beliefs

• Ascension


  Jesus returning to be with God in heaven after the crucifixion
• Atonement


  Making things better after sinning. Jesus' death atoned (made up) for the sins of everyone
• Benevolent


  All Loving-a quality of God. It means God is all good
• Crucifixion


  Jesus' execution by the Romans on the cross on Good Friday
• Omnipotent


  All-Powerful-a quality of God. It means God has unlimited power
• Omniscient


  All Knowing a quality of God. It means knowledge without limits
• Original Sin


  The built-in tendency to do wrong which comes from Eve's disobedience
• Resurrection


  Jesus returning from the dead 3 days after he was crucified
• Salvation


  Being saved from sin and given eternal life in heaven by God
• Sin


  Any thought or action which is against God's laws and wishes
• Trinity


  One God-revealed in three ways: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• Grace


  The unconditional love God shows to humans, that they do not need to earn
• Incarnation


  God becoming flesh and taking human form as Jesus Christ
• Just


  Fair-a quality of God. It means God treats us and judges us fairly
• Christians believe in one God who is the creator and the sustainer of all that exists
• God's qualities


  • Omnipotent (all-powerful)
  • Benevolent (all-loving and all-good)
  • Just (perfect and fair judge)
• Christians believe God created the earth and all living things in six days. The story of creation if found in the first book of the Bible Genesis
• Some Christians believe the story literally, others do not but still believe God created the world
• The Gospel of John (written 600 years after Genesis) has another version of the creation story. It contains the phrase "In the beginning was the Word." Experts think "the Word" refers to Jesus
• The Trinity


  Christians believe God is three persons in one
• what is the trinity made of

  • The father (creator of all life)
  • The Son (Jesus Christ who is both fully human and fully God)
  • The Holy Spirit (the unseen power of God that works in the world, especially answering prayers)
• Crucifixion


  1. Jesus traveled to Jerusalem to preach

  2. He was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate

  3. Jesus was then nailed to a cross where he died

  4. In his last moments Jesus was able to forgive those who were killing him, showing Christians how important forgiveness is
• The crucifixion is remembered on Good Friday
• Resurrection


  1. After Jesus was dead and buried, Christians believe he rose from the dead

  2. Early on the Sunday three women visited his tomb expecting to find his body but it was not there

  3. After his resurrection Jesus appeared to his disciples and told them to spread the word of him
• the resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday
• Incarnation


  • Christians believe that God was incarnated (born in human form) as Jesus Christ
  • Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit, giving birth as a virgin
  • This proves Jesus' status as the son of God
• Christmas is the festival that celebrates the Incarnation
• Ascension


  Forty days after he rose from the dead Jesus ascended (went up) into heaven
• Belief in resurrection and ascension

  • Shows life after death is real
  • Assures Christians they will rise again after death and live on in the afterlife
  • Leads Christians to try and lead a good life
• Christians believe you are judged after you die and how well or badly you have lived and treated others determines whether you go to heaven or hell (see the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats)
• Sin


  Any action or thought that goes against God's will
• God gave humans free will but they should use that freedom to make good choices and not sin
• Salvation

  • The idea that Jesus' crucifixion saved human beings from eternal damnation
  • Salvation is achieved through good works, having faith in God, following the 10 Commandments
  • The death of Jesus made up for original sin-the idea that we were all damned by Eve's choice to disobey God
  • God allows us to atone for sins and reach eternal life in heaven
  • Atonement removes the effects of sin and allows people to restore their relationship with God
• 'kingdom of heaven' = 'heavenly realm'
• 'the kingdom is within us' - Luke
• 'kingdom of God' = 'rule of God'