Christianity Beliefs: Key Terms

Question 1

Bible

Answer 1

Source of wisdom and authority; a holy book containing both the Old and New Testaments.

Question 2

Creation

Answer 2

Bringing the world into existence; the belief that the world is here thanks to God/God’s love.

Question 3

Evil

Answer 3

The opposite of good; a cause of suffering and against the will of God.

Question 4

4. The Father

Answer 4

The first Person of the Trinity; God as creator and sustainer of the universe.

Question 5

Holy Spirit

Answer 5

The third Person of the Trinity; believed to be present with believers since Pentecost and active on earth

Question 6

Just

Answer 6

Fair or equal treatment, a state of justice. A belief about the nature of God.

Question 7

Omnipotent

Answer 7

The belief that God is ‘all powerful’.

Question 8

The Oneness of God

Answer 8

The belief that God is one singular divine being (who can be manifest in the Three Persons of the Trinity)

Question 9

Original sin

Answer 9

Belief that 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 told in Genesis 3.

Question 10

Sin

Answer 10

Behaviour which is against God’s laws and wishes/against Christian principles of morality. Intention or action which damages a person’s relationship with God.

Question 11

Suffering

Answer 11

An effect of evil; undergoing pain and hardship.

Question 12

The Son

Answer 12

The second Person of the Trinity.

Question 13

Trinity

Answer 13

The belief that God as One includes God also being manifest in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Question 14

Word

Answer 14

In the Bible, John 1 describes God creating the world through this. It, ‘was made flesh and dwelt among us’ (John 1:14).

Question 15

Ascension

Answer 15

Going or being taken up; the event forty days after the resurrection when Jesus returned to glory in heaven.

Question 16

Atonement

Answer 16

Making amends or payment for a wrong. The belief that reconciliation between God and humanity was brought about by the death of Jesus as a sacrifice.

Question 17

Christ

Answer 17

Literally means ‘Anointed One’ in Greek; the Hebrew equivalent is Messiah. The leader promised by God to the Jews; Christians believe Jesus to be it.

Question 18

Crucifixion

Answer 18

The death of Jesus; a form of the death penalty used by the Romans.

Question 19

Grace

Answer 19

The unconditional and generous love that God shows to people who do not deserve it.

Question 20

Heaven

Answer 20

a state/place of peace for those who love God. A state of being with God for eternity, and wanting to be

Question 21

Hell

Answer 21

a state/place of suffering for those who hate God. A place of eternal suffering, or a state after death of being in separation from God.

Question 22

Incarnation

Answer 22

Literally ‘in flesh’, or ‘enfleshed’; God took on human form in the person of Jesus.

Question 23

Jesus

Answer 23

Believed by Christians to be the Son of God, he was a first century Jewish teacher living and travelling in Palestine/Israel.

Question 24

Judgement

Answer 24

The belief that God will decide whether each person should receive eternal life or eternal suffering based on their earthly life.

Question 25

Law

Answer 25

Rules or commands which must be followed; God’s is revealed in the Bible.

Question 26

Reconciliation

Answer 26

Making up and rebuilding relationships between two groups/sides after disagreement.

Question 27

Resurrection

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Salvation

Answer 28

Being saved; brought about through God’s grace, Jesus’ death and resurrection. Saving of the soul and being able to enter eternal life in heaven.

Question 29

Son of God

Answer 29

A title used for Jesus; the second Person of the Trinity. Shows the special relationship between Jesus and God.