Key concepts in Christianity

Agape - selfless, unconditional love. Christians hold agape to be the highest form of love, as shown by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for the salvation of humanity.

“love thy Neighbour”

Atonement - The belief that Jesus’ death and resurrection healed the rift between God and humanity, providing believers with the opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation and the ability to be ‘at one’ with God.

“The lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” - John 1:19

Divine command theory - the belief that something is right because God commands it.

Holy Spirit - One part of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit is represented as the power of God at work in the world.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” - Galatians 5:22-23

Incarnation - God becoming human in the form of Jesus - fully human, fully divine

“So God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” - John 3:16

Inter-faith dialogue - different faith traditions engaging with one another to promote understanding and respect. This helps them serve a wider community with respect, which allows them to live peacefully, working beside each other, despite their differing beliefs and practices.

Messiah - ‘Anointed One’ in Hebrew. The Messiah is the one who is believed to be sent by God to bring salvation to mankind, believed to be Jesus.

“Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” - Matthew 16:13-17

Omnibenevolence - All-loving - attribute of God

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16

Omnipotence - All-powerful

Omniscience - All-knowing

“God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything.” -1 John 3:20

Resurrection - The belief that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion, conquering death. Celebrated on Easter Sunday.

“Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here; he has been raised.” - Luke 24:5

Trinity - The three persons of God - The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit.