Church Christians Believe the Church Is a Group of Believers. Sometimes Called the Body

Concepts

Christianity

Church – Christians believe the church is a group of believers. Sometimes called the ‘Body of Christ’.

Kingdom of God – For Christians this is the rule of God in people’s hearts as well as the spiritual realm over which God reigns as king and the fulfilment on Earth of God’s will.

Incarnation – Christians believe that God became human in Jesus. This means for Christians Jesus is both human and divine.

Salvation – Christians believe Jesus died on the cross to save or rescue people from their sins.

Trinity – Christians believe that God is three in one: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Sacrament – Many Christians believe that there are sacred or special ceremonies (rites) which have significance for believers eg baptism, Eucarist and marriage.

Word of God / Bible – Most Christians believe God has revealed his word to people through the Old and New Testament.

Judaism

Chosen People – People who follow God’s laws as revealed in the Torah (sacred text). A Jewish person is identified as he who has a Jewish mother and a history which goes back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Shabbbat – Jewish day of rest, starts Friday evening into Saturday evening. Used to remember the creations of the heavens and earth in 6 days.

The Shema – The central affirmation of faith concerning belief in one God. ‘The Lord our God is one Lord; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might’ (Deut6v4-5). It is written on parchment inside a Mezuzah and place inside Tefillin.

Atonement – Yom Kippur is the day of Atonement. It is a very holy day when Jews fast and spend time repenting of their sins, restoring their relationship with God and with each other. Forgiveness is a central idea.

Covenant – The Jewish belief in an agreement between God and humanity. This belief influences many Jewish practices including observance of Shabbat, and is celebrated in festivals such as Pesach (also known as Passover)

Islam

Ummah – The community, nation, society or family of Muslims.

Ibadah – This means service. The daily ‘living out’ of one’s faith. This covers everything a Muslim does.

Khilafa – This means guardianship. Muslims believe they are entrusted by Allah to obey Him and carry out His will on earth and be His representative. The term Khilafa means representative.

Revelation- Muslims believe the final revelation from Allah to humanity is contained in the Holy Qur’an as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Hinduism

Samsara- refers to the process of passing from one body to another throughout all species of life. Hindus believe that consciousness is present in all life forms, even fish and plants. Most Hindus consider samsara a painful cycle of four recurring problems: birth, disease, old age and death.

Dharma- This means their religious duty. Dharma is the path of righteousness and living one’s life according to the codes of conduct as described by the Hindu scriptures.

Sikhism

Ik Onkar- ‘There is only one good’.

Sewa – service to others- an essential part if the life of every Sikh.

Buddhism

Samsara- there is a cycle of life, death and rebirth. Unless someone gains enlightenment they will be reborn in this cycle. Breaking out of the cycle is known as nirvana.

Dharma- This is the teaching of the Buddha. This is the second of the Three Refuges or Jewels. This means following the ‘Middle Way’.