Imp Facts from Acts

Question 1

Galilee

Answer 1

N/ern region of Palestine. Most synoptic tradition, where J carried out greater part of public ministry

Question 2

Samaria

Answer 2

Central region of Palestine

Question 3

Judea

Answer 3

S/ern region of Palestine: Jerusalem cap

Question 4

Sea of Galilee

Answer 4

J public ministry occurred here: 1. Miraculous catch of fish 2. Vision of J walking thru water 3. J calming storm

Question 5

Jordan River

Answer 5

Major river in ancient Palestine linking 2 lakes, sea of Galilee and Dead Sea (Salt Sea)

Question 6

Antioch, Syria

Answer 6

3rd largest city in Roman Empire, place where followers of J 1st called Christians

Question 7

Acts of Apostles

Answer 7

Companion piece to Gospel of Luke, describes growth of early church under inspiration of HS “Acts of HS”

Question 8

Theophilus

Answer 8

Name of person to whom Gospel of Luke & Acts of Apostles are addressed

Question 9

Sanhedrin

Answer 9

Council of Jew leaders. Handled matters of doctrinal, judicial, and administrative character

Question 10

Pharisees

Answer 10

Lay teachers who were strict observers of law

Question 11

Sadducees

Answer 11

Jew religious sect: Wealthy ruling class of priests who denied the resurrection and didn’t believe in Angels. Strictly adhered to Torah (unlike Pharisees, not oral tradition)

Question 12

Zealot

Answer 12

Jew who committed to violent overthrow of Roman rulers of Palestine and was engaged in political agitation

Question 13

Samaritans

Answer 13

Despised distant cousins of Jews. Descended from intermarriage between Israelites and Assyrians

Question 14

The Way

Answer 14

Orig given to followers of J before they received name “Christian” in Antioch 10 yrs later

Question 15

Hellenists

Answer 15

Palestinians who spoke only Greek

Question 16

Hebrews

Answer 16

Palestinian Jews who spoke Hebrew/Aramaic and may have also spoken Greek

Question 17

Gentiles

Answer 17

Non Jews. Considered unclean b/c didn’t follow strict laws of Jews regarding circumcision and dietary laws

Question 18

Pentecost

Answer 18

Orig Jew harvest festival (Feast of Booths). Coming of HS, Birthday of Church. 50 days after Resurrection

Question 19

Signs of HS

Answer 19

1. Strong wind heralded new action of God in salvation 2. Fire symbolized presence of God to initiate covenant (tongues of fire)

Question 20

Charism

Answer 20

“Gift” of HS (gift of tongues, preaching, healing, wisdom)

Question 21

Repentance

Answer 21

Signifies change of mind/heart (metanoia). Necessary condition for baptism

Question 22

Matthias

Answer 22

Apostle chosen to replace Judas, the traitor

Question 23

Herod the Great

Answer 23

King of Judea at time of J’s birth, ordered slaughter of innocent children in Bethlehem. Began reign in 37 BCE died in 4 BCE

Question 24

Herod Antipas (Tetrarch)

Answer 24

Son of Herod the Great, became ruler of Galilee and Perea. Had John the Baptist executed and questioned J after his arrest

Question 25

Herod Agrippa

Answer 25

Ruled Judea from 41-44 CE. Had Apostle James, bro of John executed, ordered arrest of Peter

Question 26

Simon the Magician

Answer 26

Samaritan who tried to buy a gift from Peter in exchange for money

Question 27

Cornelius

Answer 27

Roman army cap, Peter baptized him even tho Gentile. Sign that God had poured out his gift of HS on Gentiles

Question 28

Barnabas

Answer 28

Traveling companion of Paul on his 1st journey

Question 29

Silas

Answer 29

Accompanied Paul on 2nd and 3rd journey

Question 30

John Mark

Answer 30

Mark. Gospel of Mark attributed to him. Traveled w/ Paul on his 1st journey, abandoned them in Paphos. Disciples often met in his mom’s house in Jerusalem

Question 31

Simon Peter

Answer 31

Peter: Rock. Emerges as leader of early church

Question 32

James of Jerusalem

Answer 32

Called “Bro of the Lord”, head of community in Jerusalem

Question 33

Gamaliel

Answer 33

Pharisee who counseled tolerance toward the new sect of Christians

Question 34

Stephen

Answer 34

1st Christian Martyr

Question 35

Phoebe

Answer 35

Woman deacon mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Romans

Question 36

Lydia

Answer 36

Wealthy woman (traded purple cloth) who offered hospitality to Paul

Question 37

Priscilla and Aquila

Answer 37

Wife and husband who were tentmakers like Paul and worked w/ him in his ministry

Question 38

Martyrs

Answer 38

Ppl who gave up their life for their faith in God/other cause

Question 39

Hebrews

Answer 39

Palestinian Jew who spoke Hebrew/Aramaic, may have spoken Greek

Question 40

Gentiles

Answer 40

Non Jews; Considered unclean b/c they didn’t follow strict laws of Jews regarding circumcision and dietary laws

Question 41

Circumcision

Answer 41

Sign of covenant between God and Jews, required for Jew males

Question 42

Council of Jerusalem

Answer 42

Council which met in Jerusalem in 49 CE. Council resolved “Gentile Question”

Question 43

Temple

Answer 43

Center of Jew worship, located in Jerusalem. Only place where sacrifice was offered

Question 44

Synagogue

Answer 44

Minor place of assembly, used for less solemn religious fxns (schools, libraries, halls of judgement)

Question 45

Diaspora (Dispersion)

Answer 45

Refers to Jews who were scattered thru/o pagan regions of Roman Empire (and world)

Question 46

Blasphemy

Answer 46

Act showing contempt/lack of reverence for God. Incl claiming to have attributes of God

Question 47

Deacon

Answer 47

In early church, Deacon served as Bishop. Women served as Deacons thru 5th C. Initially, 7 chosen to serve in this office

Question 48

Laying on of Hands

Answer 48

Customary Jewish way of designating a person for a specific task/invoking upon them a divine blessing and power to perform the task