Faith & Revelation BB JC-SJC Ch.7

7/31/2019 Faith & Revelation BB JC-SJC Ch.7

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Knowing God Through

Sacred Scripture

Faith and Revelation


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Sacred Scripture

The Church TransmitsGods Revelation

Chapter 7


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Chapter Objectives

The Church as present fromthe beginning of time

The power to forgive sins Doubting Thomas The Road to Emmaus

appearance Jesus confirmation of St.

Peters vocation The final preparation of his

Apostles The election of St. Matthias Pentecost St. Peters first sermon Jesus, Son of David and

Davids Lord

The primitive Church St. Stephen Sabbath and Sunday

worship The first Gentile conversion Saul The conversion of

Cornelius The Council of Jerusalem The End Times The Book of Revelation

and the liturgy The two beasts of

Revelation The New Jerusalem Gods Final Judgment

The student will be able to understand:


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Keys to Chapter 7 After his Resurrection, Christ gave his Apostles a final, forty-

day preparation. Pentecost brought the Church to life, and St. Peter and the

Apostles converted thousands. The history of the primitive Church is a turning from the

Jewish to the Gentile world.

Christs conversion of St. Paul gave the Church perhaps hergreatest evangelist. The Church faces persecution and temptation in joyful hope

of the Second Coming of Christ and the appearance of theNew Jerusalem.


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In This Chapter We Will Discuss:

The Founding of the Church. The Divine mandate given the Church by Jesus

Christ. The beginnings of the Church following the feast

of Pentecost. What God has revealed about the end of time.


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The Church TransmitsGods Revelation

Lesson Objectives The Church as present from the beginning of time The power to forgive sins Doubting Thomas The Road to Emmaus

Christs confirmation of St. Peters vocation


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Jesus Christ: The Fullness of Divine Revelation

In what sense has the Church been in existencefrom the beginning?

The Church, as a human family living in communion with God and one another, has been

present in a hidden way from the beginning.

Basic Questions


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Why does the Church have the power toforgive sins?

Christ gave his disciples his divine power to forgivesins.

Basic Questions


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What did Christs appearance to St. Thomas

reveal?Christs appearance to St. Thomas confirms both the necessity of faith and his physical Resurrection.

Basic Questions


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What did Christs appearance on the road to

Emmaus reveal?His appearance on the road to Emmaus revealed Christ fulfilled the Messianic prophecies of the Old

Testament.

Basic Questions


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What did Christs appearance on the shore of

Lake Galilee reveal?Christ confirmed St. Peters authority as chief shepherd of his Church when he appeared to the

Apostles in Galilee.

Basic Questions


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Anticipatory SetIncorporate Christs appearance on the road toEmmaus into opening prayer and then discuss:

Why do you think the two disciples did not recognize Chri

How did the two disciples unconsciously know their compawas Christ even before they knew it with certainty?

What message did Christ teach the two disciples?


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Focus Question

What are the two beginning points of theChurchs history?

They are Pentecost and the moment of creation.


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Focus Question

Why is the moment of creation properly speaking the beginning of the Church?

Gods original intent by creating Adam and Eve in his image was a family of men and women living in communion with their Creator and with each other. This

is the self-same nature of the Church.


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Focus Question

What destroyed this original plan?

Original Sin destroyed it.


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Focus Question

What is the essence of both the Old and New Testaments?

The Old Testament reveals how God worked to restore the communion between himself and man. The new Testament reveals the ultimate act of restoration through

Christs Sacrifice on the Cross, his Resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.


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Focus Question

Just before his Ascension, what did Christ instructhis disciples to do?

They were to continue his mission on earth.


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Focus Question

Why would the Apostles naturally beoverwhelmed with their task?

There were only eleven of them, and they were mostly uneducated. Their leader had been mocked, tortured,and crucified by both the religious and political

authorities.


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Focus Question

What assistance did Christ promise his Apostles?

He promised the Holy Spirit who would teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.


