The Incarnation

Jesus Christ

Jesus was fully human and fully God
- Bible describes how God "appeared in the flesh"
Jesus is referred to as "Christ" or "Messiah" - the "Anointed One of God"
Christians see Jesus' time on Earth as God's way of showing how much he loves the world
- Study Gospels to find out about Jesus' life and see how they should live their life
His words, deeds and promises have great authority - they're the word of God
Most Jews expected a Messiah who would come to save Israel and establish an age of peace - don't believe that Jesus was that person
Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah - but a spiritual rather than a political one
Gospel writers refer to Jesus as the Christ - but Jesus warned his disciples not to use the term
- Possibly because his opponents would have him arrested for blasphemy

The Crucifixion

Jesus d his disciples ate their Passover meal in Jerusalem
- Last Supper
Jesus gave his disciples bread - "this is my body"
And wine - "this is my blood"
- Luke's Gospel tells us he said "do this in remembrance of me"
- Important y who remember Jesus with bread and wine
Jesus also washed disciples' feet
- Teaches how important it is to serve others
Jesus went to pray in Garden of Gethsemane - was arrested here
- Authorities felt threatened by him
Put on trial before Jewish high priest and found guilty of blasphemy
- Was tried before Pilate
- Offered to release Jesus or a thief - crowds chose thief
- Was flogged, before being sent to die

Crucifixion

Crucified at Golgotha, next to two robbers
- Sign was fixed to Jesus' cross that read "The King of the Jews" to record charge against him
- Passers-by threw insults at him - he could say others but couldn't save himself
In his suffering, Jesus cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34 NIV)
- Understands how people can feel abandoned in their suffering
Christians believe Crucifixion helped to repair relationship between mankind - atonement
Sacrifice gives hope to Christians that their sins will be forgiven if they repent
God understands human suffering because Jesus experienced it
Christians accept suffering is part of life

Ressurection

After the crucifixion, Jesus' body was put in a tomb
- Resurrected and tomb was found empty
Jesus talked to two women and told him "Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me" (Matthew 28:10 NIV)
Jesus also appeared to numerous people
Resurrection is important to Christians:
- Shows them that there's life after death - death is less frightening
- Shows God's power - raised Jesus from the dead - gives Christians strength to live good lives
- Shows power of good over evil Christian sins will be forgiven if they follow God's law
- Also see it as proof that Jesus is the Son of God as he was "appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4 NIV) - strengthens people's faith
Different view about resurrection:
Some believe a person's soul is resurrected soon after death
Catholic/Orthodox Christians believe in bodly resurrection
- Means resurrection is both spiritual and physical
Others believe dead will be resurrected at some time in the futire
- When Jesus will return to judge everyone who has ever lived
Some other Christians believe resurrection will just be spiritual, not physical as well

Ascension

	Created by Niamh Webster over 8 years ago

Year 11 Religious Studies (Christianity ) Note on Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings , created by Niamh Webster on 16/04/2018.

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings