Church History Final Vocab

Apology

A defense or explanation of Christian beliefs

Maranatha

Aramaic phrase meaning "Come, Lord"

Eucharist

The sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood

Catechism

An official summary of Catholic teachings

Trinity

The belief in one God in three Persons

Mystical Body of Christ

The Church united as one body in Christ

Salvation

God’s saving action freeing humans from sin

Sanctification

The process of becoming holy

Kingdom of God

God’s reign of justice, peace, and love

New Covenant

The new relationship between God and humanity through Jesus

Covenant

A sacred agreement between God and humans

Apostolic Tradition

Teachings passed down from the apostles

Apostolic Succession

The passing of authority from the apostles to bishops

Ascension

Jesus rising into heaven

Pentecost

The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles

Apostle

A chosen messenger sent by Christ

Disciple

A follower of Jesus

Sanhedrin

The Jewish ruling council

Ekklesia

The early Christian assembly or Church

Blaspheme

To show disrespect toward God

Gentiles

Non-Jewish people

Convert

A person who adopts a new faith

Martyr

A person who dies for their faith

Catacombs

Underground burial places used by early Christians

Relics

Physical remains or objects associated with saints

Apologetics

The defense of religious beliefs through reason

Grace

God’s free and undeserved gift of help

Edict

An official decree or law

Persecution

Hostility or punishment for religious beliefs

Dogma

A truth officially defined by the Church as revealed by God

Doctrine

Teachings of the Church

Creeds

Formal statements of belief

Nicene Creed

A creed defining core Christian beliefs

Nestorianism

A heresy denying Mary as Mother of God

Orthodox Church

Eastern Christian churches separated from Rome

Holy See

The authority of the Pope and Vatican

Theology

The study of God and religious belief

Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Church

Sola Fide

The belief that faith alone brings salvation

Fides et Ratio

Faith and reason working together

Fide Quaerens Intellectum

Faith seeking understanding

Apostles’ Creed

Early statement of Christian beliefs

Church Fathers

Early influential Christian teachers

Age of the Fathers

Period of early Church leaders and theologians

Church Doctor

A saint recognized for theological teaching

Arianism

A heresy denying Christ’s full divinity

Heresy

A belief contrary to Church teaching

Vulgate

Latin translation of the Bible

Trinitarianism

Belief in the Trinity

Council of Nicea

The council that defined Christ’s divinity

Ecumenical Council

A gathering of Church leaders worldwide

Consubstantial

Of the same substance or nature

Begotten

Eternally generated, not created

Theotokos

Title for Mary meaning “God-bearer”

Logos

The Word of God, Christ

Promulgate

To officially proclaim

Hypostatic Union

The union of divine and human natures in Christ