Religious Studies-I2-Community and Tradition

Roman Catholics:

• The church has kept the true faith of Christianity through the apostolic succession
• Only the pope and bishops can interpret the faith of the Bible for todays world
• The sacraments of Baptism and confirmation are the way to salvation
• The sacrament of reconcilliation provides absolution fo sins
• During Mass recieving the body and blood of Jesus through the sacrament of Holy Communion brings salvation
  

Protestants:

• The Chruch has mad mistakes so only the Bible can be a means unto salvation
• The power to forgive sins only comes through faith in the death of Jesus
• Howver the source is a source of learning and spiritual help where many people find faith.
  
• Helps people to believe throught sermons, sunday school, confirmation classes and church schools
  

Unity in the Church;

• Based on one Lord, Jesus Christ
• One baptism for the forgiveness of sins
• Inspiried by one Holy Spirit
• Mainly agree about the Creeds

The church is Holy

• God made the church
• Christ gave his life to make it so and devoted it to God
• The Church has been given the true faith and is guided by the Holy Spirit
• Th Church is the source of the sacraments which bring God's grace ton humanity

The Church is Catholic

• The Christian Church includes people who belive from all over the world
• The message is for everyone regardless of gender, race, colour
• It can be understood and believed by anyone and everyone

The Church is Apostolic:

• Founded by the apostles
• Preserves the teaschings Jesus gave his apostles
• Bishops are the successors of the apostles who maintain the message of Jesus
• RC's - that the authority of St Peter has been passed down the the current pope

The Church as the body of christ:

• Is how the Jesus is still present in the world after his ascension
• This is how St Paul describes the Church in 1 Corinthinas 12
• Christians are baptised into the body of Christ
• Christians share the body of Christ by sharing the bread in communion
• It teaches Christians to continue Jesus' work
• Shows thath Christians can perform different tasks yet be a unity

The Church as the Communion of Saints

• The teachings of the Creeds and the Church
• Shows their is no division between the earthly Church of the heavenly Church
• It explains how all Christians are equally inportant
• RC's - offer prayers through saints for the dead

The Role of a Bishop

• Responsible for the priests and parishes in their diocese
• Responsible for overseeing official Church teachings
• Make sure the diocese are following the faith of the church
• Can ordain those who want to be priests or deacons
• Can confirm those who want to be church members

The Role of a Priest:

• Lead and supervise services
• Concercrate the bread and wine for Holy communion
• Perform baptisms, weddings ans funerals
• Give advice and counselling to their congregation
• Visit their parishoners
• Visit and help local schools
• Ensuring the needs of the chuch building are being met

The Role of a Deacon

• Perform baptisms, weddings and funerals
• Read and preach in services
• Visit the sick; have a special duty to help the needy

The Role of the Laity

• Attend Church and take Holy Communion regularly
• Provide the upkeep of the church building and the priests
• Lead good Christian lives and fulfill their vocation in the world outside the Church

The laity are impotant

• They help people to learn about the Christian faith
• participate in the worship of the church
• They are part of the Body of Christ
• Without them the Church can't function as an organisation