Theology study guide

The church is our family of faith. ( The Domestic Church)

it extends back century, and at the beginning of time is the Triune God.

The Gospel of John’s prologue calls the Son, “the Word” States that the word was with god and is god, and that the spirit hovered over the waters of the abyss

The church is living and striving today, and will endure into the future.

The church is a key part of God’s plan for our salvation.

It has been present since the beginning of human history. it has been fully revealed by jesus Christ through his:

preaching and ministry (3y)

Selection of the apostles ( 12 that mirror the 12 tribes of Israel, named after the 12 sons of the patriarch JACOB)

His death and resurrection.

Jesus established the Church through his:

Parables: Short stories told by Jesus that teach a religious lesson, and have a twist in their endings.

Such as The Prodigal Son, in which the father represents God, who forgives, and the Son represents us, who are sinners.

The Good Shepherd, The shepherd represents Jesus , and we are the lost sheep

The Good Samaritan. The twist is that Samartians and Jews were noted enemies .

The Mustard Seed: a tiny seed barely visibile to the It is analogous of our faith, which starts very minutely and grows abundantly as we nurture it.

Jesus’ Teachings:

The Beautitudes(8) speak of acquiring true happiness.

Law of Love- (Summary of the Ten commandments by Jesus into the Two great commandments)

1-3 Commandments is “ Love the lord, your God with all your heart, soul and mind,”

4-10(Commandments) “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

Emphasis on the Reign of God.

Actions-His miracles( Turned water to wine, resurrected Lazarus, cured the blind, healed the lame/crippled, walked on water, multiplkied the loaves of fish and bread, etc) 6 miracle

The twelve apostles:

Mission of the Apostles:

To preach

To teach

To heal

To Baptize

To expel demons

Make disciples of all nations

The term used for this is the “Great Comissions”

“Go forth and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus selected ordinary, imperfect people to be the Twelve/

Simon Peter; A Gallilean fisherman dearly loved by Christ and named “Peter the Rock”, he denied jesus 3 times. ‘

Andrew: Brother to simon peter, a gallilean fisherman aswell

James The Greater: Son of Zebedee (Sons of Thunder)

John, second Son of Thunder

Phillip , present at the multiplication of loaves of bread of fish.

Bartholomew, followed Philip, and Jesus without knowing who he was.

Thomas- ‘Doubting Thomas” for doubting Jesus’ resurecction following his intense physical injuries.

James the Lesser: ordinary follower of christ

Matthew: Tax collector for the Romans who previously collaborated against the Jews with the Roman government.

Simon: A political zealot, who was a member of a group of political radicals who wanted to overthrow the government.

Jude- among the least-known disciples, characterized as a tenderhearted gentlemen

Judas Iscariot-betrayed jesus for thrity pieces of silver, killed himself through suicide.

The Church was born from the events of the Paschal Mystery( Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension

Blood and water from Jesus’ side symbolize

Water-Baptism and the Blood-Eucharist

Jesus’ Resurrection makes the Church possible

The Gospel of Matthew:

Also known as the Gospel of the church, used the greek term “ekklesia” to refer to the Church.

In the old testament, “ekklesia” referred to the assembly of the Chosen People.

the early christians used this word to refer to their gatherings, due to roman persecution.

Jesus promised to be present where two or three are gathered in his name.

Matthew emphasizes the Church’s communal nature

The Gospel of Matthew was written around Anno Domini, known as the year of the lord.

The author is an unknown Jewish Christian, identified as Matthew

The intended audience is a Jewish Christian community, likely in Antioch, Syria ( Which is where we first hear the term Christian—otherwise known as partisans of christ.)

Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.(isaiah)

Peter was the key leader in the early Church.

Jesus commisions his followers to continue his teaching and ministry

Reasons for Writing:

It connects the life and teachings of Jesus to important leaders and events in the Old Testament.

It presents Jesus as the son of God and the Teacher of the New Law

Saint Paulis of Tarsus, previously known as SAul- On his way to damascus received a theophany in which jesus inquired on why her persecuted his people

Present at the stoning of the first Christian martyr, Stephen.

He is a tentmaker from Tarsus, a greek city in modern-day Turkey.

He is called the “Apostle to the Gentiles”

He embarks on three journeys spreading the good News of Jesus Christ.

he suffered stoning and scourging and was imprisoned in Phillippi with Barnabas.

Declared by Emperor Nero: death by decapitation.

He wrote 13 out of the 21 epistles

Christians used the Ichthys and Chi Ro to identify themselves during times of persecution.