Context of the Birth of Christianity
This small Roman province was the context for the life and death of Jesus in the 1st century.
What is Judea?
This word meaning "Messiah" is a title given to Jesus indicating that His followers believed him to be the anointed son of King David, whom some Jews expected to restore the fortunes of Israel.
What is "Christ"?
This "Apostle to the Gentiles" originally persecuted Jesus' followers but had a dramatic conversion to Christianity after he had a vision on his journey to Damascus.
Who is Paul?
Described in Ch.2 of the Book of Acts, this event represented the birth of the Church with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the community of believers.
What is Pentecost?
Meaning "universal," this word describes the diversity of the Church as a world-wide community of faith.
What is Catholic?
This Jewish sect was motivated to organize a political and military rebellion to Roman occupation.
Who are the Zealots?
Found in Ch.5-7 of the Gospel of Matthew, this is the largest collection of teachings from Jesus and represents the heart of the Christian ethical dimension.
What is the Sermon on the Mount?
One of Jesus' original twelve apostles, nicknamed "rock," he was given the "keys to the kingdom" by Jesus and became a leader in the Church as the first Bishop of Rome.
Who is Peter?
First mentioned in the New Testament, these leaders (epískopos) claimed legitimacy of their authority through apostolic succession.
Who are Bishops?
Shared with Judaism, this belief in "one God" (rather than multiple) made Christianity distinct in ancient Rome.
What is Monotheism?
Term used to described the continued influence of Greek language and philosophy in the Roman empire.
What is Hellenism?
A term meaning the "Good News," this also describes the first four books of the New Testament.
What is "Gospel"?
This 1st century Jewish historian gives us independent (non-Christian) evidence of the historical existence of Jesus in his book "Antiquities."
Who is Josephus?
Greek for "The Teaching," this early Christian writing illustrates the ritual, ethical, and social dimensions of the early Church.
What is The Didache?
Their heretical beliefs included a dualist approach towards the world and the belief that Jesus was not fully human.
What is gnosticism?
He was the Roman emperor at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Who is Emperor Tiberius?
He was the first Christian martyr, and his stoning is described in the Book of Acts.
Who is Stephen?
All 12 apostles were believed to have been martyred except for this one, who is believed to have died of old age in Ephesus. (Excluding Judas Iscariot)
This is an understanding that the spiritual authority of Bishops came from the Apostles through the line of prior Bishops.
What is Apostolic Succession?
A religious system that worshiped the Roman emperors as gods.
What is the Imperial Cult?
The Last Supper, which instituted the Eucharist, took place at a feast celebrating this Jewish holiday.
What is the Passover?
He is the Roman emperor when Paul and Peter were believed to have been martyred in Rome during widespread persecution that begin in 64 AD.
Who is Nero?
This Apostolic council described in Ch. 15 of the Book of Acts settled the controversy about requirements for Gentile converts to Christianity.
What is the Council of Jerusalem?
The central Christian doctrine that God took on flesh, assuming a human nature and became a man in the form of Jesus Christ.
What is the Incarnation?