Expressions of Religious Identity: Key Words Flashcards
Catechism
Teaching: A summary of principles of the Christian Religion, given in question and answer style.
catholic
(With a small ‘c’) ‘all-embracing’, that is, ‘the whole body of Christians world-wide.’
Covenant
In the biblical sense, this refers to an agreement between God and humanity, as in the covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses. The New Testament refers to the new covenant effected through Jesus.
Credobaptism
Believer’s baptism
Ecumenical
Promoting unity among the different Christian Churches, for example, by services in which different denominations take part.
Ecumenism
The drive to promote unity between the different Christian Churches.
Epiclesis
The part of the Eucharist prayer in which the presence of the Holy Spirit is invoked to bless the elements of bread and wine or those taking part.
Fraction
The breaking of the bread at the Eucharist, as a symbol of the breaking of Christ’s body on the cross.
Genuflexion
The bending of the knees or kneeling, as an act of relevance (for example, to God).
Liturgy
The pattern for worship used by a particular denomination, in line with its particular beliefs and traditions.
Ordinances
Any form of law or instruction, for example, from Jesus, such as the instruction to his disciples to make disciples of all nations and baptise them. An ordinance also means a religious ceremony, sacrament, statue or regulation.
Paedobaptism
Infant baptism
Sacrament
A ceremony seen as imparting spiritual grace. In the Roman Catholic Church there are seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, ordination, and the matrimony. In the Protestant Churches the main sacraments are the Eucharist (Holy Communion) and baptism.
Transubstantiation
In the Roman Catholic Church. the change of substance by which the bread and wine used in the sacrament of the Eucharist during the Mass become, literally, the body and blood of Jesus.
