RE Assessment 5 T3 26

The Church is the Body of Christ

Jesus shares Holy Spirit with all Baptised. Spirit draws baptised ppl together into a visible body formed by members of Church, while Spirit dwells within each member and binds them together also gives charity and strength

Outline the four marks of the Church

• One — Holy Spirit unites members through faith and charity. unity comes from members sharing fellowship through Baptism.

• Holy — Christ, the Head, and the Holy Spirit are holy, even though human members can sin, prevent Church from collapsing and lead its renewal.

• Catholic — means universal; the Church's mission is to the whole human race.

• Apostolic — founded on the Apostles and continues through their successors, the Pope and bishops.

Apostles creed

early formulation expresses basic beliefs of the Christian faith, including belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, forgiveness of sins, resurrection and everlasting life.

Nicene creed

• Developed at Council of Nicaea 325AD.

• There was controversy about the nature of Jesus.

• Arius taught that Jesus was created by God- was not equal to God.

• clarified that Jesus is True God and True Man,

• Jesus is only Son of God, begotten, not made, and one in Being with the Father.

Explain how the Holy Spirit and Saint Paul contributed to the growth of the early Church.

• Holy Spirit moved Christians to spread Gospel after Jesus returned to heaven.

• Pentecost, the Holy Spirit:

  • filled the Apostles

  • let them speak diff languages

  • empowered them to work miracles

  • helped them invite others to join the Church.

• Saint Paul originally a persecutor of Christians called Saul.

• After encountering Jesus, became a Christian- was filled with Holy Spirit.

• made three missionary journeys, proclaiming Gospel and establishing Christian communities.

• His preaching helped Christianity spread to many cities and countries.

Describe the treatment of Christians under Roman rule from the first to fourth centuries.

• Christians experienced persecution on and off for over 200 years.

• Nero — 64AD: first official persecution; Christians viewed as atheists and immoral bc refused to worship pagan gods.

• Septimius Severus: persecute those who refused to worship Roman gods; Perpetua and Felicity were martyred.

• Trajan Decius: suspected Christians condemned unless they worshipped pagan gods; many died, like Pope Fabian.

• Diocletian — 303AD: final, most terrible persecution; bishops, priests and deacons were targeted

Describe what led Constantine to support Christianity and explain the Edict of Milan.

• 312AD, Constantine defeated Maxentius at Battle of the Milvian Bridge.

• attributed his victory to the Christian God, saw a vision of a cross and the words “With this sign you will conquer.”

• then supported Christianity, although not baptised until near end of his life.

• Edict of Milan — 313AD: gave religious freedom to Christians and ended the persecution

Explain Constantine's role in the Council of Nicaea and its outcome.

• 325AD, Constantine called bishops together at Nicaea.

• purpose- resolve the controversy about the nature of Jesus.

• the first Ecumenical Council — a council of the whole Church.

• bishops adopted the Nicene Creed

Describe one cause and one outcome of the East-West Schism of 1054.

Cause:

• East and West gradually became separated bc they developed around diff centres, used diff rites, spoke diff languages.

• transfer of the Roman capital from to Constantinople also caused diff outlooks.

Outcome:

• Medieval Christendom divided into Eastern and Western branches.

• later became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church.

• separation in 1054.

Outline the origins, work and purpose of Franciscans

• Founded by St Francis of Assisi — 1209.

• Renounced wealth, lived as hermit, cared for lepers and preached.

• Focused on poverty and preaching the Gospel.

• Sought to return to the life of the early Church.

Outline the purpose of Vatican II and identify two changes it introduced

• Purpose: renew whole Church so it could play role Christ intended for his Church in modern world.

• Called by Pope John XXIII, opened in 1962.

  • Mass and sacraments could be celebrated in language of the ppl

  • Recognised important role of the laity.

  • Worked towards Christian unity.

  • Emphasised the dignity of the human person.

Define ecumenism and explain why it is important for Christian Churches.

• Ecumenism = movement for Church unity.

• Churches enter into dialogue and recognise what they have in common.

• important bc aims to bring separated Christian Churches together.

• encourages greater Christian unity, while recognising that disagreements still remain.

Poor Clares

• Founded by St Clare of Assisi — 1212.

• religious order for women.

• Inspired by St Francis, followed the ideal of poverty of spirit.

• Did not preach.

• Lived lives of contemplative prayer and mental and manual work.

Domincans

• Founded in Southern France in 1215 by St Dominic de Guzman.

• Purpose- teaching and preaching the Gospel.

• Embraced poverty so they could move freely to wherever preaching was needed.

• Were free from property ties and financial concerns.

Cistercians

• Founded in the early twelfth century.

• Expanded and were active in preaching.

• Embraced a spirit of poverty.

• Rejected wealth and the acquisition of material things.

Council of Trent

from 1545–1563.

• address problems within the Catholic Church and respond to Protestant teachings.

• clarified and reaffirmed Catholic beliefs and teachings.

• introduced reforms to improve the discipline and education of Church leaders.