Lesson1

Jesus the Christ (4BCE-27/33CE)Early Christian Church

Paul’s Missionary Journey (47-57)Persecutions (54-305CE)

Disturb Us, O Disturb Us, O LordLord

Disturb us, O Lord Disturb us, O Lord When with the abundance of things When with the abundance of things

we possess, we possess, we have lost thirst for the water of we have lost thirst for the water of

life; life; When, having fallen in love with When, having fallen in love with

time, time, we have ceased to dream of eternity; we have ceased to dream of eternity; and when our efforts to build the new and when our efforts to build the new

earth earth have allowed our vision for a new have allowed our vision for a new

heaven to grow dim.heaven to grow dim.

Stir us, O Lord Stir us, O Lord to dare more boldly, to dare more boldly,

to venture on wider seas, to venture on wider seas, where storms shall show thy mastery, where storms shall show thy mastery,

where losing sight of land, we shall where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.find the stars.

In the name of Him In the name of Him

who pushed back the horizons of our who pushed back the horizons of our hopes hopes

and invited the brave to follow Him. and invited the brave to follow Him. AMENAMEN

When we are too When we are too well-pleased with well-pleased with ourselves; ourselves; Disturb us, O Disturb us, O Lord Lord

When our dreams When our dreams have come true have come true because we because we dreamed too dreamed too little; little; Disturb us, O Disturb us, O Lord Lord

When we have When we have arrived in safety arrived in safety because we sailed because we sailed too close to the too close to the shore; shore; Disturb us, O Disturb us, O Lord Lord

The Future does not belong to the faint-The Future does not belong to the faint-hearted, but to those who, historically hearted, but to those who, historically

rooted rooted in the faith and tradition of our Church, in the faith and tradition of our Church,

are open to the surprises in the present. are open to the surprises in the present.

““Yes to Jesus Christ! No to Church!”Yes to Jesus Christ! No to Church!”

The Church seems to be loosing its relevance. To gain The Church seems to be loosing its relevance. To gain relevance does not mean however, that we have to go relevance does not mean however, that we have to go

along with whatever is the latest fad.along with whatever is the latest fad. A look into some A look into some distinct contributions of Christianity, in situations distinct contributions of Christianity, in situations

of the past, may lead us to the discovery of new of the past, may lead us to the discovery of new relevance that will stop us from giving up on the relevance that will stop us from giving up on the

Church. Church.

Why Study History at Why Study History at All?All?

MEMORY: A Key to Personal MEMORY: A Key to Personal IdentityIdentity

Finding Out Who We AreFinding Out Who We AreOur memory of our personal history plays Our memory of our personal history plays

key role in telling us who we are and enabling key role in telling us who we are and enabling us to function (our talents and our virtues)us to function (our talents and our virtues)

Knowing the Why of ThingsKnowing the Why of ThingsWith a sense of personal history, we With a sense of personal history, we

discover discover why we are the way we are, how it is why we are the way we are, how it is that we that we have certain traits, reaction or have certain traits, reaction or stumbling blocksstumbling blocks

Choosing WiselyChoosing WiselyKnowing our personal history can help Knowing our personal history can help

us us make better choice for the future. make better choice for the future. When we When we know the why of things, we have know the why of things, we have the tools to the tools to figure out what to do in the figure out what to do in the future. future.

Christianity is a historical religion, based on the Christianity is a historical religion, based on the life of a historical person, Jesus of Nazareth. The life of a historical person, Jesus of Nazareth. The Gospels offer us faith-filled accounts of Jesus’ Gospels offer us faith-filled accounts of Jesus’ life. Likewise the story of the Church, its history, life. Likewise the story of the Church, its history, provides us with a perspective on provides us with a perspective on how Christians how Christians have lived out the Gospel message over the have lived out the Gospel message over the centuries.centuries.

In fact, learning about the Church is learning In fact, learning about the Church is learning about the about the presence of Jesus Christ throughout presence of Jesus Christ throughout historyhistory. . Christ acts through and in the church’s Christ acts through and in the church’s peoplepeople, He lives in peoples’ hearts and is seen in , He lives in peoples’ hearts and is seen in actions of those who work in His name. actions of those who work in His name.

