J2: Community and Tradition
Revision Notes for Edexcel Religious Studies

Notes
• When answering “Explain” questions,
always remember to include your BCG:
• B - What does the Bible say?
• C - The Catechism or the Creeds
• G - The example of God the Son (Jesus)

2.1 Church: Means to Faith and
Salvation
• Salvation:
• Faith:
1. Apostolic Succession 1. Baptism - possibility of
being saved
2. Proclaiming the Gospel
2. Confirmation - full member
of church
3. Pope and bishops interpret
Bible and Tradition for
today 3. Reconciliation - absolution
for sins
4. Teaches faith in homilies,
children’s liturgies etc 4. Mass - receive body and
blood of Jesus
5. Sacraments

2.2 Church is ONE
1. God is a unity, so his church must be one
2. One Lord, Jesus Christ
3. One baptism for the forgiveness of sins
4. One Holy Spirit to inspire
5. One faith: Apostles’ Creed

2.2 Church is HOLY
1. God made the Church, so it must be holy
2. Christ gave his life to make Church holy
3. Church is devoted to God
4. Church is guided by the Holy Spirit
5. Sacraments bring God’s grace to
humanity

2.2 Church is CATHOLIC
1. Christianity is for the whole world
2. There are Christians all over the world
3. Christian message can be understood
by anyone
4. Cardinals from every continent

2.2 Church is APOSTOLIC
1. Founded by the Apostles
2. Teaches what the Apostles taught
3. Bishops are the successors of the
Apostles
4. Authority of St Peter passed down to
the current Pope (Apostolic Succession)

2.3 Church is the Body of Christ
1. New Testament (1 Corinthians 12)
2. Baptised into the Body of Christ
3. Share Body of Christ in communion
4. Christians continue the work of Jesus on
earth
5. Christians perform different tasks but are a
unity

2.4 Church is Communion of Saints
1. Teaching of the Creeds and Catechism
2. Prayers offered through official saints in
heaven
3. No division between Christians living
on earth and living in heaven

2.5 Christian Ministry
(The role of bishops)
1. Responsible (with Pope) for establishing the
Magisterium
2. Only ones to administer Sacrament of Holy
Orders
3. Make sure diocese is following the faith of
the Church

2.5 Christian Ministry
(The role of priests)
1. Celebrate the Mass
2. Administer the other sacraments
3. Funerals; comfort the bereaved
4. Help Catholics with any problems
5. Material needs of the church building

2.5 Christian Ministry
(The role of deacons)
1. Appointed by the bishop
2. Can administer sacraments of baptism
and marriage
3. Can officiate at funerals
4. Proclaim the gospel reading and preach
at Mass
5. Visit the sick and help the needy

2.6 The role of the Laity
• Role: • Important because:
1. attend Mass weekly 1. Help others learn
about Chrisian faith
2. provide for upkeep
of church and priest 2. participate in
worship and
3. take the sacraments receive sacraments
4. lead good Christian 3. Body of Christ
lives
4. Organisation

2.7 The celibacy of the clergy
• For: • Against:
1. St Paul 1. St Peter
2. Example of Jesus 2. Can be devoted to
God and families
3. Devoted to God
3. Understanding
4. Free for Church married people’s
duties problems
5. Sacrifice their lives 4. Early priests

2.8 The ordination of women
• Catholic: Men and women are equal, but
only men can be priests (priest represents
Jesus, a man)
• Traditional Protestant: Women should not
speak in church (St Paul in 1 Timothy) so
only men should be priests or ministers
• Modern Protestant: Men and women are
equal, so both men and women can be
priests (Genesis, Galatians, Mary)

2.9 The Bible
• Records what Jesus said and did
• Contains God’s laws
• Contains teachings of Jesus on how to
live the Christian life
• Inspired by the Holy Spirit, therefore
reveals God

2.10 The Apostolic Tradition
• Message of the Church is the message
that Jesus gave his apostles
• Unbroken link between Church and
Jesus
• Explains why the Church has authority
to interpret the Bible for today
• Explains the authority of the Pope

2.11 The Magisterium
• It can address issues that did not exist in the
time of the Apostles
• Following the teachings of the Magisterium
can lead to salvation
• Clear guidelines for Catholics on what to
believe and how to behave
• Ensures that the teaching of the Church is
updated but not changed to something
unacceptable

2.12 The Papacy
• Responsible for the Magisterium and
therefore the teachings of the Church
• Head of the Church; appoints cardinals
and bishops
• Successor of St Peter
• Gives guidance to Catholics

2.13 The Virgin Mary
• Mary obeyed God’s plans for her
• Put God first and herself second
• A model of a pure life
• Showed love for Jesus and even shared
his suffering on the cross

Key Words
Learn all these words (2 marks each)

J1: Key Words
• Apostolic • Celibacy
• Catholic • Ordination
• Holy • Bible
• Body of Christ • Apostolic Succession
• Communion of Saints • Dogmas
• Bishops • Magisterium
• Deacons • Papacy
• Priests • Faith
• Laity

Exam Questions
(b) 6 marks - make 3 points

• Outline the role of the Pope.
• Outline the role of a priest.
• Outline the role of a bishop.
• Outline different Christian attitudes to the ordination of
women.
• Outline Catholic beliefs about the Magisterium.
• Outline the role of Mary for Catholics.

Exam Questions
(c) 8 marks - make 4 points (PEE)

• Explain why Christians believe that the Church is the means to faith.
• Explain why Christians believe that the Church is the means to salvation.
• Explain why Christians call the Church one and holy.
• Explain why Christians describe the Church as the Body of Christ.
• Explain what Christians mean by the Communion of Saints.
• Explain why there are different attitudes to the ordination of women in
Christianity.
• Explain why the Bible is important for Catholics.
• Explain why Mary is a role model for Christians.
• Explain why it is important for Catholics to show devotion to Mary.

Exam Questions
(d) 4 marks - 2 reasons for, 2 reasons against

• “The laity are just as important as
priests for the Catholic Church.”
• “Priests should be allowed to marry.”
• “Everybody should do what the Pope
says.”
• “Only those who belong to the Church
have the possibility of being saved.”