Key Beliefs in Christianity

• Genesis 1:1: '"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth."'
• Genesis


  The first book of the Bible
• Genesis 1


  Describes the creation of the heavens and the earth
• Genesis 2


  Focuses on the creation of the first humans, Adam and Eve
• Genesis 2:7: 'Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.'
• Genesis 1 explains


  • God is the only creator
  • God existed before he created the world
  • The world was well planned and is sustained by God
  • God blessed creation; all creation is holy
  • God created everything in Heaven and on Earth in six days
  • On the seventh day, God rested
• God created humans in his image

  This does not mean humans physically have the same appearance as God, but they have certain characteristics that they share with God, such as being loving
• The Bible teaches Christians that God created humans in his image
• This shows how important all humans are to God and explains their special relationship with him
• It is also a reminder to them that humans should try to behave like God, showing love and being forgiving
• Genesis 1:27: 'So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.'
• Stewardship


  Christians believe that God appointed human beings to be in charge of what he created, and to care for the world as responsible custodians
• Dominion


  Christians believe that humans have dominion over God's creation, but this does not mean that humanity should exploit the Earth's resources
• Humanity's purpose is to look after the world that God has created
• Genesis 2:15: 'The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.'
• The Spirit of God was hovering over the water. And God said, ‘Let there be light.’ And there was light.— Genesis 1:2–3
• In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made.
• • Literal - Some Christians interpret the creation stories in Genesis literally, and believe the events documented in the Bible happened exactly as written. For these Christians, the Bible is the literal word of God and therefore they believe it is completely true.
• • Inspirational - Other Christians believe that the Bible was inspired by God, which means that there could be inconsistencies in the stories because they were written by humans, who, whilst inspired, are not completely perfect. This means the Bible’s stories can be interpreted in many ways.
• • Metaphorical - Some Christians believe that the stories are metaphors or symbolic descriptions. These Christians will accept scientific theories about the origins of the universe, such as the Big Bang theory. What is important for these Christians, is the message of the Genesis account of creation, which is that God created the world and gave humans a special role, status and purpose in it.
• Afterlife: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die."
• "He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’— Matthew 25:33-35

  The good sheep are allowed a place in Heaven because they have been helpful and kind, giving the hungry food or the thirsty something to drink.
• Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
• Some Christians believe in the Second Coming, which is when Jesus will return to earth as a physical body and everyone who has died will be resurrected. This belief is affirmed in Protestant Churches with the declaration of the Mystery of Faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
• Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. (Matthew 25:46)
• Many Christians have rejected literal interpretations of Hell, acknowledging that in the past the idea of Hell was used to frighten people into obeying the Church's rules. Many also argue that the existence of Hell would contradict God’s omnibenevolent nature.
• "that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." This passage describes the process of death, burial and resurrection that Jesus went through. It is followed by an assurance that all humans can be resurrected: For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. (1 Corinthians 15:16)
• Many Christians believe all humans are descended from Adam and Eve, which means that they all have the ability to disobey God. Original sin occurred when Adam and Eve were tempted and committed the first (original) sin.

  Genesis 3 tells the story of how sin first entered the world when Adam and Eve were tempted by the Devil in the Garden of Eden. They ate an apple from the Tree of Knowledge after God had instructed them not to, and for this they were banished from the garden. Evil had now entered the world - this is known as the Fall.
• When the woman saw the fruit of the tree she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband and he ate it.
• Salvation

  Following the mistake made by Adam and Eve, which led to evil entering the world, God offered salvation. This means human souls can be saved from eternal punishment (or separation from God) and are allowed to enter Heaven (and be in the presence of God).
• In order for this salvation to happen, God set a process in motion:

  • God gave his only son, Jesus, so that all humans could be saved.
  • Jesus was a perfect human - he had no sin.
  • God placed the sins of the world upon him at his crucifixion.
  • Jesus’ actions meant that there was reconciliation between God and humanity - his death atoned or made up for human sin.
• Salvation through law

  Some Christians believe that people can achieve salvation by following God’s teachings and carrying out good deeds that will please God. An example is caring for those who are less fortunate or giving to charity.
• Salvation through grace

  Grace is the unconditional love that God has for everyone. Salvation does not need to be earned. Instead, it can be achieved by believing in God and his son Jesus Christ
• For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith … it is the gift of God.