Ecclesia in the NT

Summary of Acts 6: Choosing of the Seven

• Hellenistic Jews' widows were not getting as much food as native Hebrews'

• They summoned the disciples, who said they were busy with other things and to instead select someone amongst them to be in charge of the food

• Stephen and six other men were chosen

• men from the Synagogue of the Freedmen argued w Stephen, but they could not cope with his wisdom and the Spirit

• They bribed people to spread rumors about Stephen, leading to Stephen being brought in front of the Council

Hellenist

Greek

Hebrew

Judean

Disciples

Worshippers of Christ (not yet called Christians, but basically were)

T/F - Christianity is part of Jewish diversity

True Hellenistic Jews & Hebrew Jews = ethnic groups of Christian's

What was the conflict in Acts 6?

Inter-ethnic strike Hebrew widows were getting more food - the Hebrew Jews were favoring each other

What were the apostles' response to being asked to handle the serving of food?

They believed they had more holy and important things to do - they were dismissive They told them to select seven Hellenists full of the Spirit and of wisdom to be put in charge of the task They said they would continue devoting themselves to prayer and ministry of the word

What are the types of leaders in acts 6?

Social justice - the seven Word of god - apostles Apostles - priests (serve for the ministry of the word - teach + preach) Stephen - deacon (works outside of church walls)

What was stephen like before and after being chosen?

Before: full of faith and of the Holy Spirit After: performed great wonders and signs among the people

Synagogue of the Freedmen

Hellenistic

descendants of Jewish slaves taken to Rome by Pompey 63 BC

freed and built a synagogue in Jerusalem because of the language differences

jealous of Stephen because he was the Greek leader at the temple and more people went to the temple than the new synagogue. (2-28-12) Includes both cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia

What were the SOTF beliefs?

• they were committed to traditional Jewish beliefs, like the Mosaic Law

• they opposed Stephen's preaching, particularly his teachings about Jesus and the new covenant, which they saw as a threat to the temple and the Law

Conflict between stepehn and SOTF

Argued with Stephen (internal conflict: Christian vs Christian) They were unable to deal with his wisdom and the clarity that he was speaking on behalf of the Spirit Accused Stephen of speaking against Moses and the temple People are afraid that interacting with another culture will diminish their own

What did the SOTF do to take down Stephen?

They induced men to say that they had heard Stephen saying blasphemous things against Moses and God" (opposed to Stephen saying Jesus was the true messiah) This caused Stephen to be taken away and brought before the Council, where they put forward false witnesses

What did the false witnesses say?

They accused Stephen of saying that Jesus will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses handed down to them

How did the council receive this

They looked at Stephen, and saw that his face was like the face of an angel

How is authority transferred?

Through touch and laying on of hands

How does this story impact RCC ecclesiology today?

Institution of the Diaconate Apostolic Authority and Ordination Division of Responsibilities

Institution of the Diaconate

The selection of the seven men to assist with charitable work is often seen as the origin of the diaconate in the Church. Catholic deacons today serve in charitable and liturgical roles, reflecting this early model.

Apostolic Authority and Ordination

The laying on of hands (Acts 6:6) is viewed as an early example of ordination, which the Church continues through Holy Orders, where bishops pass on authority through apostolic succession.

Division of Responsibilities

The apostles focused on preaching and prayer, while the seven handled practical needs. This supports the Catholic structure where bishops focus on teaching and spiritual leadership, while deacons and priests assist in pastoral and administrative duties.

Acts 9 main events

Saul's conversion Saul's early ministry Peter's miracles

Saul's conversion

Saul, a fierce persecutor of Christians, is traveling to Damascus when Jesus appears to him in a bright light, asking, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Blinded, Saul is led to Damascus, where Ananias, a disciple, is sent by God to heal and baptize him. Saul regains his sight and begins preaching about Jesus as the Son of God.

Saul's early ministry

Saul, now a believer, preaches in Damascus but faces opposition. He escapes the city in a basket and later meets the apostles in Jerusalem through Barnabas. The church grows in peace.

