What does Pentecost celebrate for the Jews?
primarily a thanksgiving for the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, but it was later associated with a remembrance of the Law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai - celebrated 50 days after the Passover, people would offer the first fruits of their labor to God; many Jews from far away places would be at the Temple for this feast day
In Acts 2, what happened to the disciples at Pentecost?
The disciples received the Holy Spirit
How does Paul write his letters (what format)?
introduction → thanksgiving and self commendation → moral message → conclusion
What is Paul’s background? How did it help him preach the gospel?
from Tarsus outside of Palestine → he was Jewish (a Pharisee) → born a Roman citizen (gets him out of a lot of trouble) → was well educated (could read and write in multiple languages) → “Saul, was trying to destroy the church; entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment.” (Acts 8:3) → Saul was a Jewish leader not happy with a distortion of Judaism by the Christians → was later converged on the road to Damascus and changed his name
In Acts 15, what was debated at the Council of Jerusalem?
If all Christians need to follow the Mosaic Law
Luke
Paul’s traveling companion in his later missionary journeys and physician; mentioned in several of Paul’s letters. He also writes about Paul’s journeys; Paul mentions Luke as “the beloved physician,” indicating that he had medical training or expertise (Colossians 4:14); passages where the narrative switches from “they” to “we”, indicate that the author of Acts, likely Luke, was traveling with Paul; Paul frequently expressed gratitude for the companionship and assistance of his fellow workers and friends, indicating the importance of their support in his ministry
Mattias
the new apostle; he replaced Judas Iscariot
Barnabas
a fellow missionary and companion of Paul on his early journeys; (Acts 9:27) describes him introducing Paul to the apostles in Jerusalem after his conversion; (Acts 11:22-26) discusses his role in the early church in Antioch and his partnership with Paul in ministry during his first missionary journey
Gamaliel
warned against opposing Peter, because if he is of God the Sanhedrin would be fighting against God
Philip
(when Saul was going around and arresting Christians) he fled to Samaria where he shared the Gospel with the people
Cornelius
centurion who devout and God-fearing, gave alms generously to the Jewish people and prayed to God constantly, he saw and a vision of an angle of God came to him
James the Greater
wanted some (Kosher) laws to stay the same; executed by King Herod
James the Lesser
wanted a middle way (between keeping Mosaic Law and not)
Timothy
referred to as Paul’s “son in the faith” and entrusted with important tasks, including leadership roles in various churches. Paul wrote two letters to this person; (Acts 16:1-5) introduces him as a disciple in Lystra, whose mother was Jewish, and father was Greek. Paul circumcised him before they embarked on their missionary journey to avoid controversy within Judaism; Paul addresses two New Testament epistles to him (the 2nd letter is regarded as Paul’s final letter before his death in Rome)
Priscilla and Aquila
husband and wife duo were early converts to Christianity and played a significant role in Paul’s ministry, particularly in the cities of Corinth and Ephesus. They helped to inform Apollos of the true faith in Jesus and Christ; fellow tentmakers who worked with Paul in Corinth and Ephesus. They also played a role in instructing Apollos; Paul greets them as his fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who rushed their lives for him
Apollos
In Acts 18, he baptizes people without a full understanding of the message of Jesus, limiting their conversion. Paul had to correct his work by baptizing in the name of the Lord Jesus, laying his hands on them, confirming the Holy Spirit
Titus
a close companion of Paul, mentioned in several of his letters and entrusted with important missions, including overseeing the church in Crete. Paul wrote a letter to this person, and according to Paul he was present at the Council of Jerusalem; (Galatians 2:1-3) describes him accompanying Paul to Jerusalem and the issue of his circumcision at the Council of Jerusalem; there are also many mentions of his involvement in Paul’s ministry, particularly in the context of the collection for the saints in Jerusalem; Paul wrote an epistle to him
Lydia
In Acts 16, in Philippi, she welcomed Paul and his companions into her home. She was known for her sale of purple garments and hospitality shown to Paul; was a wealthy merchant from Thyatira, a city in modern-day Turkey. She was described as a “seller of purple goods,” which likely indicates that she dealt in textiles dyed with purple, a luxury item often associated with royalty or the wealthy elite; Paul baptizes her and her family. She shows great hospitality to Paul
Philemon
Paul wrote a letter to him about freedom for his slave stay with Paul
Onesimus
once was Philemon’s slave; imprisoned in Rome and stoned to death
Paul
the protagonist of the second half of the Acts of the Apostles; After persecuting Christians in the first part of Acts, he is converted and becomes a Christian evangelist
Peter
the protagonist in the first half of Acts of the Apostles; leads the Church in its early formation in the first section of Acts
martyrdom
the death or suffering of one who sacrificed their life for their faith (Stephen = first martyr aka protomartyr)
Baptism
the religious rite of sprinkling water onto a person's forehead or of immersion in water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and admission to the Christian Church. In many denominations, it is performed on young children and is accompanied by name-giving
Eucharist
the celebration of the entire Mass. The term can also refer specifically to the consecrated bread and wine that have become the Body and Blood of Christ
Pentecost
the Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension, held on the seventh Sunday after Easter; major event in the liturgical calendar though we don’t celebrate it as Catholics
The Holy Spirit
the divine force, quality and influence of God over the universe or his creatures; third person of the Trinity
The Way
what Christians were called before Christian was a term - first called Christians in Antioch
Confirmation
the rite at which a baptized person, especially one baptized as an infant, affirms Christian belief and is admitted as a full member of the Church
Pauline
relates to the characteristics of Paul’s writings or doctrines
ekklesia
called-out assembly or congregation; church
What significant change occurred for the faithful in The Way of Christ in Antioch?
Disciples were first called Christians
In Acts 22, what statement by Paul triggers a riot among the people?
Preaching to the Gentiles
At the Council of Jerusalem, who would have been most likely to express; Faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Faith must be completed by the works and deeds of charity
James (the Lesser)
In Acts 23, who appears to Paul, and what instruction does Paul receive?
Jesus; Paul should go (preach) to Rome
How did the Church react to ensure fair treatment of Hellenistic and Hebrew Jews while distributing food?
Blessing Stephen and six other deacons
How does King Agrippa respond to Paul’s evangelization?
He said he almost persuaded him to become Christian
In Acts 27, during Paul’s voyage to Rome what does he do aboard the ship to encourage his companions on the ship?
He shares the Eucharist
In Acts 28, how does the Acts of the Apostles end?
Paul was under house arrest in Rome, proclaiming the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ
What is the purpose of the letter to Philemon?
To plea for freedom for a slave (Onesimus) to stay with Paul
In Acts 10, what is the key message conveyed through Peter’s vision?
All foods were made clean
What event in Jesus’ life made the Church possible?
Paschal Mystery (Jesus’ Death and Resurrection)
Who would have said something like, “Jesus said, I have come not to abolish but to fulfill, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law,'' Keep the full covenant at the council of Jerusalem
The Pharisees