Clearly, not all actions of the church’s members Clearly, not all actions of the church’s members are Christ-like. However the same people have at are Christ-like. However the same people have at times been the sign of the Lord’s presence. Thus times been the sign of the Lord’s presence. Thus knowing the Church means knowing Jesus knowing the Church means knowing Jesus through his people. through his people.

Why Study CHURCH Why Study CHURCH History?History?

The history of the church is the The history of the church is the story of the relationship between Jesus and the story of the relationship between Jesus and the

believers believers who have followed him over the centuries. who have followed him over the centuries.

Some parts of history may disturb you.Some parts of history may disturb you.Other parts may inspire you. Other parts may inspire you.

Fundamentally, Catholics believe that God’s Spirit Fundamentally, Catholics believe that God’s Spirit has been with the Church through good times has been with the Church through good times

and bad, and bad, guiding it in the most difficult and guiding it in the most difficult and disastrous periods as well as in the apparently disastrous periods as well as in the apparently

glorious eras. glorious eras.

Widening the CircleWidening the Circle

Of Jesus’ FollowersOf Jesus’ Followers

A CHURCH OF CONVERTS:A CHURCH OF CONVERTS:

The Original Circle: Those Who Walked with Jesus The Original Circle: Those Who Walked with Jesus

The Church began with the group gathered around The Church began with the group gathered around Jesus: the 12 Apostles and the other disciples who Jesus: the 12 Apostles and the other disciples who knew him personally. knew him personally.

They saw themselves Jewish to the core. Like other They saw themselves Jewish to the core. Like other Jews, the disciples longed for the coming of a Jews, the disciples longed for the coming of a

political messiah. Gradually they would come to political messiah. Gradually they would come to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

The church history began in a powerful The church history began in a powerful FAITH FAITH experience:experience: the disciples living, talking, walking the disciples living, talking, walking with Jesus. with Jesus.

Together at the Last Supper: The night before He died, He gathered

the 12 to celebrate Passover. It was a ritual meal repeated in

remembrance of Him. The 12 were taught how to serve one another.

Amazed by the Risen Lord: Jesus being raised from the dead, was the crucial event for the church. Without it, the Apostles would have certainly disbanded and Jesus would be a forgotten religious fanatic.

The Early Church

• The story of the early church is recorded in the “Acts of the Apostles” (Acts 2: 1-6) written by Luke.

• It is a story about how the disciples were energized by the resurrection event to preach the Gospel.

• Even then, they preached in hiding for fear of persecution.

Transformation at Pentecost: After the joy of experiencing Jesus with

them again, the Apostles were disheartened & frightened when

Jesus ascended to heaven.

In ACTS 2:1-4, the coming of the Holy Spirit, upon them suddenly

turned the timid, discouraged, scared followers into bold,

confident, zealous heralds of the Good News.

The Day of the Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)

• Pentecost means the fiftieth day. The Jews celebrated fifty days after the Passover.

• Disciples of Jesus had gathered in hiding to celebrate the Passover.

• The Holy Spirit descends on them, gave them gifts to prophecy, teach to speak in different languages.

• Other people who came for the Passover were amazed at the different tongues spoken by the disciples.

• Peter testified to the crowd that the holy spirit was a testimony that Jesus was Christ –The savior, the messiah.

• 3,000 Jews present believed and converted as followers of Christ.

• After this event, disciples went into the open and preached amidst persecution for Heresy.

The Circle Expands: Jews Who Did The Circle Expands: Jews Who Did Not Know JesusNot Know Jesus

The 1st Christian The 1st Christian Baptisms:Baptisms:

Acts 2: 38-39 Acts 2: 38-39

Baptism of the 3000!Baptism of the 3000!

Jewish & Christian:Jewish & Christian: As a minority As a minority movement within Judaism, the movement within Judaism, the earliest followers regularly met at earliest followers regularly met at the Temple, in local synagogues and the Temple, in local synagogues and in private homes to share meals and in private homes to share meals and prayers. prayers.

In Jerusalem, the Jewish authorities In Jerusalem, the Jewish authorities began harassing the growing began harassing the growing community of Jesus’ followers. community of Jesus’ followers. Harassment, imprisonment and Harassment, imprisonment and executions began. executions began.

