Religion Unit 2 Vocabulary (Articles 2-11)

Animate

To give life to

Gentile

A non-Jewish person. In the Scriptures the Gentiles were the uncircumcised, those who did not honor the God of the Torah. In the New Testament, Saint Paul and other evangelists reached out to the Gentiles, baptizing them into the family of God.

Covenant

A personal, solemn promise of faithful love that involves mutual commitments and creates a sacred relationship.

Petition

A prayer form in which one asks God for help and forgiveness.

Intercession

A prayer on behalf of another person or group.

Charism

A special gift or grace of the Holy Spirit given to an individual Christian or community; commonly for the benefit and building up of the entire church

Hierarchy

In general, the line of authority in the Church; more narrowly, the Pope and the bishops, as successors of the Apostles, in their authoritative roles as leaders of the Church.

Hellenistic

Of or relating to Greek history, culture, or art after Alexander the Great.

Trinitarian

Of or relating to the Trinity or the doctrine of the Trinity.

Communion

Refers to receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. In general, your companionship and union with Jesus and other baptized Christians in the Church. This union has its origin and high point in the celebration of the Eucharist. In this sense the deepest vocation of the Church is Communion.

Ascension

The "going up" into Heaven of the Risen Christ 40 days after his Resurrection

Magisterium

The Church's living teaching office, which consists of all bishops, in communion with the Pope.

Holy Spirit

The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, understood as the perfect love between God the Father, and the Son, Jesus Christ, who inspires, guides, and sanctifies the life of believers.

Pentecost

The fiftieth day following Easter, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the early Apostles and disciples.

Disciples

The general term for any student or follower of a particular teacher. In the New Testament, the disciples are understood as the seventy-two who received instruction from Jesus. In modern usage, the term is generally applied to all the baptized.

Infallibility

The gift given by the Holy Spirit to the Pope and the bishops in union with him to teach on matters of faith and morals without error.

Evangelization

The proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ through words and witness.

Charismatic

The word refers to a person gifted with the charism or graces of the Holy Spirit such as healing, prophecy, and speaking in tongues. Because self-deception is always possible, the charisms claimed by such a person must be verified by the Church.

Sanctify; Sanctification

To make holy; sanctification is the process of becoming closer to God and growing in holiness, taking on the righteousness of Jesus Christ with the gift of sanctifying grace.

Foreshadow

To represent or prefigure a person before his or her life or an event before it occurs.