CLF First Quarter Notes: Holy Spirit, Early Church, Persecutions, and Symbols

50 vocabulary flashcards covering spiritual gifts, Holy Spirit roles, early Church concepts, apostles, persecution, and Christian symbols.

Talents and abilities given to Christians by the Holy Spirit to serve the church.

Spiritual gifts

See the world in its true light.

Wisdom

Grasp the truths of our faith.

Understanding

See and choose what is best for God’s glory and salvation.

Counsel

Points out the path to follow and avoid dangers.

Knowledge

Courage and strength to combat struggles.

Fortitude

Embrace part of God’s service; devout worship and reverence.

Piety

To offend God is the greatest evil; reverence for God.

Fear of the Lord

The Holy Spirit provides conviction of sin to all people.

Conviction of sin

The Holy Spirit as —————— in the believer’s life.

Helper/Comforter

The third person of the Trinity, equal to the Father and the Son.

Holy Spirit

Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles; feast 50 days after Easter; birth of the Church.

Pentecost

The Church will remain on earth until the end of the world.

Indefectibility

The bishop of Rome and the leader of the Catholic Church.

Pope

The Pope’s authority to teach on faith and morals without error when speaking ex cathedra.

Infallibility (Papal Infallibility)

The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth (John 16:13).

Spirit of Truth

The nine attributes produced by the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Fruit of the Spirit

One of the leading apostles who defended and spread Christ’s teaching.

St. Peter

Apostle who defended and spread Christ’s teaching.

St. Paul

Book detailing the early church’s deeds and ministry.

Acts of the Apostles

Teaching of the Apostles; an early Christian manual.

Didache

Voluntary sharing of material things and common goods among believers.

Koinonia

Eucharist; the celebration of the body and blood of Christ.

Breaking of the Bread

Communication with God; includes the Shema in Jewish practice.

Prayer

Hebrew prayer: Hear, O Israel.

Shema

Period when disciples formed small groups led by the apostles.

Apostolic Age

Early form of Christianity after Jesus; growth in purity of belief and practice.

Post-Jesus Christianity

Education, medical care, and distribution of alms

Charitable and practical works characteristic of early Christians.

Central proclamation of early Christians that Jesus is risen.

Jesus as risen Lord

Early Christian practice of mutual care and sharing resources.

Community of love and sharing

The first Christian community in Jerusalem; foundation for church unity.

Jerusalem Church

The Church’s essential character remains constant across time.

Unchanging nature of the Church

Church leaders who preserve teaching and governance.

Bishops

Systematic opposition to Christians by Roman authorities.

Persecution (Overview)

Emperor who blamed Christians for Rome’s fire and tortured many Christians.

Nero

Emperor who persecuted Christians and targeted the Davidic lineage.

Domitian

Emperor who decreed Christianity punishable by death.

Trajan

Emperor who accused Christians of atheism for not worshiping the emperor.

Hadrian

Marcus Aurelius

Emperor who decreed legalization of persecution.

Emperor who fed Christians to lions.

Septimius Severus

Emperor who saw Christianity as a dangerous poison and required sacrifice to gods.

Decius

Emperor who decreed bishops and deacons must offer sacrifice to the gods.

Valerian

Emperor who ordered churches and scriptures confiscated and burned.

Diocletian

Emperor who ordered bloody executions and issued the Edict of Tolerance.

Galerius

Emperor who changed the condition of Christians, promoting and protecting Christianity.

Constantine the Great

Emperor who declared Christianity the official religion of the empire.

Theodosius I

Symbol of Hope: confident expectation of divine blessing and reverence for God’s love.

Christian Symbols: Anchor

Symbol of Peace: peace as the work of justice and the effect of charity.

Dove

ICHTHUS: acronym from Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.

Ichthys (Fish)

Mythical bird that dies in fire and rises renewed—symbol of resurrection.

Phoenix

Symbols of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

Bread and Wine

Monogram of Christ.

Chi-Rho (Chirho)

Christian symbol; defended by Tertullian against pagan ridicule.

Sign of the Cross