In In Acts 7:54-60Acts 7:54-60, tells of the 1, tells of the 1stst Martyr Martyr for Christ: STEPHEN. As witnessed for Christ: STEPHEN. As witnessed and consented by Saul (Acts 8:1-6)and consented by Saul (Acts 8:1-6)

Stephen, the first Martyr (Acts 7:54-60)Acts 7:54-60)

• Stephen was the first martyr. He was stoned to death by Jews for preaching the gospel.

• Disciples fled Jerusalem to escape persecution.

PAUL: The Link Between Jewish Christians & the Wider WorldPAUL: The Link Between Jewish Christians & the Wider World

““Saul, Saul, Saul, Saul, why are you why are you persecuting persecuting

me?”me?”

Who was Paul:

A well educated Jew from Tarsus (a major city in Asia Minor, now Turkey). A zealous defender of the Jewish orthodoxy.

DAMASCUS: INITIALLY TO A JEWISH AUDIENCE After 3 years of reflection in the desert , Paul was on fire. So powerful were his word, that an order was made to arrest him. He started preaching at Damascus. The persecutor now becomes the persecuted!

Saul/ Paul and the Spread of the Gospel

• Saul met Jesus in a vision, was blind for a while and was then commissioned to preach the Gospel. Jesus renamed him Paul. After the event he was baptized, and began preaching the message of Christ.

• He traveled around the Mediterranean preaching the Gospel

• He established churches in various cities in the Roman Empire-Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Thessalonica, Athens etc.


• Paul was persecuted, shipwrecked, stoned, imprisoned, beaten and died as a martyr in Rome.

• PAULS’ TEACHINGS.• They were based on interpretation of Jesus

teachings.• Tried to convince Jews that Jesus birth, death,

and resurrection had been predicted by the O.T prophets.


• He invited gentiles (non-Jews) to be Christians. Gentiles were worshippers of the old gods, followers of dualistic Greco-Roman philosophers. Dualists regarded matter as evil and that the soul should be emancipated from the corrupt influence of evil matter.

• Gentiles were not required to practice the Jewish tradition when they converted because salvation comes by faith as in the case of Abraham E.g they were not to get circumcised.


• Paul taught about Agape Love and God. • Agape –is altruistic, self giving love as the center

of Christianity. It is higher that spiritual wisdom, asceticism, supernatural spiritual gifts- prophesy, healing, speaking in tongues.

• The Cross- with or without the image of Jesus as a symbol; of Christianity.

• Repentance, of sins, baptism and rebirth into a new life as a Christian.

Paul’s First Missionary Journey (47 – 49)

-This journey took him to Cyprus and Asia Minor.

*From Antioch, Salamis, Paphos, Perga (John Mark deserted and went to Jerusalem), Pisidia Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and derbe, back to Antioch, which became the center for missionary work for the Gentiles.

ANTIOCH: THE 1ST JEWISH-GENTILE COMMUNITY (Acts 11:19-26) A controversy re-opens at Jerusalem community if they should welcome the Gentiles. Barnabas was sent at Antioch. He saw the Jews & Gentiles united in faith. To distinguish this community, the members were called “CHRISTIANS” It was the 1st time the term was used.

45 The Antioch community collected money and sent Paul and Barnabas to deliver it to the hungry and persecuted Christians of Jerusalem.

(Acts 11:29)

Paul’s First Missionary Journey (47 – 49)

• Disputes bet. Paul and Barnabas: Practice of “circumcision” as necessary for salvation

• 49/50 Council of Jerusalem: first Council of the Church (Acts 15)

: Peter argued in favor of the Gentiles

: broke the barriers to the universalities of the Church

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (50-54 AD)

With Silas, he revisited the Churches he found in Asia Minor like Galatia, derbe and Lystra.

Paul took Timothy as his companion and went to Troas ( where he had a vision).

Philippi in Macedonia was the first Christian.

- Community found in Europe.- He moved to Thessalonica and evangelized there.- They went to Berola then Athens where he preached to Pagan Philosophers, who rose from dead (Acts 17:31-32)- Paul proceeded to Corinth and Stayed there for 18

months.- Then he sailed to Ephesus going to Jerusalem to visit

there and returned to Antioch.

