Key Terms and Words

This section introduces fundamental concepts in Christianity that are crucial for the GCSE RE Christianity beliefs and PRACTICES exam.

Vocabulary:

• Omnibenevolent: all-loving God
• Omnipotent: all-powerful God
• Omniscient: all-knowing God

These terms describe the nature of God in Christian theology and are essential for understanding Christian beliefs about God's attributes.

Definition: Evangelism refers to the practice of preaching the gospel to share God's word with others.

The concept of evangelism is central to Christian mission and outreach activities.

Vocabulary:

• Incarnation: Jesus being born as the son of God
• Reincarnation: Jesus being reborn, proving he's the son of God

These terms relate to the Christian understanding of Jesus' divine nature and his role in salvation history.

World Wide Church and Reconciliation

This section explores the concept of reconciliation within the context of the worldwide Christian church, which is an important topic for the AQA Religious Studies GCSE 2023 Paper.

Definition: Reconciliation in Christianity refers to the mission of restoring people's relationships with God and with one another.

The concept of reconciliation is central to Christian theology and practice for several reasons:

1. Christians believe that humans were reconciled with God through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, which repaired the relationship that had been broken by Original Sin.

2. The importance of reconciliation is emphasized in scripture:

Quote: "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24)

This passage highlights the priority that Jesus placed on reconciliation between individuals before engaging in worship.

Quote: "For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved" (Romans 5:10)

This quote from the Apostle Paul emphasizes the theological significance of reconciliation in Christian soteriology (the study of salvation).

Example: Several Christian organizations work towards reconciliation on a global scale:

• The Irish Churches Peace Project
• The World Council of Churches
• The Corrymeela Community

These organizations demonstrate the practical application of the Christian concept of reconciliation in addressing real-world conflicts and divisions.

Understanding the theological basis and practical applications of reconciliation is crucial for students preparing for their GCSE RE Christianity beliefs and PRACTICES exam, as it shows how Christian beliefs inform social and political engagement.

Sacraments

This section delves into the concept of sacraments in Christianity, which is a crucial topic for the AQA Religious Studies GCSE 2023 Paper.

Definition: A sacrament is a visible gesture through which Christians believe they receive God's grace, blessing, or power.

For many Christians, particularly Catholics, sacraments are seen as a way to experience God's presence through the senses. The number and nature of sacraments vary among different Christian denominations:

1. Catholics and Anglicans recognize seven sacraments:

   • Baptism
   • Confirmation
   • Eucharist
   • Reconciliation
   • Healing
   • Marriage
   • Ordination

2. Some Protestant denominations, such as Baptists, recognize only two sacraments:

   • Baptism
   • Eucharist

Highlight: These two sacraments are often referred to as "Gospel Sacraments" because they were directly taught and practiced by Jesus.

3. Quakers, on the other hand, do not practice any sacraments.

Understanding these differences in sacramental practices is essential for students preparing for their RE Christianity GCSE revision notes, as it demonstrates the diversity of beliefs and practices within Christianity.