Christianity: Practices

What you'll learn

This guide covers Christian practices as examined in CIE IGCSE Religious Studies. You'll explore how Christians express their faith through worship, sacraments, festivals, and pilgrimage. Understanding these practices is essential for achieving top marks in questions about denominational differences and the significance of Christian rituals.

Key terms and definitions

Liturgical worship — structured worship following a set pattern, such as in Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches, often using written prayers and rituals

Non-liturgical worship — informal worship without a fixed structure, common in Pentecostal and some Baptist churches, emphasizing spontaneity and the Holy Spirit

Sacrament — an outward sign of an inward grace; Catholics and Orthodox recognize seven sacraments, while most Protestants recognize two (Baptism and Eucharist)

Eucharist — the sacrament commemorating the Last Supper, also called Holy Communion, Mass, or the Lord's Supper, involving bread and wine

Transubstantiation — the Catholic belief that bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ during Mass

Believer's baptism — baptism of adults or older children who can consciously profess faith, practiced by Baptists and Pentecostals through full immersion

Pilgrimage — a journey to a sacred place for spiritual purposes, such as Lourdes, Jerusalem, or Iona

Ecumenism — the movement promoting unity and cooperation between different Christian denominations

Core concepts

Worship practices

Christian worship varies significantly between denominations, but all forms aim to praise God, strengthen faith, and build community.

Liturgical worship characteristics:

• Follows the liturgical calendar (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost)
• Uses set prayers like the Nicene Creed and Lord's Prayer
• Incorporates rituals such as genuflection, kneeling, and making the sign of the cross
• Features clergy wearing vestments (special robes)
• Often includes Eucharist as the central act of worship
• Examples: Catholic Mass, Anglican Eucharist, Orthodox Divine Liturgy

Non-liturgical worship characteristics:

• Flexible structure allowing the Holy Spirit to guide proceedings
• Emphasis on Bible readings and lengthy sermons
• Spontaneous, extempore prayers from congregation members
• Contemporary worship music and praise songs
• Personal testimonies of faith
• Examples: Pentecostal services, some Baptist and Evangelical churches

Quaker worship represents a distinct form:

• Silent meetings where worshippers wait for the Holy Spirit
• No clergy, sacraments, or set liturgy
• Members speak only when moved by the Spirit
• Emphasis on inner light and direct relationship with God

Private worship complements communal services:

• Daily prayer and Bible study at home
• Use of devotional materials and prayer books
• Grace before meals
• Family worship and prayer

Sacraments and ordinances

The number and understanding of sacraments divides Christian denominations significantly.

Catholic and Orthodox: Seven Sacraments

1. Baptism — initiation into the Church, usually of infants
2. Confirmation — strengthening of faith, receiving the Holy Spirit
3. Eucharist — receiving Christ's body and blood
4. Reconciliation (Confession) — forgiveness of sins through a priest
5. Anointing of the Sick — spiritual healing for seriously ill
6. Marriage — sacramental union of man and woman
7. Holy Orders — ordination of priests, deacons, bishops

Protestant: Two Sacraments/Ordinances

Most Protestant denominations recognize only Baptism and Eucharist, as these were explicitly instituted by Jesus in the Gospels. Many Protestants call them "ordinances" rather than sacraments to emphasize they are symbolic acts of obedience rather than channels of grace.

Baptism

Baptism marks entry into the Christian community and symbolizes cleansing from sin.

Infant baptism (paedobaptism):

• Practiced by Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians
• Parents and godparents make promises on the child's behalf
• Water poured or sprinkled on the infant's head
• Based on belief in original sin requiring cleansing
• Links to household baptisms in Acts and covenant theology
• Child later confirms faith through Confirmation
• Emphasizes God's prevenient grace (grace coming before human response)

Believer's baptism:

• Practiced by Baptists, Pentecostals, and many Evangelical churches
• Candidates profess personal faith before baptism
• Full immersion in water symbolizing death and resurrection with Christ
• Based on New Testament examples (Jesus, Ethiopian eunuch)
• Emphasizes conscious decision and personal commitment
• Often occurs during Sunday service with whole congregation present
• Candidates usually wear white robes symbolizing purity

Theological significance of baptism:

• Washing away of sin
• Union with Christ's death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4)
• Receiving the Holy Spirit
• Joining the Body of Christ (the Church)
• Public declaration of faith

The Eucharist/Holy Communion

The Eucharist is the central act of worship for most Christians, commemorating the Last Supper.

