Theology Chapter One

Church Militant

Those members of the Church still working out their salvation by waging the battle against sin here on earth.

Church Suffering

Those members of the Church undergoing purification in Purgatory before their entry into Heaven.

Church Triumphant

Those members of the Church who enjoy the Beatific Vision in Heaven.

Ecclesia

Latin word for the CHurch, derived from greek meaning “to call out”. The greek form of the word is used frequently in the Old Testament for the assembly of the Chosen People before God.

Church

The name given to the assembly of the People of God whom He has called together from all the ends of the earth. It is both the earthly institution established by Christ during HIs earthly life to mediate the gift of salvation on earth and the heavenly communion of all the saints together with God and His angels.

Septuagint

The pre-Christian Greek translation of the Old Testament books made by Jewish scholars and later adopted by greek-speaking Christians.

Qahal

Hebrew for “assembly’ or “congregation: and one of the first words used in the Old Testament to describe the Chosen People of God whom He had called out or assembled in HIs name.

Fall of Man

When Adam and Eve, due to temptation and the lies of Satan disobeyed God and rejected His love.

Original Sin

The state of human nature derived from the original holiness and justice dam and Eve enjoyed before the Fall

Concupiscence

The tendency or inclination to sin that is an effect of Original Sin. Even though Baptism erases the stain of Original Sin, the tendency to sin remains.

Messiah

The Hebrew word for “anointed one” and the title given to the Savoir God promised to the people of Israel

Twelve Apostles

The 12 men Jesus chose and called to be His representative. Jesus sent them to preach the good news of salvation and the miracles in His name. Jesus gave the Apostles special authority and made them the first leaders (bishops) of the church.

Great Commission

The final words of Christ to His Apostles before His Ascension into Heaven found in Matthew 28:18-20; he gave his Apostles and the church the mission of evangelization, making disciples of all the nation

Pentecost

The day when Jesus sent the Holy spirity upon Mary and the Apostles and the Church was born. Fifty days after Jesus’ Resurrection (ten days after ascension to Heaven), Mary and the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room and where filled with the Holy Spirit, who appeared as the tongues of fire over them.

Pharisee

A member of a Jewish sect that strictly observed the Mosaic Law in its ceremonies, practices, and oral tradition. They believed in the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body at the end of time.

Sanhedrin

The ancient Jewish court system that settled religious, political, and judicial matters

The Way

A title for the Church used by the earliest Christians that refers to the journey of the faithful on the path to salvation .This title echoes Jesus’ statement that He is “the way and the truth and the life”

Bishop

A successor to the Apostles, who has received the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. He is the leader of a particular church, or diocese, entrusted to him; derived from overseer.

Ecumenical Council

A meeting of all the world’s bishops together in union with the pope.

Pope

The successor of St. Peter as bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the universal Catholic Church. the pop exercises a primacy of authority as the vicar of Christ on earth and the shepherd of the whole Church.

Deacon

A man ordained not for priesthood but for ministry and service as an assistant to bishops and priests. He serves important functions in the ministry of the Word, divine worship, pastoral governance, and the service of charity--tasks which he must carry out under the pastoral authority of his bishop. (derived from “helper” )

Martyr

A person who is killed for bearing witness to their faith

Priest

A man ordained to be a co-worker with his bishop, who assists in priestly service to the People of God. By virtue of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, priests are consecrated-set apart in a sacred way-to serve in persona Christi Capitis (in the person of Christ the Head); derived from elder

Apostolic Succession

The handing on of apostolic preaching and authority from the Apostles to their successors, the bishops, through the laying on of hands, as a permanent office in the Church