Christianity

question: Who was Jesus Christ? Answer: A Jewish religious leader regarded by most Christian branches as God himself, also seen as an important prophet in Muslim tradition and precursor of Prophet Muhammad1 .

Term: Christ Definition: Not originally Jesus' name but a title from the Greek word christos, meaning “The anointed one,” analogous to the Hebrew Meshiah1 . Early followers believed Jesus was the Messiah and used "Jesus Christ" or "Christ Jesus" together as his name1 .

Context: Region of Jesus's life (North and Central Palestine) Description: This region was under Roman control since the 1st century BCE, initially as a tributary kingdom, becoming politically stable and prosperous under King Herod the Great (c. 73 BCE – 4 BCE)2 . After Herod's death, his kingdom was split among his sons, with Galilee ruled by Herod Antipas (c. 20 BCE – c. 39 CE) during Jesus's entire life3 .

Question: When was Jesus born? Answer: The sources state Jesus's birth occurred "in the days of Herod the king [Herod the Great]"4 . The exact year is uncertain, but he could not have been born later than 4 BCE, and some scholars suggest an earlier date, even as early as 17 BCE4 .

Question: Did Jesus leave written records? Answer: Like other ancient teachers, Jesus left no written records, though the gospel of John mentions him writing something in the sand5 . Details about his life survived through oral tradition before being written down5 .

Question: What are the earliest Christian records mentioning Jesus's life? Answer: The earliest records are the letters ascribed to Saint Paul, some dating to approximately 65 CE or slightly earlier, though they offer limited details outside the Last Supper and execution6 .

Term: Canonical Gospels Definition: A group of four gospels accepted by Christian tradition as inspired by God: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John7 .

Term: Synoptic Gospels Definition: Three of the canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) whose content presents many similarities7 . Mark is believed to be the earliest (65–70 CE), used as a main source by Matthew (85-90 CE) and Luke (90–100 CE)7 .

Term: The “Q” source Definition: A hypothetical source of Jesus's teaching believed to have been used by the authors of Matthew and Luke in addition to Mark7 .

Question: What was Jesus's profession? Answer: Matthew and Mark state that his father, Joseph, was a carpenter, and Mark adds that this was also Jesus's profession8 . It was common for sons to follow their father's trade, so it is likely Jesus was a carpenter8 .

Question: What are two core ethical views Jesus summed up? Answer: Jesus summed up his ethical views in the double command concerning love: to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, and to love one's neighbor as oneself9 .

Question: Who was Paul and what is his significance? Answer: Paul was a follower of Jesus Christ who converted on the road to Damascus10 . Scholars appreciate him as an actual founder of the religious movement that became Christianity, spreading the message of God's approaching reign10 . His writings later helped validate Christian dogma10 .

Question: What was Paul's view on the Law of Moses for Gentiles? Answer: Paul believed his job was to bring the "good news" to the Gentiles11 . Since the Law of Moses was not traditionally applied to Gentiles, he argued they need not be subject to circumcision, dietary laws, or Sabbath regulations11 .

Question: What was the first recorded official persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire? Answer: In 64 CE, when Emperor Nero blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome12 .

Term: The Great Persecution Definition: The last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, lasting from 302–311 CE13 . It involved rescinding Christian legal rights, demanding compliance with Roman practices, tearing down Christian buildings, burning sacred books, and torturing Christians13 ....

Term: Edict of Milan (313 CE) Definition: An announcement by Constantine and Licinius granting tolerance to all religions, including Christianity15 . It went beyond the 311 Edict of Toleration by returning confiscated Church property15 .

Term: Nicene Creed (325 CE) Definition: A statement of Christian belief composed by an ecumenical council under Emperor Constantine I, accepted as authoritative by most Christian groups16 . It describes Jesus as “homoousis” — of the same substance with God16 .

Term: Trinity Definition: The teaching that the one God comprises three distinct, eternally co-existing persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit17 . The Athanasian Creed states, "the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God"17 .

Term: Sacraments Definition: Rites instituted by Christ that mediate grace, constituting a sacred mystery18 . A conventional definition is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, that conveys an inward, spiritual grace19 .

Term: Baptism Definition: The ritual act using water by which a person is admitted to membership of the Church20 . Views vary on its spiritual significance (e.g., Baptismal Regeneration vs. purely symbolic) and methodology (immersion, submersion, affusion, aspersion)20 ....

Term: The Eucharist Definition: A ritual where bread and wine are consumed as a memorial of Jesus's sacrificial death21 . Also known as the Mass, Divine Liturgy, Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper21 .

Term: Intercessory Prayer Definition: Prayer offered for the benefit of other people22 . Its effectiveness derives from the power of God, not the status of the one praying22 . Some traditions ask for the intercession of saints, while others reject this based on Christ's sole mediation23 .