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Guided Exercise

Complete a paragraph shrink on two

paragraphs (p. 234, Meditating on his truthif not in name.).


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Focus Question

What power did Christ give his Apostles on thenight of his Resurrection?

He gave them the power to forgive sins.


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Focus Question

How was the Apostles power to forgive sinsan extension of Gods power to forgive sins?

Only God has the power to forgive sins. Christ,being God, properly exercised this power during his

public ministry. Christ gave the Apostles and they to their successors this divine power.


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Focus Question

What does the story of Doubting Thomas reveal?

First, it reveals faith is necessary to grasp the reality of Christs Resurrection. Second, it reveals the Resurrectiowas not an allegorical story or a symbolic representation

of a transformation that took place within the Apostles; Jesus Christ really rose from the dead, bearing the marks of his Crucifixion.


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Guided Exercise

Conduct a think/pair/share of the following

question:Christ said to St. Thomas, Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seeand yet believe (Jn 20.29). How do those words apply

to modern-day Christians?


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Focus Question

What did the risen Christ explain to the twodisciples on the road to Emmaus?

Christ illumined the Scriptures, showing how the historof Revelation pointed toward the events that had just taken place in Jerusalem. Christ was the fulfillment of

all the covenants and the hope for mankind.


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Focus Question

When did the two disciples recognize theircompanion was Christ?

They recognized him in the breaking of the bread.


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Focus Question

What was the meaning of the breaking of bread in the early Church?

It meant the celebration of the Eucharist, the Mass.


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Focus Question

Why were the Apostles probably surprisedChrist told them to return to Galilee?

They were then in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, and many were expecting Christ to reestablish the Kingdomof Israel immediately, whereas Galilee was an out-of

the-way place.


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Focus Question

What prophecy was fulfilled by the Apostlesreturn to Galilee?

Isaiah foretold Galilee would be the place where the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel would begin: In the latter time (God) will make glorious the way of the

sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations (Is 9:1).


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Focus Question

What did the miraculous catch of 153 fishsymbolize?

Greek naturalists had identified 153 different kinds of fish in the world. Symbolically, the Apostles had caught every different kind of fish. Since Christ had

called the Apostles to be fishers of men, this implied the Apostles, with Christs help, would win converts from every land.


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Alternative Assessment

Read Christs appearance to St. Mary

Magdalene (Jn 20: 1-18) and then writeabout what this passage reveals.


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Focus Question

Why did Christ ask St. Peter three times if he loved him?

By the charcoal fire on the shore of Lake of Galilee, Christ gave St. Peter the opportunity toreverse his threefold denial of Christ by the charcoal

fire in the courtyard of Jerusalem.


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Focus Question

What vocation did Christ confirm to St.Peter?

St. Peter was to be the shepherd who would tend Christs lambs, that is, all believers. In other words, Christ was repeating his invitation to St.

Peter to be the rock upon which he would build the Church.


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PentecostLesson Objectives

The final preparation of the Apostles The election of St. Matthias Pentecost St. Peters first sermon

Jesus Christ, Son of David and Davids Lord


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Pentecost

What did Christ do during the forty days heappeared to his Apostles after hisResurrection?

Christ taught his disciples about the Kingdom of God during the forty days after his Resurrection.The disciples waited in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit.

Basic Questions


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Pentecost

Why did the Apostles replace Judas?

The Apostles, representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel, elected St. Matthias to replace Judas.

Basic Questions


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Pentecost

What is Pentecost?

On Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Basic Questions


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Pentecost

What was the message of St. Peters first

sermon at Pentecost?St. Peters first sermon showed Christ, the very Person his audience had a hand in crucifying, was

raised from the dead, fulfilling the prophecy God would not abandon his soul to Hades or let his Holy One see corruption.

Basic Questions


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Pentecost

What is the answer to the riddle, How can

Davids son be Davids Lord? David called the Messiah both his son and his Lord because Jesus Christ was a descendant of

David, thus his son, and the preexisting Son of God, thus Davids Lord.