Catholic understanding:

• Transubstantiation — bread and wine become Christ's actual body and blood
• Conducted by ordained priests only
• Called "Mass"
• Communicants must be in state of grace (confessed serious sins)
• Reserved for baptized Catholics
• Daily celebration possible

Orthodox understanding:

• Similar to Catholic but called "Divine Liturgy"
• Uses leavened bread (Catholics use unleavened)
• Wine mixed with warm water
• Mystery how bread and wine become body and blood
• Emphasis on mystical transformation

Protestant understandings:

• Consubstantiation (Lutheran) — Christ present "in, with, and under" bread and wine
• Memorial view (Baptist, Evangelical) — symbolic remembrance of Christ's sacrifice
• Spiritual presence (Reformed) — Christ spiritually present during communion
• Usually monthly or quarterly rather than weekly
• Often open to all believers regardless of denomination

Common elements across traditions:

• Bread (wafer, loaf, or unleavened bread)
• Wine or grape juice
• Words of institution from 1 Corinthians 11 or Gospel accounts
• Links to Jesus's command: "Do this in remembrance of me"

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage allows Christians to deepen faith, seek healing, or fulfil vows.

Major pilgrimage sites:

Lourdes, France:

• Where Bernadette Soubirous reported Marian apparitions (1858)
• Known for healing spring water
• Millions visit annually, many seriously ill or disabled
• Emphasizes Mary's intercession and miraculous healing
• Includes torchlight processions and Mass at the Grotto

Jerusalem and the Holy Land:

• Sites of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre (traditional site of crucifixion)
• Via Dolorosa (Jesus's path to crucifixion)
• Garden of Gethsemane
• Allows pilgrims to "walk where Jesus walked"

Rome, Italy:

• St Peter's Basilica (built over St Peter's tomb)
• Vatican City, center of Catholic Christianity
• Sites associated with early martyrs
• Papal audiences available

Iona, Scotland:

• Island monastery founded by St Columba (6th century)
• Ecumenical Christian community
• Popular with British Protestants
• Emphasis on Celtic Christianity and spiritual retreat

Santiago de Compostela, Spain:

• Shrine of St James the Apostle
• Medieval pilgrimage route (Camino de Santiago)
• Growing popularity among modern pilgrims

Reasons for pilgrimage:

• Seeking spiritual renewal and closeness to God
• Requesting healing or giving thanks for healing received
• Fulfilling a vow or penance
• Learning about Christian history and heritage
• Meeting fellow believers from worldwide Church
• Experiencing sacred sites first-hand

Protestant attitudes to pilgrimage:

• Many Protestants reject pilgrimage as unbiblical
• Concern about superstition and veneration of saints
• However, Holy Land pilgrimages widely accepted
• Growing interest in Celtic Christianity and retreat centers

Christian festivals

The Church year structures Christian worship around key events in Jesus's life.

Christmas (25 December):

• Celebrates Jesus's birth (the Incarnation)
• Preceded by Advent (four weeks of preparation)
• Midnight Mass in Catholic and Anglican churches
• Nativity plays depicting birth narrative
• Carols, Christmas trees, gift-giving
• Emphasizes God becoming human
• Twelve Days of Christmas conclude with Epiphany (6 January)

Easter (movable feast, March/April):

• Celebrates Jesus's resurrection
• Most important Christian festival
• Preceded by Lent (40 days of fasting and preparation)
• Holy Week includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday
• Easter Vigil (Saturday night) in liturgical churches
• Sunrise services in some traditions
• Easter eggs symbolize new life
• Emphasizes victory over sin and death

Pentecost (50 days after Easter):

