Home
KS3
KS4
A Level
6th Form RE
Department
School Site

1.                The Apostles� Creed

A short statement of the Christian Faith, drawn up in 3rd to 4th Century. It probably comes from the declarations of faith people made when they were baptised. It speaks mainly about belief in God (Trinity) and life beyond this life.

2.      Monotheism

The belief in One God. Monotheists believe that there is only one God who may be worshipped and it is wrong to worship anything other than God. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are all monotheistic religions, but religion of the Roman and Greek world had many gods, just as Hinduism does today.

3.      Trinity

The Christian belief that the One God is known in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is a way of understanding the work of Jesus as the Son of God and of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christians, but keeping the idea that there can be only One God.

4.      God the Father

God as creator, who made all things. As Father, he is loving, and cares for his children. As Creator he made the universe and continues to create today. When Jesus prayed, he always called God his Father.

5.      God the Son

God the Son has always existed, but came to earth and became human in Jesus. He is Saviour of human beings, because his death is the victory over sin and the devil, and his resurrection brings forgiveness, and the hope of resurrection for everyone.

6.      God the Holy Spirit

God at work in the world, especially after Jesus� resurrection. God the Holy Spirit can be active anywhere at any time, and though powerful has no form. Catholics believe that the Spirit is especially active in the Church and in the Sacraments, but he (or she?) may be active anywhere.

7.      Faith

Belief and Trust in God. For Christians faith is first of all a personal commitment, to God and to the community of believers, the Church. The person who has faith trusts God and trusts the Church and shares in the particular beliefs which the Church teaches.

8.      Love

Love is the basic Christian value. God is love, St John said, and each person of the Trinity is love: creation is love (Father); salvation is love (Son); his work in the world is love (Spirit). Jesus says followers must love God and love their neighbour. Love involves commitment and may require sacrifice.

9.      Sin

Sin is separation from God. A sin is any action or ommission which separates the person from God because it is against God�s will. God made human beings to be close to him, but from the very earliest times, humans did things they knew to be wrong. This is pictured in the Adam and Eve story. This basic human sin is called original sin.

When people commit a sin (called actual sins), they may be serious and deliberate (called mortal sins). If a sin is less serious, or not done deliberately or not with full knowledge, then it is still a sin, but the person is not so much to blame. This is called a venial sin.

The Catholic Church teaches that Christ�s death and resurrection is the victory over sin. Original sins are wiped away at baptism. Mortal sins must be confessed (if possible), but venial sins are forgiven in private prayers and particularly in communion at mass.

10.     Repentance and Reconciliation

Christians believe that everyone has sinned. It is part of being human. God is ready to forgive the sins of anyone who is truly sorry for what they have done. It is the duty of the Christian to repent of their sins � that is, recognise what their sins are and make a real commitment not to sin again. Repent means to �turn round�. When someone repents, God accepts their sorrow and forgives them. This healing or making up is called reconciliation.

John the Baptist called people to repent, and Jesus began his ministry with the words �Repent and believe the Gospel�. Luke�s Gospel contains two important stories of repentance: Zacchaeus and the Prodigal Son

11.     Judgement

All Christians are called to love in their lives. Any act which is against God�s will is a sin which separates them from God. Christians also believe that one the last day (at the end of time) everyone will be judged according to how they have lived. The story of the Sheep and the Goats (end of Matthew 25) makes this clear. Those who have cared for the needy go to their eternal reward, but those who have ignored those in need go to eternal punishment.

12.     Important Bible Passages

Make a note of these: Jesus� on Prayer (God the Father: Luke 11:1-4); Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), The Sheep and Goats (Last Judgement: Matthew 25:31-46).