Basic Questions


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Anticipatory Set

Read about the Ascension of Christ and the

election of St. Matthias (Acts 1).


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Focus Question

What prophecy of St. John the Baptist hadChrist not yet fulfilled?

He was to baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.


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Focus Question

What did Christ say the Apostles ministry would be?

After having received the Holy Spirit, they would be Christs universal witnesses.


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Focus Question

What does the phrase in Jerusalem and inall Judea and Samaria and to the end of the

earth describe? It describes the restored Davidic Kingdom; the center at Jerusalem, then Judea (that which was left after the division between Israel and Judah),Samaria (the lost kingdom of Israel), and the ends of the earth (all the Gentile nations).


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Focus Question

According to the Catechism , no. 1546, whatis the nature of the common priesthood of

all believers? The Church is a Kingdom of priests. Each baptized person participates in Christs priesthood

according to his own vocation.


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Focus Question

How would this New Kingdom be differentfrom Davids?

Davids was a temporal empire. The Church encompasses all nations and times with Christ reigning from Heaven, guiding his ministers to

handle the earthly affairs of the Kingdom.


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Focus Question

How did Christ spend the time between hisResurrection and his Ascension?

He prepared the Apostles for their mission as he had spent forty days in the desert preparing for his own.


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Focus Question

Why did Christ instruct the Apostles toremain in Jerusalem?

They were to await the coming baptism of the Holy Spirit.


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Guided Exercise

Write on how Zechariahs prophecy (Zec 2:11 -12) had been fulfilled in the Church.


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Focus Question

Why is it important there be twelve Apostles?

St. Peter understood the choice of the Twelve was significant; a symbol of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

Appointed by Christ to be the leader of the Apostles and of the Christian community, he

decided it was necessary to replace Judas before the restoration of the Kingdom began.


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Focus Question

What criteria was used to choose thesuccessor of Judas?

Judass replacement had to have been with Christ from his Baptism until the Ascension so he could be an eyewitness to the Resurrection.


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Focus Question

What does Pentecost mean, and what did the Jews celebrate at this feast?

Pentecost is from the Greek word fifty; it is the fiftieth day after Passover and the feast on which the Jews celebrated the giving of the Law to Moses on

Mt. Sinai.


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Focus Question

How was Pentecost an international event?

Jews from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem

to celebrate this festival.


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Focus Question

What two similes did St. Luke use todescribe the descent of the Holy Spirit?

There was a sound like the rush of a mighty wind,and tongues as of fire appeared.


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Guided Exercise

Complete a focused reading of the paragraph,In Greek, the word (p. 240) using the

following question:

In the Church, what is the connection between the wordoffice and bishop?


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Focus Question

How did the assembled Jews from the various nations react to the Apostles

speaking in various languages? They were amazed, although some said they were drunk.


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Focus Question

What was St. Peters message to the crowdsin Jerusalem?

Christ and the events unfolding before their eyes fulfilled the covenants and inaugurated the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel. They were

seeing what the prophet Joel foretold; the Spirit of God poured out on everyone.


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Focus Question

What does the question, How can Davidsson be Davids Lord, mean when applied

to Christ? How can Christ be both the Son of God and the Son of David? If Christ is truly divine, how could

he also have been born of man?


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Focus Question

Was this question ever answered in theGospels?

No.


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Focus Question

Who answered this question?

St. Peter, at Pentecost, inspired by the Holy Spirit,

answered it.


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Focus Question

What were some of the challenges St. Peterfaced with his audience during his sermon

at Pentecost? Some mocked the Apostles, saying they were drunk; others had earlier turned against Christ and

demanded his Crucifixion; and many looked down on the Apostles because they were from Galilee.


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Focus Question

What approach did St. Peter adopt topersuade the crowd?

He appealed to their understanding of the Scriptures and showed how Christ fulfilled them.

d d


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Guided Exercise

Create a paragraph shrink on the paragraphJesus, being of both human and divine (p.

