Christianity paper 1

• Branches of Christianity


  • Protestants
  • Roman Catholics
  • Orthodox Christians
  • Church of England
• Christianity


  Based on the belief in Jesus Christ being the Son of God, main religion in Britain
• Bible


  Christian sacred text, divided into Old and New Testaments
• Old Testament


  • Creation story
  • Ten Commandments
  • At least 39 books, also considered sacred by Jews
• New Testament


  • 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
  • Acts of the Apostles
  • Letters of St Paul
  • 27 books
• Protestants


  • Base beliefs and practices on the Bible, not Church tradition or teachings of the Pope
  • In England and Wales, Protestant denominations that are not part of the 'Anglican Communion' are often called 'Nonconformists'
  • Examples: Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, Society of Friends (Quakers), Salvation Army
• Roman Catholics


  • Respect authority of the Bible, Church tradition, Pope and his teachings
  • Seven sacraments, including the Eucharist, are an important part of their faith
• Orthodox Christians


  • Found mainly in Eastern Europe, Russia and Greece
  • Also have 7 sacraments
  • Honour (but don't worship) icons-pictures of Saints
• Church of England


  • Has both Roman Catholic and Protestant features
  • Beliefs set out in the 39 Articles
  • Anglicanism is the worldwide 'communion of Churches in fellowship with the parent Church of England
• Christianity


  A monotheistic (one God) religion
• The Ten Commandments say "You shall have no other gods" (Exodus 20:3 NIV)
• Characteristics of God in Christianity

  • Omnipotent
  • Benevolent
  • Just Judge
  • Eternal
  • Transcendent
  • Omniscient
  • Immanent
  • Personal
• Omnipotent


  God is all-powerful, although he still allows each person free will
• Benevolent


  God is loving and caring
• Just Judge


  God judges people's actions fairly
• "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." John 3:16 NIV
• Those who reject God and live sinful lives


  Will be punished, as shown in the story of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-46
• Those who are sorry for what they've done and become faithful to God


  God will forgive them, as shown in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)
• Eternal


  God has always existed, and he will continue to exist forever
• Transcendent


  God is beyond this world-he doesn't depend on it to exist
• Omniscient


  God knows everything in the past, present and future
• Immanent


  God is present in the human world, and takes an active role in humanity
• Personal


  God is a 'person', albeit an almighty and divine person, with whom a relationship is possible through prayer
• Christians try to follow God's example in their actions
• Trinity


  The idea that God exists in three persons - the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit
• Christians believe in one God, but also believe that God has three parts
• The Trinity is the idea that God exists in three persons - the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit
• Jesus: '"This is my Son, whom I love with him I am well pleased."'
• Jesus has equality with God
• Nicene Creed

  A statement of beliefs produced by Church leaders at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, and further developed at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD
• Before the Nicene Creed, not everyone had agreed that the Son of God (Jesus) was one with God, rather than having been made by God
• The Nicene Creed means the Trinity is a key belief for most Christians, but some groups like Christadelphians don't believe in the Trinity
• Characteristics and roles of the three parts of the Trinity

  • God the Father - the God of the Old Testament, creator and sustainer of Heaven and Earth, the transcendent part of God
  • The Holy Spirit - the presence of God in the world, the immanent yet impersonal part of God, guides the Church and individual Christians
  • Jesus (the Son) - the incarnation of God in human form, both divine and human, the immanent and personal part of God, provides a model for Christian behaviour
• The title 'Father' is a mark of respect for God, and is used by Jesus in the Gospels
• The Holy Spirit is seen as the immanent yet impersonal part of God, and continues to guide the Church
• Some Christians feel the Holy Spirit also guides them personally in being good Christians
• Creation


  The story of creation can be understood in different ways. Some take it literally, for others it's a metaphor
• The Bible


  Describes how God created the universe
• Creation process in Genesis chapter 1

  God created everything in six days, and on the seventh day God rested
• What was created each day

  • Day 1: Light and darkness were made
  • Day 2: The sky was made
  • Day 3: Oceans, land and plants were made
  • Day 4: The sun, moon and stars were created
  • Day 5: The creatures of the water and sky (e.g. fish and birds) were created
  • Day 6: Land animals and people were created