God and Jesus

Christians believe in one God (monotheistic) who created the world and so has power over it. God has created the world for a purpose and each persons destiny is known to him. Christians also believe that every person also has free will where they can reject or accept the will of God. The Christian understanding of God is shown in the idea of the Trinity.

God as Father

The most common prayer in the Christian church is known as the Lord's prayer. This starts off "Our Father who lives in Heaven". This image of God as Father is one that is very important to Christians. This image is also repeated in the creed (belief) of the church.

"I believe in one God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible" - The start of the Nicene Creed

The image of Father is not to be confused with thinking of human Fathers who may not be perfect but rather the image of a perfect Father as a person who loves and cares for his children, and wishes the best for them. Also a good Father needs to guide his children and punish them when they have done wrong, so Christians belief that God is their judge and they see it as their duty to please him.

God the Son

Jesus was born in Bethlehem about 2,000 years ago. He was the son of Mary and also of God. It is important for Christians that Jesus was incarnate (born as a human). This means that Jesus knows what it is to suffer and to be tempted. The difference is that Christians believe that while Jesus was tempted he did not sin. Jesus also had power over human life, this is shown in the gospel stories of the miracles of healing his power over nature and his resurrection, or coming back from life after death.

Some of the important events in Jesus life can be found in the gospels, they are:

• His birth at Bethlehem Lk 2:1-20, Mtt 1:18-25
• His baptism in the River Jordan Mtt 3:13-18, Mk 1:9-11, Lk 3:21-22
• His tempting in the wilderness Mtt 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-13: Lk 4:1-13
• His teachings Mtt 5 - 7,12-18 ; Luke 6 - 18; Mk 1:40 - 10
• His Miracles Mtt 8,9; Luke 5-6; Mk 7,8
• His trial, death, crucifixion and resurrection Mtt 26-28; Lk 22-24; Mk 14-16

Mtt = Matthew, Mk = Mark, Lk = Luke - the above are approximate references for more detail refer to a biblical concordance or index.

God the Holy Spirit

After Jesus went back to heaven he promised that he would send his Holy Spirit to help and guide the disciples. The story of this can be found in the Acts of the Apostle (Acts 2:1 ff). This is celebrated each year at the festival of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is sometimes called the Holy Ghost or Paraclete, and is represented by a dove. Christians believe that God will send his Holy Spirit to help them when they pray.

Many Christians finish prayer with the expression, "In the Name of God the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit." This reminds them of the 3 fold nature of God.