Christianity Practices: Key Terms

Question 1

Baptism

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Believers’ baptism

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Catholic

Answer 3

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).

Question 4

Christmas

Answer 4

The festival/celebration to remember the birth of Jesus.

Question 5

Church

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Easter

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Eucharist/Holy Communion

Answer 7

Literally ‘thanksgiving’; a sacrament in which the death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated, using bread and wine

Question 8

Infant baptism

Answer 8

Sacrament of initiation of babies and young children into the Church.

Question 9

Informal prayer

Answer 9

Spontaneous prayers spoken from the heart which are personal and unique to the person/people at the time.

Question 10

Iona

Answer 10

Place of pilgrimage founded by St Columba in the fourth century.

Question 11

Liturgical worship

Answer 11

A church service which follows a set structure or ritual.

Question 12

Lourdes

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Lord’s Prayer

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Non-liturgical worship/informal worship

Answer 14

A service which does not follow a set text or ritual; sometimes spontaneous or charismatic.

Question 15

Orthodox

Answer 15

A denomination/tradition of the Church popular in some parts of Eastern Europe. There are two main Orthodox Churches – Greek and Russian.

Question 16

Pilgrimage

Answer 16

A religious journey to a holy site/sacred place, it is an act of worship and devotion.

Question 17

Prayer

Answer 17

Communicating with God through words of praise, thanksgiving or confession, or requests for his help or guidance; listening to and speaking to God.

Question 18

Private worship

Answer 18

A believer giving God praise and worship on their own.

Question 19

Protestant

Answer 19

Christian denominations in which authority is generally based on the Bible, rather than Church tradition/teaching. (eg Anglican, Methodist, Baptist).

Question 20

Sacrament

Answer 20

The outward and visible sign of an invisible and spiritual grace. (eg Baptism and the Eucharist are recognised as sacraments by most Christians).

Question 21

Set prayers

Answer 21

These are prayers written throughout the centuries which many Christians worldwide use (eg The Lord’s Prayer).

Question 22

Worship

Answer 22

Showing adoration and reverence; offering praise to God.

Question 23

Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)

Answer 23

A Christian charity that provides emergency and long-term aid to the developing world.

Question 24

Christian Aid

Answer 24

A Christian charity that provides emergency and long-term aid to the developing world.

Question 25

Evangelism

Answer 25

Preaching the gospel (the good news about God) to convert people to the Christian faith.

Question 26

Food banks

Answer 26

Places in local communities where people in need can go to collect food; often run/supported by local churches and religious charities.

Question 27

Judgement

Answer 27

The belief that God will decides whether each person should receive eternal life or eternal punishment based on their earthly life

Question 28

Just

Answer 28

Fair or equal treatment, a state of justice. Belief about the nature of God as treating all people justly.

Question 29

Mission

Answer 29

Literally ‘sent out’; the duty of Christians to spread the gospel (the good news about Jesus).

Question 30

Persecution

Answer 30

Facing hostility and ill-treatment; some Christians face punishment and death for practising their faith.

Question 31

Reconciliation

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Street pastors

Answer 32

A Christian organisation involving people working, mainly at night, on city streets giving care to those who need it.

Question 33

Tearfund

Answer 33

A Christian charity that provides emergency and long-term aid to the developing world.