SST

DEFINITION

Apostles

The twelve men chosen by Jesus.

Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Canonical

Belonging to the canon of Sacred Scripture.

Consubstantiation

Believe that the ‘Lord’s Supper’, remains truly bread and wine but is a symbolic

reference to Jesus’ body and blood.

Gentiles

Non-Jews or pagans.

Immanent

The quality of being present within, or remaining within the boundaries of a person, of the world or of the mind; God is with us.

Omnipotent

Being all-powerful, almighty and supreme. [unlimited power]

Omnipresent

Widespread and constantly present, both infinite and everywhere at all times.

Omniscient

All-knowing, to know everything and be wise. 

Purgatory

Place of purification after death prior to entering heaven.

Redemption

The salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Sanctification

Described as one's sharing in the divine life; holiness.

Transcendent

Beyond or above the range of normal or physical human experience, a trait of a divine being.

Transubstantiation

The belief that the Eucharist is the blood and body of Christ.

DENOMINATION

ORIGINS

CORE BELIEFS

UNIQUE FEATURES

Anglicanism

e.g. 

Church of England, 'High Church' Anglicans, 'Middle Church' Anglicans, and the Evangelical or 'Low Church' Anglicans

The Anglican Church was the result of Henry VIII splitting from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534, due to the beliefs of the Catholic Church in dismissing divorce [annulment].

• The adherents may choose what beliefs and behaviours suit their preference.

• Free to reject or accept the Catholic doctrines of Mary.

• Souls of the faithful need to be purified in order to experience full communion with God.

• Scripture contains the truth that is necessary for salvation and is the foundation of faith.

• The eternal son Jesus; fully God and fully man, died on the cross for our sins, rose bodily from the grave and ascended to heaven, to which he will come again in glory to judge the world.

• The Holy Trinity - one God in three persons. (Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• Approves the ordination of women.

• Priests may marry.

• The Book of Common Prayer is the standard for liturgy.

• The sacraments are “outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace.”

• In order to share in Christ’s victory for reconciling his adherents with God by Jesus dying for their sins, they are baptised to become living members of the church.

Catholicism

e.g. Latin(Roman) Rite, Armenian Rite(Armenian Church), Byzantine Rite(Russian Church

The Christian Church was founded by Saint Peter and his successors [the Popes in Rome] With the papal primacy of Pope Gregory the Great taking into view as the first leader of the entire church [c540-604].

The Bible is inspired by and revealed word of God.

• God’s Ten Commandments provide a moral compass - an ethical standard for adherents to live by.

• The Holy Trinity - one God in three person

• The divinity of Jesus- being both divine and human at the same time.

• Mary is regarded as the Mother of the Church and receives much devotion and veneration.

• Jesus sacrificed his life to save Christians from sins.

• Papal primacy - the Pope is the supreme, infallible leader over the Catholic Church.

• Baptism removes original sin

• The Eucharist is the blood and body of Christ [transubstantiation]

Orthodoxy

e.g.

Armenian, Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches

The forming of Constantinople as the Capital of the Byzantine Capital became the seat of the Patriarch. Leading to the founding of the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1054 AD, the Great Schism.

• The Bible is inspired by and revealed word of God.

• The Holy Trinity - one God in three persons.

• The divinity of Jesus- being both divine and human at the same time.

• God became human so that they may be deified(theosis: union with God).

• Archbishop of Constantinople is the head of all Eastern Orthodox Churches

• Baptism initiated the existence of God in those baptized(typically when an infant)

• The changing of the bread and wine into the body and blood in the Eucharist is regarded as a mystery left to be unexplained.

Pentecostalism

e.g. 

Assemblies of God, Hillsong, Christian City Church

Protestantism, America 1900s 

(Pentecostal = Holy Spirit)

• Role of the Holy Spirit in worship/service

• Singing and Music etc linked to worship

• Preaching as a focus of testimony

• Pastors are married.

Protestantism

e.g.

Lutheran, Calvinist, Baptist Churches, Methodism

Protestantism began throughout the 16th Century as a reaction to medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, to which it soon evolved into a multitude of variants throughout Northern Europe.

