paper 1-test 1: christian beliefs

• what is the trinity?

  • god the father
  • son
  • holy spirit
• where is the importance of all three parts of the trinity shown?

  • jesus' baptism
  • in matthew 3:16-17
• what important document lays out christian beliefs on the trinity?

  the nicene creed
• what was the issue concerning jesus before this document was produced?

  not everyone agreed that the son of god was one with god, rather than having been made by god; now they agreed that he was equally important
• name two christian groups that do not believe in the trinity

  • jehovah's witnesses
  • mormons
• state two characteristics or roles that the father has

  • helps christians to understand the power and creativity of god
  • he has a relationship of love and care with his creation
• state two characteristics or roles the son has

  • helps christians to understand the love of god
  • christians believe jesus is the incarntion of god in human form
• state two characteristics or roles the holy spirit has

  • helps christians to understand the presence of god in the world
  • god can strengthen and empower them today
• state three ways that the trinity is shown in belief and worship

  • holy communion
  • christening/ baptism
  • marriage service
• why do christians believe in the oneness of god despite the trinity?

  • the teachings of the bible show clearly that there is only one god
  • the oneness of god is shown in the universe
• why is the trinity so important to most christians?

  • it brings humanity face to face with the mystery of god
  • it helps humanity worship god
• fill in the blanks

  genesis chapter 1 says god created the whole universe in six days and on the seventh he rested; day six was the climax as on this day god made humans
• what did god the father act through to create the world and how do we know this from genesis 1:2-3?

  the holy spirit
• what does john call jesus, and what does john say so that we know that jesus was vital for creation?

  the word; through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made
• what was mankind made in which sets us apart from animals. why is this important? name one reason.

  • god's image
  • christians believe that humans are special
• what's the difference between 'dominion' of the earth and 'stewardship' of the earth?

  dominion means we have power to use the earth as we like but stewardship means we need to care for it
• name three ideas that literalists, also called creationists, have about creation?

  • literally true
  • took six days
  • humans are descended from adam and eve
• liberal christians have three key beliefs about creation- what are they?

  • symbolic description
  • acknowledge god as the creator
  • open to the big bang theory and evolution
• why is the creation story important to christians?

  • it can help them further understand god's nature
  • he is omnipotent as he created the universe through words
  • god's omni-benevolence can be seen through creation too
• what is the incarnation?

  god became a human being as jesus christ
• how do we know this from john 1:14?

  the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us
• jesus was fully what and what? where do we get this idea from in the bible?

  • fully god and fully man
  • 1 timothy 3:16
• what does 'christ' and 'messiah' mean?

  anointed one of god
• give two reasons why the incarnation is important

  • without the incarnation of jesus christ, the son of god, there would be no christianity
  • an incarnate god brings god closer to human understanding
• why is the last supper important for christians today?

  • bread-jesus' body, wine-blood
  • eucharist
  • washed disciples feet
  • important to serve others
• where was jesus arrested, who betrayed him, and how did the authorities feel which led to jesus going on trial?

  • the garden of gethsemane
  • judas
  • threatened as crowds had called him the 'king of israel'
• what was jesus found guilty of by the high priest, but why would pilate try and release jesus?

  • blasphemy
  • pilate knew that the jewish authorities were jealous of jesus and were worried that they would lose their influence over the jewish people
• what do christians believe the crucifixion helped to repair and what is the technical name for this?

  • relationship between god and mankind
  • atonement
• what does resurrected mean?

  brought back to life
• give two reasons why the resurrection is important to christians.

  • there is a life after death
  • how powerful god is
• complete the quote from luke 24:5-6:

  why do you look for the living among the dead? he is not here: he has risen
• what is 'the paschal mystery' and who uses this term?

  • the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of jesus
  • roman catholics
• what is the ascension and how many days after the resurrection did it occur?

  • jesus going up into heaven
  • 40 days
• what does the ascension show?

  • jesus' power
  • he's now at the right hand of god the father
• what does 'original sin' mean?

  everyone is born capable of sinning
• what does redemption mean and how did jesus win this for humanity?

  • freeing from sin
  • jesus' suffering and death
• not all christians believe that jesus has to die to pay for people's sins. give two reasons why.

  • jesus' death wasn't required for a loving and merciful god to be able to forgive people's sins
  • it was jesus' ministry that showed people how to be free from sin
• what four things does john 3:16 and 17 say god did?

  • loved the world
  • gave his one and only son
  • whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
  • god did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him
• what does salvation mean?

  the soul being saved from death and sin, allowing it to reach heaven
• how can salvation happen? give the quote too.

  • christians believe they must have faith in jesus
  • salvation is found in no one else