Catholic Vocabulary and Bible Study Guide
Structure and Organization of the Bible
The Bible is foundational to Catholicism and is comprised of two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The definitive dividing point between these two sections is the Birth of Jesus. In terms of volume, the Catholic Bible contains a total of books. This total is divided into books within the Old Testament and books within the New Testament.
The Old Testament is organized into four distinct categories: the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, the Prophets, and the Wisdom Books. Similarly, the New Testament is structured into four specific categories: the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles (referred to as Acts), the Pauline Letters, and the Book of Revelation.
The Clergy and Church Hierarchy
Within the Catholic Church, members of the clergy are described as being ordained, a term which means they are set aside for a special purpose. The term Minister is defined as a servant. The hierarchy of ordained ministry consists of three primary roles: the Bishop, the Priest, and the Deacon.
A Bishop serves as an overseer and is responsible for leading a specific geographic territory known as a Diocese. A Priest is a member of the clergy who offers the sacraments and provides teaching to the faithful; when a priest is the leader of a specific parish, he is referred to as the Pastor. A Deacon serves as an assistant within the church; while a Deacon can preach the Gospel, they do not have the authority to celebrate the Eucharist.
At the peak of the Church hierarchy is the Pope, who holds the title of the Bishop of Rome. The first Pope in the history of the Church was Peter. The Pope's official cathedral is St. John Lateran, and he serves as the sovereign ruler of the independent country known as Vatican City.
Sanctity and the Process of Canonization
A Saint is defined as someone who is currently in Heaven. The term for a saint originates from the Latin word Sanctus, which translates to holy or saint. Canonization refers to the formal and official process by which the Church declares an individual to be a saint. A Martyr is a specific type of saint or faithful person who is a witness that died specifically for their faith.
The practice of intercession is a key component of the Catholic faith, involving the act of asking the saints to pray to God on behalf of the living. This is distinct from worship, as it is a request for prayerful support from those already in the presence of God.
Sacraments, Sacramentals, and Christian Denominations
The Catholic Church recognizes Seven Sacraments, which are essential liturgical rites: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Confession, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. Separately, the Church utilizes Sacramentals, which are sacred signs or objects that bear a resemblance to the sacraments and signify effects obtained through the Church's intercession. Examples of sacramentals include Holy Water, the Sign of the Cross, the Bible, and the Rosary.
On a broader scale, Christianity is divided into various branches or Christian Denominations. The three primary groups mentioned are the Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox traditions.
Questions and Discussion
This section reflects the Quick Quiz provided to test knowledge of the materials covered in the study guide.
What are the two parts of the Bible? The two parts are the Old Testament and the New Testament.
How many books are in the Old Testament? There are books in the Old Testament.
How many books are in the New Testament? There are books in the New Testament.
What are the four New Testament categories? The four categories are the Gospels, Acts, Pauline Letters, and Revelation.
What is a bishop's territory called? A bishop's territory is called a Diocese.
Who was the first Pope? Peter was the first Pope.
What is the Pope's cathedral? The Pope's cathedral is St. John Lateran.
What country does the Pope rule? The Pope rules Vatican City.
What is intercession? Intercession is the act of asking saints to pray for us.
Name all seven sacraments. The seven sacraments are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Confession, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick.