Christian Terms Flashcards
Agape
Christian love
Ascension
Jesus being taken up to heaven on the 40th day after Easter
Believers’ Baptism
A ceremony to welcome an adult into the Christian religion
Confirmation
An initiation ceremony carried out by a bishop bestowing the gift of the Holy Spirit
Denomination
The name for the different branches of the Christian Church
Grace
Unconditional love that God shows to people who do not deserve it
Incarnation
God becoming flesh and taking a human form
Liturgical worship
A church service with a set structure of worship
Mission
An organised effort to spread Christianity
Omnipotent
Unlimited power of God
Oneness of god
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…” -genesis
“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with god”
Omnibenevolence
“For God so loved the world, He gave his one and only son.”
Two ways the trinity impacts Christian’s today:
- follow the example of the son, follow his teachings such as love thy neighbour and take meanings from his parables-apply it to everyday life.
- the Holy Spirit is within them, look after themselves and don’t indulge in harmful things such as drugs or smoking.
The Holy Spirit
“This helper is the Holy Spirit whom the father would send in my name “
God the father
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made”
The son
“This is my son whom I am well pleased” “Look, the Lamb of God”
Give three beliefs about creation:
- God is the only creator
- God existed before the he created
- the world was planned and is sustained by god
- god blessed creation, meaning all creation is holy
- god created everything in heaven and on earth in six days
- god rested on the seventh day
God created all
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
God made is in his image
“He created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him.”
Incarnation
“The word became flesh and made his dwelling amongst us”
What ways does incarnation impact Christians today?
- Through the incarnation of Jesus, god began salvationing. This made it possible for humans to have a full relationship with him and go to heaven.
- through becoming incarnate, God came closer to human understanding. As a result humans have a closer relationship with god and are able to communicate better
What unusual events occurred due to the death of Jesus?
- darkness descended on the region although it was 12:00
- there was an earthquake and people rose from the dead. This was a symbol that those who believed in Jesus would be brought a new life
- the curtain hanging in the temple at Jerusalem was torn from top to bottom. The curtain, torn from top, suggests it was torn by god as a symbol that the path to him was open. Jesus’ sacrifice had removed the barrier to him
Crucifixion quotes:
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”- a feeling of betrayal, having to die
“Surely this man was the son of god” a guard next to Jesus at the time of his death.
What does resurrection teach Christian’s?
Teaches them that there is life after death, is a comforting factor
Is evidence of gods omnipotence as well as omnibenevolence in giving us life after death
Story of doubting Thomas(resurrection):
The disciple Thomas would not believe that Jesus was alive until he felt the wounds of his crucifiction.
“Do not be faithless any longer, believe!”
Teaches Christian’s to believe in god even though they may not see him
Quote for ascension
“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven”
What is the Pentecost?
A celebration of the time the Holy Spirit came down on the 12 disciples and blessed them with the ability to speak different languages. This meant they could spread the word of god further and baptise 3000 people in one day
What impact does resurrection have on Christian’s?
Proves god’s power, and strengthens belief. In jesus’ resurrection, life beat death and good beat evil.
Helps with anxiety and fear surrounding death, they know that they will live after death and go to heaven
Quote for life after death:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our lord”
“For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man”
Christian beliefs about life after death:
- Christians will be judged on their actions after death
- go to either heaven or hell
- since people have free will, there are opportunities for people to reject god.
- don’t worship material things
- help people in need
- listen to the teachings of prophets
Teachings for judgement:
The rich man and Lazarus: rich man saw poor sick man and didn’t help him. When both died the rich man went to hell and the poor man went to heaven
The parable of the sheep and goats:
The sheep represent the good and goats are evil, “he will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left”
What are the methods of salvation?
Salvation through grace:
Salvation is freely given by god to those with faith
Salvation through work:
Salvation is achieved through faith AND action, good deeds must be done
How does salvation relate to Jesus?
For humans to achieve salvation and atonement with god, Jesus took on the weight of all human sin when he died, this relieving humans of sin and allowing us to reconnect with god.
What does atonement mean?
The idea that Jesus’ death on the cross resolved the problems between humans and god. These problems began with Adam and Eve 🙄
Quote for atonement
“The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”
Lambs are often seen being used for ritual sacrifice in religious texts, so Jesus is often referred to as the Lamb of God.
