Lessons from St. Paul

Lessons from St. Paul

• To live a Christian life, everything must be done in love, as stated in 1 Corinthians 16:14.
  • Living this out involves helping everyone, including family and neighbors.
• To treat others right is achieved by believing and being right with God, according to Romans 10:9-10.
  • This means accepting all are made right in God's eyes, differences will always exist.
• To believe means to be kind and not rude or provoked, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 13:5.
• Kindness should extend to family and friends

St Paul's Important Teachings

• St. Paul provides guidance on how to live, treat others, and what to believe.
• 1 Corinthians 16:14 teaches to do everything in love.
  • Acting with love involves helping others and showing kindness to family and friends.
• Romans 10:9-10 explains that believing makes one right with God.
  • It is important to accept that everyone is unique and valued.
• 1 Corinthians 13:5 encourages kindness, emphasizing it costs nothing.
• St. Paul's letters continue to guide in life, treating others, and strengthening faith.

Pentecost

• "Pentecost" is derived from the Greek word for "fiftieth."
• Pentecost took place 50 days after Jesus' resurrection (Acts 2:1-13).
• The disciples gathered in a room where a violent wind filled the room
• Tongues of fire appeared above their heads during Pentecost.
• The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in different languages.
• Pentecost enabled the disciples to preach to Jews and Gentiles in their own languages.
• Peter delivered a powerful speech, urging people to repent and be baptised to receive the Holy Spirit.
• Approximately 3,000 people were baptised on that day.

Early Christian Communities

• Early Christians, known as "followers of the Way," met in private due to fear of persecution.
• Central practices included breaking of bread (Eucharist), symbolizing Jesus' sacrifice.
• Prayer and reading of Scripture
• Baptism which served as public declaration of faith was another practice.
• Early Christians practiced communal living by sharing possessions.
• They cared for the poor, sick, and supported one another through persecution.

Role of the Apostles

• "Apostles" comes from a Greek word meaning "one who is sent."
• Peter was the first leader of the Christian Church, becoming the first Pope.
• James led the Church in Jerusalem.
• John penned the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation.
• Apostles were responsible for preaching, teaching, healing the sick, and baptising new believers.

Nature of Jesus

• The question of whether Jesus was fully human, fully divine, or both,was raised
• This led to the creation of the Nicene Creed in 325 AD where:
  • Jesus is described as "true God from true God."
• Belief in the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) was established.

Apostasy

• Apostasy means denying faith under persecution.
• Some early Christians chose to renounce their faith to avoid death.
• There was debate about whether those who renounced faith could be welcomed back.
• St. Cyprian of Carthage allowed repentant apostates to return after penance.

Roman Persecution

• Christians refused to worship Roman gods or recognize the emperor as divine.
• Nero blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD.
• Domitian forced Christians to worship him as a god.
• Diocletian ordered destruction of Christian scriptures and churches.

Martyrdom

• "Martyr" means witnessing the faith through death.
• Important early martyrs include St. Stephen who was the first Christian martyr (stoned to death).
• St. Peter was crucified upside down.
• St. Paul was beheaded in Rome.
• Martyrs inspired others through their courage to strengthen the faith of Christian communities.

Jewish vs Gentile Christians

• Gentile means Non-Jew and Jewish means Jew.
• Early Christians were mostly Jewish.
• The Jews debated whether Gentiles were obliged to adhere to Jewish customs which included:
  • Circumcision
  • Dietary laws
  • Sabbath observance

Council of Jerusalem (49 AD)

• Gentiles did not have to follow Jewish law to become Christians.
• Salvation is achieved only through faith in Jesus (Acts 15).