Thinking Thursday A man walks into a bar and asks the bartender for a glass of water. The bartender reaches under the bar and brings out a gun and aims it at the man. The man says thank you and leaves. What happened? Solution: The man had the hiccups and wanted a glass of water to help get rid of them. The bartender could hear the hiccups when the man spoke, so he brought the gun out to scare the hiccups away. It worked and the man thanked him and left, no longer needing the glass of water.

Apostolic Era: The Journey Begins

Christ’s Mission Founding the visible Church. Historical Primary Sources Bible: Gospel, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles. Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture provide us with the Jesus’ life and the early Church action. Jesus trains the first Bishops, the Apostles. Peter is appointed as the head of the Apostles, he is the first Pope.

Acts of the Apostles Written by Luke. Provides a historical account of the early Church and the actions the Apostles. Ascension of Christ- “Men of Galilee why do you stand looking at the sky?” Elect Matthias to replace Judas. (Apostolic Succession!) HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHURCH – Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. (50 days after the Resurrection).

Holy Spirit The holy spirit provides power and inspiration to the Apostles so they can convert Jews and Gentiles!

Acts Continued Tension between the Hellenized Jews and the Hebrews. Apostles decide that assistants are needed to help accommodate the growing Church. 7 are chosen to take care of widows. Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicholas of Antioch and Stephen.

Stephen the Martyr

First Martyr of the Church- “Protomartyr” St. Stephen Accused of blasphemy against God and Moses. “You stiff-necked people…” Makes the Sanhedrin angry and they throw him out of the city and is stoned to death. Asks God to forgive his executioners, just as Jesus did on the Cross.

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.