Christian Practices - Key Words Flashcards
Baptism
The sacrament through which people become members of the Church. Baptism involves the use of water as a symbol of the washing away of sin. It is a rite of initiation
Believers’ baptism
Initiation into the Church, by immersion in water, of people old enough to understand the ceremony/rite and willing to live a Christian life. Some denominations prefer this to infant baptism. This form of baptism contains many similarities to the baptism of Jesus
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
A Christian charity that provides emergency and long-term aid to the developing world
Christian Aid
A Christian charity that provides emergency and long-term aid to the developing world
Christmas
The Feast Day commemorating the birth of Jesus (25 December in most Churches)
Easter
The religious season celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It starts on Easter Day and finishes with the feast of Pentecost
Eucharist
Literally ‘thanksgiving’. Another name for Holy Communion and a service in which the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated, using bread and wine. Thanks are given to God for his creation of the world, for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and for the bread and wine which many Christians refer to as Jesus’ Body and Blood
Evangelism
Preaching the gospel (the good news about God) to convert people to the Christian faith
Food banks
This relates to Christian charities collecting donated food to distribute to the poor in Britain
Holy Communion
Another name for the Eucharist in which the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated using bread and wine
Infant baptism
Initiation of babies and young children into the Church, where promises are taken on their behalf by adults. The infant is freed from sin and introduced to the saving love of God and the support of the Christian community
Informal prayer
This takes the form of extempore prayer, consisting of spontaneous prayers spoken from the heart as opposed to the use of set prayers
Informal worship
Worship which has no set structure. It is usually spontaneous and sometimes charismatic in nature
Iona
An island of the west coast of Scotland founded by Columba in the 4th century. It is used by Christians today as a centre for pilgrimage and religious retreat
Liturgical worship
A church service which follows a set structure or ritual
Lourdes
A town in France, where the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette in a series of visions, and now a place of pilgrimage, where it is claimed that miraculous healings have taken place
Lord’s Prayer
The prayer taught to the disciples by Jesus; also known as the ‘Our Father’.
Mission
Literally ‘sent out’. It refers to the duty of Christians to spread the gospel (the good news about Jesus)
Non-liturgical worship
A service which does not follow a set text or ritual. This type of worship is sometimes spontaneous or charismatic in nature
Persecution
Throughout the centuries and still in some parts of the world. Christians face punishment and even death for adherence to their faith
Pilgrimage
A journey by a Christian to a holy site, e.g. Lourdes, Iona. Pilgrimage is itself an act of worship and devotion
Prayer
Communicating with God through words of praise, thanksgiving or confession, or requests for his help or guidance. Listening to and speaking to God
Private worship
A believer giving God praise and worship on his or her own
Reconciliation
The process of restoring harmony after relationships between people has broken down; A sacrament in the Roman Catholic and some Anglian Churches
Set prayers
These are prayers written throughout the centuries by Christian holy men and women, which many Christians use. The Lord’s Prayer is an example of a set prayer
Street pastors
A Christian organisation consisting of people who work mainly at night on the city streets, caring for those who need help
Tearfund
A Christian charity that provides emergency and long-term aid to the developing world
Worship
Offering to God the praise he is due. This may be done in public or in private worship