244).

F Q i


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Focus Question

According to St. Peter, why did David callhis son my Lord ?

The Son of David is also the Son of God; he entered history to accomplish the task of mankinds salvation, and he now lives and reigns at the right

hand of God the Father.

F Q i


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Focus Question

How does St. Peter explain the behavior of the disciples at Pentecost?

He explained the prophecy of Joel had been fulfilled; these are the last days in which God was pouring out his Spirit on ordinary sons and

daughters of Israel.

F Q i


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Focus Question

What was the point of Christs miraclesaccording to St. Peter?

They were the evidence which many in St. Peters audience had personally witnessed or heard about

from others Christ was the Messiah sent to them

by God.

F Q i


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Focus Question

According to St. Peter, how does Psalm 16prophesy the Messiah would rise from the

dead? Thou wilt not let the Holy One see corruption (Acts 13:35; cf. Ps 16:10).

Al i A


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Write about how Christ gave new meaning to the Jewish Feast of thePentecost as he had done for the

Passover?

Th P i iti


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The PrimitiveChurchLesson Objectives

The Primitive Church

St. Stephen Sabbath and Sunday worship The first Gentile conversion

Th P i i i Ch h


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How was the primitive Church?The primitive Church grew quickly under St.Peters leadership and devoted herself to preaching,the Eucharist and the prayers, and caring for one another.

Basic Questions

Th P i i i Ch h


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Who was St. Stephen? After he was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, the deacon St. Stephen delivered a courageous but inflammatory summary of Jewish history. Accused of blasphemy, St. Stephen was

stoned to death, the first martyr.

Basic Questions

Th P i i i Ch h


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How did the early Church worship?The primitive Church publicly worshiped in synagogues on the Sabbath and then privately celebrated the Eucharist on Sunday.

Basic Questions

Th P i i i Ch h


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Who was the Ethiopian eunuch, and why washe important?

Led by the Holy Spirit, St. Philip showed the Ethiopian eunuch Christ was the fulfillment of the Scriptures (Old Testament). When he asked for

Baptism, the Apostle complied. The Ethiopian,who was barred from Judaism because he was a eunuch, was the first Gentile baptized into the Church.

Basic Questions

A ti i t S t


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Anticipatory SetComplete a focused reading of the Catechism ,no. 781 (p. 273), using the following question:

In what particular way does God desire his universal salvific will be carried out?

F Q ti


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Focus Question

How did St. Peter show his authority atPentecost?

He preached to the crowd and urged them to repent,believe, and be baptized. About three thousand were baptized that day.

F Q ti


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Focus Question

What did the followers of Christ doduring these days?

They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the

prayers (Acts 2:42). They listened to the

Apostles preaching, took part in the Eucharist,and prayed. They shared their belongings with each other and the poor.

F Q ti


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Focus Question

Who spoke for the Church when the Apostles were arrested by the Sanhedrin?

St. Peter

F Q ti


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Focus Question

Why was the Sanhedrin forced to releasethe Apostles?

If they were to arrest the Twelve, they feared there might be a riot.

F Q ti


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Focus Question

What was the Way?

It was what the early Church called herself.

F Q ti


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Focus Question

What are deacons?

They are men the Apostles ordained to assist in the

day-to-day activities of the Church.

Extension:

Deacon means servant.

G ided E ercise


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Guided Exercise

Conduct a think/pair/share of the following question:

What was the effect of the persecution the Jewish authorities launched against the Church?

Guided Exercise


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Guided Exercise

Brainstorm reasons many of the early conversions were relatively easy to achieve.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

Why did St. Stephen come to the attentionof the Jewish authorities?

He worked miracles and was a dynamic speaker.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

What was the subject of St. Stephenspreaching before the chief priests?

He explained the coming of Christ had been prophesied throughout the Scriptures (Old Testament).

Focus Question


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Focus Question Why did the court declare St. Stephen hadcommitted blasphemy?

