CHRISTIANITY- THE INCARNATION

Question 1

incarnation?

Answer 1

God becoming human in the form of Jesus.

Question 2

gospels

Answer 2

The books in the New Testament that tell the story of Jesus’ life.

Question 3

Trinity

Answer 3

The three Persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Question 4

Messiah

Answer 4

A leader regarded as the saviour of a group of people.

Question 5

Beliefs about the Trinity:

Answer 5

• Christians are monotheists.
• God is one, but made up of three “persons”

Question 6

The three persons:

Answer 6

• God the Father: The all-powerful God, who created the world.
• God the Son: Jesus. God in human form.
• God The Holy Spirit: Sent to guide and comfort Christians.

Question 7

Christian beliefs about the incarnation:

Answer 7

• God became human, as Jesus.
• Jesus’ miraculous birth (e.g. born to a virgin) shows Jesus was not an ordinary person.
• Jesus’ birth was prophesied in the Old Testament.
• Because Jesus was God, he existed from the start of Creation: “He was with God in the beginning” (John 1:2).
• Jesus said “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30).

Question 8

Why is the incarnation important?

Answer 8

Fulfils prophecy: The Old Testament predicts a Messiah sent by God.
Love: Shows God’s love for us as he sent his Son to die for humanity.
Empathy: God understands our suffering as Jesus experienced human emotions such as grief.
Salvation history: Important moment in salvation history. God sent his son to heal the rift between God and humans, making salvation possible.
Heart of Christianity: One of the most important Christian beliefs, part of most Christian creeds.

Question 9

Advent

Answer 9

Period of preparation and waiting, before the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas.

Question 10

Christmas

Answer 10

Christian festival which celebrates the birth of Jesus.

Question 11

fasting

Answer 11

Eating no food, or limited food, for a period.

Question 12

liturgical year

Answer 12

The annual cycle of Christian seasons and festivals, observed by Christian churches.

Question 13

nativity HMM

Answer 13

The birth of Jesus, celebrated by Christians at Jesus. (christmas)?

Question 14

What is Advent?

Answer 14

• Period of preparation before Christmas.
• Starts four Sundays before Christmas.
• The beginning of the liturgical year.

Question 15

How do Christians observe Advent?

Answer 15

• Advent calendars or candles used to count down to Christmas.
• Orthodox Christians fast during Advent.
• Many Christians watch nativity plays.
• Many Christians take part in carol services. Hymns sung in these often celebrate the incarnation.

Question 16

How do Christians celebrate Christmas?

Answer 16

• May attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. This allows Christians to come together to mark Jesus’ birth.
• At Midnight Mass, may receive the Eucharist.
• Go to church for special services on Christmas Day.
• Giving gifts, as the wise men gave gifts to Jesus.
• Gather with extended family.

Question 17

Why is Christmas important?

Answer 17

God’s love: Reveals God’s love for the world, because he sent his Son to save us.
Incarnation: Celebrates the incarnation, God becoming human as Jesus.
Families: Special time for families and children, as Jesus was born to a human family.
Time to reflect: On the Christian message and teachings such as peace.
Salvation: Through his death, Jesus makes salvation and eternal life possible.

Question 18

Why some do not celebrate Christmas:

Answer 18

• Quakers: Every day is equally holy.
• Jehovah’s Witnesses: Christmas was originally a pagan festival. Jesus said to remember his death, not his birth.

Question 19

sacraments?

Answer 19

Christian rituals which reflect an invisible blessing from God.

Question 20

baptism?

Answer 20

Ritual through which a person joins the Christian faith.

Question 21

repentance

Answer 21

Sincere regret or remorse.

Question 22

grace

Answer 22

An unearned gift from God.

Question 23

apostles

Answer 23

Jesus’ twelve closest disciples.

Question 24

What happened at Jesus’ Baptism?

Answer 24

• Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist.
• A voice from heaven said. “This is my son”, showing Jesus is the Son of God.
• Marks the start of his public ministry.

Question 25

The seven sacraments:

Answer 25

Baptism: Where a person is initiated in the Christian faith. Eucharist: Sharing bread and wine to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and death. Confirmation: Where someone baptised as an infant is old enough to commit to Christianity. Penance: When Catholics confess their sins to a priest and repent for them. Anointing of the sick: Performed when a Catholic is seriously ill or dying. Marriage: The spiritual union of two people. Holy orders: When someone becomes a priest

Question 26

two most important sacraments?

Answer 26

* Baptism and the Eucharist. * Observed by most Christian groups.

Question 27

catholic beliefs on sacraments?

Answer 27

* Observe all seven sacraments. * Observing the sacraments is an important part of spiritual life. * Believe that sacraments can spiritually change a person through God’s grace.

Question 28

protestant beliefs on sacraments?

Answer 28

Wide range of beliefs among different Protestant groups. However: * Most Protestants groups practice baptism and the Eucharist only. * They believe that only these are mentioned in the Bible. * May believe sacraments are symbolic and don’t spiritually change a person * Quakers: do not observe sacraments, as every moment of life is sacred.

Question 29

baptisery pool?

Answer 29

Small pool which is used during believer’s Baptism

Question 30

believer’s baptism

Answer 30

Ritual where an adult or older child makes a personal commitment to the Christian faith.

Question 31

font?

Answer 31

Receptacle which contains the water used in an infant baptism.

Question 32

infant baptism

Answer 32

Ritual in which an infant or young child joins the Christian faith.

Question 33

christening

Answer 33

Another term for infant Baptism.

Question 34

What happens at an infant Baptism?

Answer 34

Water: The baby is baptised by water being poured on their head. Anointed: Baby’s head is anointed with holy oil. Trinity: Parents + godparents declare their faith in the Trinity on behalf of the child. Evil: Parents + godparents promise to renounce evil on behalf of the child. Raise: Parents + godparents promise to raise the child in the Christian faith

Question 35

Why do Catholics + Anglican Protestants perform infant baptism?

Answer 35

* They believe that children should be part of the Christian community. * Baptism is the start of a person’s spiritual life, so should happen close to the start of physical life. * It is supported by the Bible, e.g. ‘he was baptised, with all his family’ (Acts 16:33) * Catholics believe it is necessary to remove original sin.

Question 36

Why do some Protestant Christians perform believers’ Baptism?

Answer 36

* Believe the church should be a community of people who have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus. * Young children cannot do this, so should not be baptised * Follows the example of Jesus, who was baptised as an adult. * They do not believe baptism removes original sin (this happens when a person chooses to be a Christian), so there is no need to baptise children.

Question 37

Quaker beliefs on baptism?

Answer 37

* Do not practice baptism, as every moment of life is sacred. * ‘Baptism in the Spirit’ (when a person experiences an inner change as the result of God's presence) is more important.