What are the core beliefs and teachings of Christianity studied in Unit 1 Part A?
Christianity core beliefs and teachings for Unit 1 Part A: the nature of God (omnipotent, loving, just), the Trinity, creation and the Word, the Incarnation, the life and teaching of Jesus, the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, salvation, grace and atonement, and beliefs about life after death (judgement, heaven and hell).
A focused answer on Christian beliefs and teachings for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1 Part A, covering the nature of God, the Trinity, creation, the Incarnation and Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection, salvation and atonement, and beliefs about life after death.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Have a quick question? Jump to the Q&A page
Jump to a section
What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers the core beliefs and teachings of Christianity studied in Unit 1, Part A. You need to explain the nature of God, the Trinity, creation, the Incarnation and the life and teaching of Jesus, the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, salvation, grace and atonement, and Christian beliefs about life after death. The exam rewards accurate belief plus sources of wisdom (the Bible), so learn a short quotation or reference for each idea.
The nature of God and the Trinity
Creation and the Incarnation
The life, death and resurrection of Jesus
Salvation, grace and the atonement
Beliefs about life after death
Try this
Q1. What is the Incarnation? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The belief that God the Son became human in Jesus, fully God and fully man, born of the Virgin Mary (John 1, "the Word became flesh").
Q2. Explain why the resurrection is important to Christians. [Short explanation]
- Cue. It shows that Jesus defeated death, confirms he is the Son of God, brings salvation and gives believers the hope of eternal life, which is why it is celebrated at Easter.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC Unit 1 (a)2 marksWhat is meant by the 'Trinity'?Show worked answer →
The short (a) question (AO1). Give a clear, accurate definition and add one developing point.
Definition. The Trinity is the Christian belief that there is one God in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit.
Develop it. The three Persons are distinct but are one God, equal and eternal, sharing one divine nature.
Top marks. An accurate definition plus one developed point earns both marks.
WJEC Unit 1 (b)5 marksDescribe Christian beliefs about the resurrection of Jesus.Show worked answer →
The (b) describe question (AO1). Reward developed, accurate description with sources of wisdom.
Point one. Christians believe that Jesus was crucified, died and was buried, and that on the third day God raised him from the dead, found by the women at the empty tomb.
Point two. The risen Jesus appeared to his disciples before ascending to heaven, which the Gospels and St Paul (1 Corinthians 15) present as the foundation of the faith.
Point three. The resurrection shows Christians that death is defeated and gives them hope of eternal life, celebrated every Easter.
Top band. Developed points with accurate reference to scripture or belief.
Related dot points
- Islam core beliefs and teachings for Unit 1 Part A: the nature of Allah and Tawhid, the Six Beliefs of Sunni Islam (with the Five Roots of Shi'a Islam), angels and predestination, prophethood and Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets, the Qur'an and other holy books, and akhirah (life after death, the Day of Judgement, paradise and hell).
A focused answer on Muslim beliefs and teachings for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1 Part A, covering Tawhid and the nature of Allah, the Six Beliefs and Five Roots, angels and predestination, prophethood and Muhammad, the Qur'an, and akhirah (life after death).
- Issues of Life and Death (Unit 1, Theme 1): the origins of the universe and of human life (creation and scientific views), the value and sanctity of life and quality of life, abortion, euthanasia, and beliefs about life after death, including religious and non-religious (atheist and Humanist) responses.
A focused answer on the philosophical theme Issues of Life and Death for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1, covering the origins of the universe and humanity, the sanctity and quality of life, abortion, euthanasia and life after death, with religious and non-religious responses.
- Issues of Good and Evil (Unit 1, Theme 2): the problem of evil and suffering, sources of moral authority and goodness, crime and the causes of crime, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and reconciliation, and the death penalty (capital punishment), including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the philosophical theme Issues of Good and Evil for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1, covering the problem of evil and suffering, sources of morality, crime and punishment, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and the death penalty, with religious and non-religious responses.
- Christianity practices for Unit 2 Part A: forms of worship and prayer, the sacraments (baptism and the Eucharist), the role and importance of the Church and the local community, the major festivals (Christmas and Easter), pilgrimage, and mission and charity (evangelism and helping others).
A focused answer on Christian practices for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2 Part A, covering worship and prayer, the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist, the role of the Church, the festivals of Christmas and Easter, pilgrimage, and mission and charity.
- The WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure: the two units (Religion and Philosophical Themes; Religion and Ethical Themes), the Part A and Part B division, the (a) to (d) question ladder and its mark tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 assessment objectives, the use of sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the extended evaluation question.
A focused guide to the WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure and question types, covering the two units, Part A and Part B, the (a) to (d) question ladder and tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 objectives, sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the evaluation question.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Religious Studies specification (3120) — WJEC (2017)