He said he was having a vision and saw Christ standing at the right hand of God.

Extension:

This was a problem for the Sanhedrin because St.Stephen was saying Christ, whom they had condemned death, was Gods anointed.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

What did the authorities do to St. Stephen?

They stoned him to death; thus, he is the first

Christian martyr.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

What did the early Christians consider theirplace in Judaism?

They considered themslves Jews who kept the Sabbath and followed Jewish Law.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

How did the early Christians worship? They worshiped at the synagogue publicly on the

Sabbath and celebrated the Eucharist privately on Sunday.

Focus Question


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Focus Question What does it mean to say the synagogue and Temple are united in the Christian Mass?

The first part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word, is descended from the synagogue liturgy with its scriptural readings and prayers. The second part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, came

from the Temple liturgy of the thank offering and the Passover as Christ celebrated it at the Last Supper.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

Who was the first Gentile to whom an Apostle preached?

St. Philip preached to an Ethiopian eunuch.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

Why did St. Stephen preach to him?

He was sent by an angel.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

Why was it not surprising the eunuch wasreading the prophecy of Isaiah?

Since the time of Solomon, there had been a Jewish presence in Ethiopia, and, as a result, there were a good number of converts to the Jewish faith living

there.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

Why could the Ethiopian eunuch notbecome a Jew or proselyte?

According to Deuteronomy 23:1, a eunuch could not be a part of the Jewish community.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

What did Isaiah promise pious eunuchs?

God promised they would one day be more

important to him than sons and daughters.

Extension:

This is fulfilled by those who make themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of God, that is, accept the vocation to celibacy.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

What was an effective argument the early Christians used to gain converts?

They showed how Christ fulfilled the Scriptures.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

What was the significance of the Baptismof the Ethiopian eunuch?

He was the first Gentile baptized a Christian,bypassing Judaism. This was a sign the Gospel was

for everyone.

Extension: Ethiopia was the farthest part of the known world.



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Complete Practical Exercise 8 about St.Stephen and the effect of the martyrs.


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Saul and the Conversionof the Gentiles

Lesson Objectives Saul

The conversion of Cornelius The Council of Jerusalem

Saul and the Conversion of the Gentiles


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Who was Saul?Saul was a zealous Jew who persecuted the Church until Christ personally appeared to him and made him an Apostle.

Basic Questions



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What is the significance of the conversion of Cornelius?

God revealed to St. Peter the proselyte Cornelius and all his household should be baptized without becoming Jews first.

Basic Questions



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What was the significance of the Council of Jerusalem?

At the Council of Jerusalem, St. Peters decision that Gentile converts did not have to follow the

Mosaic Law was accepted by the Church.

Basic Questions

Anticipatory Set


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Anticipatory Set

Conduct a think/pair/share using the following questions:

Do you think the Apostles imagined soon everyone would be living the Mosaic Law and making

pilgrimages to the Temple?

Why might they have assumed this?

Focus Question


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Focus Question

Who was Saul?

He was an educated Jew and Roman citizen who

was zealous for the Mosaic Law and willing to goto any length to curb abuses of it.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

Why did Saul lead the persecution of theearly Church?

The new practices and teachings being introduced by the believers of Christ seemed an abomination tohim.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

What did Christ mean when he said to Saul,Why do you persecute me?

Saul was persecuting the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. Therefore, he was persecuting Christ himself.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

Who was Cornelius?

He was a Roman commander and a proselyte of

the Gate.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

What did the voice in the kill and eat visionmean by, What God has cleansed, youmust not call unclean? First, all foods are clean, that is, may be eaten; this is a departure from Jewish dietary regulations.Second, if a man has been cleansed by Baptism, he is acceptable to God.

Focus Question


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Focus QuestionHow did St. Peter know Cornelius and hishousehold should be baptized.?

They had received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and this convinced St. Peter they had the right to be baptized.

Extension: Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

Where did Sts. Paul and Barnabas go?

