New Testament and Early Christianity Vocabulary

A comprehensive vocabulary review of key terms, historical figures, and concepts from New Testament studies, early Christian context, and historical Jesus research.

Old Testament

The first part of the Christian Bible.

Oral Period

The time when stories and teachings about Jesus were mainly passed by word of mouth before being written down.

Gospel

“Good news”; also refers to the four books about Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Epistle

A letter written to a person or group, especially letters in the New Testament.

Marcion

Early Christian teacher who rejected the Old Testament and wanted a smaller Christian collection of writings.

Canonization

The process of deciding which books are officially accepted as part of the Bible.

Athanasius’ Easter Letter

A letter from Athanasius (367 CE) that listed the 27 books of the New Testament as we have them today.

Vulgate

Latin translation of the Bible, associated with Jerome.

Alexander the Great

Greek ruler who conquered a huge empire and spread Greek culture and language.

Seleucus and Ptolemy

Two of Alexander's generals whose families ruled parts of his empire after his death.

Hellenism

The spread and influence of Greek language, culture, ideas, and lifestyle.

Aristotle

Famous Greek philosopher; teacher of Alexander the Great.

Antiochus Epiphanes

Seleucid ruler who tried to impose Greek culture on Jews and desecrated the Jewish Temple.

Maccabean Revolt

Jewish rebellion against Antiochus Epiphanes and Seleucid control.

Temple

A holy place where Jews worship God.

Hasmoneans

Jewish ruling family that came to power after the Maccabean Revolt.

Josephus

Jewish historian who wrote important accounts of Jewish history and the Jewish Revolt.

Polytheism

Belief in many gods.

Monotheism

Belief in one God.

Greco-Roman Religion

Religious traditions of the Greek and Roman world involving many gods.

Emperor Worship

Treating the Roman emperor as divine or worshiping him as a god.

Tacitus

Roman historian who wrote about Christians and early Christianity.

Pliny the Younger

Roman governor who wrote about how he dealt with Christians.

Caesar Augustus

First Roman emperor; ruled when Jesus was born.

Herod the Great

A Jewish king who ruled Judea under Roman control. He was also known for rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem.

Pontius Pilate

Roman governor who presided over Jesus' crucifixion.

Jewish Revolt (66–70 CE)

Jewish rebellion against Roman rule that ended with the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 CE.

Messiah

A person chosen by God to save and lead His people.

Son of God

A title used for Jesus expressing his special relationship with God.

Son of Man

A title Jesus frequently used for himself; connected with humanity and apocalyptic expectations.

Sadducees

Jewish group connected with the Temple and priestly leadership; generally rejected resurrection.

Pharisees

Jewish religious group that emphasized the Torah and oral tradition.

Essenes

A Jewish group that lived a strict, separate life and followed Jewish religious rules very carefully.

Zealots

Jewish group strongly opposed to Roman rule.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible; central to Jewish law and life.

Oral tradition of Pharisees

Teachings and interpretations of the Torah that were passed down orally.

Septuagint

Ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Historical Jesus

The actual man, that historians try to understand using historical evidence.

Herman Reimarus

Early scholar who argued that the historical Jesus should be studied separately from later Christian interpretations.

Albert Schweitzer

A scholar who saw Jesus as an apocalyptic preacher expecting God’s Kingdom soon.

Rudolf Bultmann

Scholar who emphasized interpreting the New Testament critically and separating the historical Jesus from later traditions.

Criteria for Historical Jesus Research

Methods historians use to decide how likely a saying/event about Jesus is historically reliable.

Resurrection

Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead after his crucifixion.

Kingdom of God

Is God’s acting to save men and women from what would destroy them.

Parables

Short stories used by Jesus to teach a lesson.

Aphorisms

Short sayings that express an important idea.

Miracles

Extraordinary events in the Gospel accounts, such as healings.

Parousia

The believe that Jesus will return in the future.

Realized Eschatology

The belief that God's future promises are already being experienced in the present.

Inaugurated Eschatology

The idea that God's future kingdom has begun now but will be fully completed in the future.