Christianity Lecture Series Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the core beliefs, history, festivals, and practices of Christianity based on the lecture notes.

Christianity

A religion followed by those who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, both human and divine, sent to turn people away from sin.

The Trinity

The belief that God is one substance but can be experienced as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Denominations

Different groups that have emerged within Christianity, such as Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches.

Eucharist

Also known as Holy Communion or Mass, this is a weekly celebration where Christians eat bread and drink wine in memory of Jesus' sacrifice.

Incarnate

A term meaning God in the flesh, referring to the belief that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God.

Messiah

A title meaning "the anointed one" that was expected by the Jews and claimed by Christians for Jesus.

Magi

Wise men or kings from the East who predicted a momentous event from the stars and brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Ministry

The period of service that began for Jesus at about the age of $30$ following his baptism.

Baptism

An initiation rite marking the beginning of a new life; Jesus was baptized by John in the river Jordan.

Disciples

The general group of followers gathered by Jesus during his ministry.

Apostles

A group of twelve men selected by Jesus as his inner circle to be "people who are sent" to preach.

Parables

Stories that use everyday events to convey an important spiritual truth, such as the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Miracles

Acts performed by Jesus, such as healing the sick or overcoming nature, to show that God's Kingdom is without suffering.

Last Supper

The Passover meal Jesus shared with his twelve disciples where he identified bread as his body and wine as his blood.

Sanhedrin

The Jewish council before which Jesus was questioned by Caiaphas, the High Priest, prior to his execution.

Resurrection

The event on the Sunday following the crucifixion when Jesus' followers found his tomb empty and believed he had risen from the dead.

Ascension

The event marking the end of Jesus' earthly ministry when he went up to heaven.

Pentecost

A festival occurring $50$ days after Passover celebrating the arrival of the Holy Spirit, which transformed the disciples into preachers.

Gentiles

Non-Jewish people; the early Church debated whether they could become Christians without following the Jewish Torah.

St. Peter

The apostle Jesus called "the Rock," who became the first leader of the Church and spoke in favor of accepting Gentiles.

St. Paul

Formerly Saul of Tarsus, he converted after a vision on the road to Damascus and became the primary missionary to the Gentiles.

Epistles

Letters found in the Bible, many written by Paul, used to advise and encourage early Christian communities.

Edict of Milan

A decree issued in $313\,CE$ by Constantine and Licinius granting freedom of worship to Christians in the Roman Empire.

The Great Schism

The major split in $1054$ where the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches excommunicated each other.

The Reformation

A movement in the $16^{th}$ century led by Martin Luther attacking corruption such as the selling of indulgences.

Indulgences

Pardons sold by the church which people believed would release souls from purgatory.

Advent

A four-week season of preparation before Christmas where Christians reflect on their lives and God's love.

Lent

A period of preparation before Easter, lasting $40$ days, simulating Jesus' time in the wilderness.

Sacrament

Defined by St. Augustine as "the visible form of an invisible grace," representing a visible sign that God is present.

Transubstantiation

The belief that the bread and wine used in the Eucharist actually become the physical body and blood of Christ.

Altar

A table at the east end of a church building where the Eucharist is celebrated.

Pulpit

A raised platform in a church from which a preacher delivers a sermon.

Font

A bowl, often located near the church entrance, that holds water used for baptisms.

The Bible

A collection of $66$ books divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament, considered the word of God by Christians.

Testament

A word meaning "promise" or "covenant."