They traveled to Antioch, preached Christ, and

won many Gentile converts.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

What was the first name used to describefollowers of Christ, and what new name didthey receive in Antioch? They called their religion The Way. In Antioch they were called Christians for the first time.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

How did St. Paul correct St. Peter? When these Jewish Christians appeared, St. Peter

withdrew from eating with the Gentile Christians.St. Paul confronted St. Peter publicly, arguing, If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? (Gal 2:14).

Focus Question


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Focus Question

How did Ananias argue with Christ?

He was afraid to go to Saul because Saul was such

a danger to Christians.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

Why were Christians in Jerusalem reluctantto bring St. Paul to the Apostles?

They had a hard time believing Saul had really converted to Christ.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

What was the basic question the Churchhad to answer with respect to Gentiles?

Did a Gentile have to become a Jew before he could become a Christian?

Focus Question


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Focus Question

When was the Council of Jerusalem?

It was held about AD 52.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

What position did St. Peter take during thecouncil?

Both Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity are saved by grace, not by following the Mosaic Law. Therefore, Gentile converts should not be burdened with Jewish customs and laws.

Focus Question


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Focus Question

Why was it remarkable St. James supportedSt. Peter?

It was remarkable someone who loved and followed the Mosaic Law so perfectly would be so detached as not to impose it on others.



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Write how the Church might be differentif the Council of Jerusalem had decidedeveryone who converted to Christianity

had to follow the Mosaic Law completely.

Guided Exercise


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Guided Exercise

Write the points St. Peter makes in Acts 15: 7-11.

Guided Exercise


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Guided Exercise

Answer Practical Exercise 9 about the Churchsdecision in the Council of Jerusalem as a

fulfillment of Mosaic Law.


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The End Times andthe Heavenly Liturgy Lesson Objectives

The end times

The Book of Revelation and the liturgy

The End Times and the Heavenly Liturgy


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What are the end times?The New Testament can be said to reference three

end times; the end of the Old Covenant, which occurred with the destruction of the Temple AD 70; the final historical epoch, which began after the

Resurrection of Christ; and the absolute end of history when Christ will return in glory.

Basic Questions


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Anticipatory Set


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Anticipatory Set

Incorporate Matthew 24:1- 44, one of Christsdiscourses about the end of the age , into opening

prayer.


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Focus Question


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Q

What did the Early Christians seem toexpect would take place soon?

They seemed to believe the end of the world was imminent.


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Focus Question


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Q

What actually did end?

Though the earth itself was not destroyed, the world

of the Old Covenant the world of man separated from God was brought to a sudden and catastrophic end.

Focus Question


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Q

What do Christians seek regarding the endof the world?

Christ will establish a new Heaven and a new earth without pain and suffering in which his people will dwell in the eternal love of God.

Focus Question


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Q

Can anyone predict when the end of the world will come?

No; that is reserved for God.

Focus Question


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Q

What is the first key to understand theprophecies in the Book of Revelation?

The first key is to examine the historical setting in which the book was written.

Guided Exercise


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Conduct a think/pair/share using the following question:

How was the destruction of the Temple the end of theworld?

Focus Question


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Q

How did the revolt go at first?

At first it was successful, but then the Romans sent

their best general, Vespasian, who turned the tide in Romes favor.


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Focus Question


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Q

What happened to the Temple?

As Christ had prophesied, the Temple was razed

and not rebuilt.

Focus Question


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Q

How did Christs original followers interpretthese events?

They saw them as the fulfillment of Christs words,Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass awaytill all these things take place. The Greek word

generation usually refers to a period of about forty years, and the destruction of Jerusalem and the Templcame almost exactly forty years after Christs prophecy

Focus Question


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Q

To what two ends of time does the Book of Revelation refer?

It refers to the end of the world when Christ will return and the historical epoch that began after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, that is, the last 2000

years.

Focus Question


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Q

What had St. John the Apostle witnessed by the end of his life?

