Unit 1: Origins of the Church in Acts of the Apostles and Early Christian Persecutions Flashcards
Church
the entire People of God throughout the world; the diocese (the local Church); the assembly of believers gathered for the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist
Kerygma
God loved the world and became man; Jesus suffered for the sins of humanity, rose from the dead, and is alive; Jesus is savior and redeemer
Incarnation
the mystery of Jesus Christ. the Divine Son of God, becoming man–Jesus Christ became truly man while remaining truly God; means “to become flesh” in Latin
Deacons
ordained male ministers of the Church who are below priests
Martyr
a person who suffers death because of their beliefs
Passover
a Jewish feast that commemorates God’s freeing of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt
Pentecost
the 50th day following Easter which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the early Apostles and disciples
Covenant
an unbreakable kinship bond with God
Paschal Mystery
the work of salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ mainly through His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
Apostles
a man selectively chosen by Jesus to pass on His work of teaching
Disciples
a follower of Jesus Christ
What are the New Testament Images of the Church and what qualities of the Church do they each have?
People of God: catholic and apostolic
Light and Salt: one and catholic
Body of Christ: one and holy
Bride of Christ: one and catholic
Temple of God: one and holy
Flock: one, catholic, apostolic
Field/Olive Grove: holy and catholic
Building/Household of God: catholic and apostolic
What do the New Testament Images of the Church mean and where can they be found in Scripture?
People of God: Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36 means God treats everyone equally and that Jesus Christ is the Lord of all
Light and Salt:Matthew 5:13-15 shows people’s roles as followers of Christ, meaning that if they lose their “saltiness” and their light is dimmed, then they are not doing the work of God
Body of Christ: Romans 12:4-5 uses the analogy of body parts to show that the Church is a “body” and the members of the Church act as body parts to be united to the Church
Bride of Christ: 2 Corinthians 11:2 means that the members of the Church are like her bride because they are married to her with their faith
Temple of God: 2 Corinthians 6:16 means that we God’s people make room in our hearts to be His dwelling place or His temple to fulfill God’s words that He spoke when He said that He would live among His people
Flock: John 10:1-11 means that the followers of Christ are like lost sheep, and Jesus is our shepherd who guides us back to Him by His word
Field/Olive Grove: Romans 11:17-18, 24 means that everyone, no matter what background they come from, can join together to become part of God’s family
Building/Household of God: Revelation 21:14 means through the teaching of Jesus and the Apostles, we can build a house for God
What happened in each chapter of Acts of the Apostles 1-6?
Chapter 1: After his Resurrection, Jesus instructed the Apostles for forty days. At the Ascension, Jesus promised the Apostles that they would be his witnesses to the end of the world. At Peter’s request, the disciples chose Matthias by lot to replace Judas.
Chapter 2: The main message of Peter’s Pentecost sermon was that Jesus fulfilled the promise of the Holy Spirit and we should follow Him as His witnesses. On Pentecost about 3000 people were baptized. These first Christians had all things in common and celebrated the Eucharist in their homes.
Chapter 3: Peter and John cured a crippled beggar at the Temple. There Peter called on the Israelites to repent.
Chapter 4: When the Jewish leaders asked Peter and John by what power they cured the beggar, Peter replied, “If we are being examined today…then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ…in his name this man stands before you healed” (Acts 4:9-10) . The Christians threatened Peter and John returned to them. The community was of one heart and mind. No one was needy because they had everything in common.
Chapter 5: The footnote for 5:1–11 states that the sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not consisting in the withholding of part of the money but in their deception of the community. The Apostles cured so many people that some sick were placed so that Peter’s shadow would fall on them. Cast into prison, the Apostles were freed by the angel of the Lord. When the high priest scolded the Apostles for teaching in Jesus’ name against orders, they replied, “We must obey God rather than man”. Gamaliel, a Pharisee, stopped the leaders from putting the Apostles to death by saying that their activity was of human origin; it would fail. They would not be able to destroy it if it was from God. So the leaders had the Apostles not killed but flogged.
Chapter 6: When the Hellenists complained that their widows were neglected in the distribution of goods, the Apostles had the community choose seven men to be in charge. These seven men became deacons when the Apostles prayed and became obedient in their faith. The deacon Stephen, who was filled with faith and the grace and power of God, was accused of blasphemy and brought before the Sanhedrin.
Was Polycarp a Bishop?
true
