Context of the Birth of Christianity
What is the name of the small Roman province that was the context for the life and death of Jesus in the 1st century?
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.
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.
Paul
Described in Ch.2 of the Book of Acts, what event represented the birth of the Church with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the community of believers?
Pentecost
Meaning "universal," this word describes the diversity of the Church as a world-wide community of faith.
Catholic
Which of the Jewish sects of the early 1st century was motivated to organize a political and military rebellion to Roman occupation?
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.
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.
Peter
First mentioned in the New Testament as a title of leadership in the early church for those 'overseers' (epískopos) in the community. There is a doctrine that their authority comes from apostolic succession.
Bishops
Shared with Judaism, this belief in "one God" (rather than multiple) made Christianity distinct in ancient Rome.
Monotheism
This is the term used to described the continued influence of Greek language and philosophy in the Roman empire (and early Christianity)
Hellenism
A term meaning the "Good News," this also describes the first four books of the New Testament.
Gospel
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)
John
Greek for "The Teaching," this early Christian writing illustrates the ritual, ethical, and social dimensions of the early Church.
The Didache
What heresy in the early church included a dualist approach towards the world and the belief that Jesus was not fully human.
Gnosticism
What is the name of the the religious system in Rome that worshiped the emperors as gods?
Imperial Cult
He was the Roman Governor in charge of Judea at the time of Jesus' death.
Pontius Pilate
He was the first Christian martyr, and his stoning is described in the Book of Acts.
Stephen
Meaning "measuring rod" or "rule," this term refers to the official or authoritative group of texts in the collection of scripture?
Canon
What word, meaning "right belief," describes those doctrines believed to be true and in-line with apostolic and Biblical teaching?
Orthodox
This 1st century Jewish historian gives us independent (non-Christian) evidence of the historical existence of Jesus in his book "Antiquities."
Josephus
The Last Supper, which instituted the Eucharist, took place at a feast celebrating what Jewish holiday?
The Passover
Who was the Roman emperor when Paul and Peter were believed to have been martyred in Rome during widespread persecution that begin in 64 AD.
Nero
What Apostolic council described in Ch. 15 of the Book of Acts settled the controversy about requirements for Gentile converts to Christianity?
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.
Incarnation