He had witnessed the end of Israel, which had been destroyed by the Romans.

Focus Question


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What did Florus do?

His cruel rule of Judea was marked by massacres

of innocent Jews.

Focus Question


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How did fanatical Jews respond to Florussoppression?

They revolted, attacked Roman soldiers, and murdered any Jews they suspected of collaborating with the Romans.

Focus Question


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What is the second key to open up the Book of Revelation for understanding?

The Mass, or Divine Liturgy, is the second key.

Focus Question


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Of what is the Book of Revelation a vision?

It is a vision of the heavenly liturgy, that is, the loving act of worship and praise that occurs continually in Heaven. The liturgy Christians celebrate on earth is a participation in the heavenly one.

Focus Question


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How are the Book of Revelation and theliturgy related?

The structure of the Book of Revelation is the same as that of the liturgy. The Book of Revelation is divided into two parts, the first corresponding to the Liturgy of the Word and the second corresponding to the Liturgy of the

Eucharist.

Focus Question


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When did St. Johns vision take place?

It took place on Sunday, the Lords Day, when

Christians everywhere were celebrating the Mass.

Focus Question


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Who is one like a son of man?

It is Christ.


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Guided Exercise


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Review St. Johns vision of Christ knocking atthe door (Rev 3:20), and then discuss the

following question:

How does the open door relate to human freedom.

Focus Question


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What do the seven seals represent? They are a series of symbolic events that hold reference to both events of the time and lasting truths of the Faith.

Focus Question


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How do the four horsemen suggest the Jewish war of revolt?

The first horse rides out to conquer; the other three bring war, famine, and death. The Jewish rebels started the war against Rome to free Israel, but the result was a terrible war, the starvation of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the deaths of over one million.

Focus Question


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What is the mark received by the 144,000?

The cross-shaped Tau is put on the foreheads of the

servants of God. 12,000 from each of the tribes of Israel, to protect them from destruction.

Focus Question


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What is the dual meaning of those who aremarked?

They are both the Jewish Christians who fled to the mountains across the Jordan and the full number of those who will be saved at the end of time.

Focus Question


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How does the seventh seal recall Exodus? The seven angels blow seven trumpets, and each of the first six trumpets release a plague to punish the earth, recalling the plagues the Egyptians suffered.

As in Exodus, the wicked refuse to repent.

Focus Question


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What is the overall story told in this sectionof Revelation?

God calls people to repentance. Some repent; others do not. God protects those who remain faithful tohim, and those who are not faithful are left to suffer the misery of their abandonment.

Focus Question


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In St. Johns vision of God enthroned withall the heavenly beings forever worshiping him, of what would St. Johns originalhearers be reminded?

They would have thought of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Focus Question


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What is the relationship between the Lionof Judah and the Lamb?

These are both symbols of Christ.

Extension: The Lion of Judah is the image of a conquering champion. The victory of salvation was won by the Lamb of God, who was slain.

Focus Question


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When was the Ark of the Covenantsupposed to have reappeared according to 2Maccabees?

It would be rediscovered when God gathers his people together again and shows his mercy (2 Mc 2:7).

Focus Question


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What did St. John introduce immediately following the Ark?

St. John gave the vision of a woman with child pursued by the great red dragon.

Focus Question


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What does the great dragon in the vision want to do?

It wants to devour the child after he will have been born.

Focus Question


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What is the destiny of the child?

He is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron,

and he is caught up to God and to his throne.

Focus Question


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What happened to the woman?

She fled into the wilderness where she was protected

by God.

Focus Question


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How is the Blessed Virgin Mary the New Ark of the Covenant?

The Ark of the Covenant contained the tablets of the Law, some manna from Heaven, and Aarons rod. Mary bore in her womb the child who is the Word of God, the Bread of Life, and the one who will rule the nations with a rod of iron. Mary carried Christ in her womb; thereforeshe contained these things insider her as the Ark containedits contents.

