NEW TESTAMENT: Key People Flashcards
Herod the Great
He was launched into his public life by his father who had a position in Judea as proconsul, having been appointed by Julius Caesar. Through various activities, both on and off the battle field, Herod distinguished himself and gained the confidence of Rome which settled on him the title of ‘King of the Jews’ around 40 B.C. (reigning about 40 years). His family was of Edomite origin. Accomplishments: active in suppressing lawlessness; active administrator (particularly during a famine); a great builder ( fortresses throughout his lands; the city of Caesarea, rebuilt the city of Samaria; a palace for himself in Jerusalem; most importantly the reconstruction of the Jewish Temple). Wickedness: Had his second (of 10) wife executed; also her grandfather, brother and mother, and the two sons she bore. He had his eldest son, (by his first wife), executed just days before he himself died. Most horrific: the slaughter of the innocents associated with Christ’s birth. This extra at no charge: Because Herod publicly kept the Jewish law, including its dietary restrictions, and yet was so murderous in his domestic circle, Augustus is reputed to have said it was, “safer to be Herod’s swine than Herod’s son.” Ref. (Mt. 2; Lk. 1)
Herod Antipas
Son of Herod the Great, also known as Herod the Tetrarch. He ruled over Galilee and Perea for about 30 years. He sought the title of king, but succeeded in getting banished to Gaul instead. This is the Herod who killed John the Baptist (Mt. 14, Mk. 6). He had a curious desire to see Christ (Lk. 9), which was granted at his trial (Lk. 23) where Herod and his soldiers mocked Christ. Christ at one time referred to him as a fox (Lk. 13).
Pharisees
A party amongst the Jews that was extremely precise in their observance of the law (canonical and traditional). Beliefs: immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body, and angels and spirits, authority of Scripture (and tradition). Politically they were intensely Jewish. Their morality seems to have rested on the strictest outward conformity to the Law. They conflicted with Christ over the Sabbath (Mt.12, Ml. 3, Lk. 6); their traditions (Mt. 15, Mk. 7); and Christ’s claim of deity (Jn. 8). Christ excoriates them and their hypocrisy (in numerous passages) but most strongly in Mt. 23.
Saducees
A party amongst the Jews that did not survive the destruction of the nation. They were rivals of the Pharisees and were drawn from the wealthy and aristocratic classes. They controlled the office of high priest. Beliefs: only the Pentateuch was binding, the denied the immortality of the soul, resurrection, and the existence of angles and spirits (Ac. 23: 8). Jesus warned against their (and the Pharisees’) teaching, (Mt. 16), and refuted their argument against the resurrection, (Mt. 22). They were active opponents to Peter’s ministry (Ac. 4-5).
The Apostles (name them)
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. (Mt. 10:2-4, ASV).
Peter
The de facto leader of the Apostles. A fisherman by trade who was noted for his impetuous nature (e.g. desire to walk on water Mt. 14:28; his confession and then rebuke of Christ Mt. 16; his declaration of loyalty Mt. 26 and denial Lk. 22, his cutting off of a servants ear, Jn 18). He lead the Apostles in the first years after Christ’s ascension, (Act. 1-12) though Paul becomes dominate later. He authored two epistles.
Cornelius
A godly Roman centurion (in Ac. 10). A devout Gentile, who while praying, was instructed to send for Peter. Peter reluctantly came and thus brought the gospel to the Gentiles which was accompanied by the Holy Spirit. This is the outworking of the falling of the dividing wall between the two groups.
Barnabas
Missionary and associate of the Apostle Paul (see Ac. chs. 11-15). He was of a Cyprian Levite in origin. Noted for selling property for the good of the church (Ac. 4); for introducing Paul to the church after he was converted (Ac. 9); undertook a missionary journey with Paul to Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, (Ac. 13) Lystra, Derbe, and Antioch (Ac. 14); delivered (with Paul) the letter of the Jerusalem council (Ac. 15); eventually Paul and Barnabas parted after disagreeing over whether to take Barnabas’ nephew Mark with them on their next journey (Ac. 15).
Stephen
First martyr of the Christian church. Chosen as part of the seven ‘deacons’ to serve the widows of the church (Ac. 6). He was a man full of the Spirit and he contended for the faith against the Jews who seized him (Ac. 6). He delivered a powerful sermon (Ac. 7) that drove them to such a rage they stoned him. As he was dying he saw a vision of Christ and prayed forgiveness for his murderers (which included Saul of Tarsus).
Paul
The great Apostle to the Gentiles. Born at Tarsus; trained under Gamaliel (Ac. 22); a tent maker by trade (Ac. 18); a Pharisee (Ac. 23); persecutor of the church (Ac. 9, 22, 26); he held the cloaks of those murdering Stephen (Ac. 7). He was converted by the direct intervention of Christ on the road to Damascus (Ac. 9, 22). Three missionary journeys are described in the NT; the first Ac. 13-14; the second Ac. 15-18; the third Ac. 18-21. He authored 13 of the New Testament books (and many believe Hebrews as well). At the end of Acts he is in prison, but there is much evidence that he was released and took another journey (that included Crete and Ephesus) authored the last three books (the pastorals) at this time, and was then reimprisoned and executed. c. A.D. 67.
Timothy
A young associate of the Apostle Paul. He was a believer from Lystra (Ac. 16). He accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey (Ac. 16-20). He was sent to Corinth to help settle problems there (1 Cor. 4; 16). He was also sent to lead the church of Ephesus and it is there that the two Epistles bearing his name are sent.
James
- An Apostle, son of Zebedee and brother of John. With his brother John and Peter they formed the closest circle of disciples. (e.g they were at the transfiguration, Mk. 9 and in Gethsemane, Mk. 14). Also with his brother they were called the “sons of thunder” (Mk. 3) and suggested calling fire down on unbelievers (Lk. 9). James was martyred by Herod Agrippa (Ac. 12).
- An Apostle, the son of Alphaeus )(Mt. 10). Little is known of this apostle. Sometimes called the younger to distinguish him from the son of Zebedee.
- The (half) brother of Jesus. Initially did not accept Christ’s claims (Mt. 13). Jesus appeared to him after his resurrection (1 Cor. 15). He became a leader in the Jerusalem church (Ac.12, Gal. 1), and presided at the Jerusalem council (Ac. 15). Josephus says he was stoned at the instigation of the Ananus. He is the accepted author of the epistle bearing his name.
- The father of Judas (not Iscariot), Lk. 6, Ac. 1).
