Christianity - Beliefs

Which is the first book of the Bible?

genesis

Genesis is divided into __ parts.

3

Which is the first book of the Bible?

genesis

Genesis is divided into __ parts.

3

Genesis 1 describes…

…the creation of heaven and Earth.

Genesis 2 describes…

…the creation of the first humans, Adam and Eve.

Genesis 3 describes…

…Christians learning how Adam and Eve disobeyed God and brought sin into the world.

What does Genesis 1 explain about God? (6)

• God is only creator.

• God existed before He created the world.

• Well-planned world sustained by God.

• God blessed creation, so all creation is holy.

• God created everything in Heaven and on Earth in six days.

• On 7th day, God rested.

What was created on each of the 7 days?

The Bible teaches Christians that God created humans in his _____.

This shows…

image

…that humans are all important to God, and that they should try to show love and forgiveness just as God does.

What did God make man out of?

From the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.

Genesis 2:7

What does God breathing into Adam mean?

• every person has a non-physical, spiritual dimension that connects them to God

• soul lives on after death

this sets humans apart from other creations, which have just been commanded into being.

Genesis 1:26

‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'

What does Genesis 1:26 show us?

Humans have dominion (power) over God’s creations, and should protect them, not exploit the resources.

stewardship

Taking responsibility for looking after and caring for something on behalf of another person.

Links between Creation and Trinity?

Trinity was present at creation of the world

Did the Holy Spirit have a role in Creation?

Yes - it was hovering over the water

Did the Son have a role in Creation?

Yes - John 1:1 refers to him as the ‘Word’.

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made.

There are various _________ of the creation story.

interpretations

Different interpretations of Creation

• Literal

• Inspirational

• Metaphorical

Literal interpretation of Creation

God dictated the Bible, the events it describes happened exactly as written and everything in it is completely true.

Inspirational interpretation of Creation

Bible was inspired by God but that the text was created by people. Because people make mistakes, there could be human errors in the text of the Bible.

Metaphorical inspiration of Creation

• stories are metaphors or symbolic descriptions

• accept theories about origin of universe, like Big Bang theory

___ separates humans from God.

sin

Why does sin exist?

Because God gave s free will.

How did God solve the problem of humans often choosing sin?

He offered salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Genesis 3 tells the story of _______ ___.

original sin

Original sin is…

…the story of how sin first entered the world when Adam and Eve were tempted by the Devil in the Garden of Eden. They ate an apple from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge, and were banished.

How are we linked to Adam ad Eve’s original sin?

Some Christians believe we are all descendants of Adam and Eve, so we are all linked to initial disobedience. This means we’re all born with inherited Original Sin.

Jesus’ sacrifice means that…

…through faith and good works, human souls can be saved from eternal punishment.

Salvation process

Sin

Act of rebellion or disobedience against the known will of God.

salvation

The healing of a broken relationship between people and God.

How do Christians see the Bible?

As a guidebook to salvation

First 5 books of the Bible

• Genesis

• Exodus

• Leviticus

• Numbers

• Deuteronomy

The first 5 books of the Bible are known as…

…the ‘books of law’.

This is because they contain the instructions given to Moses by God, for the people of Israel.

What do Christians believe about the authors of the Bible?

They were all divinely inspired, through the Holy Spirit, to write down God’s word.

Which book do Christians follow most?

New Testement

Why do Christians follow New Testement more?

Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament override many of the laws laid out in the Old Testament.

Is the Old Testament still important to Christians?

Yes - it contains guidance that Jesus himself said should be followed.

What do different interpretations depend on?

• Denomination

• Personal beliefs

What is an example of a denomination which believes the Bible should be followed more literally?

Evangelical Christians

What is an example of a denomination which does not read the Bible as literally, but believes that some laws no longer apply to this society?

Church of England

What are Christian sources of authority (besides Bible)?

• A person’s moral conscience, as they believe it to be God’s voice

• Religious leaders, such as Catholics follow the Pope

• Local Church leaders, who advise members of the congregation about how to live a good Christian life

• Prayer seen as dialogue with God, as they ask God for guidance, so he can show them the right path towards salvation

Grace

The unconditional love of God for everyone, regardless of whether or not they have obeyed His will.

What do some Christians believe about salvation and grace?

Salvation does not need to be earned though doing good works, but that grace can be achieved by believing in God and his son, Jesus Christ.

Grace Quote

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith … it is the gift of God.”

Ephesians 2:8

Methods of salvation

Salvation through…

• The Law

• Grace

• The Holy Spirit

What do Christians believe about salvation and the Holy Spirit?

That God knows that everyone commits sinful acts (due to the Hly Spirit), but that they should turn to God in repentance and ask for God’s forgiveness.

This is said in Acts 20:21.

How does the Holy Spirit help Christians?

Helps them to follow the teachings of God.

Evangel

To preach in order to convince others to convert.

Which churches put great emphasis on evangelism?

Evangelical Churches.

This is because they believe it is the sole source of God’s law and authority, and it is commanded by Jesus.

Evangelism Quote

“Go and make disciples of all the nations”

Matthew 28:19

What happens in Acts 2:1-6?

