The Early Church 30-381 AD

2000 years is a lot of history!!

Academic and “Heart-sy”

We want to know the flow Learn from the times, trends, and trials of Christianity

We must be selective and oversimplify

35,000 competing sects and church groups in Christianity (World Christian Encyclopedia)

We are affected by societal trends

Early Church (30-381 AD)

Medieval Church (400-1400)

Reformation (1400-1800)

Restoration (1800’s)

Expansion of the Church Acts 1:8: to the ends of the earth?? Not a location- Isaiah 49:6 Acts 2:42- The Root & the Fruit

Maps and dates Bible lands

History comes alive when we understand the geography Real events took place in real places, at real times

Mediterranean world

Important Dates 30/36/48/70

Known for breaking through racial and religious boundaries

Early reference to Christ and Christianity Suetonius Blames Nero (Fire of Rome 64 AD) Tacitus: Describes Neronian persecution Pliny: letter to Emperor Trajan

Expansion of the Church Acts 1:8: to the ends of the earth?? (Acts 8:1) Not a location- Isaiah 49:6 Acts 2:42- The Root & the Fruit

Maps and dates Bible lands

History comes alive when we understand the geography Real events took place in real places, at real times

Mediterranean world

Important Dates 30/36/48/70

Known for breaking through racial and religious boundaries

Early reference to Christ and Christianity Suetonius Blames Nero (Fire of Rome 64 AD) Tacitus: Describes Neronian persecution Pliny: letter to Emperor Trajan

Fruit (Acts 2:43-47) v.43: feeling of awe and wonder

V.44: unified

V.45: Met needs

V.46: together

V.47: Number added to by the Lord

Root (Acts 2:42) Apostles teaching/fellowship/communion/prayer

Evangelism plan Acts 1:8: to the ends of the earth?? Not a location- Isaiah 49:6 Acts 2:42- The Root & the Fruit

Maps and dates Bible lands

History comes alive when we understand the geography Real events took place in real places, at real times

Mediterranean world

Important Dates 30/34/48/70

Known for breaking through racial and religious boundaries

Early reference to Christ and Christianity Suetonius Blames Nero (Fire of Rome 64 AD) Tacitus: Describes Neronian persecution Pliny: letter to Emperor Trajan

Intense sustained Roman persecution

Church meetings in the 1000’s

Everyone read their bible daily

Church was separate from Judaism

All Christians saw eye to eye on doctrine

NOT!

Apostasy (rebellion/falling away) Possible:

John 15/2 chronicles 15:2

Predicted : Mt 24:12 (Motive: 2 Peter 2:1)

Preventable Joshua 24:14; 1 Tim 4:16;

We must be challenged through the word of God!!

Doctrine/commitment slowly degrades

Rise of gnosticism

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30-99 AD 100-199 AD 200-299 AD 300-380 AD

Doctrine

Commitment

Apostasy (rebellion/falling away) Revelation Possible:

John 15/2 chronicles 15:2

Predicted : Mt 24:12 (Motive: 2 Peter 2:1)

Preventable Joshua 24:14; Eph 4;

We must be challenged through the word of God!!

Doctrine/commitment slowly degrades

Rise of gnosticism

Rise of gnosticism Elitist: Having “special” knowledge

Must know this (Colossians, 1 & 2 John, 1 Timothy)

Not being saved from sin but being saved from ignorance Saved by knowledge

Gnostic gospels/Lost Gospels

Flesh and physical matter is evil

2nd century Church was Counter culture

Care of poor and needy

Most NT books are in circulation

Fires of Persecution are getting hotter

Martyrdom Ignatius 110

Polycarp 155

Justin 165

Clergy/laity begins creeping in

Communion is the highlight of worship Asked to leave if you were apostosizing, recanting, etc.

Gnosticism continues to grow (Marcionism & Montanism) forces Christians to think through issues

In the meantime, living in suspense and anxiety, you abstain from respectable pleasures. You do not attend sporting events. You have no interest in public amusements. You reject the public banquets, and abhor the sacred games…. Thus, wretched as you are, you will neither rise from the dead, nor enjoy life in the meanwhile. So, if you have any wisdom or sense, stop prying into the heavens and the destinies and secrets of the world…. Persons who are unable to understand civil matters are certainly unable to discuss divine ones.

2nd century Church was Counter culture

Care of poor and needy

Most NT books are in circulation

Fires of Persecution are getting hotter

Martyrdom Ignatius 110

Polycarp 155

Justin 165

Clergy/laity begins creeping in

Communion is the highlight of worship Asked to leave if you were apostosizing, recanting, etc.

Gnosticism continues to grow (Marcionism & Montanism) forces Christians to think through issues

• Persecution at its hottest: • False charges: Cannibalism, Incest Severus forbids conversion Accusers received property of the accused

Caesar worship compulsory (Libellus) (Decius) Purged the lukewarm Methods of persecution

Doctrine slowly degrading Church is in the bishop; bishop in the church - Cyprian Rise of the “Saints” Baptism begins changing: Infants being baptized; official doctrine in 400 Sin after baptism?? Tertullian

Interesting Fact 1500 widows on the payroll in the Church at Rome( 1 Tim 5) What happened??

Buildings on the rise

4th century Buildings, Bishops, Bibles burned (Early) Fires of persecution begin to die down Edict of toleration 311/313 Council of Nicea 325

State religion (Church and State become one) Trending

Kissing bishops hand Contribution - tax Celibacy of leaders Persecuted became persecutor (Jews and Gentiles) Power of Bishop is growing Other Christians consider you extreme if you don’t accept

the entertainment of the day Canonization Most complicated issue in church history

Monasticism begins Deeply affected by worldliness in the church

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

4th century Buildings, Bishops, Bibles burned (Early)

Diocletian persecution Fires of persecution begin to die down Edict of toleration 311/313 Council of Nicea 325

State religion (Church and State become one) Trending

Kissing bishops hand Contribution - tax Celibacy of leaders Persecuted became persecutor (Jews and Gentiles) Power of Bishop is growing You are considered extreme if you don’t accept the

entertainment of the day Canonization Very complicated Most complicated issue in church history

Monasticism begins Deeply affected by worldliness in the church

30AD /34 AD

48 AD

70 AD

Late 1st century

2nd century

3rd century

4th Century

Evangelistic fervor of the early church: Reach those “far off” not geographically but spiritually Focus on the root!! Acts 2:42

Life and doctrine matters!!

Culture does indeed creep in!! Entertainment Violence Sexuality

Do we have a “saints” view of people who are really sold out?

How countercultural are you??? Do we resemble 1st century Christians or 4th century?

The Eternal Kingdom : F.W. Mattox

Apostolic Fathers: Baker Academics

Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: Bercot

Will the Real Heretics Please stand Up: Bercot

Church History in Plain Language: Shelley

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