Imp Facts from Acts Flashcards
Galilee
N/ern region of Palestine. Most synoptic tradition, where J carried out greater part of public ministry
Samaria
Central region of Palestine
Judea
S/ern region of Palestine: Jerusalem cap
Sea of Galilee
J public ministry occurred here: 1. Miraculous catch of fish 2. Vision of J walking thru water 3. J calming storm
Jordan River
Major river in ancient Palestine linking 2 lakes, sea of Galilee and Dead Sea (Salt Sea)
Antioch, Syria
3rd largest city in Roman Empire, place where followers of J 1st called Christians
Acts of Apostles
Companion piece to Gospel of Luke, describes growth of early church under inspiration of HS “Acts of HS”
Theophilus
Name of person to whom Gospel of Luke & Acts of Apostles are addressed
Sanhedrin
Council of Jew leaders. Handled matters of doctrinal, judicial, and administrative character
Pharisees
Lay teachers who were strict observers of law
Sadducees
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)
Zealot
Jew who committed to violent overthrow of Roman rulers of Palestine and was engaged in political agitation
Samaritans
Despised distant cousins of Jews. Descended from intermarriage between Israelites and Assyrians
The Way
Orig given to followers of J before they received name “Christian” in Antioch 10 yrs later
Hellenists
Palestinians who spoke only Greek
Hebrews
Palestinian Jews who spoke Hebrew/Aramaic and may have also spoken Greek
Gentiles
Non Jews. Considered unclean b/c didn’t follow strict laws of Jews regarding circumcision and dietary laws
Pentecost
Orig Jew harvest festival (Feast of Booths). Coming of HS, Birthday of Church. 50 days after Resurrection
Signs of HS
- Strong wind heralded new action of God in salvation 2. Fire symbolized presence of God to initiate covenant (tongues of fire)
Charism
“Gift” of HS (gift of tongues, preaching, healing, wisdom)
Repentance
Signifies change of mind/heart (metanoia). Necessary condition for baptism
Matthias
Apostle chosen to replace Judas, the traitor
Herod the Great
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
Herod Antipas (Tetrarch)
Son of Herod the Great, became ruler of Galilee and Perea. Had John the Baptist executed and questioned J after his arrest
Herod Agrippa
Ruled Judea from 41-44 CE. Had Apostle James, bro of John executed, ordered arrest of Peter
Simon the Magician
Samaritan who tried to buy a gift from Peter in exchange for money
Cornelius
Roman army cap, Peter baptized him even tho Gentile. Sign that God had poured out his gift of HS on Gentiles
Barnabas
Traveling companion of Paul on his 1st journey
Silas
Accompanied Paul on 2nd and 3rd journey
John Mark
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
Simon Peter
Peter: Rock. Emerges as leader of early church
James of Jerusalem
Called “Bro of the Lord”, head of community in Jerusalem
Gamaliel
Pharisee who counseled tolerance toward the new sect of Christians
Stephen
1st Christian Martyr
Phoebe
Woman deacon mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Romans
Lydia
Wealthy woman (traded purple cloth) who offered hospitality to Paul
Priscilla and Aquila
Wife and husband who were tentmakers like Paul and worked w/ him in his ministry
Martyrs
Ppl who gave up their life for their faith in God/other cause
Hebrews
Palestinian Jew who spoke Hebrew/Aramaic, may have spoken Greek
Gentiles
Non Jews; Considered unclean b/c they didn’t follow strict laws of Jews regarding circumcision and dietary laws
Circumcision
Sign of covenant between God and Jews, required for Jew males
Council of Jerusalem
Council which met in Jerusalem in 49 CE. Council resolved “Gentile Question”
Temple
Center of Jew worship, located in Jerusalem. Only place where sacrifice was offered
Synagogue
Minor place of assembly, used for less solemn religious fxns (schools, libraries, halls of judgement)
Diaspora (Dispersion)
Refers to Jews who were scattered thru/o pagan regions of Roman Empire (and world)
Blasphemy
Act showing contempt/lack of reverence for God. Incl claiming to have attributes of God
Deacon
In early church, Deacon served as Bishop. Women served as Deacons thru 5th C. Initially, 7 chosen to serve in this office
Laying on of Hands
Customary Jewish way of designating a person for a specific task/invoking upon them a divine blessing and power to perform the task
