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Session
1 (30-90 A.D.)
• The writings of the Apostles and Bishops
are being collected and preserved. New Testament writings are completed.
• A new generation of leaders succeeds the
apostles and worship is beginning to be defined; to learn about
1st century worship click here Didache
.
• The Gospel taken through a great portion
of the known world of the Roman empire.
• New churches at first usually begin in Jewish synagogues
around the empire and Christianity is seen at first as a part of
Judaism.
• The Church faces a major crisis in understanding itself
as a universal Catholic
faith and how it is to relate to its Jewish roots.
• Key persecutions include Nero at Rome who blames Christians
for a devastating fire that ravages the city in 64 AD. He uses Christians
as human torches to illumine his gardens.
• Jewish Revolt against Roman authority in 66, Christians
do not take part in the revolt but relocate to Pella in Jordan and
throughout the Roman empire.
• In 70 AD Vespasian and Titus destroy the Temple and surrounding
areas. Some Jewish Zealots take over Masada
for 3 years and then commit suicide.
• The Jews at Jamnia in 90 AD confirm the canon of the Hebrew
Scriptures.
• Persecutions test the church. Jewish historian Josephus
seems to express surprise that they are still in existence in his
Antiquities in latter part of first century.
• Emperor Domitian demands to be worshiped as "Lord and
God." The first martyrs; Stephen, James, Peter, Paul, John,
Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr. The word Catholic
is beginning to be used. Sunday worship is emphasized Sunday
Discussion Questions
Is today’s Church like the Apostolic
Church?
Does the seed look anything like the plant?
Are we wanting to return to apostolic times? What would that look
like?
Session
2 (100 – 300)
For more on church heresies
click here heresies
For more information on
early church writers click here Early
Church Writers Church
Fathers
• Organization is needed to continue the
ministry, resist persecution, oppose heretical teachings, and spread
the word. Thus the office and role of the bishop becomes stronger.
• While persecution continues intermittently from without,
heresies pose major dangers from within and must be answered. Heresies
Gnosticism, Marcionism, Montanism, Sebellianism, Arianism, Pelagianism,
Nestorianism, and Manicheanism.
• Apologists, such as; Irenaeus, Clement of Rome, Tertullian,
Origen, Clement, Cyprian, emerge to combat heresy and answer the
church's opponents.
• Tertullian coins the term "Trinity."
200
• The strongest centers of the Church are Asia Minor and North
Africa. Rome is also a center of prestige. At beginning of century,
Edessa (Urfa in modern Turkey) becomes first Christian state.
• The church continues its amazing spread reaching all classes,
particularly the lower.
• Emperor Septimus Severus (202-211) persecutes; forbids conversion
to Christianity. Then a generation of peace for the church. Amazing
growth and spread of faith continues and church buildings begin
to be built.
• North Africa a key Christian center. Egypt alone has a million
Christians by the end of 3rd century. Carthage and Alexandria leading
centers of Christian theological development with such figures as
Origen, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria.
• AD 248 the 1,000th anniversary of Rome but all is not celebration
as threats to the empire increase from neighboring populations on
borders.
• The first empire-wide persecution instituted under Decius
in AD 250. Everyone must offer pagan sacrifice and show certificate
of proof.
• Church has to deal with the difficult problem of how to
handle the "lapsed"--those who relented during the persecution
and now want back into the church.
• Church problems not only political. Intellectual attacks
must also be answered. Porphyry writes Against the Christians attacking
apostles, church leaders, Gospels and Old Testament. Origen around
245 answers attack of Celsus written 70 years earlier and apparently
still a threat to the church.
Discussion Questions
Are there any new heresies / cults today?
How do we in the Church today address / combat heresy?
What is the difference between a Polemicist and an Apologist?
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