• Celebrates coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles
• Birth of the Church
• Particularly important in Pentecostal churches
• Red vestments/decorations symbolizing Holy Spirit's fire
• Readings from Acts 2

Ascension (40 days after Easter):

• Commemorates Jesus's ascension to heaven
• Often overlooked in non-liturgical churches
• Emphasizes Jesus's divine nature and heavenly reign

Other significant days:

• Ash Wednesday — beginning of Lent, marked with ash crosses
• Palm Sunday — Jesus's entry into Jerusalem
• Maundy Thursday — Last Supper and foot-washing
• Good Friday — crucifixion and death of Jesus
• All Saints' Day (1 November) — remembering faithful Christians
• Epiphany — visit of the Magi, or Jesus's baptism

Variations in observance:

• Catholic and Orthodox churches celebrate all festivals liturgically
• Protestant churches vary: Anglicans observe most; some Evangelicals only Christmas and Easter
• Jehovah's Witnesses reject all festivals as pagan
• Some Puritanical traditions historically rejected Christmas

Prayer and the Bible

Prayer and Bible study form the foundation of Christian spiritual life.

Types of prayer (ACTS acronym):

• Adoration — praising God's nature and attributes
• Confession — admitting sins and seeking forgiveness
• Thanksgiving — expressing gratitude for blessings
• Supplication — asking for needs (intercession for others, petition for self)

The Lord's Prayer:

• Taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13
• Used in virtually all Christian worship
• Addresses God as Father, asks for daily needs, forgiveness, protection
• Model prayer demonstrating priorities

Prayer practices:

• Set times (morning/evening prayer, grace before meals)
• Prayer beads/rosary (Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican)
• Contemplative prayer and meditation
• Charismatic prayer (speaking in tongues, prophecy)
• Corporate prayer in services

The Bible in Christian life:

• Authority for belief and practice
• Public reading in worship services
• Lectionary (set readings for each Sunday) in liturgical churches
• Personal daily Bible reading and study
• Bible study groups
• Memorization of key verses
• Different translations used (NIV, NRSV, KJV, The Message)

Worked examples

Example 1: (d) question (6 marks)

Question: Explain the importance of baptism for Christians.

Model answer:

Baptism is important because it marks entry into the Christian community and the worldwide Church. When someone is baptized, they become part of the Body of Christ and join Christians throughout history. This gives them a sense of belonging and identity as a Christian.

Baptism is also important because it symbolizes the washing away of sin. For Catholics and Orthodox Christians, baptism removes original sin, which is why they baptize infants. This cleansing allows the person to have a fresh start in their relationship with God.

Furthermore, baptism represents dying and rising with Christ. St Paul teaches in Romans 6 that going under the water symbolizes dying to the old sinful life, and emerging from the water represents rising to new life with Christ. This shows baptism's connection to Jesus's death and resurrection, the central events of Christian faith.

Examiner commentary: This answer demonstrates three distinct points with development, including biblical reference and denominational awareness. Each paragraph explains one reason clearly with theological understanding.

Example 2: (e) question (8 marks)

Question: "Christians should only practice believer's baptism." Discuss this statement. Give your own opinion and show you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer.

Model answer:

Some Christians agree with this statement because believer's baptism follows the biblical pattern more closely. In the New Testament, people were baptized after hearing the gospel and making a personal decision to follow Jesus, as seen with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Baptists argue that baptism should be a conscious choice that demonstrates genuine faith, not something done to infants who cannot understand it.

Additionally, believer's baptism by full immersion better symbolizes the meaning of baptism. Romans 6 describes baptism as being buried with Christ and raised to new life, which full immersion demonstrates more clearly than sprinkling water on a baby's head. This makes the symbolism more powerful and meaningful for the individual.

However, many Christians disagree because infant baptism has been practiced since the early Church. Catholics and Anglicans point to household baptisms in Acts and argue that God's grace comes before human response. They believe babies should receive baptism to remove original sin and be welcomed into God's family from the start, with parents and godparents nurturing their faith until confirmation.

