AQA GCSE RPE: Christian Beliefs

Ascension

Going or being taken up; the event forty days after the resurrection when Jesus returned to glory in heaven

Atonement

Making amends or payment for a wrong. The belief that reconciliation between God and humanity that was brought about by the death of Jesus as a sacrifice.

Bible

Source of wisdom and authority; a holy book containing both the Old and New Testaments

Catholic

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).

Christ

Literally means 'Anointed One' in Greek; the Hebrew equivalent is Messiah. The leader promised by God to the Jews; Christians believe Jesus to be the Christ.

Church

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

Creation

Bringing the world into existence; the belief that the world is God's loving creation

Crucifixion

The death of Jesus; a form of the death penalty used by the Romans

Evil

The opposite of good; a cause of suffering and against the will of God

The Father

The first Person of the Trinity, the belief in God as creator and sustainer of the universe

Grace

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

Heaven

Belief that after death Christians can enter a state of being with God for eternity

Hell

Belief in a place of eternal suffering, or a state after death of being in separation from God

Holy Spirit

The third Person of the Trinity; believed to be present with believers since Pentecost and active on earth

Incarnation

Literally 'in flesh', or 'enfleshed;' belief that God took on human form in the person of Jesus.

Jesus

Believed by Christians to be the Son of God, he was a first century Jewish teacher living and travelling in Palestine/Israel.

Judgement

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

Law

Rules or commands which must be followed; the law of God is revealed in the Bible.

Omnipotent

The belief that God is 'all powerful'

The oneness of God

The belief that God is one singular divine being (who can be manifest in the Three Persons of the Trinity)

Original sin

Belief human nature is flawed, and that we all have the tendency to sin; traditional belief held by some Christians that this came from Adam & Eve's eating of the forbidden fruit as recorded in Genesis 3

Protestant

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

Resurrection

Being raised from the dead; the event three days after the crucifixion when it is believed that God raised Jesus from the dead. The form that many Christians believe the afterlife will take, referring to either physical or spiritual bodies

Salvation

Being saved; belief that through God's grace, Jesus' death and resurrection brought about salvation for humanity. Saving of the soul and being able to enter eternal life in heaven

Sin

Behaviour which is against God's laws and wishes/against Christian principles of morality.

The Son

The second Person of the Trinity; Jesus believed to be God incarnate.

Son of God

A title used for Jesus; the second Person of the Trinity. Shows the special relationship between Jesus and God

Trinity

The belief that God as One includes God also being manifest in three Persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

The Word

In the Bible, John 1 describes God creating the world through his eternal Word. This links the eternal Word to Jesus in the statement: '"The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).