The opposite of good; a cause of suffering and against the will of God.
Define ‘the father’
The first Person of the Trinity, the belief in God as creator and sustainer of the universe.
Define Grace
The unconditional and generous love that God shows to people who do not deserve it.
Define Heaven
Belief that after death Christians can enter a state of being with God for eternity.
Define Hell
Belief in a place of eternal suffering, or a state after death of being in separation from God.
Define Holy Spirit
The third Person of the Trinity; believed to be present with believers since Pentecost and active on earth.
Define Incarnation
Literally ‘in flesh’, or ‘enfleshed;’ belief that God took on human form in the person of Jesus.
Who was Jesus?
Believed by Christians to be the Son of God, he was a first century Jewish teacher living and travelling in Palestine/Israel.
Define Judgement
The belief that God will decides whether each person should receive eternal life or eternal punishment based on their earthly life.
Define Just
Fair or equal treatment, a state of justice. Belief about the nature of God as treating all people justly.
Define Omnipotent
The belief that God is ‘all powerful’.
Define ‘The oneness of God’
The belief that God is one singular divine being (who can be manifest in the Three Persons of the Trinity).
Define Original Sin
Belief human nature is flawed, and that we all have the tendency to sin; traditional belief held by some Christians that this came from Adam & Eve’s eating of the forbidden fruit as recorded in Genesis 3.
Define Resurrection
Being raised from the dead; the event three days after the crucifixion when it is believed that God raised Jesus from the dead.
The form that many Christians believe the afterlife will take, referring to either physical or spiritual bodies.
Define Salvation
Being saved; belief that through God’s grace, Jesus’ death and resurrection brought about salvation for humanity. Saving of the soul and being able to enter eternal life in heaven.
Define Sin
Behaviour which is against God’s laws and wishes/against Christian principles of morality.
Define Son of God
A title used for Jesus; the second Person of the Trinity. Shows the special relationship between Jesus and God.