Jesus & Scripture (AQA GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Note
Exam code: 8063
Jesus as the fulfilment of the law
The Old Testament relates how God gave Moses the rules the Jewish people were to live by, including the Ten Commandments. This is what is known as the Old Testament law
However, the Jews did not always obey God’s laws
Jesus is seen as the fulfilment of the Old Testament law because he is God made human (incarnate) and, therefore, is a perfect human being
Jesus himself said that he was the fulfilment of the Old Testament law. He said:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil.” (Matthew 5:17)
Jesus taught his followers to have a new and deeper understanding of the law, to see it as not just about fulfilling commandments, but as having a change of attitude and living in a way that is pleasing to God
This involved teaching his followers about moral attitudes and how to act towards those in need
Jesus as an authoritative source for moral teaching
Jesus built on and developed the Jewish law given to Moses through his own teaching
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus outlined his new approach to the Old Testament laws
The Old Testament law focused on the actions people should take or avoid to be righteous
Jesus’s new approach focused on the attitudes people should have towards others, which would lead to the right actions
The first part of the Sermon on the Mount is known as the Beatitudes
“He began to speak, and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’” (Matthew 5:1–12)
The word “Beatitude” comes from the Latin beatus, meaning to be blessed and happy
Jesus taught his followers the attitudes they should adopt towards other people to be blessed by God, such as seeking peace, having mercy and remaining pure in heart
Jesus promised rewards for each attitude he praised
This perfected the Old Testament law because Jesus showed people how to live a life pleasing to God. The Beatitudes focus on having the correct attitudes, not just avoiding wrong actions. For example, the Old Testament law commanded:
“Do not kill”, but the Beatitudes required believers to avoid being angry with their neighbour
“Do not commit adultery”, but the Beatitudes required believers to remain pure in heart
Although these may seem more challenging for believers, Jesus taught that this was how they should seek and draw closer to the Kingdom of God
Jesus's teaching about those in need
The parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31–46) focuses on how Christians should respond to those in need
In this parable, Jesus uses the example of a shepherd who separates his sheep from his goats to help his followers understand how to treat others in a way that pleases God
Jesus teaches that by caring for and helping others in need, his followers are serving God
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:35–36)
This attitude towards other people is extremely important. In the parable, those who help others are rewarded with eternal life in heaven
Christians today have the same duty to respond with love and care to those in need. They should:
Feed the hungry
Give water to the thirsty
Welcome strangers
Give clothes to those who have none
Visit the sick
Visit prisoners
Worked Example
Give two teachings of Jesus that show his authority in moral matters.
[2 marks]
Answer:
The Beatitudes teach attitudes such as mercy and peace. [1 mark]
The parable of the Sheep and Goats teaches about helping those in need. [1 mark]
Examiner Tips and Tricks
For a 2-mark “Give” question, you gain 1 mark per correct point. You don’t need to explain your answers in detail. In examples such as the one given above, including a short identifying phrase shows the examiner that you understand how the teaching is linked to Jesus’s authority in moral matters.
Always make sure your two points are different and clearly linked to the question.
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