2.  Every person should recall and share something from Acts 2-7

3. Founding the visible Church.  Historical Primary Sources  Bible: Gospel, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles. Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture provide us with the Jesus’ life and the early Church action. Jesus trains the first Bishops, the Apostles. Peter is appointed as the head of the Apostles, he is the first Pope.

4.  Written by Luke. Provides a historical account of the early Church and the actions the Apostles. 1. Ascension of Christ- “Men of Galilee why do you stand looking at the sky?” 2. Elect Matthias to replace Judas. (Apostolic Succession!) 3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHURCH – Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. (50 days after the Resurrection).

5. The holy spirit provides power and inspiration to the Apostles so they can convert Jews and Gentiles!

6.  Tension between the Hellenized Jews and the Hebrews.  Apostles decide that assistants are needed to help accommodate the growing Church. 7 are chosen to take care of widows.  Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicholas of Antioch and Stephen.

8.  First Martyr of the Church- “ Protomartyr ” St. Stephen  Accused of blasphemy against God and Moses.  “You stiff-necked people…” Makes the Sanhedrin angry and they throw him out of the city and is stoned to death.  Asks God to forgive his executioners, just as Jesus did on the Cross.

10. Saul of Tarsus -Roman Citizen -Ardent Jew -Persecutor of Christians Saul is temporarily blinded and fasts within Damascus after witnessing a bright light and hearing the voice of Jesus. -note Jesus says why are you persecuting “me” not “my Church.” Jesus = Church

11.  Prompted by Jesus the disciple Ananias goes to Saul.  Saul regains his sight and is immediately baptized.  Saul begins preaching the “Good news” and everyone is astounded at this dramatic and radical change of heart.

12.  Christ died for the salvation of ALL.  Holy Spirit is poured into Gentiles thus showing that they too are to be saved. (Acts 10:45-49).  “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.”

13.  First Ecumenical Council- 48 or 50 A.D.  All the Bishops were present including Peter (the Pope).  Topic: Do Gentiles have to become Jews in order to become Christians.  Circumcision: covenant sign between Abraham and God. Peter ends the discussion- “executive order”- Gentiles DO NOT have to become Jewish in order to be baptized! (Gentiles were probably happy to hear that)

15.  Peter (Cephas, Simon)  Bishop of Jerusalem 30-37 AD (James ben Alpheus, his successor)  Missionary journeys 38-39 AD  Antioch, 40-42 AD (Establishment of Evodius as Bishop; his successor, St. Ignatius)  Rome, late 42-49, 62-67 (Jewish section, Trastevere, 14 district near Vatican Hill)  Martyrdom: Crucifixion upside down, c. 67 AD in the Circus of Nero, buried in Vatican necropolis  Wrote the Letter of Peter

17.  Mission in Spain  Martyrdom by Herod Agrippa in 42 A.D.  First Apostle martyred

18.  John ben Zebedee  James the Greater’s little brother  Known at the “beloved apostle”  Missionary in Ephesus, Asia Minor. (Cared for Virgin Mary until she was assumed into heaven in 49 A.D.)  Exiled to Patmos, died in 99 A.D. Only Apostle not to be Martryed.  Wrote the Gospel of John, 3 letters of John, Revelation.

19.  Bishop of Jerusalem  Wrote the letter of James in the Bible.  Martyred by Annas in 62 A.D.

20.  Mission to Scythia (Ukraine today)  Crucified on an X cross  Mission to South Arabia and possibly India  Flayed/skinned alive.

21.  No information on Matthias except that he replaced Judas.  Mission to Asia Minor (Phrygia)  Crucified upside down.

22.  Mission to Mesopotamia (Armenia, Iran, Turkey)  Wrote the Letter of Jude  Crucified  Mission to Ethiopia  Wrote the Gospel of Matthew  Stoned to death

23.  Mission to Iran  Crucified  “Unbelieving Thomas”  Mission to Parthia 42 A.D.  Mission to India 52 A.D.  Speared by the Brahmans of Kali (Hindu Preists)

24.  Preached in Greece, Asia Minor, Rome and potentially Spain.  Wrote many of the Epistles.  Beheaded along the Ostian Way in Rome 67 A.D. by Nero.