The Church Units 1 and 2
Pharisee
Jewish people who followed strict mosaic law; Paul was one
Peter
"the rock of the church;" became ruler of the church
Kingdom of God
Jesus' central message and goal for all humans
8. Define "Pentecost" in a complete sentence or two. Be sure to describe what happened on the day of Pentecost.
Jesus' followers gathered at the time of the festival of Pentecost, but were confused and uncertain about what to do without their leader. Tongues of fire rested on each one of them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit; they began to preach in different languages and Peter instructed the people to repent and be baptized. 3000 people were baptized on Pentecost.
6. Why did James say that Gentiles had to be circumcised? Why did Paul say that Gentiles didn't need to be circumcised?
James said tat Gentiles had to be circumcised because he believed that you had to follow the jewish laws before converting to Christianity. Jesus was a Jew and the movement had a strong Jewish background, so he thought that it was necessary. Paul thought the Gentiles did not need to be circumcised because the new faith was universal and shouldn't matter the background of the people converting. Paul wanted the faith to be open to everyone.
Resurrection
Jesus being raised from the dead
Herod Agrippa
Ruler of Palestine who persecuted Christians
5. Identify some early martyrs of the Church and describe the attitude of these Christians toward martyrdom.
Saint Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian faith. He witnessed to his faith at the end, before he died, and forgave the people who killed him. Saint Ignatius of Antioch was honored to die for Christ, convinced that by sharing in the suffering and the death of Christ, they would also share in his glorious Resurrection.
2. Why is the conversion of Saul/Paul a pivotal point in the Jesus movement?
The conversion of Saul to Paul is a pivotal point in the Jesus movement. Paul was originally a Pharisee and was a main persecutor of Christians, so when he converted not as many were persecuted. He became a strong leader in the spreading of the word of God out of Jerusalem. He preached to the Jews and he wanted to spread Christianity to the Gentiles. He made it known that it was open to everyone and that everyone was accepted.
1. What are the characteristics of the early Christian communities? Why do you think that some people joined the movement? Why do you think that many people did not join this movement?
The early Christian community was a group of devoted people that lived a communal life. They had everything in common, prayed and broke bread together, and lived together. Some people joined the movement because they believed in God and were devoted to their faith. Most people joined because of the promise of eternal life. Some people did not join the movement because it was new and foreign to them. Many people were also scared of persecution.
3. Explain how Paul's preaching to the Jews differed from his preaching to the Gentiles.
When preaching to a Jewish audience, Paul focused primarily on the Old Testament. He explained that the Scriptures prophesied the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When he spoke to the Gentiles, he changed his approach. When he preached to Greeks in Athens, for example, Paul began by relating the Good News in a familiar context. He said that the "unknown God" whom they set an alter for, is actually the one true God, God the Father.
4. Explain how Paul made his message more understandable to an urban audience.
When preaching to an urban audience, Paul made his message more understandable by using images familiar to his audience and used suitable examples. Some of these images included athletes competing in a stadium, military armor and weapons, musical instruments such as gongs and cymbals, and temples.
Paul
a Pharisee who persecuted Christians, but converted and preached to both Jews and Gentiles
Chosen People
a name God also called the Israelites
Gentile
a non-jewish person
Martyrs
a person who suffers death because of his or her beliefs
Paul's conversion
a pivotal point for Christianity
Gospels
describes the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Nero
emperor who blamed the Apostles for the fires in Rome in 64 AD
When Pentecost occurred
fifty days after Easter
Who gathered at Pentecost
followers of Jesus who were confused and uncertain about what to do
Why was Paul tried
for being a christian
How did Paul die
he was beheaded
Saint Stephen
he was the first martyr of the Christian faith
Significance to the Church's mission at Pentecost
it marked the beginning of the Church's mission on Earth
Acts of the Apostles (what does it describe)
it recounts the earliest events of the Church
Paul and James's dispute over circumcision
it was settled at the Council of jerusalem; it was decided that Gentile-Christians did not have to follow Jewish laws
Old Testament
records the history of salvation from Creation through God's Covenant with the Israelites, which foreshadows and prepares for the Church; it is read by Christians and Jews
Baptism
sacrament of initiation
7. Why did the Apostles and early disciples travel so far and work so hard to spread the Good News?
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Trinity
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; 1 God in 3 persons (triune God)
Transubstantiation
the action of changing to bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ
Liturgy
the church's official, public, communal prayer; it is God's work, in which the people of God participate
Pentecost
the fiftieth day following Easter, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the early Apostles and disciples
Sadducees
the priestly class of Jews
Holy Spirit
the third member of the Trinity
Apostles
their mission was to preach the Good News
Good News
what Jesus preached and sent the apostles to do the same
The forms of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
wind and fire
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
wisdom, understanding, right judgment (counsel), courage (fortitude), knowledge, reverence (piety), and wonder and awe (fear of the Lord)