Bible Key Terms Study Guide

63 BC

Rome (Pompey) takes Judea

539 BC

Persia conquers Babylon; Jews later return from exile

332 BC

Alexander the Great spreads Greek rule and culture.

175 BC

Antiochus IV persecutes Jews, sparking Maccabean revolt.

Alexander the Great

Brought Greek culture (Hellenism)

Hellenism

Spread of Greek language and culture

Maccabeans

Jewish family who rebelled and purified the Temple.

Second Temple

Jewish temple

Shavuos

Jewish feast celebrating the Law at Sinai

Saul/Paul

Early persecutor turned apostle to the Gentiles

Peter

Apostle; key leader in early church

Luke

Author of Luke and Acts.

Stephen

First Christian martyr

Cornelius

First Gentile convert

Gabriel

Angel who delivers messages from God

Galatians

Paul’s letter addressing JudaizersJ

udaizers

Taught Gentile Christians must follow Jewish law

Pharisee

Jewish group stric on law and tradition

Sadducee

Priestly group, denied resurrection.

Zealot

Jewish revolutionary opposed to Rome

Sanhedrin

Jewish ruling council

Synagogus

Local place of Jewish worship

Centurion

Roman military officer

Rome

Empire ruled Judea during New Testament times.

Persia

Empire allowing Jews to return from exile.

Sermon on the Plain

Jesus’ teachings in Luke 6

Peter’s vision

God shows Gentiles are acceptable

Penteost

Holy Spirit descends on believers

Holy Spirit

God’s spirit guiding and empowering believers

Kingdom of God

God’s rule breaking into the world

Gentile

Non-Jew

Parable

Story with a spiritual meaning

Epistle

Letter written by Paul

Martyrdom

Dying for your faith

Council of Jerusalem

Leaders decide Gentiles don’t need to follow full Jewish law

Righteousness/Justification

Being made right with God through faith