Key Terms

• Monotheism


  Belief in one true God. In Christianity all Christians share the common belief that there is one true God.
• Omnipotent


  The belief that God is all powerful. The all powerful, almighty and unlimited nature of God.
• Omnibenevolent


  The belief in God's nature being all loving. God is believed to be all loving and good.
• Trinity


  The three persons of God: God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
• Original Sin


  The belief that all Christians are born with the tendency to disobey God. Original sin came into the world as a result of the fall.
• Atonement


  The belief that Jesus' death on the cross healed the rift between humans and God.
• Ascension


  The belief that Jesus rose from the dead and did not die again. 40 days after his resurrection he ascended up into heaven.
• Resurrection


  The belief that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday and conquered death.
• Incarnation


  The belief that Jesus was God incarnate. God became human in the form of Jesus.
• Salvation


  The belief that Jesus' death brought salvation and allows humans to spend eternity in heaven with God, despite the existence of original sin.
• Purgatory


  The belief that after death there is a state of purgatory, a place where some people who have sinned may be purified and can still eventually go to heaven.