It experienced a heightened power within Christianity as the number of adherents grew dramatically throughout the religious wars of the 16th, 17th and 19th century.

• Scripture is the authoritative witness, with no error, to the gospel.

• The Holy Trinity - one God in three persons.

• The souls of believers upon dying go immediately to be with Christ, at Christ’s return their bodies ascend to immortal and eternal life.

• Believe that the ‘Lord’s Supper’, remains truly bread and wine but is a symbolic reference to Jesus’ body and blood. (consubstantiation).

• Baptism is necessary for salvation.

• Insist that only believers should be baptised, therefore the belief on adult baptism is heightened.

• All believers are depicted as ‘priests’ in that they have direct access to God.

• Some members may choose to only accept Mary’s immaculate conception, but not other doctrines revolving Mary.

COMMANDMENTS

1

I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any gods before Me.

• Prohibits the worship of idols and alternate gods.

• ‘Governs’ the other commandments as if we identify false gods, that is money, popularity, a nation  etc, the world will turn to turmoil.

• One God = One moral standard for all people.

• Provides the belief that false gods will ultimately lead to a world of cruelty.

2

You shall not make unto you any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or in the Earth beneath.

• Do not commit evil in God’s name, that is, use his name in vain.

• ‘Religious evil’; to complete acts believing it shall be completed to please God, when it truly is just evil.

3

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

• ‘Elevates’ the human being as it insisted that individuals cease to work on this particular day.

• Reminds Christians that they are indeed free via the Exodus from Egypt as slaves aren’t permitted to rest.

• Observing the Sabbath brings people to put faith in God.

4

Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy.

• Many parents seek love over honour.

• If this commandment were to be violated, a moral society would be almost impossible to contain. 

5

Honour your father and mother.

• To take a human life legally, illegally, morally or immorally.

• May create issues as individuals believe it may imply we are to be pacifists.

• Moral killing: typically self defense against an aggressor

• Immoral killing: murder

6

You shall not murder.

• ‘The human desire to be loved or to love.’

• It is indispensable to forming and maintaining higher civilisation.

• Without it, the passing on of society’s values from generation to generation is impossible to acquire as commitment instigates responsibility.

• Adultery ultimately destroys a family

7

You shall not commit adultery.

• Encompasses all the commandments.

• ‘Open-ended commandment.

• Stealing does not only amend physical items, however intellectual property, reputation, humiliation, dignity plagiarism, murder (stealing a life) etc.

8

You shall not steal.

• Do not lie and do not lie when testifying in court.

• Fundamental to making civilisation

• Lies create evil.

• Lying on behalf of a good-cause is destructive as it distorts society’s priorities.

9

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

• Legislates thought.

• Coveting leads to the violation of the other commandments; leads to stealing by wanting something of others etc.

• COVET: yearn to possess something.

• Refers to uncontrolled lust.

10

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

• Uncontrolled envy.

• Whatever belongs to another person must be regarded as sacrosanct.

THE BEATITUDES

The word beatitude is defined as supreme blessedness. The Beatitudes were given as part of what is referred to as The Sermon on the Mount. Additionally, The beatitudes were given by Jesus as the new form of the law or commandments — a list of things a person should do rather than are forbidden from doing and provide order within their daily lives.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• Gospel of Matthew 5:3-10

Prayer

• The best known and most widely used of these prayers is the Lord's Prayer also known as the Our Father. This prayer is taken from the occasion in the gospel where the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray. [Luke 11:1 & Matthew 6:9-15] Jesus' response is known as the Lord's Prayer. It is used throughout all Christian denominations and is commonly included in liturgy as well as personal prayer.

  • Represents different types of prayer. For example the word "hallowed be thy name" can be seen to represent praise. "Give us this day our daily bread" can be seen to stand for prayers of petition.

• The Rosary is another traditional prayer which is well known in the Catholic community is the Rosary. This is another prayer which draws heavily on biblical texts.

  • The intention of the Rosary is that a person can meditate on the events of the life of Jesus from the perspective of Mary the mother of Jesus.