Peter's miracles

Peter heals a paralyzed man, Aeneas, in Lydda, and raises Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead in Joppa. These miracles lead many to believe in Jesus.

What is 1 Corinthians?

Paul's letter to the church in Corinth

Main topics in 1 Corinthians

Divisions in the church - conflict Food sacrificed to idols The Lord's Supper Body of the Church Love

Corinth

Port-city Hub of commerce, wealthy, cosmopolitan place Modern-day Greece

What is the initial conflict Paul presents in 1 Corinthians?

Paul calls them spiritual babies - they are new to the Jesus movement, and since they still harbor jealousy and strife, they are not yet able to be spoken to as spiritual people Says they are still fleshly, ordinary people

Why do Corinthians sacrifice food to gods, and why is this an issue?

• Greeks would have previously had their own rituals and gods, and some continued to give food as if Jesus was another one of their deities

• food dedicated to Roman gods would cause concern bc a fundamental catholic principle is monotheism

How does Paul talk to them about sacrificing food?

• He says that an idol is nothing in the world, and there is no god but one

• says that not all people have this knowledge, and calls their rituals fake and pretend

• claims that food means nothing (there is no difference if we eat or do not eat it)

• says that eating food in front of spiritual babies with weak consciences will lead them astray, which is a sin against Christ

What is Paul's message about behavior?

• our behavior should be guided by its impact on the people around us

• be cognizant of both your faith and that of others

What divisions does Paul believe exist in the church of Corinth?

Different opinions on what the resurrected body looks like People do not eat the Lord's Supper, because instead of eating all together as a community, they are eating before others

• Paul believes this is them despising the church of god and shaming on those who have nothing

How does paul think they should remedy this Eucharist issue?

• have a snack before showing up to worship so you aren't greedy and perform Eucharist improperly

How should Eucharist be done?

• in community - NOT a solo activity

• don't do Eucharist if you're in a really bad state, for if you do Eucharist in an unworthy manner, you're welcoming god's judgement on you

• judge yourself so that God doesn't have to

• wait for one another when coming together to eat (if someone is hungry, have him eat at home so that you don't convene for judgement)

Covenant

A promise/sacred agreement between God and his people

The words of institution

The words said by Jesus over the bread and wine at the Last Supper. The priest repeats these words over the bread and wine at Mass as they are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. When Jesus instituted the Eucharist

How do the Spirit and God distribute attention?

We all get attention from the same lord and spirit Each individual is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good - different gifts given by the same spirit The body is one but has many parts, and we were all baptized by the spirit into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and all made to drink of one spirit

What are Paul's views on the body of the church?

• we all play fundamental roles in the body of the church

• if one part of the church is sick, we are all sick (my wellbeing is not disconnected from someone elses') we are called to care

• god knows our purpose and we are all needed in this body

• god makes us equal s we cannot compare

What are Paul's views on love?

• Paul believes love gives everything meaning

• of faith hope and love, love is the greatest

How could a Christian show commitment to god outside of liturgical worship?

Acts of charity, passing on words, forgiveness and love, etc.

What is the Covenant of Circumcision?

Abraham's covenant with God - God promised to make Abraham the father of many nations Every male among Abraham's descendants was to be circumcised at eight days old as a mark of belonging to god's chosen people Those who refused circumcision were considered to have broken the covenant

What is the modern day covenant of circumcision in Christianity (in the NT?)

Physical circumcision is no longer required Spiritual circumcision of the heart through faith in Christ fulfills the covenant's deeper meaning

What is the Latin etymology of "incorporate"?

To become enfleshed in one body

Body of Christ

Becoming one with another in the community known as the church

T/F - the unity of the church requires wiping out diversity

False - diversity enhances unity, and creates greater self-understanding and identity

What is the Petrine office?

The office of peter, or the specific ministry of the pope, which differs from other ministries and involved governance in conjunction with fellow bishops

How does the Petrine office pose a challenge to the ecumenical movement?

• its claims to authority, historical divisions, and theological implications

• it didn't align with the beliefs of many Christian's

What was the council of Trent?

