Christianity Beliefs and Teachings 2 I am the

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 2 “I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves. 3 “Worship no god but me. Exodus 20: 2 -3 The Nature of God

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 37 For nothing will be impossible with God. ” Luke 1: 37 God as omnipotent, loving and just

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 16 God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. John 3: 16 God as omnipotent, loving and just

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 4 Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not proud. 5 It does not dishonour other people. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people’s wrongs. 6 Love is not happy with evil. But it is full of joy when the truth is spoken. 7 It always protects. It always trusts. It always hopes. It never gives up. 8 Love never fails. But prophecy will pass away. Speaking in languages that had not been known before will end. And knowledge will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 -8 God as omnipotent, loving and just

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth didn’t have any shape. And it was empty. There was darkness over the surface of the waves. At that time, the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 God said, “Let there be light. ” And there was light. Genesis 1: 1 -3 Different Christian beliefs about creation

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 1 In the beginning, the Word was already there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God In the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1: 1 -3 Different Christian beliefs about creation

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about. His mother Mary and Joseph had promised to get married. But before they started to live together, it became clear that she was going to have a baby. She became pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1: 18 The incarnation and Jesus, the Son of God

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 11 A voice spoke to him from heaven. It said, “You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you. ” Mark 1: 11 The incarnation and Jesus, the Son of God

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 46 Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my life. ” After he said this, he took his last breath. Luke 23: 46 The crucifixion

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15: 39 The Crucifixion

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 50 Jesus led his disciples out to the area near Bethany. Then he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them. He was taken up into heaven. Luke 24: 50 -51 The resurrection and ascension

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 42 It will be like that with bodies that are raised from the dead. The body that is planted does not last forever. The body that is raised from the dead lasts forever. 43 It is planted without honour. But it is raised in glory. It is planted in weakness. But it is raised in power. 44 It is planted as an earthly body. But it is raised as a spiritual body. Just as there is an earthly body, there is also a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15: 42 -44 Resurrection and life after death

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 31 “The Son of Man will come in all his glory. All the angels will come with him. Then he will sit in glory on his throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate the people into two groups. He will be like a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep to his right and the goats to his left. 34 “Then the King will speak to those on his right. He will say, ‘My Father has blessed you. Come and take what is yours. It is the kingdom prepared for you since the world was created. 35 I was hungry. And you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty. And you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger. And you invited me in. 36 I needed clothes. And you gave them to me. I was sick. And you took care of me. I was in prison. And you came to visit me. ’ Matthew 25: 31 -36 The afterlife and judgement

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The Apostles Creed The afterlife and Judgement

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 5 So he gave us new life because of what Christ has done. He gave us life even when we were dead in sin. God’s grace has saved you. 6 God raised us up with Christ. He has seated us with him in his heavenly kingdom. That’s because we belong to Christ Jesus. 7 He has done it to show the riches of his grace for all time to come. His grace can’t be compared with anything else. He has shown it by being kind to us. He was kind to us because of what Christ Jesus has done. 8 God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift. 9 It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it. Ephesians 2: 5 -9 Sin and Salvation

Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings 21 Death came because of what a man did. Rising from the dead also comes because of what a man did. 1 Corinthians 15: 21 The role of Christ in salvation

Christianity: Practices Our Father, Who art in heaven Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. The Lord Prayer

Christianity: Practices 19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28: 19 The Sacraments: Baptism

Christianity: Practices 23 For I received from the Lord the teaching that I passed on to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a piece of bread, 24 gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me. ” 25 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, “This cup is God's new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me. ” 26 This means that every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11: 23 -26 The Sacraments: Holy Communion

Christianity: Practices 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1: 22 -23 The role of the Church in the local community

Christianity: Practices 19 “Come, follow me, ” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people. ” Matthew 4: 19 The place of mission and evangelism

Christianity: Practices 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. ” 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Mark 16: 15 -20 Church Growth

Christianity: Practices 10 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 through his life Romans 5: 10 The importance of the worldwide Church

Christianity: Practices 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5: 10 -12 Christian persecution

Christianity: Practices 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death Philippians 3: 10 Christian persecution

Christianity: Practices 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3: 17 -18 The Church’s response to world poverty

Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6: 4 -5 The Nature of God: God as One

Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1: 1 The Nature of God: God as Creator

Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings 6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. Isaiah 6: 1 -2 The Nature of God: God as lawgiver and judge; the divine presence

Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12: 2 Life after death, judgement and resurrection

Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings 10 Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over his inheritance? 1 Samuel 10: 1 The nature and role of the Messiah

Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings 12 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. ” Genesis 12: 1 -3 The Promised Land the covenant with Abraham

Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings And God spoke all these words: 1. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. 2. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 3. “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 4. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 5. “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 6. “You shall not murder. 7. “You shall not commit adultery. 8. “You shall not steal. 9. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour. 10. “You shall not covet your neighbour's house. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour. ” Exodus 20: 1 -17 The covenant at Sinai and the Ten Commandments

Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings 24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! Amos 5: 24 Key moral principles in Judaism

Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19: 34 Key moral principles in Judaism

Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings 16 “‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. “‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour's life. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19: 16 Sanctity of Life

Judaism: Practices 21 Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the shielding curtain and shielded the ark of the covenant law, as the LORD commanded him. Exodus 40: 21 Interior features of a synagogue

Judaism: Practices 1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Psalm Worship in Orthodox and 150 Reform synagogues

Judaism: Practices 9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand a reminder on your forehead that this law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. Exodus 13: 9 Daily services and prayer

Judaism: Practices 3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it. ” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. Ezekiel 3: 3 Shabbat in the synagogue

Judaism: Practices 35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, LORD! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you. ” Numbers 10: 35 Shabbat in the synagogue

Judaism: Practices 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. ” Genesis 1: 28 Ceremonies associated with birth

Judaism: Practices 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Genesis 2: 24 Marriage

Judaism: Practices 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. Genesis 37: 34 Mourning for the dead

Judaism: Practices 23 But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. Deuteronomy 12: 23 Dietary Laws

Judaism: Practices 19 “Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. Exodus 23: 19 Dietary Laws

Judaism: Practices 29 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work— whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a day of Sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. Leviticus 16: 29 -31 Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

Judaism: Practices 6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. Exodus 6: 6 -7 Pesach

Relationships and Families That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one. Genesis 2: 24 Christian teaching about human sexuality

Relationships and Families “You shall not commit adultery” Exodus 20: 14 Sexual relationships before and outside marriage

Relationships and Families So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female Genesis 1: 27 Sexual relationships before and outside marriage

Relationships and Families 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her Ephesians 5: 25 Christian teachings about marriage

Relationships and Families 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband marries another man, she commits adultery. ” Mark 10: 11 -12 Divorce and remarriage

Relationships and Families But if any do not take care of their relatives, especially the members of their own family, they have denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5: 8 Religious teachings about family

Relationships and Families So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. Galatians 3: 28 Religious attitudes to gender equality

Religion and Life 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light, ” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day, ” and the darkness he called “night. ” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. 6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water. ” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky. ” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. 9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear. ” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land, ” and the gathered waters he called “seas. ” And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds. ” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day. 14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth. ” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day. 20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky. ” And God saw that it was good. 24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind. ” And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, [a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground. ” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. ” 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food. ” And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. 2 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 1: 1 -2: 3 The origins of the universe

Religion and Life 3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8: 3 -4 The value of the world

Religion and Life For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1: 20 The value of the world

Religion and Life The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2: 15 The use and abuse of the environment

Religion and Life The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it Psalm 24: 1 Pollution

Religion and Life Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. Genesis 9: 3 The use and abuse of animals

Religion and Life The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Romans 14: 3 The use and abuse of animals

Religion and Life So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1: 27 The origins of human life

Religion and Life For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139: 13 -14 Abortion

Religion and Life “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. ” Jeremiah 1: 5 Abortion

Religion and Life “You shall not murder” Exodus 20: 13 Euthanasia

Religion and Life 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5: 7 Euthanasia

Religion, peace and conflict 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6: 10 Reasons for war

Religion, peace and conflict But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. Matthew 5: 39 Reasons for war

Religion, peace and conflict “You shall not murder. Exodus 20: 13 Nuclear war and WMDs

Religion, peace and conflict 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot Exodus 21: 23 -24 Nuclear war and WMDs

Religion, peace and conflict 52 “Put your sword back in its place, ” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Matthew 26: 52 Holy War

Religion, peace and conflict 36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22: 36 Holy War

Religion, peace and conflict 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. ’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca, ’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5: 21 -22 Holy War

Religion, peace and conflict 3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Micah 4: 3 Pacifism

Religion, peace and conflict 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9: 6 -7 Pacifism

Religion, peace and conflict 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5: 9 Pacifism

Religion, peace and conflict 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry Psalm 34: 15 Pacifism

Religion, peace and conflict The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ There is no commandment greater than these. ” Mark 12: 31 Religious responses to victims of war

Religion, human rights and social justice Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13: 1 Social justice and human rights

Religion, human rights and social justice The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. Mark 12: 21 Social justice and human rights

Religion, human rights and social justice There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3: 28 Prejudice and discrimination

Religion, human rights and social justice If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12: 18 Religious freedom

Religion, human rights and social justice The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. ’ There is no commandment greater than these. ” Mark 12: 31 Prejudice and discrimination- disability and race

Religion, human rights and social justice The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you. Deuteronomy 28: 11 Christian teachings about wealth

Religion, human rights and social justice Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 1 Corinthians 14: 34 -35 Status of women

Religion, human rights and social justice For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. ” 2 Thessalonians 3: 10 Poverty and its causes

Religion, human rights and social justice Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, Proverbs 22: 22 Exploitation of the poor