Exam 2 new testament study guide

Key Terms Definitions

• Pax Romana: The period of relative peace and stability throughout the Roman Empire that lasted approximately 200 years (27 BCE to 180 CE), facilitating the spread of Christianity.

• Pentecost: A major Jewish festival occurring 50 days after Passover, during which the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, marking the birth of the Christian church.

• Tongues: Refers to the phenomenon where individuals speak in languages unknown to them, significant in Acts 2 as a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence.

• The Way: The early term for the Christian faith, indicating a way of life based on the teachings of Jesus.

• Antioch: A significant early Christian centre where followers of Jesus were first called Christians; known for its diverse congregation and Paul’s missionary activities.

• Gallio Inscription: An inscription mentioning Gallio, proconsul of Achaia, which provides historical context for understanding Paul's trial in Corinth.

• Herod Agrippa I: King of Judea, known for his persecution of Christians and the death of James, the brother of John.

• Herod Agrippa II: Son of Agrippa I; known for hearing Paul’s defense in Acts 26; played a role in Jewish-Roman politics.

• Justification: In Christian theology, the act of being declared righteous before God, often emphasized in Pauline doctrine.

• Sanctification: The process by which believers are made holy, emphasizing moral and spiritual growth through the Holy Spirit.

• Substitutionary Atonement Theory: The belief that Christ died as a substitute for sinners, satisfying divine justice and reconciling humanity to God.

• Moral Influence Theory: A view of atonement highlighting Christ's death as a demonstration of God's love intended to inspire moral improvement and love in humanity.

• Ransom Theory: The theory positing that Christ’s death was a ransom paid to Satan or death to secure humanity's freedom.

• Gnosticism: An ancient heretical belief system that emphasized esoteric knowledge and often contradicted orthodox Christian teachings on creation and salvation.

• Bishop: A church leader responsible for overseeing a diocese, traditionally regarded as a successor to the apostles.

Short Answer Questions

1. Two ways Hellenization affected the early Christian church:

   • Spread of Greek language, facilitating communication and the spread of the Gospel.

   • Adoption of Greek philosophical concepts, influencing early theological discussions.

2. Two examples of outsiders welcomed into the early Christian church:

   • Gentiles such as Cornelius (Acts 10).

   • Women like Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), indicating inclusiveness of the early church.

3. City where Paul spent 18 months during his second missionary journey:

   • Corinth, a major cosmopolitan center of the time.

4. Paul's definition of faith:

   • An unwavering belief and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, often linked to salvation.

5. Three things Paul says are more important than spiritual gifts:

   • Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

   • Faith (Galatians 5:6).

   • Hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

Paragraph-Length Answers

1. Two philosophies prominent in the early Christian church:

   • Stoicism: Influenced by its idea of the rational order of the universe and the importance of virtue and ethics, aligning with Christian moral teachings.

   • Epicureanism: Focused on pleasure and avoidance of pain; early Christians confronted its views on the nature of God and afterlife.

2. The Jerusalem Council:

   • The church debated whether Gentile converts should be required to follow Jewish law. One side argued for the necessity of practices like circumcision, while the other emphasized salvation through faith alone. The final decision was that Gentiles were not required to adopt the law, promoting freedom in Christ while abstaining from certain practices.

3. Paul's view of salvation:

   • Salvation is both a moment of faith in Jesus and an ongoing transformational process. Verses supporting this include Ephesians 2:8-9 (salvation through faith), Romans 5:1 (justification), and Philippians 2:12-13 (working out salvation).

4. Intra-church conflicts Paul wrote about:

   • Issues of division, moral failures, and debates over authority. Paul encourages love, unity, and humility among Christians, illustrated by verses such as Romans 14:19, Galatians 5:13, and 1 Corinthians 1:10.

5. Cultural background of 1 Timothy 2:12:

   • Paul’s comment must be understood within the patriarchal context of first-century Ephesus, where women held less authority. In a 21st-century Canadian context, one could argue for inclusivity and equal opportunity in church leadership roles while considering the overarching principles of mutual respect and leadership being based on merit rather than gender.

Greek Words Definitions

• Αγάπη: Love, particularly the selfless, unconditional love demonstrated by Jesus.

• Ἄνθρωπος: Man or human, referring to humanity in a general sense.

• Ἄγγελος: Angel, a messenger of God.

• Έγω: I or me, a personal pronoun in Greek.

• θεός: God, the supreme being and creator in Christian theology.

• Ιησους: Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.

• Κήρυγμα: Proclamation or preaching of the Gospel.

• Κοινωνία: Fellowship or communion, often referring to the community aspect of the church.

• Κόσμος: World, often in the context of humanity or society.

• Λόγος: Word, often associated with the divine Word in Christian theology (John 1:1).

• Νόμος: Law, referring to the commandments and Mosaic Law.

• Πνεῦμα: Spirit, commonly referring to the Holy Spirit in Christian doctrine.

• Σάββατον: Sabbath, the day of rest and worship in Jewish tradition.

• Χάρις: Grace, the unmerited favor of God.

• Χριστός: Christ, the anointed one, referring to Jesus as the Messiah.