b ) Demonstrate how the chosen practice expresses the beliefs of Christianity There are 5 central beliefs of Christianity 1. One God but three persons (Trinity) 2. Revelation- God has revealed himself to us through personal experience/prayer, Jesus, prophets and through the Bible 3. Jesus was man and God 4. Jesus died, was resurrected and then ascended into heaven 5. Salvation- by these actions of Jesus humanity is saved- we can go to Heaven after death

How do variants express these beliefs?  In common, they all worship/pray in their Sat/Sunday worship service because they believe those five beliefs, but over time, as the variants developed they have come to:  Empahsise some beliefs more than others in their services  Or, express the same beliefs in differing ways

What about the Catholic Mass? It expresses all the 5 beliefs and is sacramental (believes that God is really present through the physical symbols and actions in the Mass) The 2 nd Vatican Council says Christ is present in the laity, priest, scripture readings and Eucharist The Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy states “ Christ is always present in the Mass….for He ( God) promised “ where two or three are gathered in my name, then I am in the midst of them” Matt 18: 20

Evidence of these beliefs in Mass include: Action Belief  Intro/sign of the cross  Penitential rite  Liturgy of the Word  Liturgy of the Eucharist Concluding Rites  Trinitatian God  Salvation- we are saved if we admit sin and ask God’s forgivenss  Jesus- man and God, died and was resurrected, way to Salvation, Revealed in the Bible,  God, Jesus man and God, died and was resurrected, way to Salvation, Revealed in the Bible.  Real Presence  Salvation- we are now able to be at peace and of service and apply the beleifs in our lives.

Quotes “ The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life” ( Lumen Gentium, Constitution of the Church” “ The Liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed…it is also the fount from which all her powers flow” Lumen Gentium, Constitution of the Church” Lord by your cross and resurrection you have set us free, you are the saviour of the world” ( words from the Catholic Mass) “This is my body which is given to you. Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19 said in the Eucharistic Prayer in Mass

What about a non sacramental variant such as the Pentecostals? Actions Beliefs  Unstructured service, with much emphasis on preaching singing, and emotional connection to God  Laying on the hands, adult baptism, glossolia ( praying in tongues)  No communion service  God- most especially the inspiring power of the Holy Spirit, who helped the disciples to preach and convert others and feel the presence of God  Again, reflects on the Holy Spirit and the belief that salvation is through faith and a personal experience  Don’

CHRISTIAN CHURCH PERSPECTIVES METHODIST CHURCHPROTESTANT  “We need to provide better care for the dying rather than kill them off early” Methodist Conference 1974  "I sincerely believe that those who come after us will wonder why on earth we kept a human being alive against his will, when all the dignity, beauty and meaning of life had vanished; when any gain to anyone was clearly impossible and when we should have been punished by the state if we had kept an animal in similar conditions.” Dr. Leslie Weatherhead (leader of the Methodist church).  Varied arguments  Similar view to Catholics  Liberal Protestants – pro some forms of euthansia, a ‘love’ response to the person suffering.