• The Holy Spirit came to apostles in the form of tongues of fire that rested on each of them without burning them.

• Apostles discovered that they could speak in tongues.

• People gathered from different parts of the world for the Jewish harvest festival, and everyone could understand the apostles as they appeared to be speaking the languages of everyone present.

Speaking in tongues just means…

…speaking in several different languages.

Explain briefly, overall, what happened in Acts 2:1-6?

The apostles received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Apostles

One who was sent out by Jesus to preach the gospel or 'good news'.

What is this event (Acts 2:1-6) referred to as?

The Pentecost

When did the Pentecost happen?

50 days after Jesus’ resurrection.

The Pentecost is considered as…

…the birthday of the Church, as through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the apostles were able to spread the Gospel of Jesus all around the world.

Which denominations value the importance of the Pentecost most?

• Evangelical

• Pentecostal

Why do some denominations highly value the Pentecost?

They believe that it is evidence that the Holy Spirit is sent to inspire all Christians to spread the Gospel of Jesus and get her to worship.

How does the Holy Spirit help Christians?

As it is present during worship, it inspires the preacher, and the worshippers directly to the Holy Spirit, which helps them to live as good Christians.

Was Jesus able to take away the sins of the world?

He conquered death, so sins can be forgiven and people can have eternal life in Heaven.

Jesus was _______, as he had no ___.

perfect

sin

Eschatology

Ideas relating to beliefs in life after death, judgement and the final destiny of humankind. 

Resurrection Quote

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”

John 11:25-26

John 14:3

“You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:3 - explanation

Jesus talked to apostles before arrested and killed, assuring them of life after death.

He told them about going to his father’s house with many rooms, and that he had prepared a place for them there and would return to take them with him. Metaphorically talking about Heaven.

What did Thomas reply to Jesus?

That he did not know where Jesus was going and therefore did not know the way.

What did Jesus then reply to Thomas?

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:6–7

What do Christians interpret John 14:6-7 as?

• Only by faith in Jesus and following his teachings that salvation and eternal life in Heaven can be achieved.

• Holy Trinity (reference to Father and Son)

Judgement Quote

“For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due to us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

2 Corinthians 5:10

Personal Judgement

Belief that God judges each soul before a person’s body dies, and then their souls are sent straight to heaven or hell, without waiting for judgement day.

Last Judgement

Belief that people will be judged again at the end of time.

Others believe that…

…all souls must wait until the day of judgement, when they will be judged together.

3 key eschatological beliefs

• Personal judgement

• Last Judgement

• Day of Judgement

Parable of the Sheep and Goats - explanation

Sheep: everybody who has helped those in need or given back to the world.

Goats: those who have acted in an unkind or selfish way.

The sheep will go to Heaven as a reward for their good deeds, while the goats go to heaven as they did not show a caring side to help those in need. Shows judgement.

Parable of sheep and goats - reference in Bible

Matthew 25:31-46

Parable of the Sheep and Goats - Goats Quote

“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Matthew 25:41

Parable of the rich man and Lazarus - explanation

The rich man ignored the poor man (Lazarus) when he begged for food at his gate.

They both died, Lazarus went to heaven by Abraham’s side and the rich man went to hell.

The rich man begged Lazarus for a drop of water on his tongue, but Abraham refused. The man begged for his friends and family to be warned about their fate, but Moses refused and responded…

What did Abraham respond with?

If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”

Luke 16:31

What do Christians learn from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus? (4)

• There are no second chances after you’ve been judged.

• People must follow the Lord’s law to enter heaven.

• Hell is a place of eternal suffering and pain.

• People must be compassionate to the less fortunate, in order to be worthy of heaven.

What do Christian’s believe about souls?

Will be judged by God

Those who are judged as worthy…

…will have a place in Heaven.

Those who are judged as being full of sin…

…will go to Hell.

Beliefs about Heaven - Modern

Heaven and Hell could be places of mind, eg. Unending happiness for Heaven

What do Roman Catholics also believe in?

A place called Purgatory

Purgatory

A place where Catholics believe people's souls are purified of their sins before they go to Heaven.

How is the Bible interpreted differently

Some interpret…

• literally

• metaphorically

• symbols

• myths completely

What are the common ideas about Heaven?

• Place of never ending happiness

• Know God on a more personal level

• Will be aware of God’s physical presence and His nature

What are the common ideas about Hell?

• Place of eternal suffering

• God is completely absent

In the past, what has Hell been used as?

Used by the Church to scare people into obeying the rules of the Church.

What do many argue about Hell?

That it contradicts God’s benevolent nature, and that people would not be punished for eternity, but given a chance to repent for their sins.

What is a central belief in Christianity?

Jesus’ resurrection.

Resurrection

The Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after crucifixion.

Who else will be resurrected?

The rising of the dead of believers on the last Day.

Is death feared by Christians?

Not if they have liver morally ad done God’s will, as everyone is judged individually.

Resurrection - Quote

“For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.”

1 Corinthians 15:16

1 Corinthians 15:16 - Explanation

St Paul describes that Jesus’ resurrection also means that the faithful will also be raised from the dead.

Resurrection - Quote 2

“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 15:50