Miss Macdonald’s AQA GCSE RS Christianity Keywords

Ascension

The event 40 days after the resurrection when Jesus returned to God in heaven

Atonement

The reconciliation between God and humanity that was sealed by the sacrificial death of Jesus

Baptism

Sacrament through which people become members of the Church.

Believers' Baptism

Initiation into the church by immersion in water of people old enough to understand the ceremony.

Bible

Sacred book for Christians containing old and new testaments.

Catholic

A Christian denomination led by the Pope.

CAFOD

Catholic Fund for Overseas Development - a Christian charity

Christ

Literally 'the anointed one' - the messiah promised by God to the Jews. Christians believe Jesus to be the Christ.

Christian

Someone who believes in Jesus Christ and follows the religion based on his teachings.

Christian Aid

A Christian charity organisation

Christmas

Festival celebrating the birth of Jesus (25 Dec in most denominations)

Church

i) Holy People of God, the Body of Christ (all Christians)

ii) Members of a particular Christian denomination

iii) a building in which Christians worship

Creation

Christians believe that the world is God's loving creation

Crucifixion

Roman method of execution by fixing criminals to a cross. Jesus was executed in this way.

Easter

Christian season celebrating Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Starts on Easter Sunday and ends at Pentecost.

Eucharist

Literally 'thanksgiving'. Another name for holy communion (celebrating Jesus' resurrection using bread and wine).

Evangelism

Preaching the gospel to convert others to Christianity

Evil

Opposite of good - destructive and against God

The Father

The first part of the Trinity, the creator and sustainer of the universe.

Food banks

Christian charities collecting donated food to distribute to the poor in Britain.

Grace

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

Heaven

The state after death of being with and enjoying eternity with God

Hell

The place of eternal suffering or the state after death of separation fom God

Holy Communion

Another name for the eucharist in which the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated using bread and wine

Holy Spirit

The third part of the Trinity, who descended like a dove at Jesus' baptism. The holy spirit is present now, inspiring Christians.

Incarnation

Literally 'in the flesh' - the doctrine that God took the human form of Jesus

Infant baptism

Initiation of babies and young children into the Church, where promises are made on their behalf by adults.

Informal prayer

Also called extempore prayer, is spontaneous and spoken from the heart, not set.

Iona

An island on the west coast of Scotland founded by St Columba in the the 4th Century. A Christian place of pilgrimage.

Jesus

First century Jewish teacher and holy man, believed by Christians to be the son of God

Judgement

When God decides whether each person should receive eternal life or eternal punishment

Just

This refers to the nature of God as one who treats each individual human being fairly and equally

Liturgical worship

A church service which follows a set structure or ritual

Law

The Law of God, revealed in the Bible, which Christians should obey.

Lourdes

A town in France where the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette in a series of visions. Now a place of pilgrimage and healing.

Lord's Prayer

The prayer that Jesus taught to the disciples. Also called the 'Our Father'.

Mission

Literally 'sent out'. It refers to the Christian duty to spread the gospel and good news about Jesus.

Non-liturgical worship

A service which does not follow a set text or ritual. Spontaneous and charismatic in nature.

Omnipotent

The belief that God is all powerful

Oneness of God

The belief that God is one

Original Sin

the Christian belief that human beings are naturally flawed and will go against God's will. This has been passed down from the sin of Adam and Eve.

Orthodox

A popular Christian denomination in parts of Eastern Europe. The two main orthodox churches are Greek and Russian

Persecution

Christians who may face punishment or even death for practicing their faith

Pilgrimage

A journey by a Christian to a holy site, e.g. Lourdes, Iona. An act of worship and devotion

Prayer

Communicating with God through praise, thanksgiving, confession or requests for guidance. Listening to and speaking with God.

Private worship

A believer giving praise and worship on his or her own.

Protestant

The churches that 'protested' against the Catholic Church in the 16th century Reformation. Services generally based more closely on the Bible.

Reconciliation

i) the process of restoring harmony after relationships have broken

ii) a sacrament in Roman Catholic and some Anglican churches

Resurrection

i) the event of Jesus rising from the dead

ii) the form Christians believe the afterlife will take

Sacrament

The outward and visible sign of an invisible and spiritual grace, e.g. baptism and the eucharist

Salvation

Saving the soul and deliverance from sin and admission to heaven brought about by Jesus

Set prayers

Prayers written by holy Christians, which other Christians use e.g. the Lord's Prayer.

Sin

Behaviour which is against God's Law and wishes.

Son

Second part of the Trinity. This is Jesus, in whom God became incarnate.

Son of God

A title used for Jesus, denoting the special relationship between him and God the Father

Sources of wisdom and authority

The Bible, religious leaders and statements of belief e.g. the Apostles' Creed

Street Pastors

A Christian organisation consisting of people who work mainly at night on city streets, caring for those who need help

Suffering

When people have to face and live with unpleasant events or conditions

Tearfund

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

Trinity

The belief that there are three persons in One God. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are separate but are also one being.

Word

St John's gospel describes God creating the world by this and links it to Jesus as being 'the Word made flesh'.

Worship

Offering to God the praise that he is due. This may be done publically or privately