RS- Denominations

Christian Practices

what started the religion of Christianity

Jesus crucified and ascended to heaven, leaving his 12 disciples to spread the word; this chain repeats as they die and are replaced by others

when did Rome become Christian and what emperor caused this

312CE; emperor Constantine

when was the first split in Christianity and what did it split into

1000 after the formation of Christianity, split in east and west (Great Schism); split into Catholic and Green/Russian Orthodox

what happened during the reformation?

Catholic church split into Catholic and protestant, beginning with Lutheranism

how was the Church of England formed

Henry VIII of England split from the Catholic church as he wanted to divorce his wife, so formed the CofE, of which he put himself as the head leader

what do all Christians believe

• the Bible

• one God

• the teachings of Jesus (different teachings though; some Christians didn’t believe Jesus was God)

denomination definition

groups of Christians who practice Christianity in different ways and may emphasise different parts of the Christian faith

Roman Catholicism

• Pope is the head of the church

• one of the oldest denominations

• traditional; liturgical worship

• confession and asking for forgiveness

• seven sacraments

• role of the priest very important

what are the seven sacraments

• confession

• marriage

• baptism

• eucharist

• rites before death

• priesthood

• communion

why is the role of the priest very important in Roman Catholicism (and can women be priests)

a priests job is to represent the people of God- women cannot become priests

CofE/Anglican

• modern church

• allows women to be vicars

• allows same-sex marriage/civil partnerships

• allows divorce and remarriage in some circumstances

• leaders are vicarrs

• great diversity of church services; some v. traditional, some v. informal

Quakers

• don’t believe in any form of writing; v. pacifist

• believe their spirit has no colour, gender or race

• believe in inner light and that every person is in touch with God through the inner light

• always had female ministers

• no structure/hierarchy- important people but no leaders

• not all Quakers call themselves Christian

• don’t see Jesus as son of God but a man who embodied their values

• volunteering and helping very important

• activism and protests; putting their beliefs in action

• informal service

what are Quaker services like

• take place at a Quaker House- could be someone’s house, a town hall, or any space they can meet (can be a very small, personal space)

• informal

• they meet in silence and if someone feels the presence of God they stand and speak

what is the official name of Quakers

the Society of Friends

who formed the Quakers, where and when

George Fox, in the USA in the 1700’s

Quaker quote that describes their beliefs about their spirit

“our spirit has no colour. Our spirit has no gender. Our spirit has no race”

Evangelicals

• authority comes from the Bible and the Holy Spirit

• creationalist

• range of churches included

• believe that they should spread the good news of Jesus and the Gospel

• fastest growing denomination in the UK

• Holy spirit works in miraculous ways to heal people; physical or spiritual

• informal worship

• feel moved by Holy Spirit during worship

• Bible is authority and isn’t adapted to modern life

• music, singing and dancing (usually more modern)

what is creationalism

belief that the universe exists because of divine creation

what churches are included in Evangelism

Pentecostal and House Churches

how do Evangelicals spread the good news of Jesus

through handing out leaflets

what happens when an Evangelical feels moved by the spirit during worship

• fall into trances

• speaking in tongues

Baptist

• perform baptism on older children/adults

• don’t allow babies to be baptised

• Bible only authority

• baptism done by full immersion of the body underwater

• should spread word and teachings of Bible and Jesus to everyone

• everyone the same, no higher positions in the church but each congregation has a minister to lead the service

why do Baptists only baptise adults or older children and don’t baptise babies

so they can consent and decide for themselves if they want to be baptised; babies can’t make this choice