Christianity - The Nature of God

What can the Nature of God be described as?

• Omnipotent (all-powerful)

• Omni-benevolent (the kindest)

• Omniscient (all-knowing)

• Omnipresent (everywhere)

• Just (fair)

Exodus 7-11: What happened?

The Pharaoh was stubborn and refused Moses’ request of freedom for his people, so God sent the 10 plagues to Egypt to persuade the Pharaoh to release the Jews from slavery. The Pharaoh finally gave in after he lost his son to the 10th plague.

However, he soon changed his mind and sent his soldiers after them. The Jews, led by Moses, were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s men.

As Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, God miraculously intervened and parted the Red Sea for the Jews to escape. The waters also killed the Pharaoh’s men.

What were the ten plagues sent to Egypt?

1. Water into blood

2. Frogs

3. Gnats

4. Flies

5. Death of livestock

6. Boils on the skin

7. Hailstorm

8. Locusts

9. Darkness over the land

10. Death of first-born sons

Omnibenevolent God - Quotes

“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God.”

Psalm 86:15

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.”

John 3:16

What do Christians believe is God’s biggest display of omnibenevolence?

The sacrifice of His Son, to amend for the sins of mankind. This sin made it possible for people to have eternal life with God in heaven after they die.

What does St Paul talk about in the Bible?

The strength of God’s love for humanity, as God will ensure human beings will always have this love, which cannot be conquered (Romans 8:37-30).

Ancient ideas about evil and suffering

Epicurus described God as ‘malevolent’ (cruel). This is because he thought…

If God is both omnibenevolent and omnipotent He should want to stop evil and suffering, but as they both exist in the world, Epicurus thought God cannot be both omnibenevolent and omnipotent. He reinforced this by saying that God is also described as omniscient, so he must know about all the suffering in the world.

How would Christians respond to ideas like Epicurus’? (5)

• God gave humans free will.

• Suffering is not God’s fault but humans’, as it is a result of our sins - the world was perfect and without suffering before Adam and Eve turned away from God.

• Suffering is a part of God’s plan and His way of testing us, so it should be responded to positively.

• Balance is essential - humans need to be able to appreciate good.

• God is just, so good people will be rewarded with eternal life in heaven despite their suffering on Earth.

What happened in the book of Job?

Job was described as a good, God-loving man. Satan challenged God, saying that Job was only a god Christian because of his beneficial circumstances - so God tested Job’s faith.

Job lost his livestock, servants and all his children, but remained faithful and praised God. He suffered from sores all over his body. His wife told him to. Reject God and accept that he is dying, but Job refused.

Eventually, God appeared to Job and asks him impossible questions to show him how little he knows about God’s ultimate plan. Job is humbled, and never learns why God made him suffer.

God restored his health and gave him twice as much property as before, more children’s n a very long, prosperous life.

Trinity

Three persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

God is one, but he exists in three different persons.

Beliefs about God the Father

• Creator of all things

• Cares and protects humanity, like a father to his child

• Welcomes back those who have sinned and are seeking forgiveness

Where is God the Father’s paternal nature towards His children shown?

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).

What happens in the Parable of the Prodigal Son?

A son has gone away from home and made bad choices is welcomed home by his father with open arms and a celebration. This is symbolism for God’s forgiveness of sinners.

Beliefs about God the Son

• Incarnation of God (God in human flesh)

• A representation of hoe God wants us to live

• A sacrifice to amend for he sins of all people

• Resurrected 3 days after His death - showing God’s omnipotence

God the Son - Quotes

• “I and the father are one.” John 10:30

• “No one comes to the father except through me. If you really know me, you know the Father as well.” John 14:6-7

What moment in the Bible signifies that God the Father and God the Son are one?

An apostle (Philip) asked Jesus to reveal God the Father, but Jesus explained that the apostles had already seen God the Father because the Father lives in Jesus and works through Him.

John 14:9-11

Beliefs about God the Holy Spirit

• The power of God at work on the Earth

• A way for Christians to know God

• Enables them to understand what God wants them to do

How did the Holy Spirit appear in the scriptures?

As wind or fire, or in the form of a dove.

What does Jesus teach about the Holy Spirit in the Bible?

He tells people that God will only send the Holy Spirit, who will “teach you all things and remind you of of everything I have said to you”.

John 14:25–26

Holy Trinity - diagram

incarnation

The belief that God took human form in Jesus Christ, and that God in Christ is active in the Church and world.

miracle

Something breaking the laws of science, and assumed to be caused by God.

ressurected

Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after the crucifixion, which will also happen to believers on the last day, signifying a new life.

The word ‘incarnation’ means… and refers to…

…means ‘enfleshment’ and refers to the process of God becoming a human being in the form of Jesus.

Why do Christians believe God chose to reveal Himself in human form?

