Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

A Christian leader whose role involves caring for a congregation, commonly used as a title in Protestant churches.

Care and guidance that respond to people's practical, emotional and spiritual needs.

A plate used to hold the bread which is consecrated as Christ’s body during the Eucharist.

A founding ancestor of the Jewish people. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are Judaism’s patriarchs.

A movement that emerged in the United States in the early twentieth century, emphasising baptism in the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts such as prophecy, healing and speaking in tongues.

The community called by God to belong to him, love others and carry out his mission.

A Qur’anic designation for communities with earlier revealed scriptures, particularly Jews and Christians.

A collection of rabbinic ethical teachings within the Mishnah, also spelt Pirkei Avot and commonly translated as ‘Ethics of the Fathers’.

Christians who face discrimination, restrictions, imprisonment or violence because of their faith.

Unfair treatment or suffering inflicted on people because of their beliefs or identity.

Continuing to act faithfully despite difficulties, opposition or slow progress.

In teaching about the Trinity, a distinct divine identity: the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit. Each is fully God, not a separate god or a part of God.

The ability and freedom to make decisions about one’s own life.

An understanding of God as having qualities and intentions and being someone with whom worshippers can have a relationship.

Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Messiah in Mark 8:29. Here, ‘confession’ means a statement of belief, not an admission of wrongdoing.

Prayer asking God for help with personal needs.

A member of a Jewish religious movement concerned with faithful observance of the law and traditions explaining how to apply it.

The Jewish principle that preserving human life takes priority over almost all other religious duties.

A journey to a place of religious importance, often made to express or deepen faith.

Unaccompanied singing of a sacred text using a single melodic line.

Writing that uses carefully chosen language, imagery, rhythm or other patterns to communicate meaning and feeling.

Having more than one spouse at the same time. Polygyny specifically means a man having more than one wife.

The exercise of the Church’s teaching authority by the Pope.

The Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, understood by Catholics as the successor of Peter.

An expression of religious devotion, practised individually or communally, that extends the Church's liturgical life without replacing it.

An action intended to reduce suffering or help someone cope with it, such as prayer or charitable giving.

Material nature: the changing physical world and, in many Hindu philosophical systems, the mind, senses and emotions.