Teachings

Question 1

Christians believe in God as the:

Answer 1

Trinity
- Although Christians believe in one God, they also believe that God has three parts

Question 2

What is the Trinity?

Answer 2

1. The Trinity is the idea that god exists in three ‘persons’
2. The Father, The Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit

Question 3

Where is the Trinity described?

Answer 3

The Nicene Creed

Question 4

What does the Nicene Creed say?

Answer 4

“We believe in one God, the Father……We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God…..We believe in the Holy Spirit”

Question 5

What is The Father?

Answer 5

1. God the Father is the God of the Old Testament. He created Heaven and Earth and sustains them - transcendent part of God
2. title ‘Father’ is a mark of respect for God -used by Jesus in the Gospels

Question 6

What is the Son?

Answer 6

1. Jesus is the incarnation of God in human form. He isboth divine and human - immanent and personal part of God - understands human suffering
2. Jesus provides a model for Christian behaviour in obedience to God the Father
3. Gospels contain a record of his life and teachings - source of guidance for Christians

Question 7

What is the Holy Spirit?

Answer 7

1. presence of God in the world
2. Before his death, Jesus promised his disciples: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth” - John 14:16 NIV
3. seen as the immanent yet personal part of God - continues to guide the church
4. Some Christians feel that the Holy Spirit also guides them personally in being good Christians

Question 8

In the Bible, how did God create the universe?

Answer 8

1. Genesis chapter 1 -> God created everything -> six days -> seventh day God rested.
2. On day one, light and darkness were made, and on day two the sky
3. Third day -> oceans, land and plants were created, and on the fourth day the sun, moon and stars
4. On the fifth day it was the creatures of the water and sky and on the sixth day, land animals and people

Question 9

Who were the first two humans?

Answer 9

Adam and Eve and they lived in the garden of Eden

Question 10

How does God making humans in his image influence Christians?

Answer 10

1. Christians believe that humans are special
2. They think humans should behave like God by being loving and fair
3. It shows that humans are important to God so everyone should be treated with respect

Question 11

What are fundamentalist Christians?

Answer 11

1. They view Genesis as more of a parable or a symbolic description
2. They are open to other theories such as God creating the Big bang

Question 12

What are liberal Christians?

Answer 12

1. They view the Bible literally
2. They believe God made the world in 6 days and that humans descended from Adam and Eve
3. They reject evolution and the Big Bang theory

Question 13

What is the incarnation of Jesus?

Answer 13

1. It means taking on flesh
2. It is the Christian belief that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ
3. It means that Jesus is both fully God and fully man

Question 14

Two beliefs about the incarnation of Jesus?

Answer 14

1. They believe in hypostatic union - Jesus was fully God and fully human in one person
2. They believe that an Angel told Mary in Nazareth that she would have a son who would be the “Son of God” - Luke 1:35

Question 15

Two ways the incarnation influences Christians today?

Answer 15

1. Since Jesus lived as a human and helped others, Christians feel called to follow his example
2. Christmas reflects God’s love for humanity by becoming flesh and dwelling among them, providing a reason to celebrate and rejoice in the birth of Jesus

Question 16

What is the crucifixion of Jesus?

Answer 16

1. The crucifixion is the event where Jesus was nailed to a cross and died
2. This happened on Good Friday
3. The curtain in the temple ripped in two

Question 17

Two beliefs about the crucifixion of Jesus

Answer 17

1. It is an example of penal substitution atonement - Jesus died for the sins of humanity, allowing for the possibility of redemption and reconciliation with God
2. Signifies the end of the old covenant and the opening of a new era of direct access to God for all believers

Question 18

Two ways the crucifixion of Jesus influences Christians today?

Answer 18

1. Christians believe that because Jesus also suffered, they are not alone in their pain - motivation
2. Knowing Jesus died for their sins, Christians are inspired to repent

Question 19

What is the resurrection of Jesus?

Answer 19

1. Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion
2. This happened on Easter sunday

Question 20

Two beliefs about the resurrection of Jesus?

Answer 20

1. Proves Jesus is the Son of God - power over death and divine nature
2. Jesus appaeared to several people including mary magdalene and the disciples - told them he rose from dead just as he predicted
3. Jesus talked to two woman: “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me” Matthew 28:10 NIV

Question 21

Two ways the resurrection of Jesus influences Christians today?

Answer 21

1. Christians are comforted by the belief that they will be raised to new life after death
2. signifies God’s power to overcome death and evil, offering strength and encouragement in the face of suffering and adversity

Question 22

What is the ascension of Jesus?

Answer 22

Jesus ascended to heaven to be with God the Father once again - he had done what he was sent on earth to do

Question 23

Two beliefs about the ascension of Jesus?

Answer 23

1. John 14:2 - Jesus tells his disciples he will “prepare a place” NIV for them in heaven
2. John 2:1 says that, in Jesus, Christians have an advocate with God

Question 24

Two ways the ascension of Jesus influences Christians today?

Answer 24

1. Ascension shows that there is a place for all human beings with God, for Jesus was human when he ascended
2. They feel encouraged to pray and worship knowing Jesus is their advocate

Question 25

What is purgatory?

Answer 25

A place or state of purification where souls are cleansed of sin before entering heaven.

Question 26

Beliefs about heaven?

Answer 26

1. Seen as a place of peace, joy and freedom from pain 2. Believe you can be saved by works or saved by grace 3. Believe in parable of sheep and goats

Question 27

Beliefs about hell?

Answer 27

1. "if anyone 's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire" - revelation 2. Believe it is a permanent existence without God in a land of torture ruled by Satan

Question 28

What is original sin?

Answer 28

1. Developed by augustine 2. Believed that when Adam and Even sinned, they passed down their sins to every generation 3. We are born sinful - all capable of sin 4. we are all seminally present in Adam's loins

Question 29

Belief about resurrection in believers?

Answer 29

1. Jesus will return to Earth on the second coming and everyone who has died will be resurrected 2. All of humanity will be judged at the last judgement 3. Wicked sent to hell and those who are good sent to heaven 4. Christains should behave like sheep and carry out actions

Question 30

WHat does the book of Job teach us?

Answer 30

1. Book of Job recounts suffering Job had to endure 2. God is omnipotent and as humans we are too small to understand his plan 3. "Though he slay me, yet i still pray for him" Job 13:15 NIV

Question 31

How does evil and suffering influence christians today?

Answer 31

1. Book of Job 2. God gave us free will - god is good so christians try to follow his example

Question 32

How can christians achieve salvation?

Answer 32

1. Christians believe they must have faith in Jesus "Salvation is found in no one else" Acts 4:12 NIV 2. Salvation is only possible through God's grace - God showing a favour to people who havent earned it 3. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith ... it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8 NIV