• Spread his teaching

• Show how life should be lived

• Represent humanity for their salvation

Quote about Jesus’ incarnation

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14

What and when was the Annunciation?

When Angel Gabriel explained to the Virgin Mary that she would become pregnant through the Holy Spirit, in Luke 1:28-33.

Quote about the Annunciation

“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.” Luke 1:30-33

Jesus’ brith is believed to have been a…

…miracle. This is because Mary was a virgin, and Jesus had no biological father of Earth.

Joseph was Jesus’…

…early stepfather.

Why do Christians believe Jesus died on the cross?

To be sacrificed for the sins of humankind (salvation). Jesus’ death and resurrection were an act of atonement that healed the relationship between God and humanity, which was broken by Original Sin. This meant Christians could be reunited with God after death.

atonement

A person showing they are sorry for doing something wrong.

Were sacrifices common in the Old Testement?

Yes - it describes ritually killed animals, such as lambs of goats, to make up for the sins of human beings.

Aaron Sacrifice

He was to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites – all their sins – and put their sins on the goat’s head. He then sent the goat away to the wilderness and appointed someone to sacrifice it.

Sacrifices Quote

“The goat shall carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.” Leviticus 16:20-22

Jesus id often referred to as…

…the “Lamb of God”.

Why was Jesus often referred to as the Lamb of God?

Because traditionally, a lamb would be sacrificed to make up for someone’s sins, in the same way Jesus did.

What does Christianity teach about Prophet Isiah? Quote?

He was an Old Testament writer who predicted the coming of Jesus.

”The punishment that brought is peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

This is important as Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah for whom the Jews were awaiting.

Messiah

The promised deliverer of the Hebrew nation at the end of times.

Crucifixion

Roman method of execution by nailing someone to a cross, often until they die of asphyxiation; used on Jesus and many others.

What were the stages of Jesus’ crucifixion?

1. Jesus and disciples share Last Supper.

2. Judas betrays Jesus, who is arrested by the Roman guards.

3. The Sanhedrin put Jesus on trial for blasphemy.

4. Jesus is crucified between two robbers.

5. Jesus’ female followers find his tomb empty - he has risen from the dead.

6. 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus rises to heaven.

What happened during the Last Supper?

Jesus explained to his disciples that He was going to die to make amends for human sin.

He took bread, broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup of wine and said “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

When and why do Christians remember Jesus’ crucifixion?

When they participate in the Eucharist, because Jesus asked them to.

The Eucharist is a celebration of…

…thanks, for Jesus’ sacrifice, which made salvation possible.

Good Friday

The day Jesus died on the cross,

What happened in the Gospel of Matthew 27:28-50? (5)

• Jesus was mocked and beaten by the soldiers

• Jesus is taken to be crucified

• Jesus on the cross

• Jesus dies

• After the crucifixion

Jesus is mocked and beaten by the soldiers - explanation and quote

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, put a crown of thorns on his head to mock him, and put a staff in his right hand.

They mocked him, kneeling in front of Him and saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!”

They spat on him an and hit him, then took off the robe and put His own clothes in Him. They then led Him away to be crucified.

Jesus is taken to be crucified - explanation and quotes

They met a man from Cyrene named Simon on their way to Jesus’ crucifixion, a they placed a Golgotha and offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall. After tasting it, Jesus refused to drink it.

Golgotha

The place of the skull

Gall

A bitter substance

Jesus on the Cross - quotes

• “Two Rebels were crucified with him.”

Jesus dies - quotes

• “Darkness came over all the land”

• “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.”

After the crucifixion - quotes

• “They kept watch over him there.”

• “Above his head they placed the written charge against him: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Who was Simon of Cyrene?

The man who was forced to carry Jesus’ cross for him.

Resurrection

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

What happened on the day or Jesus’ resurrection?

1. Jesus’ female followers went to visit his tomb.

2. The sone covering the tomb’s entrance was rolled away and the tomb was empty.

3. The women were frightened, and 2 men appeared and said, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”

4. Female followers told Jesus’ apostles and other people about his resurrection.

Why is belief in the resurrection important to Christians?

• Shows that Jesus defeated death

• Proof of life after death

• Proves God’s omnipotence and omnibenevolence

1 Corinthians

St Paul emphasises importance of Jesus’ resurrection.

“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

Ascension

For Christians, when Jesus went up to Heaven 40 days after he rose from the dead.

The ascension was witnessed by…

…Jesus’ apostles.

Which book of the Bible describes Jesus’ ascension?

The Gospel of Luke

Ascension description - Gospel of Luke

He led the apostles out to the vicinity of Bethany, lifted his hands and blessed them. He left them and was taken up into Heaven. The disciples worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

Why is ascension of Jesus important to Christians?

• Jesus really did overcome death, to live forever (not to die again)

• He is no doubt alive with the Father in Heaven (as ascension witnessed by apostles)

• God is omnipotent