church history final

Apostle

One sent by Christ as an official witness of the Resurrection.

Apostolic Succession

The passing on of apostolic authority through bishops by the laying on of hands.

Apostolic Tradition

Teachings of the apostles handed on orally and in writing.

Ascension

Jesus’ return to the Father, body and soul, forty days after the Resurrection.

Body of Christ / Mystical Body of Christ

The Church united with Christ as its head.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Official summary of Catholic beliefs.

Covenant

A sacred agreement between God and humanity.

Disciple

A follower and learner of Jesus.

Four Marks of the Church

One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic.

Great Commission

Jesus’ command to preach and baptize all nations (Matthew 28:19–20).

Icon

Sacred image used for prayer and teaching.

Kingdom/Reign of God

God’s rule of justice, love, and peace.

Pentecost

Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.

Salvation

Deliverance from sin and death through Christ.

Sanctification

The process of becoming holy by God’s grace.

Trinity

One God in three Persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Apology

A defense of the Christian faith.

Apologetics

The study and practice of defending the faith through reason.

Bishop of Rome

The Pope, successor of St. Peter.

Catacombs

Underground burial places used by early Christians.

Charism

A gift of the Holy Spirit for building up the Church.

Christian

A follower of Jesus Christ.

Evangelization

Proclaiming the Gospel to others.

Gentiles

Non-Jews.

Kerygma

The core proclamation of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Martyr

One who dies for the faith.

Metanoia

Conversion; a change of heart and mind.

Pharisee

Member of a Jewish religious group focused on strict law observance.

Relic

A physical object connected to a saint.

Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord.

The Way

Early name for Christianity.

Abbas/Ammas

Early spiritual leaders of monastic communities.

Arianism

Heresy denying Christ’s full divinity.

Apostles’ Creed / Nicene Creed

Statements of Christian belief.

Asceticism

Discipline and self-denial for spiritual growth.

Begotten

The Son is eternally generated by the Father.

Breaking of Bread

Early term for the Eucharist.

Church Father

Early influential Christian teacher.

Church Doctor

A saint recognized for outstanding teaching.

Christology

The study of Christ’s nature and work.

Consubstantial

Of the same substance; Father and Son are one in being.

Creed

A formal statement of belief.

Desert Elders

Early monks living in the desert.

Didache

Early Christian teaching document.

Dogma / Doctrine

Dogma is divinely revealed truth; doctrine explains it.

Ecumenical Council

Worldwide meeting of bishops to define doctrine.

Eremitical Life

Hermit lifestyle focused on solitude.

Eucharist

The Body and Blood of Christ.

Fides et Ratio

Faith and reason work together.

Heresy

Denial of essential Church teaching.

Hermit

One who lives in solitude for God.

Holy See

The Pope’s authority as bishop of Rome.

Hypostatic Union

Jesus is fully God and fully human.

Magisterium

Teaching authority of the Church.

Maranatha

“Come, Lord!”

Monasticism

Religious life centered on prayer and work.

Monastic Rule

Guidelines for monastic living.

Monophysitism

Heresy claiming Christ has only one nature.

Nestorianism

Heresy separating Christ’s human and divine natures.

Patriarch

Senior bishop of a major Christian center.

Theotokos

“God-bearer,” title of Mary.