Christian Missionary Work and Paul’s Preaching

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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.

Paul used examples like athletes, military armor, musical instruments, and temples. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Jewish leaders persecute the early Christians?

They did not accept Jesus as the Messiah and considered the claims of his divinity blasphemous. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Roman Empire persecute early Christians?

Christians often refused to offer sacrifices to the emperor, which was seen as disloyalty. Signup and view all the answers

Identify some early martyrs of the Church and describe their attitude toward martyrdom.

Saint Stephen, Peter, and Paul were early martyrs who felt honored to die for Christ. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Universal Love of God

The love God has for all people, a love that motivates people to spread the good news.

Role of the Holy Spirit in Early Christianity

Guided the apostles in making decisions, assigning tasks, and determining regulations for the early Church.

Paul's Preaching to Jewish and Gentile Audiences

Paul connected Jesus with the Old Testament prophecies when preaching to Jews, and used common Greek references when preaching to Gentiles.

Relatable Images in Paul's Preaching

Paul used everyday imagery and comparisons to make his message understandable to urban audiences.

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Reasons for Early Christian Persecution

Jewish leaders saw the Christian belief in Jesus as blasphemy and Roman authorities saw it as insubordination to the emperor.

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Saint Stephen's Martyrdom

The first Christian martyr, stoned for proclaiming Jesus' divinity, showing forgiveness and unwavering faith.

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Martyrdom as a Shared Suffering with Christ

Early Christians viewed their deaths for their faith as a shared suffering with Christ, believing it would lead to resurrection.

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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.