The Incarnation and Salvation

Two central beliefs ✝️

This topic joins two of the biggest Christian beliefs: the **Incarnation** (that God became human in Jesus) and **salvation** (how Christians believe humanity is rescued from sin). Throughout, remember to write about what **Christians believe**, and that Christians hold a range of views.

The Incarnation 👶

Christians believe that in Jesus, God took **human form**. This is the **Incarnation** (from Latin, meaning 'in the flesh'). Jesus is understood as the **Son of God**, fully God and fully human at the same time. The Gospel of John (John 1:14) describes how the Word became flesh and lived among people.

What is the Incarnation?

In Christian belief, what does the Incarnation mean?

• God became human in the person of Jesus
• Jesus rose from the dead
• God created the universe
• The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost

Match each term to its meaning

Sin and the Fall 🍎

Christians teach that humans are separated from God by **sin** (wrongdoing). Many trace this to the **Fall**, the story in Genesis of Adam and Eve disobeying God. From this comes the idea of **original sin**: a tendency to sin that, in much Christian teaching, all humans are born with.

Original sin

What do many Christians mean by "original sin"?

• A tendency to sin that all humans inherit, traced to the Fall
• The single worst sin a person can commit
• The first sin you commit as an adult
• The belief that humans never sin

Grace and salvation 🙏

Because sin separates people from God, Christians believe humanity needs **salvation**: being saved from sin and restored to a right relationship with God. Christians believe salvation comes through God's **grace** (his undeserved love), and many emphasise **faith** in Jesus as central to receiving it.

What is salvation?

In Christian belief, salvation is...

• Being saved from sin and restored to a right relationship with God
• Gaining wealth and success in life
• Obeying a fixed list of rules to earn points
• Knowing many facts about the Bible

The atonement 🕊️

Central to salvation is the **atonement**: Christians believe that through Jesus's **death on the cross**, the broken relationship between God and humanity is repaired. The word itself hints at the meaning: **at-one-ment**, making people "at one" with God again. John 3:16 expresses the belief that God gave his Son out of love for the world.

What is atonement?

What do Christians mean by the atonement?

• Jesus's death repairing the broken relationship between God and humanity
• The birth of Jesus at Christmas
• A set of food laws Christians must follow
• The building of the first church

The resurrection 🌅

Christians believe that after his crucifixion, Jesus **rose from the dead** on the third day, the **resurrection** celebrated at Easter. It is seen as **victory over death** and as God confirming that Jesus's sacrifice brings salvation and the hope of eternal life.

The last days of Jesus

An interactive activity.

Christian beliefs about salvation

Select the THREE statements that reflect common Christian beliefs about salvation.

• Salvation comes through God's grace
• Faith in Jesus is central to salvation
• Jesus's resurrection is a victory over death
• Humans earn salvation entirely alone, without God

Belief summary

Christians believe the _____ is God becoming human in Jesus. Humanity is separated from God by _____. Through Jesus's death, or the _____, and his _____ from the dead, Christians believe salvation is possible.