christianity key concepts

• the bible


  the christian sacred text believed by christians to be revealed and/or inspired by god, made up of the old and new testaments
• revelation


  god making himself known to humankind; for instance, through the bible
• judgement


  the belief that god will judge whether or not humans are worthy to enter the kingdom of heaven
• baptism


  the sacrament is a rite of initiation through which people become members of the church. the word 'baptise' means to immerse in water. water is used as a symbol of the washing away of sin
• reason


  the process of logical thought; the ability to think in a logical way, to form judgements and opinions through rational and evidence-based consideration
• confirmation


  a rite through which a person who has been baptised (particularly one baptised as an infant) affirms their christian belief and is recognised as a full member of the church
• eucharist


  means 'thanksgiving' and is also called 'holy communion'. the service which celebrates the death and resurrection of jesus. bread and wine represent (or, as some christians such as catholics believe, actually become) the body and blood of jesus. the eucharist is a re-enactment of the last supper
• pilgrimage


  a journey made to a sacred place as an act of worship or devotion, e.g. christians may visit jerusalem to walk in jesus' footsteps
• free will


  the ability to make choices (particularly moral choices) voluntarily and independently. the belief that nothing is predetermined
• heaven


  a place in the afterlife where those who have accepted god's grace and forgiveness in this life will enjoy an eternal existence in god's presence in the next life
• hell


  a place of punishment in the afterlife for those who, through their own free will, reject god's grace and forgiveness and will have chosen to live eternally outside of god's presence
• vows


  promises made between people or a person's promise to god. wedding vows are promises the bride and groom make, committing themselves to one another
• marriage symbols


  features of the wedding ceremony that indicate the purpose and meaning of marriage. for instance, the wedding ring, being a continuous circle of precious metal, symbolises the never-ending, precious love between the bride and the groom