Lana Bello - Chapter 6 Church Sacrament of God's Grace PDF

Lana Bello Page 109 1. How did the earliest communities of believers in Jesus gather and live? What did the first communities of followers of Jesus look like? - The Christians, as they became known, would gather on the day after the Sabbath to break bread together as Jesus had taught th...

Lana Bello Page 109 1. How did the earliest communities of believers in Jesus gather and live? What did the first communities of followers of Jesus look like? - The Christians, as they became known, would gather on the day after the Sabbath to break bread together as Jesus had taught them. These were not structured communities. Charismatic prophets wandered from community to community. It was somewhat chaotic. 2. What role did the apostles have in these communities? - Church leaders, including the apostles, began to organize the communities. They wanted to be sure that after those who still remembered Jesus in the flesh had gone, a second generation would remain to keep the memory of Jesus alive. It was necessary to begin to plan and organize how the community could translate Jesus' words and deeds into practices, teachings, moral behavior and worship. 3. What was the role of the Holy Spirit? - They had been promised the constant presence of the Holy Spirit who would help them find their own way of following Jesus within constantly shifting historical situations and challenges. - The Spirit came upon the group of men and women in Jerusalem who had been with Jesus from the beginning and who had experienced how God had raised Jesus from the dead. The Spirit took hold of them, opening their eyes so that they could see and interpret the event of Jesus. - The Spirit guided them in the following of Jesus, who was to be the norm for their actions. 4. Why was it important to organize this community and provide guidelines for its members? - It was necessary to begin to plan and organize how the community could translate Jesus' words and deeds into practices, teachings, moral behaviour and worship. Structures of authority had to be set up. A certain discipline needed to be established. Decisions had to be made on many issues, for example, on how to settle conflicts within the community. - Without the organization of the community and providing guidelines for its members, the Christian community would lead to unresolved conflicts and chaos. Page 111 Guiding questions 1. Describe Paul's mission in life before and after his conversion  - Before his conversion, Paul, originally named Saul, was a devout Pharisee with a strong background in Jewish law. He viewed the followers of Jesus as a threat to Jewish tradition and actively sought to imprison or execute Christians, obtaining official permission to hunt them down, even traveling to Damascus to continue his mission. - After his dramatic conversion experience, where he encountered Jesus in a vision and was struck blind, Paul’s entire purpose shifted. Baptized and healed by a Christian named Ananias, he immediately began preaching that Jesus was the Messiah. Paul then spent years traveling extensively throughout the Roman Empire, establishing Christian communities, writing letters to churches (which became part of the New Testament), and teaching that salvation was available to all—Jew and Gentile alike. Despite facing persecution, imprisonment, and ultimately martyrdom, Paul’s mission remained focused on spreading the message of Jesus and uniting diverse groups under the Christian faith. 2. How was Paul instrumental in opening up the early Christian community to the Gentiles (non-Jews)? - Paul was instrumental in opening the early Christian community to Gentiles by passionately advocating that faith in Jesus, not adherence to Jewish law, was the path to salvation. After his conversion, Paul felt a strong calling to reach out to non-Jews, viewing them as equally deserving of God’s grace. He argued that Gentile converts should not be required to follow traditional Jewish practices, like circumcision and dietary laws, to join the Christian community. - Paul's missionary journeys took him deep into Gentile regions, where he established churches and preached inclusively. His letters to these communities reinforced the message that all people, regardless of background, could be united in Christ. At the Council of Jerusalem, Paul’s stance influenced the early Church’s decision to officially welcome Gentiles without imposing Jewish customs, thus expanding the reach of Christianity and shaping it into a universal faith 3. The word "conversion" means to change one's mind and heart and behaviour. Paul had a dramatic conversion that turned his life upside down. In the story on page 112, the student's conversion also turned her life in a new direction with new priorities. In both cases they recognized Jesus had become a part of them and their new way of life. What sort of conversion experiences have you had, and how have they changed your life? - Moving from the Philippines to Canada at age 17 was a big turning point, almost like a conversion experience. It shifted my perspective, priorities, and way of life. Leaving behind familiar surroundings, friends, and family was challenging, but it pushed me to become more independent and adaptable. This experience opened my mind to new cultures and different ways of thinking, and I had to find strength within myself to adjust and thrive. In a way, like Paul’s conversion, this move redefined my path and priorities. It made me focus on new goals and encouraged me to grow in ways I hadn’t expected.