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (50-54 AD)

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (56-57AD)

Paul traveled from Antioch to Northern Galatia and Phrygia to Ephesus, spent two and a half there and move to Macedonia to visit other communities that he found during the 2nd Missionary Journey.

He went to Thessalonica and then to Corinth. He wrote his letters to the Corinthians, Romans, Galatians and Others, and looking toward home and Spain.

The significance of Paul in Christianity is great. His letter to the communities formed the oldest written source of information about our faith and early Christian Church.

Approximate Date (C.E.) Title of Book Author

c. 50 1 Thessalonians Paul

2 Thessalonians Paul

c. 54-55 1 & 2 Corinthians Paul

c. 56 Galatians Paul

c. 56-57 Romans Paul

c. 61 Colossians Paul

c. 61 Philippians Paul

c. 62 Philemon Paul

c. 66-70 Gospel of Mark Anonymous

c. 66-73 Jewish war against Rome: Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple

c. 80-85 Gospel of Matthew Anonymous

c. 85-90 Gospel of Luke, Acts Anonymous

c. 85-95 Hebrews, 1 Peter, Ephesians, James Anonymous

c. 90-95 Gospel of John Anonymous

c. 95 Revelation (the Apocalypse) John of Patmos

c. 95-100 1,2 & 3 John The Elder

c. 110-130 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus Pseudonymous

c. 130-150 Jude, 2 Peter Pseudonymous

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (56-57AD)

Spread of ChristianityFactors that contributed to the rapid spread of the Gospel among

Pagans and throughout the Roman Empire:

1.) Largely due to the efforts of the apostles and missionaries.Because of Paul and other apostles, Christianity spread rapidly becoming a non- Jewish religion.

2.) Other factors:a. Internal Peace (relative peace) and order in the whole Roman Empire for about two centuries. The Mediterranean world is completely dominated by the Romans thus peace and order is maintained.b. The construction of roads and highways made possible more extensive travel among the missionaries of the Church.c. Mediterranean Sea was not infested by pirates

Main reason for the success of the spread of Christianity in the first Century:c. The growing spiritual hunger amidst the moral decadence and across idolatry of the times led to openness and acceptance of the messages of the of the Christian Gospel.

-The message of the Christian Gospel lifted the tortured soul from the moral corruption and crash idolatry of the times.

Spread of Christianity

• By 200CE Christianity had spread throughout the Roman Empire and into the Mesopotamia.

• The governance of the Roman State and the Empire proved to be providential for the spread of the Christian faith and the Gospel (spread of Christianity)

ROMAN EMPIRE

Characteristics of early Christianity

• One heart and one soul; unity/ oneness (Acts 2,47-4,4)

• They still follow precepts of Judaism (ofer sacrifices in temple, circumcision, mosaic law)

• New traits (baptism, Kyrios, Eucharistia-worship with gladness and thanksgiving, Common use of goods)

Split of Jesus Movement from Judaism.

• Some Jews who believed in the teachings of Jesus did not like the emphasis placed on the person of Jesus as this overshadowed Jesus teachings.

• The teachings about God’s salvation for all people offended some Jews. Some Jewish followers of Christ expected new converts (Gentiles) to practice Jewish traditions.

• Christianity at this point, which was known as ‘The Way’ (before it was called Christianity), was seen as a different religion from Judaism. It was considered a heresy.

Split of Jesus Movement from Judaism.

• 62 CE - the separation between Jewish Christians and majority of Jews was pronounced when James the leader of the Way in Jerusalem was arrested by Jewish High Priest thrown from the roof of the Temple and was stoned to death.

• 70 CE – fall of Jerusalem

• 90 CE – the break between Christians and Jews was final

Questions for discussion

• How is missionary work today similar or dissimilar to Paul’s missionary endeavors?

• Can you think how mission work of our time is done?

• How have we been missionaries in our own way?