Furthermore, infant baptism emphasizes God's initiative rather than human choice. It demonstrates that salvation is a gift of grace, not something earned through our decision. This reflects the theological understanding that God loves us before we can love Him back.

In my opinion, both forms of baptism are valid because they emphasize different important aspects of faith. Believer's baptism stresses personal commitment, while infant baptism stresses God's prevenient grace. What matters most is that baptism leads to a genuine, living faith in Christ.

Examiner commentary: This balanced answer presents arguments for both sides with theological depth and biblical references. The personal conclusion is reasoned and refers back to Christianity. Demonstrates understanding of denominational differences.

Example 3: (c) question (4 marks)

Question: Describe what happens during a Eucharist service.

Model answer:

During a Eucharist service, bread and wine are consecrated by a priest or minister. The words of institution from the Last Supper are spoken, recalling Jesus's command to "do this in remembrance of me."

The congregation then comes forward to receive the bread (usually a wafer in Catholic churches or piece of bread in Protestant churches) and wine or grape juice. Catholics believe this becomes Christ's actual body and blood through transubstantiation, while Protestants generally see it as symbolic.

Before receiving communion, worshippers may confess their sins and affirm their faith through creeds. The service concludes with prayers of thanksgiving and a blessing.

Examiner commentary: This descriptive answer covers the key stages without unnecessary detail, showing understanding of both Catholic and Protestant practice. Appropriate for 4 marks.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing denominations — Don't assume all Christians practice the same way. Clearly specify "Catholics believe..." or "Baptists practice..." when discussing differences. The examiner wants to see you understand denominational diversity.

• Vague statements about significance — Avoid writing "Baptism is important because it's a sacrament." Instead, explain why it matters: "Baptism is important because it symbolizes the washing away of sin and marks entry into the Church community."

• Ignoring the Bible — Christian practices are rooted in Scripture. Reference biblical passages where relevant (e.g., Matthew 28:19 for baptism, 1 Corinthians 11 for Eucharist) to strengthen answers and show deeper understanding.

• Descriptive answers when evaluation is required — (e) questions require discussion of different viewpoints and your reasoned opinion. Don't just describe what Christians do; analyze why they do it and present contrasting perspectives with supporting reasons.

• Incorrect terminology — Use precise terms: "transubstantiation" not "the bread turns into Jesus," "liturgical worship" not "formal worship," "believer's baptism" not "adult baptism." Accurate terminology demonstrates expertise.

• One-sided evaluation — Even if you hold strong personal views, (e) questions require balanced discussion. Present at least two perspectives before giving your reasoned conclusion. Use phrases like "However, some Christians would argue..."

Exam technique for "Christianity: Practices"

• (a) questions (1 mark) — Single word or phrase answers. Define terms precisely or give a specific example. No explanation needed.

• (b) questions (2 marks) — Two distinct points or one point with brief development. Use bullet points in practice to ensure you give two separate pieces of information.

• (c) questions (4 marks) — Describe what happens or what something is. Four developed points or fewer points with more detail. Focus on accurate description without evaluation.

• (d) questions (6 marks) — Explain why or how something is important/significant. Three points with development or two points with fuller explanation. Include reasons, biblical references, and theological concepts. Link points to show understanding.

• (e) questions (8 marks) — Discuss/evaluate different viewpoints and give your reasoned opinion. Structure: two arguments for, two arguments against, conclusion. Use evaluative language ("However," "On the other hand," "This suggests"). Your opinion must be supported with reasoning and refer to Christianity.

Quick revision summary

Christianity encompasses diverse worship practices from formal liturgical services to spontaneous charismatic gatherings. Sacraments—especially Baptism (infant or believer's) and Eucharist—express core theological beliefs differently across denominations. The Church year structures Christian life around festivals celebrating Jesus's birth (Christmas), resurrection (Easter), and the Holy Spirit (Pentecost). Pilgrimage to sites like Lourdes and Jerusalem deepens faith through encounter with sacred history. Prayer and Bible study form the foundation of individual devotion, while corporate worship builds Christian community. Understanding these practices requires recognizing significant denominational differences while appreciating the shared faith that unites all Christians.