Christian Beliefs

Explain two Christian beliefs about Jesus’ crucifixion. (5)

salvation through his sacrifice

• “to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

God sacrificed Jesus to atone for mankinds sins

• " and by his wounds we are healed”

• “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”

Explain two Christian beliefs about God’s creation of the world (5)

Stewardship

• “In the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it”

God created man in his image

• “So, God created man in his own image” 

Adam and Eve were the first humans

• “The Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground’

Trinity was present

• “Spirit of God hovered over the earth” 

Explain two Christian beliefs about Jesus’ Ascension (5)

Jesus overcame death and is alive with God in heaven

• “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven”

he ascended into heaven to prepare a place for believers

• “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”

Explain two Christian teachings about original sin (5)

Humans are born with Original sin

• “in sin my mother conceived me”

It was brought upon by Adam and Eve

• “So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.” GENESIS 3

Give two reasons why the disciples believed Jesus was alive after his resurrection.  (2)

• he broke bread

• they touched and saw him

Give two reasons why Jesus had to die, according to Christianity. (2)

• to atone for humanity’s sins

• to grant salvation for mankind

Explain two things which Christians believe about judgement. (5)

Particular Judgement

• “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies”

• “It is appointed to men to die once, and after that comes the judgement”

Final Judgement

• “I was hungry, and you fed me, I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink, I was naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you took care of me, I was in prison, and you visited me.”

Name two persons of the Trinity. (2)

Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Explain two characteristics of God. (5)

omnipotent

• “God said ‘let there be light’, and there was light”

• “When the Israelites reached the Red Sea, Moses stretched out his hands and the waters divided, allowing his followers safe passage”

• “Jesus called out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus come out’, and the dead man came out”

omnibenevolent

• “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but be granted everlasting life”

• PRODIGAL SON: “Father I have sinned against heaven” - “He is lost and now found”

Explain two Christian beliefs about the Trinity. (5)

They are in different forms and have different roles but are whole 

• “I baptize you in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” 

• “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 

Monotheism 

• “You shall have no other God’s before me”

Explain two ways in which belief about creation influences Christians today. (4)

• They believe God created everything and so are influenced to care for it (stewardship) – this is even commanded in Genesis.​

• They believe that God created all people in the image of God and so are influenced to treat all people with kindness and respect.

Explain two ways in which belief in hell influences Christians today. (4)

• Fear hell and live well 

• Encourages belief in everlasting life

Explain two ways in which belief in the Trinity influences Christians today. (4)

• Encourages baptism in the name of the father, son and holy spirit

• God is a father figure and it shows his omnibenevolence encouraging people to follow him

Explain two ways in which Jesus’ crucifixion influences Christians today. (4)

• Christians believe that through his death, Jesus is able to offer salvation and redemption to all.

• It proves he was the Son of God.

Explain two ways in which belief in the resurrection of Jesus influences Christians today. (4)

• The resurrection demonstrates the power of good over evil and God's love for humanity. It encourages Christians to follow Jesus' example, seeking to live morally and strive for justice in the world

• proves life after death and therefore Christians get baptised to cleanse from sin

Explain two ways in which the belief that God is just influences Christians today. (4)

• People to be kind as a foundation of Christianity 

• Act with Justice to others, act well as God will judge them and treat others as they would like to be treated 

• Trust in God’s plan as he will ensure they obtain the life they deserve

Explain two ways in which believing that God is all-loving might influence Christians today.  (4)

• Gives Christian the concept of heaven and forgiveness of sins. Encourages baptism. 

• Encourages love and respect as God did, pray giving thanks for God’s love 

Explain two ways in which believing in Judgement Day might influence Christians today.  (4)

• Shows that people should live well despite being young because they can be judged at any time 

• Encourages Christians to live well to be judged well after death as it shows there is life after death for Christians and doing good deeds will reward them 

Explain two ways in which Christian beliefs about the afterlife influence Christians today. (4)

• comforted by death as they will be united with God

• Encourages Christians to live well to be judged well after death as it shows there is life after death for Christians and doing good deeds will reward them 

Explain two ways in which belief in judgement by God influences Christians today.  (4)

• Encourages Christians to live well to be judged well after death as it shows there is life after death for Christians and doing good deeds will reward them 

• Encourages baptism as they would submit themselves to God and cleanse from sin

Explain two Christian teachings about sin. (5)

Original Sin - humans are born with, and originated from The Fall in Genesis 3

• “Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden”

Any act violating God’s will separates us from him, leads to consequence

• “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Explain two Christian beliefs about the role of Jesus Christ in salvation. (5)

His resurrection offers hope for eternal life

• “For God so loved the world, he gave his only son so whoever believes in him shall not perish but be granted eternal life”

His crucifixion allows Christians to atone for their sins, getting closer to achieving salvation

Explain ways in which belief in God’s omnipotence influences Christians today (4)

• Allows them to appreciate the world, being the creation of God and feel awe towards God’s creation. 

• Pray to God in times of struggle as it gives them hope that God has the power to guide them. Believe that all mankind will be resurrected.  

Explain two Christian beliefs about Heaven (5)

Heaven is the state of being with God

• “And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.

Heaven is a physical place

• “if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens”

Explain two Christian beliefs about Hell (5)

Hell is a form of punishment

• “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Hell is a place without God

• "eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might"

Explain two Christian beliefs about Purgatory (5)

Purgatory is a chance to repent for sin after death

• “Cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning.” 

Some do not believe in purgatory as it defies Jesus’ crucifixion which granted us with salvation

Explain two Christian beliefs about death (5)

Salvation

• “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but live everlasting life” 

Cleanse

• 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 

Explain two Christian beliefs about incarnation (5)

God became man

• “The word become flesh and lived among us”

God’s human form died in order to bring humans salvation from sin

• “[Jesus] being in very nature God... made himself nothing by taking the nature of a servant, being made in human form”

Explain two ways in which belief about incarnation influences Christians today (4)

• Encourages belief in universalism – anyone can go to heaven despite their wealth or power, Christians give to charity 

• Celebration of the birth of Jesus (Christmas) in order to reflect and remember the incarnation

Explain two ways in which belief about God as omniscient influences Christians today (4)

• Live in God’s plan 

• Live faithfully as God knows all

  •  “There is no creature hidden from His sight”

• Feel connected to God as He knows their suffering and pain 

  • “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”

Give a quote for why God allows suffering

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

‘If God were loving, there would be no suffering in the world.’

Evaluate the statement (12 marks)

FOR

• freewill → lack of submission to God

• suffering must occur → Genesis 3

• God chooses strongwilled people to endure suffering and then are granted eternal happiness in a heavenly place with him as they die

AGAINST

• God is all loving and just but some poeple suffering

• Jesus sacrificed to atone for sins so there should be no suffering

• suffering is created - God created everything ex nihilo