Convened by Pope Paul III and took place over the extended period of 1545-1563. Interpreted by war and disease. Covered dogma + church discipline and dealt with issues brought up by the Protestant Reformation. Established the # of sacraments as 7 and produced the Roman Catechism

How are Christian's united according to Fr. Marthaler?

Through oneness and diversity. Nobody's individual charisma or personal talents are neglected, and everyone's voices are heard. It presents integrity and wholeness

How does Fr. M describe unity vs Paul?

Fr. M: the recognition of complex diversity within one body Paul: stronger emphasis on one body as a whole

Unity vs uniformity

Unity: oneness, diversity, integrity, wholeness, recognizing everyone's background and the part they play Uniformity: imposing a pattern that ignores individuality, silencing and marginalizing individuals

How does the triune god provide a model for the church's commitment to oneness?

Shows the deep functions and relationships that can exist within one group. Ex. The bond of the Father/son/HS's mission to unite believers and be a source of love all exist together in the Triune God The church is called to mirror the tri-unity of God that binds and recognizes the F, S, + HS

Why did Christian divisions pose a problem to sharing Christianity around the world?

Christian divisions called Christian's to compete with one another. Because of so much difference,, Christendom broke up into several different doctrines w/diff focuses

Why did the slogan : doctrine divides, service unites, become an appealing idea?

It demonstrates finding a commonality amongst many differences: helping others.

Ecclesiology

The study of the church Ekklesia: to call out, the assembly

Ecclesiology vs christology

Can't be Christian without a christology Every Christian has an ecclesiology - an opinion on the church Different answers to these questions = diversity

Creed

Four marks of the church One Holy - to be set apart to live diff than the rest of the world catholic (lowercase, universal) Apostolic - major ways that Protestants and Catholics fight, claims that your church leadership are the legit heirs/inheritors to the power of the OG apostles

Apostolic

Denomination who doesn't claim to success from the apostles, js call themselves that

Apostolic succession

Your clergy has been touched by a long human chain, leading back to someone who touched the OG apostles Roman Catholics: say their sacraments/transformations happens bc the HS transferred the OG apostles' gift of the HS to them - they think they have the gift Protestants were started by RCs

Apostle

Someone who was a disciple of Jesus but also knew Jesus firsthand in the flesh No gospel writers were apostles

Vocation

A type of profession, a calling, your vocation is what you believe you were meant to do Anyone can have a vocation

Laity

Non ordained people Lai members are called to a vocation

saints lowercase s

The people who live out and promote God's work/love

Minister

Someone recognized as a spiritual leader God can call anyone a minister, not confined to just the clergy

Pastoral care

To care for one another in a spiritual and emotionally delicate way Being a good friend = pastoral care

Stephen's ministry

Raising up laity as ministers to care for one another and others

Chapter 7 acts summary

Chapter 7 of Acts of the Apostles records Stephen's speech and martyrdom. Stephen, a deacon, defends himself before the Sanhedrin after being accused of blasphemy. He recounts Israel's history, highlighting how the Jewish leaders repeatedly rejected God's messengers, from Abraham to Moses. He then accuses them of betraying and murdering Jesus, the Righteous One. Enraged, the council stones him to death, making him the first Christian martyr. As he dies, Stephen sees a vision of Jesus at God's right hand and prays for his killers. Saul (later Paul) witnesses and approves of his execution.

Saul of tarsus background

• Greek speaking (read the Septuagint)

• tent-maker

• persecutor of the church (approved Stephen's stoning - ordered it)

Saul's transformation

• the risen/resurrected Christ calls out to Saul, which is when Saul accepts jesus as the messiah

• goes out to preach in Arabia for 3 years before ever meeting the apostles peter and the leader of the Jerusalem church, James

• acts ends with Paul's journey in Rome, where he'll be martyred

Significant pivot in acts 7

Christianity turning away from a faith of the Semitic east into something very different, in which the heirs of Greek and Latin civ. Determined the way the Christ story was told

• Paul uses Roman names to refer to provinces (appeals to colonizer mentality)

Epistles

letters found in the New Testament to the early Christian communities about God's Revelation in Jesus Christ