Learn: Ecclesiology Ch. 4 (Days 21-24)

Sacrament

Efficacious (meaning 'effects' what it signifies) sign and instrument of grace - makes the invisible visible

Ekklesia

Greek term = "Gathering of the summoned" - emphasizes that the Church is God's calling of human beings out from the world of sin

Church

Translated "church" in English. If the "C" is capitalized, it refers to the people, not the building

Communion

We are made to be in an intimate union of love with God (vertical) and with others (horizontal)

Hierarchy

"Sacred orders" or "rule by priests" - the servant-leaders of the Church

Apostolic Succession

The Apostles and their successors received authority from Christ, and passed on their authority to bishops; the sign of which is the laying on of hands

Conclave

"with the keys" - for the election of the pope, the cardinals are locked in the Sistine Chapel until a decision is made

Cardinal

A papal elector, who may be an adviser to the pope, but not necessarily

Bishop

Highest level of holy orders (3rd degree) - successor to the Apostles - involved in both his local and the universal Church

Diocese

Territory in the care of a bishop

Cathedral

Home church of the bishop and the bishop's chair (cathedra), which symbolizes his authority

Ecumenical Councils

There have been 21 of these throughout the history of the Church - worldwide gathering of bishops - make decisions that become validated by the Pope

Parish

Church, territory, and people under the care of a pastor

Magisterium

The teaching office of the Church; teachings derive from what is consistent with Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition

Deposit of Faith

What is recorded in the New Testament (drawing from events that happened within the lifetime of Jesus or the Apostles).

Canon

Means "measuring stick/reed"; the official list of divinely inspired books/letters of the Bible recognized by the Church.

Infallibility

Christ's gift to the Church, so that the faith could be transmitted to the end of time - based on His promise of the Holy Spirit and His promise that the gates of hell would not prevail

Priest

Ordained "in persona Christi", main "task" is to offer the Mass, and has authority to assist his bishop with the sacraments (elders/presbyters)

Inspiration

"breathed in"; Scripture was written by the Holy Spirit w/o error (properly interpreted) in the style and culture of the human authors

Sola Scriptura

Divine Revelation consists of "scripture alone"; a belief adopted by the Protestant branch of Christianity, but rejected by the Catholic Church.

Council of Jerusalem

First church council, called to resolve the growing controversy over whether or not Gentile and Jewish converts to Christianity would have to observe Jewish law (circumcision, dietary restrictions, etc.)

Council of Rome

382 AD; Pope Damascus offers the first Canon of Scripture to be agreed upon

Council of Carthage

397 A.D., the question of what books were to be included in the Canon of the Bible was settled.

Edict of Milan

Issued by Constantine in 313, ended the "great persecution" and legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire

St. John

Wrote a Gospel, 5 NT letters/books in total; last Apostle to die; ends apostolic era (end of first century A.D.)

St. Irenaeus of Lyons

St. Polycarp was his teacher - wrote Against Heresies, writes of the Real Presence - first writing to mention "The Eucharist"

St. James the Greater

First Apostle to be martyred, brother of St. John

St. Luke

Author Acts of the Apostles and a Gospel; himself not an "Apostle"; travel companion of St. Paul

Diocletian

The Emperor of Rome (245-313 A.D.) who was responsible for destroying Scriptures, liturgical books, Christians couldn't assemble, couldn't petition in court. He led the final of the 10 Christian persecutions.

Domitian

Roman emperor (81 to 96 A.D.).; most scholars believe he was the emperor when the book of Revelation, and its attack on the Roman Empire, was composed - He exiled St. John to Patmos

Constantine

Roman Emperor who outlawed the persecution of Christians.

St. Peter

First Pope, leader of the Apostles, upon whom Christ founded the Church

St. Paul

apostle to the Gentiles - wrote 13 of the 27 NT books/letters

Apostolic Age

Ends with the death of St. John the Apostle; this time period is founded on the teaching of the Apostles/apostles from the time of Jesus' Ascension to the death of the last Apostle (33-100 A.D.)

St. Mark

Companion of St. Paul on his first missionary journey; wrote the first of the 4 Gospels - an "apostle", not "Apostle"

St. James the Lesser

First bishop of Jerusalem; an Apostle

St. Timothy and St. Titus

Some of the first bishops of the Church (who weren't Apostles); companions of St. Paul on his missionary journeys; St. Paul wrote letters to them (in the NT)

St. Polycarp

Disciple of St. John the Apostle, appointed a bishop by him. Teacher of St. Irenaeus of Lyon, the first to describe the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Divine Revelation

According to the Catholic Church, consists of both Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture

The Great Commission

Jesus' command to go and make disciples of all people and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; when he passes on his authority to his Apostles

St. Stephen

first Christian deacon + first Christian martyr

Council of Nicaea

(325 A.D.) Called by Constantine to settle the Arius dispute regarding Jesus' divinity; it's the 1st 'ecumenical' Church council.

St. Ananias

An early Church priest (elder) who baptized St. Paul (Acts 9)

Rome + Constaninople

The two primary cities of the Church by the end of the 1st millennia

Russian Orthodox

largest Orthodox Church community in the world

Byzantine Catholic Church

largest Eastern Rite Catholic Church community in the world

apostle

one who is "sent out"; St. Paul identified himself as an "apostle". When the "A" is capitalized it refers to the 12 Apostles chosen by Jesus.

disciplines

practices by the Church that have changed over time for the benefit of the Church

dogmas

Central truths of the Catholic faith, defined by the Magisterium, that have not changed over time

doctrine

teachings of the Church that have developed over time