Christian Beliefs on the Role of Jesus in Salvation (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Christian Beliefs on the Role of Christ in Salvation

Mankind and Sin

• In Genesis, Adam and Eve disobey God’s command not to eat fruit from the tree of knowledge. This was known as original sin

• As descendants of Adam and Eve many Christians believe they were tainted with original sin and a tendency to disobey God

  • Therefore God as Christ offered salvation canceling out original sin and the promise of eternal life

  • Christians believe that Jesus’s suffering and death gained forgiveness for everyone and ensured redemption

• Christians make a distinction between individual sins and the state of sin

  • Individual sins are the bad actions of humans

  • State of sin refers to the tendency of mankind to choose evil (as a result of the original sin)

  • Christians believe that Jesus’s suffering and death gained forgiveness for everyone and ensured redemption

• To be a Christian it is not just about believing in God, they must also live a Christian life

• The guidance on how to live is provided by the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus as written in the bible

The Ten Commandments 

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

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

• 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