Gold Tested by FireGold Tested by Fire

Clear DoctrineClear Doctrine

Courageous FaithCourageous FaithHostility & Persecutions Hostility & Persecutions

Outside the Outside the Community:Community:

Ideas & Direction Ideas & Direction Within The Community: Within The Community:

Courageous Faith Amid the Fires of PersecutionCourageous Faith Amid the Fires of Persecution

“I tell you, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna…Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid…”

Luke 12: 2-7

“If the world hates you, realize that it had hated me first…If they persecute me, they will also persecute you…”

John 15: 18-20

Causes of Persecution:1. Refusal to venerate the state gods in spite of Rome’s toleration towards other religions of the people in conquered

2. Herod Agripa in the year 42, began a formal persecution among Christians because of frequent outbreaks of mob violence in Jerusalem. Christians were suspected of being revolutionary because of their claims about a Messiah and the new Kingdom

3. Christians incurred special distrust of their “anti-social who hate the human race” aloofness from games and theater and the common life of the people.

4. The habit of meeting among Christians to worship secretly in the catacombs in the evening or early morning provided suspicion to political conspiracies, crimes, and infamous practices such as sexual promiscuity.

5. Their secret rituals of symbolically drinking Jesus blood and eating his flesh was suspected as a cannibalistic cultic behavior- leading to further persecution.

Why were the Christians such a

threat to the Roman Empire that the Romans felt it

necessary to torture and execute them?

The Roman Demand The Roman Demand for Conformity:for Conformity:

Roman Authorities Roman Authorities Thinking:Thinking:

Common religious observance Common religious observance fostered unity in the empire. fostered unity in the empire. Refusing to observe religious Refusing to observe religious

sacrifices and pay homage to the sacrifices and pay homage to the “divine” emperors were “divine” emperors were

unpatriotic, even treasonous. unpatriotic, even treasonous. Roman Religious Belief:Roman Religious Belief:Romans citizens believe that the gods sent Romans citizens believe that the gods sent

blessings on them only if they offered blessings on them only if they offered sacrifices. They feared that the God’s would sacrifices. They feared that the God’s would

curse them for tolerating the Christian’s curse them for tolerating the Christian’s refusal to offer sacrifices. refusal to offer sacrifices.

1st Period of Persecution 54-60 A.D.

The first persecution by Emperor NeroHe blamed the Christians for the six days of fire that destroyed ¾ of the city of Rome. Which it was Rumored that Nero himself instigated the fire to gain the glory of rebuilding the city.The Christians were persecuted and turned to living torches in the Garden of Nero.

Among the victims are:-Peter and Paul-Apostle John-exiled to Patmos where he wrote the Apocalypse.

GREAT PERSECUTIONSGREAT PERSECUTIONS1. 1. NERO: 54-68NERO: 54-68 The first emperor who persecuted

Christians in the Roman empire. Nero was responsible for the death of both the Apostles Peter and Paul. Cause of Nero’s death - committed suicide.

o He deliberately burnt a huge section of Rome in 64 AD. To 1 escape blame, his evil adviser, Tigellinus decided to make the Christians as an easy scapegoat.o Christians were given skins of wild beasts and left to be

devoured by dogs; others were nailed to the cross; numbers were burnt alive to serve as torches in the night. (conflagration)o Nero had St. Peter (64AD) crucified; St. Paul (67AD) beheaded.o Nero issued a decree of condemnation against Christianity as a religion and made it as a basis that Christians be punished.o Profession of Christian names was a sufficient ground for

persecution. Christians were convicted of : hatred of the human race.

BURNING ROME

2nd Period of Persecution100-250 A.D.

Christianity- illegal religion in the Roman Empire. - Informers were hired to report those engaged in Church

worship and practice.Trajan- 98-117 A.D.

- issued a decree stating that to be a Christian is punishable by death. - St. Ignatius of Antioch, martyr in this period.

*Emperor Hadrian- gave some relief to the suffering Christians.Antoninus Pius- 138-161 A.D.

- accused the Christians for being atheists for not worshipping the Emperor.

Marcus Aurelius- 161-180 A.D.- legalized persecution.

Septimus Severus- Christians were fed to the Lions during disasters or famine (accdg. to Tertullian).

*Philip the Arabian- 244-249 A.D. - his reign provided the lull before the last and most

severe persecution.

3rd period of Persecution (250-305)

Decius-249-251 A.D. - saw Christianity as poison - ordered all Christians to pay Homage to the Roman

gods. - required all citizens to the worship of State religion. - Goal is to eradicate Christianity.

