3.1.4
Redemption
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Redemption
Catholics believe in Jesus as the Redeemer, or saviour, of human beings.

Act of redemption
- This is made possible because he was God made man and was therefore sinless.
- In this way, Christians believe he was able to take upon himself the sins of all people and suffer in their place, freeing them from sin.
- This act is called redemption (the act of being saved from sin).

Jesus' death
- Jesus’ death is considered an act of self-sacrifice because Jesus freely chose to die, even though he was sinless.
- As an act of love for all human beings, it made up for all their sins.
- It was also an act of obedience to God’s will which made up for the disobedience shown by Adam and Eve, and by all human beings.
- Jesus’ violent, innocent death is considered an example of God’s grace; his free gift to all humanity.

Quotes about Jesus' death
- ‘The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ [Matthew 20:28 NIV]
- ‘The redemption won by Christ consists in this, that he came to give his life as a ransom for many.’ [CCC 622]

Jesus' resurrection
- By rising from the dead Jesus conquered death, and this meant that human beings were once again able to receive eternal life in heaven.
- Resurrection signifies new life and a new life of grace between human beings and God.
- All Christians believe they share in this new life and are brothers and sisters in Jesus.
- Paul says that the belief in the resurrection is the foundation of all Christian teaching (I Corinthians 15:14).

Jesus' ascension
- Many Catholics believe that Jesus descended into hell after he died (known as the ‘Harrowing of Hell’), but was then resurrected from the dead on the third day, before finally going up to heaven. This is called the ascension.
- For many Catholics, the ascension confirms that all believers can hope to follow Jesus one day and live with God in heaven.
1Buddhism
1.1Key Beliefs
1.2Practices
2Christianity
2.1Key Beliefs
2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3Worship & Festivals
3Catholicism (Christianity)
3.1Key Beliefs
3.2The Seven Sacraments
4Islam
4.1Key Beliefs
4.2Authority
5Judaism
5.1Key Beliefs
5.2Covenant & The Mitzvot
Jump to other topics
1Buddhism
1.1Key Beliefs
1.2Practices
2Christianity
2.1Key Beliefs
2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3Worship & Festivals
3Catholicism (Christianity)
3.1Key Beliefs
3.2The Seven Sacraments
4Islam
4.1Key Beliefs
4.2Authority
5Judaism
5.1Key Beliefs
5.2Covenant & The Mitzvot
Practice questions on Redemption
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1Complete these quotes about Jesus' death:Fill in the list
- 2What do Catholics think of Jesus' death?Fill in the list
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