Exploring Sacred Scripture Final

Ascension

When Jesus’ humanity converts into divinity in Heaven, forty days after his Resurrection.

Beatitudes

Blessed teachings presented by Jesus that describe the attitudes and actions of those who follow Him.

Beloved Disciple

The Apostle of John that is unnamed, in the Gospel of John.

Evangelist

One of the four writers of the Gospels.

Gentile

Person who is not of Jewish faith or origin.

Gospel

Good news; the written accounts of life, ministry, death, and Resurrection of Jesus.

Incarnation

The Son of God became man through Jesus Christ.

Infancy narratives

Accounts of Jesus’ birth and early childhood in the early chapters of Matthew and Luke.

Kerygma

Proclamation of salvation through Jesus preached in the Early Church.

Kingdom of God

God rules over our hearts, fully realized at our deaths.

Miracles

Signs worked by Jesus that reveal the presence and power of God’s kingdom.

Parables

Short stories spoken by Jesus in the synoptics that reveal truths about God’s kingdom.

Paschal Mystery

Salvation of Jesus through his passion, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Quelle (Q Source)

Written collection of Jesus’ sayings used as a common source by the authors of Matthew and Luke.

Synoptic Gospels

Matthew, Mark, and Luke; Gospels that act as a timeline and point of view of Jesus’s life.

martyr

Someone who suffers death for their religious beliefs.

conversion

Reorientation of someone’s life away from sin and toward God and faith.

New Testament

Second part of the Bible that focuses on the life of Jesus and the early Church.

patriarchal

Men hold power.

apostate/apostasy

Rejection of the Christian faith by someone who was baptized.

Sabbath

Holy day of rest and worship.

disciple

A follower of Jesus.

Passion

Suffering of Jesus during the final hours of his life.

Resurrection

Jesus rises from the dead on the third day.

Sacred Tradition

Transmission of the Gospel message through the teachings and practices of the Church.

Pope

Bishop of Rome and leader of the Catholic Church.

Deposit of Faith

All truths revealed by God in scripture and tradition.

Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Church.

Apostolic succession

Chain of authority passed on from the apostles to modern bishops.

Papal infallibility

The Holy Spirit protects the Pope from teaching error.

Doctrine

Authoritative teaching of the Church.

Christology

Study of the person, nature, and role of Jesus.

Free will

We have the right to choose our own faith and make our own decisions.

Hypostatic union

Union of Jesus being 100% God and 100% man.

justification

Being made right with God which we receive through Jesus Christ.

salvation

Being saved from sin and death while restoring your relationship with God.

faith

Believing in God and everything He has revealed to us.

Messiah

Jesus is promised to save Israel by God.

Sanhedrin

Jewish religious and political council.

Passover

Jewish feast that celebrates God freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

pharaoh

The king of Egypt.

discourse

Authoritative speech given by Jesus.

consubstantial

Jesus is as full of divinity as God.

blasphemy

Speaking or acting with extreme disrespect to God or sacred objects.

Real Presence

Jesus is present in the Eucharist.

preeminence

Having importance or holding a higher place above others.

Salvation history

God’s saving action unfolding through human history.

Levites

Members of the Israelite tribe responsible for helping priests and caring for the temple.

High Priest

The head religious leader of Israel who performed the most sacred sacrifices.

sacrifice

Holy offering made to God to show devotion or ask for forgiveness.

Old Covenant

Sacred agreement God made with Israel on Mount Sinai through Moses.

New Covenant

Eternal agreement made by God through the blood of Jesus.

Corporal Works of Mercy

Actions that involve helping with physical needs or basic needs.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Actions that involve helping with psychological needs.

Hell

Separation from God and the Saints, state of eternal punishment.

justice

Demands of relationships fulfilled to ensure we give to God and our neighbors.

charity

We love God above everything else and out of that love, we love our neighbors.

solidarity

The union of our heart and mind with the poor or unjust.

intercede

To intervene for someone else.

Annunciation

Biblical event where Angel Gabriel visits Virgin Mary to tell her she is the Mother of God.

Immaculate Conception

Catholic dogma that the Blessed Virgin Mary was free from sin since her conception.

Assumption

Dogma that recognizes that the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken into Heaven after her death.

Natural law

The moral law that was written by God that everyone can understand.

Original Sin

Fallen state of human nature that everyone is born into because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve.

concupiscence

Human tendency to sin even after baptism.

polytheism

The belief or worship of more than one god.

monotheism

The belief or worship of only one god.

Trinity

Christian mystery of one god in the father, son, and holy spirit.

filial

Relationship between parent and child.

Redeemer

Jesus Christ, who paid the price of his own life to save us from the slavery of sin.

Advocate/Paraclete

A title for the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost

Jewish feast that celebrates the covenant at Mount Sinai.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Seven permanent traits given at Baptism to help us follow God.

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Twelve perfections or behaviors that grow in us when we live with the Holy Spirit.

episcopacy

The office or government of bishops in the Church.

Parousia

The second coming of Jesus at the end of time.

evangelizers

People who preach and spread the good news of Jesus.

presbyters

The early New Testament term for elders.

Pastoral Letters

New Testament letters written to early Church leaders giving guidance.

providence

God's loving and wise guidance and protection over creation.

Apocalyptic literature

A symbolic writing style dealing with ends of the world and God’s final victory over evil.

persecution

Oppression of people due to their religious beliefs.

Particular judgment

Individual judgment passed on everyone at the moment of their death.

Final judgment

Universal judgment of all humanity by Jesus during his second coming.

Purgatory

Temporary state of final cleansing needed after death before entering Heaven.