Christian Beliefs: Key Words and Definitions

Key Term Definition God - A being that Christians believe in. - The creator of the world and supreme being that needs to be worshipped. Monotheistic - A religion that believes in only one God. - Christianity is a monotheistic religion. Omnipotent - All-powerful and almighty. - Christians believe that God is all-powerful. Omniscient - All-knowing. - Christians believe that God is all-knowing. Omnibenevolent - All-loving. - Christians believe that God is all-loving. Justice - Fair and right. - Christians believe that God is a just being. Trinity - The idea that there is one God who takes three forms: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. - The Trinity can be compared to water which comes as a liquid, a gas and as solid ice. Holy Spirit - The spiritual presence of God in the world.

Jesus - The Son of God. - The main person that Christians worship as their Saviour. Creation - The idea that God created the universe. - The idea that God created the world and everything in it in 6 days. The Word - A term used to describe Jesus. - Christians believe that Jesus as `the Word` was with God when the world was created. Creation ex nihilo - The idea that God created the world from nothing.

Incarnation - The idea that God became a man in the form of Jesus. - Incarnation means `becoming flesh` or `taking a human form`. Crucifixion - The idea that Jesus was put to death on a cross. - Jesus was crucified. Resurrection - The idea that Jesus rose from the dead. - Jesus rising from the dead is a key idea in Christianity that shows that death is not the end. Ascension - The idea that Jesus returned to heaven 40 days after his resurrection.

Heaven - The place of eternal peace and happiness that is ruled over by God. - A state of happiness in the presence of God. Hell - The place of eternal punishment and pain for people separated from God. - A state of being separated from God. Life After Death - The idea that after you physically die, your spirit or soul continues to live. - Life after death could be positive in heaven or negative in hell. Day of Judgement - The belief that at the end of time, God will judge everyone and reward them with heaven or punish them with hell.

Satan - Another word that Christians use for the Devil. - Satan is the ruler of hell. Sin - An action or thought that separates humans from God. - Actions or thoughts that go against God. Original Sin - The first sin committed by human beings on Earth. - Christians believe that the first sin was committed by Adam and Eve, the first humans. Salvation - The idea that Jesus `saves` people from their sins by dying on the cross. - The idea that people can be close to God again because Jesus has taken away their sins. Atonement - The idea that Jesus has restored the relationship between humans and God by dying on the cross. - Atone means `pay the price`. Jesus has `paid the price` for human sins by dying on the cross.