Christian Terminology For Beliefs And Practices

Question 1

Angel Gabriel

Answer 1

An archangel, appearing with divine messages from God to His people.

Question 2

Ascension

Answer 2

For Christians, when Jesus went up to Heaven 40 days after he rose from the dead.

Question 3

Baptism

Answer 3

Rite of initiation involving immersion in, or sprinkling or pouring of water; a sacrament marking the start of Christian life.

Question 4

Blasphemy

Answer 4

Speaking about God in a sacrilegious way.

Question 5

Christ

Answer 5

A title given to Jesus meaning Messiah or Anointed One.

Question 6

Council of Nicea

Answer 6

A meeting of around 300 bishops from across the Roman Empire. The meeting was called by the Emperor Constantine with the aim of producing a clear and unified statement of Christian belief. The Council of Nicea produced the Nicene Creed.

Question 7

Crucifixion

Answer 7

Roman method of execution by nailing someone to a cross, often until they die of asphyxiation; used on Jesus and many others.

Question 8

Divine

Answer 8

An action of God or supernatural power.

Question 9

Eucharist

Answer 9

A service celebrating the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, using elements of bread and wine.

Question 10

Flogging

Answer 10

A punishment that involves a public beating, usually with a flexible stick.

Question 11

Free will

Answer 11

The idea that humans are free to make their own moral choices.

Question 12

Good Friday

Answer 12

For Christians, the day they remember when Jesus was crucified.

Question 13

Gospel

Answer 13

The teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

Question 14

Gregory of Nazianzus

Answer 14

Early Christian theologian, now considered a saint. Defended the doctrine of the Trinity.

Question 15

Holy Bible

Answer 15

Holy book of the Christians. Split into two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Question 16

Immanence

Answer 16

The belief in many religions that God is immanent - ‘in the world’. God acted in history in the past and continues to be active today.

Question 17

Immanent

Answer 17

The belief in various religions that God is immanent - ‘in the world’. God acted in history in the past and continues to be active today.

Question 18

Incarnation

Answer 18

The belief that God took human form in Jesus Christ. It is also the belief that God in Christ is active in the Church and in the world.

Question 19

Job

Answer 19

A person in the Book of Job in the Tanakh (also in the Old Testament) who undergoes immense suffering.

Question 20

John the Baptist

Answer 20

For Christians, the person who came to prepare the way of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and who baptised him in the River Jordan.

Question 21

Just

Answer 21

God is fair to all and he forgives those who say sorry for their actions. The Psalms say, God is fair and just (Psalm 25:8).

Question 22

Last Judgement

Answer 22

The Last Judgement, a time of judgement by God of all humanity.

Question 23

Last Supper

Answer 23

The meal that Jesus had with his disciples the night before he died where he gave them bread and wine to symbolise his body and blood.

Question 24

Mary Magdalene

Answer 24

One of the female followers of Jesus who were the first to meet him after his resurrection.

Question 25

Maundy Thursday

Answer 25

The day before Good Friday, when Jesus had the Last Supper, suffered in Gethsemane and was arrested.

Question 26

Messiah

Answer 26

The promised deliverer of the Hebrew nation at the end of times.

Question 27

Omnibenevolence

Answer 27

God is all-loving. Christians believe that this is expressed in many different ways. God sacrificed his own son for humanity, which shows how much he loves all human beings without exception.

Question 28

Omnipotence

Answer 28

God is all-powerful. The evidence for this includes the creation of the world and the resurrection of Jesus.

Question 29

Omniscience

Answer 29

God knows everything. Christians believe that God knows every person’s inner thoughts as well as knowing all that has happened and all that will happen in the future.

Question 30

Passover

Answer 30

Jewish festival which remembers the escape of the ancient Israelites from Egypt.

Question 31

Sacrifice

Answer 31

The act of giving something precious to another person or to God.

Question 32

Saviour

Answer 32

One who saves. Christians see Jesus as their Saviour.

Question 33

The raising of Lazarus

Answer 33

Jesus’ last miracle, as told in the gospel of John, in which he brings Lazarus of Bethany back from the dead four days after he was buried.

Question 34

Transcendent

Answer 34

Belief that God is above and beyond creation and it is up to humans to act on His behalf and do His will.

Question 35

Trinity

Answer 35

Three persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Question 36

Virgin Mary

Answer 36

Mary, the mother of Jesus.