Ch.24: The Birth of the Church New Testament

Meditation Monday When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out. (Acts 14:11) Picture today’s scene. A man who had never walked before in his life had jumped up and was standing right in front of the crowd. It was an amazing miracle! No wonder the people couldn’t contain their excitement. So Barnabas and Paul seized this opportunity to tell them about the One who had healed this man. In the midst of our own uncertainties and unresolved questions, today should be a day of rejoicing as well. Why? Because God is at work. Because we are surrounded by miracles all day, every day. Our heavenly Father is reaching out to us this very moment. We may not know it all the time, but that doesn’t mean that God is passive. Miracles come in many different forms, and God wants to open our eyes to see them. He wants to help us recognize that he is with us, reaching out to us and offering us his grace. What kinds of miracles does God want to help us see? Well, think of the times when you have received some kind of inner healing or strength. Or think of a time when you knew for sure that God had forgiven you, or when you were able to forgive someone else. Think of those moments, perhaps at Mass, when you were convinced that God was with you in a special way. Or maybe you have prayed for a loved one with a serious illness, and then seen him recover without any medical explanation. Each of these is a miracle just as awe inspiring as the miracle Paul and Barnabas performed in today’s first reading. Behind all these miracles is the promise in today’s Gospel: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him” (John 14:23). No matter what you are facing today, or any day, you can hold on to this truth. God himself has chosen to live in your heart. He is with you in every circumstance, offering you his grace, peace, and hope. Your Father is always walking ahead of you, beside you, and behind you. What could possibly be more miraculous than that? “Father, thank you for living in my heart. I can’t wait to see what miracles you will work in my life today!”

Book of Acts Written by Luke the evangelist Emphasizes Jesus’ universality (for everyone) Writes to gentiles

Restoring the Kingdom John the Baptist stated, “ I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of those sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” Where was baptism with Holy Spirit and fire? 40 days after Resurrection, Christ speaks about the kingdom of God Jesus spent 40 days in desert preparing for ministry 40 days prepare apostles for ministry

Restoring the Kingdom Apostles stay in Jerusalem until Holy Spirit comes Jerusalem: -David’s capital; OT prophets promised it would be capital kingdom once again - Acts 1:6-8 – Jesus gave map of kingdom = Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and all Gentile nations Christ’s Ascension JC leaves apostles to take care of earthly affairs of the kingdom Restore Israel Extend kingdom to rest of world

Election of Matthias Acts 1:12-26 - two requirements: 1.present with apostles during Christ’s public ministry 2. Witnessed the Resurrected Christ - two possibilities = Joseph/Barsabbas & Matthias - Matthias chosen - “office of the bishop = “episcopacy”  Apostolic Succession

Pentecost Acts 2 Greek word for “fifty” 50 days after Christ’s Resurrection Located in Upper Room This is the “baptism of Holy Spirit and fire” All speaking in tongues; Gospel is proclaimed in all languages, Peter’s speech telling apostles aren’t drunk but fulfillment of prophet Joel “the spirit of the Lord would be poured out to everyone” HS given to apostles to establish Christ’s Church

Teambuilding Tuesday Compliment each person in your group. Be sincere and genuine. Don’t be immature.

Read Acts 4:23-37 Acts 5:1-11 Acts 6-7 Acts 9:1-19 Acts 15:1-12 Comprehension quiz tomorrow. Then you can study hall

Peter’s Authority Peter had primacy over the other apostles, he was the leader, made important decisions he inherited power to teach and heal from Christ 3,000 were baptized after Peter’s speech

Martyrdom of Stephen Feast December 26; first saint Popular deacon whose death marked the first wave of persecution against Christians Accused of blasphemy after arguing against authorities in a public debate Defended himself (Acts 7) Stoned to death Saul was a leading figure in persecuting Christians

Early Christian Practice Christians lived in community, listened to apostles’ teachings, shared everything, worshipped in Temple, celebrated the Eucharist Considered themselves part of the Jewish religion Synagogue on the Sabbath Sundays said Mass privately in homes for the baptized only

Saul to Paul – in the time it takes to fall off a horse!

“Why are you persecuting Me?” Saul of Tarsus -Roman Citizen -Ardent Jew -Persecutor of Christians Saul is temporarily blinded and fasts within Damascus after witnessing a bright light and hearing the voice of Jesus. -note Jesus says why are you persecuting “me” not “my Church.” Jesus = Church

Conversion! Prompted by Jesus the disciple Ananias goes to Saul. Saul regains his sight and is immediately baptized. Saul begins preaching the “Good news” and everyone is astounded at this dramatic and radical change of heart.

Gentiles Christ died for the salvation of ALL. Holy Spirit is poured into Gentiles thus showing that they too are to be saved. (Acts 10:45-49). “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.”

Council of Jerusalem First Ecumenical Council- 48 or 50 A.D. All the Bishops were present including Peter (the Pope). Topic: Do Gentiles have to become Jews in order to become Christians. Circumcision: covenant sign between Abraham and God. Peter ends the discussion- “executive order”- Gentiles do not have to become Jewish in order to be baptized! (Gentiles were probably happy to hear that)

The Dispersion of the Apostles

Peter Peter (Cephas, Simon) Bishop of Jerusalem 30-37 AD (James ben Alpheus, his successor) Missionary journeys 38-39 AD Antioch, 40-42 AD (Establishment of Evodius as Bishop; his successor, St. Ignatius) Rome, late 42-49, 62-67 (Jewish section, Trastevere, 14 district near Vatican Hill) Martyrdom: Crucifixion upside down, c. 67 AD in the Circus of Nero, buried in Vatican necropolis Wrote the Letter of Peter

James the Greater Mission in Spain Martyrdom by Herod Agrippa in 42 A.D. First Apostle martyred

John the Beloved John ben Zebedee James the Greater’s little brother Known at the “beloved apostle” Missionary in Ephesus, Asia Minor. (Cared for Virgin Mary until she was assumed into heaven in 49 A.D.) Exiled to Patmos, died in 99 A.D. Only Apostle not to be Martryed. Wrote the Gospel of John, 3 letters of John, Revelation.

James the Lesser Bishop of Jerusalem Wrote the letter of James in the Bible. Martyred by Annas in 62 A.D.

Andrew and Bartholomew Mission to Scythia (Ukraine today) Crucified on an X cross Mission to South Arabia and possibly India Flayed/skinned alive.

Matthias and Phillip No information on Matthias except that he replaced Judas. Mission to Asia Minor (Phrygia) Crucified upside down.

Jude and Matthew Mission to Mesopotamia (Armenia, Iran, Turkey) Wrote the Letter of Jude Crucified Mission to Ethiopia Wrote the Gospel of Matthew Stoned to death

Simon the Zealot and Thomas Mission to Iran Crucified “Unbelieving Thomas” Mission to Parthia 42 A.D. Mission to India 52 A.D. Speared by the Brahmans of Kali (Hindu Preists)

St. Paul’s Missions Preached in Greece, Asia Minor, Rome and potentially Spain. Wrote many of the Epistles. Beheaded along the Ostian Way in Rome 67 A.D. by Nero.