Key Figures and Events in Early Christianity

Barnabas

An early Christian leader and Paul's companion on missionary journeys, known for his encouragement.

Stephen

The first Christian martyr, stoned to death for preaching about Jesus (Acts 7).

Philip

One of the seven deacons in Acts; evangelized the Ethiopian eunuch and preached in Samaria.

Paul (Saul of Tarsus)

Former persecutor of Christians who converted and became the most influential missionary and letter-writer of the early church.

Cornelius

A Roman centurion and the first Gentile convert to Christianity (Acts 10).

Timothy

A young disciple of Paul from Lystra; received the letters 1 & 2 Timothy, which guided church leadership.

Lydia

A wealthy merchant from Philippi who became one of the first converts in Europe and hosted Paul's group.

Priscilla & Aquila

A married couple who were key leaders in the early church, mentioned in Acts and Paul's letters.

Silas

A missionary companion of Paul, imprisoned with him in Philippi, and co-author of some letters.

Titus

A Gentile convert and companion of Paul; helped deliver letters and lead churches.

Phoebe

A deaconess in the early church who delivered Paul's letter to the Romans (Romans 16:1-2).

Onesimus

A runaway slave whom Paul led to Christ and encouraged Philemon to receive as a brother.

Philemon

A Christian leader and slave owner to whom Paul wrote, urging him to welcome Onesimus as a brother in Christ.

Fruit of the Spirit

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Three problems Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians

Divisions in the church, sexual immorality, abuse of the Lord's Supper.

Corinth

Titus delivered the letters.

Rome

Phoebe delivered the letters.

Colossae

Tychicus delivered the letters.

Paul's hometown

Tarsus.

Main home base for first two missionary journeys

Antioch in Syria.

City where Paul spent 2.5 years

Ephesus (also a letter title).

Emperor reigning when Paul died

Nero.

Letter written to seek the freedom of a slave

Philemon (slave: Onesimus).

Prison Epistles

Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians.

Pastoral Epistles

1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus.

Book written for Theophilus

Acts.

Romans' literary style answering unvoiced questions

Diatribe.

Book known for its focus on joy/rejoicing

Philippians.

Greek word 'mysterion'

A divine mystery revealed; applies to the gospel as the revealed plan of salvation through Christ.

Acts 1:8

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Acts 2:1-4

"When Pentecost Day arrived..."

Galatians 3:28

"...for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

1 Corinthians 6:12

"I have the right to do anything..."

2 Corinthians 12:10

"...because when I'm weak, then I'm strong."

Romans 1:16-17

"God's righteousness is being revealed..."

Ephesians 2:8-10

"You are saved by God's grace... This salvation is God's gift."

Ephesians 5:21

"and submit to each other..."

Colossians 3:9-11

"Take off the old human nature... put on the new nature..."

Philippians 2:1-4

"Complete my joy by thinking the same way..."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"Every scripture is inspired by God..."

2 Timothy 4:7-8

"I have fought the good fight..."

Alexander the Great

Conquered vast territory - process known as Hellenization.

Deuterocanonical

Means 'second canon,' another name for the Apocrypha.

1 Maccabees

Antiochus IV defiled the temple.

Judas Maccabeus

Led the Jewish revolt.

Festival commemorating this victory

Hanukkah.

Herod the Great

Ruled as 'King of the Jews.'

Jerusalem and the Temple

Were destroyed in AD 70.

Greek word 'Christ'

Equivalent in Hebrew: Messiah.

Jesus' mother

Mary.

Jesus' birthplace

Bethlehem.

Roman emperor when Jesus was born

Augustus.

Other 'King of the Jews' in Matthew

Herod.

Jesus' chosen twelve

Apostles.

Apostles

Andrew's brother: Peter, Sons of Zebedee: James and John, Tax collector: Matthew, The Cananaean/Zealot: Simon, Iscariot: Judas, Didymus (Doubter): Thomas.

Matthew 5-7

Sermon on the Mount.

Parables from Luke

Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son.

Gospels with no birth record

Mark and John.

Betrayed Jesus

Judas.

Roman governor at Jesus' trial

Pilate.

First witnesses to the resurrection (Mark)

Mary Magdalene, Mary (mother of James), Salome.

Synoptic Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke.

Non-Synoptic Gospel

John.

Gospel with water to wine & Lazarus

John; sisters: Mary and Martha.

Gospel with 'Woman at the Well'

John.

Pharisee who asked about new birth

Nicodemus.