Questions and Answers
Why did the Apostles and early disciples travel so far and work so hard to spread the Good News?
The universal love of God, who desires that all be saved.
What are three ways the Holy Spirit was involved in the missionary spread of Christianity?
- Came to repentant sinners to help them make decisions, 2) Assigned Paul and Barnabas to a certain task, 3) Directed where Paul and Timothy were to preach.
Explain how Paul's preaching to the Jews differed from his preaching to the Gentiles.
When preaching to Jews, Paul focused on the Old Testament; when speaking to Gentiles, he referenced their unknown God and quoted Greek poets.
Explain how Paul made his message more understandable to an urban audience.
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Why did Jewish leaders persecute the early Christians?
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Why did the Roman Empire persecute early Christians?
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Identify some early martyrs of the Church and describe their attitude toward martyrdom.
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Study Notes
Motivation for Spreading the Good News
- The universal love of God inspired the Apostles and early disciples to spread the Gospel.
- Their mission aimed to ensure salvation for all, driving extensive travel and tireless work.
Role of the Holy Spirit in Missionary Work
- The Holy Spirit played a crucial role in every aspect of spreading Christianity.
- Assisted baptized repentant sinners in decision-making.
- Assigned Paul and Barnabas specific tasks for evangelization.
- Determined regulations for Gentile Christians' adherence.
- Directed the preaching locations for Paul and Timothy.
Paul's Preaching to Jews vs. Gentiles
- When addressing Jews, Paul referenced the Old Testament, linking Jesus' life and resurrection to prophetic scriptures.
- In Athens, he identified the altar to the 'Unknown God' to connect with Greeks, proclaiming it was the true Creator.
- Engaged with Greek culture by quoting local poets to make his message relatable.
Making the Message Understandable to Urban Audiences
- Paul used relatable images and analogies for urban listeners.
- Examples included references to sports (athletes), military symbols (armor and weapons), musical instruments, and local temples.
Persecution of Early Christians
- Jewish leaders persecuted Christians for not recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, viewing claims of his divinity as blasphemy.
- Roman authorities targeted Christians for their refusal to honor the emperor with sacrifices, interpreting this as insubordination.
- The persecution stemmed from the clash between Christian beliefs and established religious duties.
Early Martyrs and Their Attitude
- Saint Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian faith, stoned for blasphemy after proclaiming his faith during trial.
- Stephen’s final words reflected forgiveness and steadfastness in faith.
- Peter and Paul were also martyred in Rome for their beliefs.
- Early martyrs viewed their deaths as a shared suffering with Christ, leading to eventual resurrection.
- Persecution and martyrdom reinforced faith within the Church, inspiring resilience among Christians.
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Description
Explore the significance of the Holy Spirit in shaping the missionary efforts of the Apostles, particularly Paul and Barnabas. This quiz delves into their strategies for evangelizing Jews and Gentiles, highlighting the cultural connections made by Paul in his preaching.