Emperor Valerian- 257 A.D.- Declared that all Christian bishops, presbyters and deacons were to offer sacrifice to the gods.- those who caught conducting secret meetings at “catacombs” were punished by death.- (258 A.D.) he ordered the arrest and execution of those who refused.


- Christian nobles were demoted, their states confiscated.

- Others were sent to hard labor, be tortured, or executed.

- To guard against Roman spies, the Christians used secret signs the Greek word for “fish”

-”ICHTHUS” what they believed of Jesus

I- Jesus, CH- Christ, TH- Theos(God),

U- Uious(Son), S- Soter(Saviour)


Other Signs are:Dove- PeaceAnchor- HopePhoenix- Resurrection

Chi – Rho- 2 Greek letters, initial of Christ

The Blood of Martyrs- is the seed of the Church


Emperor Diocletian- 284- 305 A.D.- last persecution of the Christian- the Bloodiest throughout the Roman Empire- (303 A.D.) He declared all Christian Churches be destroyed and Bibles be burned.- all Christian’s meetings are banned- immediate arrest and execution of all priest and deacons.

*He passed a general order:- All Christians must be sacrificed to the Gods- Their eyes & tongue should be urged out- Their feet sawed, many were thrown to wild beast to

entertain the mob.- Others were starved to death or thrown to dungeons.

10 GREAT PERSECUTORS10 GREAT PERSECUTORSPERIODIC PERSECUTION:PERIODIC PERSECUTION:

A law against being Christian A law against being Christian was in effect for 2 centuries, was in effect for 2 centuries, though enforced periodically. though enforced periodically.

10 GREAT PERSECUTORS:10 GREAT PERSECUTORS:

1.1. NERO 54-68 NERO 54-68 2.2. EMPEROR DOMITIAN 81-96 EMPEROR DOMITIAN 81-96 3.3. EMPEROR TRAJAN 98-117 EMPEROR TRAJAN 98-117 4.4. * EMPEROR HADRIAN 117-138* EMPEROR HADRIAN 117-1385.5. EMPEROR MARCUS AURELIUS 161-180EMPEROR MARCUS AURELIUS 161-1806.6. EMPEROR SEPTIMUS SEVERUS 193-EMPEROR SEPTIMUS SEVERUS 193-

2112117.7. EMPEROR MAXIMUS I 235-238EMPEROR MAXIMUS I 235-2388.8. EMPEROR TRAJAN DECIUS 249-251EMPEROR TRAJAN DECIUS 249-2519.9. EMPEROR VALERIANEMPEROR VALERIAN 253-260253-26010.10. EMPEROR DIOCLETIAN 303EMPEROR DIOCLETIAN 303

Courageous Faith Amid the Courageous Faith Amid the Fires of PersecutionFires of Persecution

1. The members of the early Church left Jerusalem and dispersed themselves over Judea and Samaria become missionaries beyond Jerusalem (Acts 8:1-4) this is the start of the Church as universal.

2. Paul was a product of the persecution. From a persecutor to an apostle.

3. The persecutions had purified the small Christian community in Jerusalem. The members were more close to each other and they realized that they are a new entity and distinct from Judaism.

4. Persecution strengthened the faith of the early Christians and pagans were attracted to this faith which is worth dying for.

EFFECTS OF THE PERSECUTION

End of Christian Persecution

*Galerius & Maximinus Daia-admitted the fertility of his campaign against Christians

* They realized that the persecutions only made the Christians more firm in their faith and attracted more Pagans become Christians

Emperor Constantine- 313 A.D.- Attributed his victory to the help of the Christian God.- Issued the “Edict of Milan” which

established policy of complete religion tolerance.

- Christians where even allowed to get back their properties.

Questions for discussion

• How is missionary work today similar or dissimilar to Paul’s missionary endeavors?

• Can you think how mission work is done in our time?• How have we been missionaries in our own way?

• Do you see any evidence today that people are continuously persecuted for their religious belief? explain

• If you are accused to be a Christian, will the prosecutor find enough evidence for you to be convicted? Explain

• What are the forms of persecution do you as Christian suffer in our present times?

Education

Lesson1