Focus Question


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How is the woman like the Church?

As the woman was attacked by the dragon but

protected by God in the wilderness, the Church was attacked by the Devil but was kept safe in Pella.

Focus Question


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How does the vision of the woman withchild relate to Adam and Eve?

The serpent tempted Adam and Eve and conquered them. Christ and Mary, the New Adam and Eve,overcame the dragon.



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Write about St. Johns vision as an allegory of the saving actions of Christs life,

Death, and Resurrection.

The End of the


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WorldLesson Objectives

The two beasts of Revelation The New Jerusalem Gods Final Judgment

The End of the World


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What are the two beasts of Revelation?The two beasts in Revelation 13 represent corrupt

governments that persecute the Church and seduce mankind.

Basic Questions



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What is the New Jerusalem?The New Jerusalem is the city of the redeemed. It

has no Temple because God will directly dwell with his people.

Basic Questions



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What is Gods Final Judgment? God will recompense us for the good or evil we have

done. Persons and even particular churches will be lost if they choose not to adhere to the Faith, of which the seven churches of Asia are an example.

Basic Questions

Anticipatory Set


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Read the Catechism , no. 676 (p. 273) and then discussthe Antichrist.

Focus Question


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What are the meaning of the horns and thediadems of the first beast?

The horns symbolize power, and the diadems symbolize royal authority.

Focus Question


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What is the significance of the beast having seven heads?

This beast possesses a kind of diabolic perfection.

Focus Question


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Overall, what does the beast represent?

The beast seems to represent the seductive power of

temporal might. This may refer both to the powerful, tyrannical governments of the day such as the Roman Empire or the dynasty of Herod and toany corrupt government that has existed since.

Focus Question


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What kind of creature is the second beast?

It is a lamb in disguise, a kind of counterfeit Christ that can work miracles yet seduces man toevil.

Focus Question


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What is the significance of the number666? It might be a numerological reference to Nero or toanyone who can seduce with the tyranny of power.

Guided Exercise


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Write about how the New Jerusalem is already present on earth through the Mass.

Guided Exercise


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Conduct a think/pair/share of the following question:

The New Jerusalem can be compared to a bride adorned for her husband. What does this comparison tell us

about the New Jerusalem?

Focus Question


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What is the overall narrative of the Book of Revelation?

It is the symbolic retelling of the conquest of Christ over sin and death.

Extension: This is the same narrative re-presented during each

Mass.

Focus Question


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What is the New Jerusalem?

It is the new place where God dwells with his

people.

Focus Question


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What is an effect of God dwelling with hispeople in the New Jerusalem?

There is no longer suffering, sadness, or death.

Focus Question


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How is the New Jerusalem like the Gardenof Eden?

God and his people dwell together as it was in the Garden, and Gods original intent for creation is realized because his people live in joy, love, and worship.

Focus Question


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Why is there no Temple in the New Jerusalem?

God himself is the Temple and provides the citys light.

Focus Question


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How does the New Jerusalem fulfill whatthe prophets foresaw through the DavidicCovenant?

According to the Davidic Covenant, the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into Jerusalem, and its gates shall never be shut. This is what is

promised in the New Jerusalem.

Focus Question


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What does the Book of Revelationaccomplish?

It reveals (1) the intention of Gods will in history after the Resurrection of his Son, (2) the Church as the Bride of Christ manifesting God to the world until the end of time, and (3) the way Heaven is available on earth to those who live a Christian life of godly worship.

Focus Question


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What warning does the Book of Revelationissue?

St. John urged the seven Churches to repent and be faithful to Christ. None of these churches now exists. Each person has to decide whether to be

faithful to Christ or be seduced by the beast.

Focus Question


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What is the final promise God made in theBook of Revelation?

God will reward or repay everyone according towhat he or she has done.



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According to Sacred Scripture, no one canreally imagine how Heaven will be.

Write about what you think or hope about Heaven.

Documents

Faith & Revelation BB JC-SJC Ch.7