Christianity Practices: Key Terms Flashcards
Baptism
The sacrament through which people become members of the Church. It involves the use of water as a symbol of the washing away of sin.
Believers’ baptism
Initiation into the Church, by immersion in water, of people old enough to understand the ceremony/rite and who have made the decision to live a Christian life.
Catholic
The tradition within the Christian Church which is led by the Pope; also called the Roman Catholic Church. (Note: The term ‘catholic’ refers to the communion of all Christians, the universal Church, although it is not a term included on this specification).
Christmas
The festival/celebration to remember the birth of Jesus.
Church
The People of God/Body of Christ, among whom Christ is beloved to be present and active.
Members of a particular Christian denomination/tradition, eg Roman Catholic, Methodist.
A building in which Christians worship.
Easter
Festival/celebration of the resurrection of Jesus; the Easter season ends with Pentecost (50 days after Easter Sunday) which remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit to earth following the ascension.
Eucharist/Holy Communion
Literally ‘thanksgiving’; a sacrament in which the death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated, using bread and wine
Infant baptism
Sacrament of initiation of babies and young children into the Church.
Informal prayer
Spontaneous prayers spoken from the heart which are personal and unique to the person/people at the time.
Iona
Place of pilgrimage founded by St Columba in the fourth century.
Liturgical worship
A church service which follows a set structure or ritual.
Lourdes
Place of pilgrimage where the Virgin Mary appeared to St Bernadette in a series of visions and 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’ and widely said by Christians in both church services and privately.
Non-liturgical worship/informal worship
A service which does not follow a set text or ritual; sometimes spontaneous or charismatic.
Orthodox
A denomination/tradition of the Church popular in some parts of Eastern Europe. There are two main Orthodox Churches – Greek and Russian.
Pilgrimage
A religious journey to a holy site/sacred place, it is 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 their own.
Protestant
Christian denominations in which authority is generally based on the Bible, rather than Church tradition/teaching. (eg Anglican, Methodist, Baptist).
Sacrament
The outward and visible sign of an invisible and spiritual grace. (eg Baptism and the Eucharist are recognised as sacraments by most Christians).
Set prayers
These are prayers written throughout the centuries which many Christians worldwide use (eg The Lord’s Prayer).
Worship
Showing adoration and reverence; offering praise to God.
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.
Evangelism
Preaching the gospel (the good news about God) to convert people to the Christian faith.
Food banks
Places in local communities where people in need can go to collect food; often run/supported by local churches and religious charities.
Judgement
The belief that God will decides whether each person should receive eternal life or eternal punishment based on their earthly life
Just
Fair or equal treatment, a state of justice. Belief about the nature of God as treating all people justly.
Mission
Literally ‘sent out’; the duty of Christians to spread the gospel (the good news about Jesus).
Persecution
Facing hostility and ill-treatment; some Christians face punishment and death for practising their faith.
Reconciliation
Making up and rebuilding relationships between two groups/sides after disagreement.
Street pastors
A Christian organisation involving people working, mainly at night, on city streets giving care to those who need it.
Tearfund
A Christian charity that provides emergency and long-term aid to the developing world.
