Christianity 2E Flashcards
Qualities valued in an early Christian community
Devotion to apostles’ teaching and fellowshipSharing resources and caring for one another’s needsRegular worship, prayer, and breaking of breadLiving with glad and sincere hearts, praising God together
Expected behaviors in an early Christian community
Studying and applying apostles’ teachingsSupporting one another spiritually, emotionally, and materiallyPracticing generosity and selflessnessActive participation in communal worship and prayerDemonstrating joy and gratitude in all circumstances
Actions of the early Christian community
Devoted themselves to apostles’ teaching and fellowshipShared possessions and resources to help those in needGathered regularly for worship, prayer, and breaking of breadCelebrated the Lord’s Supper with thanksgivingPraised God together, inviting others to join in faith
Interpretation of “They had all things in common
It reflects voluntary sharing among early Christians, not religious communism, with distributions based on individual needs, not compulsory redistribution
Purpose of Community Sharing
Reflects a voluntary, loving, and selfless disposition guided by the Holy Spirit to care for less fortunate colleagues, with distributions made according to individual needs.
Ownership of Property in Early Christian Community,
Some believers owned property, indicating communal life was not compulsory for all Christians, and there’s no suggestion of class warfare or confiscation of property.
Duration of the Early Christian Community’s Practices
Nowhere in the New Testament is there mention of a similar community to the one at Jerusalem, suggesting it may have been restricted to the earliest years of Christianity and might have been a temporary experiment.
,Outcome of the Early Christian Community’s Practices
Nowhere in the New Testament is there mention of a similar community to the one at Jerusalem, suggesting it may have been restricted to the earliest years of Christianity and might have been a temporary experiment.
Purpose of the Contemporary Christian Church
To worship God, administer sacraments, evangelize the world, and serve as a sign and instrument of the Kingdom of God.
Beliefs of Contemporary Christian Denominations
Basic beliefs include Jesus as the Messiah, his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and role in forgiveness of sins, despite denominational differences
The Church as a Sacrament
The Church is considered a sacrament itself, a visible sign of God’s grace, through which people make contact with the risen Jesus and live in fellowship with one another.
Sacraments in Different Christian Traditions
Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches recognize 7 sacraments, while Protestants generally acknowledge 2 (Baptism and Eucharist), or in some cases 3 (including confession).
Mission and Outreach of the Church
The Church serves as an instrument of God’s grace, working for peace, charity, justice, and mercy, responding to natural and man-made crises, supporting refugees, and empowering vulnerable communities worldwide.
Role of Lifestyle in Outreach
Acts 2:46 demonstrates that the lifestyle of the early Christian community itself served as a form of outreach, attracting others to faith through their actions as well as their message.
