Christ & Salvation (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

The Nature & Significance of Salvation

Salvation in Christianity

• Christians believe that when Jesus died on the cross, he was sacrificed for the sins of humankind

  • This allows humans to be reunited with God after death in Heaven and this is called salvation

• Christians believe that when God sent Jesus to earth, the sins of humans were forgiven

• Jesus who is believed to be ‘without sin’ offered redemption for humans through sacrificing his own life

• The crucifixion, resurrection and ascension are central to the Christian belief in salvation

• Christians refer to this as ‘salvation through grace and spirit’ and this was made possible through the atoning death of Jesus

  • Christians believe that God shows grace to everyone

• The Holy Spirit helps Christians to follow God’s teachings and keep faith to find Salvation

  • An example of this is shown in Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son

How Christians can achieve Salvation

• Salvation means being accepted by God and therefore being assured of eternal life (heaven). Christians believe that salvation can be achieved in different ways

  • Salvation by Work is the belief that to be accepted by God you need to obey the law, meaning following the commandments laid down in the scriptures

• Salvation by Faith is the belief that salvation is achieved through faith or actively believing in God

To achieve salvation Christians must have faith in Christ and live a Christian life

The Role of Christ within Salvation

The Role of Christ in Salvation

• Although Christians believe that Jesus was the perfect human, God placed all sins on him at crucifixion

• The sacrifice of Jesus paid for the sins of humans provided they have faith in him

• Following the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus humans were forgiven for the sins of the past and have the opportunity to be rewarded in Heaven

• This process brought about the reconciliation of man and God known as atonement

The Significance of Atonement

Atonement

• Atonement within Christianity relates to the return to a state of harmony between God and human beings through the death of Jesus Christ

• Atonement is important because the atoning death of God’s Son was the only way to bring salvation to humanity

• Jesus’ actions made forgiveness for the sins of the world and reconciliation possible

• Showing commitment to Christianity for Christians offers atonement for sin, and can be done in several ways

  • Through repentance (showing regret for sins)

  • Through the grace of God (God’s showing favour to mankind)

  • By God forgiving mankind and mankind forgiving each other

The Significance of Atonement

• Christians believe that it is through atonement that redemption can occur for the sacrifice that Jesus made for mankind

• Christians believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection restored the relationship between God and humankind that had been broken by original sin

• They remember this when they repeat the words of the Nicene Creed

• For Christians, the fact that God sacrificed his only son is clear proof of his omnibenevolent nature

• The Apostles’ Creed states that Christians believe in a God who forgives sins and makes eternal life possible:

• The belief in atonement is central to the Christian belief about the relationship between God and mankind