New Testament and Early Church History Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering Second Temple Judaism, Greco-Roman culture, Jesus' ministry, the Apostles, Paul's journeys, early church developments, and the Seven Churches of Revelation based on the lecture notes.

First Temple

A permanent structure built by Solomon in the 10th Century BC to replace the tabernacle; destroyed by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II around 586 AD.

Holy of Holies

The inner room within the Temple where God's Spirit dwelled, entered only by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

Herod's Temple Architecture

The expanded design of the Second Temple initiated by Herod the Great in 20 BC, featuring major structures like the Royal Stoa, Wilson's Arch, Robinson's Arch, Huldah Gates, and the Court of Women.

Maccabean Revolt

A rebellion launched in 167 BC by Judas Maccabeus against the Seleucid Empire under Antiochus IV, who had persecuted Jews and desecrated the Temple.

Hanukkah

An 8-day festival, also known as the Festival of Dedication, celebrating the recapturing and rededication of the Temple by Judas Maccabeus.

Pharisees

A Jewish religious group composed of ordinary people and teachers of the Law who strictly followed the Law of Moses and believed in angels and the resurrection of the dead.

Sadducees

A political and priestly Jewish elite group that rejected the resurrection of the dead and angels, focused on political stability, and disappeared after AD 70.

Essenes

A group that separated from mainstream society near Qumran due to alleged Temple corruption, practiced ritual purity, and likely preserved the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Zealots

Radical anti-Roman Jewish resistance groups who advocated violence and whose revolts led directly to the Roman destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.

Hellenists

Jewish individuals who were heavily influenced by Greek language and culture.

Septuagint

The ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures.

Samaritans

Descendants of Northern Israel who worshiped idols and rejected worship at the Jerusalem Temple, regarded as traitors by Judean Jews.

Diaspora

Originating from the Greek term diaspeirein ('to scatter or spread about'), referring to Jewish populations living across the Mediterranean and Near East outside of Judea.

Roman Empire 100 AD Territory

The extent of Roman territorial control around 100 AD, spanning Europe, North Africa, Greece, Asia Minor, and Judea.

Epicureans

Adherents of a Hellenistic philosophy that sought happiness through tranquility, friendship, and moderation while rejecting belief in gods and the afterlife.

Stoicism

A philosophy emphasizing reason, virtue, endurance, and self-control, teaching individuals not to worry about what is beyond their control.

Platonism

A philosophical view teaching that reason leads to truth and that physical realities are lower forms of non-physical, higher forms.

Triumphal Entry

Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem on a donkey, welcomed by crowds laying down coats and palm branches while shouting 'Hosanna!' to fulfill Messianic prophecy.

Golgotha

Meaning 'Place of the Skull,' the site where Jesus was crucified between two criminals.

Pentecost

The event marked by a whirling wind and tongues of fire where the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to speak in languages they had not previously learned.

God-Fearers

Early Gentile believers in Christianity who were never ethnically or religiously Jewish.

Catechumens

Early Christian learners receiving instruction in 'The Way'.

Council of Jerusalem

The first official Church Council, which ruled that Gentile believers did not need to undergo circumcision or observe Jewish ceremonial practices.

Paul's Missionary Journeys

A series of four major missionary trips through Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome taken by Paul to plant churches and spread Christianity.

Canon

The officially accepted collection of sacred writings in Christianity, formed gradually over time.

Papias

An early historical figure who confirmed the legitimacy of the Gospels from first-hand accounts and direct acquaintance with figures like Mark and John.

Church Age Theory

An interpretation of Revelation 2–3 dividing Christian history into seven distinct eras: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

Ephesus (Revelation)

The first church in Revelation, praised for strong doctrine but warned because it lost its 'first love'.

Smyrna (Revelation)

The persecuted church in Revelation named after a burial spice (myrrh), exhorted to remain faithful even unto death.

Pergamum (Revelation)

The church located near 'Satan's throne,' rebuked for compromise through the pagan practices of the Nicolaitans.

Thyatira (Revelation)

The church in Revelation commended for works but condemned for tolerating 'Jezebel' and practices leading to plague and sickness.

Sardis (Revelation)

The church described as having 'creeds but no deeds,' retaining a reputation for being alive while actually dead.

Philadelphia (Revelation)

The faithful church in Revelation located in an earthquake zone, receiving no criticism and promised escape from the Great Tribulation.

Laodicea (Revelation)

The 'lukewarm' church in Revelation, criticized for spiritual blindness, poverty, and nakedness despite its self-satisfaction.