Give two sacraments:
-baptism and Eucharist
Define a sacrament
Outward signs of inward blessings
Describe the belief behind Eucharist?
A commemoration of the last supper, a sharing of bread and wine that represent the body and blood of Christ. Brings Christians closer to religion as they are experiencing what Jesus did.
Describe two contrasting beliefs about infant baptism
- that it should be done. It is done to remove original sin from the child and publicly welcome them to the faith, therefore strengthening their relationship with god.
- some Christians, such as baptists believe that believers baptisms should be carried out not infant baptisms. This happens when a person is older and gives them the choice to enter the faith and be cleared of sin. By making it their choice, it shows they truly wish to be part of the faith.
What is advent and what do Christian’s do to celebrate it?
The four weeks leading up to Christmas. A wreath is set up with four lit candles. These candles represent the four Sundays of advent
How is Christmas celebrated and who by?
Celebrated by many people including atheists in a secular way. Christians attend church services to thank god for the gift of Jesus.
Evaluate the argument that Christmas has become too commercialised
It could be argued that Christmas has become too secular and too many non Christian people now celebrate it.
It could also be argued that Christmas has lost its meaning and people don’t appreciate the Christian meaning behind it.
However it could be argued that by becoming commercialised, the message is being spread further. The message behind Christmas is thanking god for the gift of Christ and giving gifts to one another. Through the message being spread it has become a time where people give to others
What is Holy Week?
The week beginning with Palm Sunday that leads up to Easter
What is Palm Sunday?
Week before Easter Sunday. Celebrates Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem riding on a donkey and people threw palm branches into the road to welcome him
What is Maundy Thursday?
The day before Easter Day. Remember Jesus shared Passover meal with disciples- last supper. Christians celebrate this by attending holy communion. Maundy comes from Jesus’ command to love one another at the last supper
What happened on good Friday?
Christians remember Jesus’ crucifixion. Christians reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and how it brought reconciliation with god. Services include meditation, hymns and prayer
What is Easter Sunday?
Celebrates Jesus’ resurrection.
Why is Holy Week important?
Reminds Christian’s of gods sacrifice for them of his son and his love for them. Also reminds them of gods power in doing all he’s done .
Why do Christian’s do missionary work?
Jesus’ disciples began doing missionary work after his death by spreading his teachings and converting people to Christianity
What is missionary work?
A religious mission to provide aid and education as well as to promote Christianity, often in a foreign country
What is evangelism?
Spreading Christian belief in salvation
Quote for mission, “the great commission”:
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”+”whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned”
Different Christian beliefs about evangelism and mission:
Some don’t believe it is important to their religious belief and that it is discriminatory to try to convert someone of a different religion.
What is reconciliation
To be at peace with someone again, forgiveness
What are Christian beliefs surrounding reconciliation?
Christians are encouraged to reconcile with others
What is an example of local evangelical work?
Funding projects in local areas to spread gods word.
What is an example of global evangelism?
Many churches fund projects enabling young people to travel and get involved with missionary work as well as to establish links with churches in other countries.
Give two organisations who aim to help persecuted Christian’s
Open doors
Christian freedom international
Give ways of supporting persecuted Christian’s:
Training Christian’s and church leaders to support them through the trauma they may have suffered
Providing advice and support to Christian’s who are disaster victims
Speaking on behalf of Christian’s to raise awareness and bring change
What is Christian persecution + quote:
Persistently cruel treatment due to Christian belief
“And you will be hated by all for my names sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”
Judgement
“The righteous will have eternal life”, parable of sheep and goats
Hell is a physical place
“The fiery lake of burning sulphur”
Heaven is a literal place
“My fathers house has many rooms”
“The eternal house in heaven
Heaven and hell are spiritual places
Heaven is “the state of supreme happiness”-catechism
“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of god”
Two ways belief in heaven influences Christian’s?
Follow Jesus Christ to be saved
Worship god to be worthy of heaven
Avoid sin and do good
Have hope that death isn’t the end
Two ways belief in hell influences Christian’s?
Judged when the die (s+g) follow Jesus’ teachings
Avoid sin, fear
Not reject god
Some believes it goes against omnibenevolence, believe in universalism , everyone will be saved
Importance of crucifixion, resurrection, ascension
Evidence Jesus is son of god
How Christian’s saved from og sin
Show Jesus saved humanity
Means Christian’s can have eternal life Christian’s have hope for life after death
