Early Christianity- The development of early Christian communities

Life and Times of Jesus

Homelands

Taken over

A note on dates and sources• Cross-referencing– E.g. dating Jesus’ birth– All Gospels tell us Herod the Great is King during

Jesus’ birth – Roman records=ruler of Judea 37-4 BCE – born near end of reign – the massacre of infants – Jesus born c. 6-4 BCE

– Gospels tell of a great census – common in Roman history – question Imperial census or provincial census? – c. 6-4 BCE

• Sources:– Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles • Acts written by a doctor-historian “Luke”

– Epistles – Paul and other Catholic Letters (Peter) • Important for cross-reference to Acts

– Roman sources • E.g. Tacitus Annals; Diadche (The Teachings of the

Twelve Apostles); Pliny the Younger Letters

Leadership• Disciples chosen by Jesus to spread the Word of God

(Mt 28:16-20)

• Simon Peter chosen by Jesus (Mt 16: 17-20) as

Leader of the Early Church• Pentecost, 30CE, sparks

the first preaching in Jerusalem

• Forced to flee Jerusalem for Antioch (Acts 11:19-30)

• Importance: Jesus’ message is beyond Jerusalem

• James, “the brother of Jesus”, becomes

leader of the Church in Jerusalem

(e.g. Acts 15: 13; Galatians 2: 9-12)• c.62 CE – put to

death

ACTS of the Apostles – The Jewish Origins of Christianity

• The events of Pentecost lead to receiving grace-filled courage to begin preaching (Acts 2.1-13)– Referred to as Nazarenes and identified as Jews. They form a SECT of Judaism – They still obeyed Mosaic Law: the Commandments, kept the Sabbath and the

food laws and prayed in the same way as the Jews in the Temple and Synagogues

– Their teachings were Jewish, based on the Hebrew Scriptures– Maintained the belief in REVELATION – the belief that God is revealed to

people: prophets.

– But they celebrated a Eucharist-type meal after prayers, usually in someone’s house and practiced baptism (ACT 2.37-42)

– performed miracles (ACTS 3.1-10)– communal sharing of goods (ACTS 4: 32-37)

Reaction = Persecution • The Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) in Jerusalem

become frustrated that Jesus’ message has continued and afraid of Roman repercussions– ACTS 4 (Peter and John before the Council)– ACTS 5.17-42 (The Apostles are persecuted – flogging of

Peter and John)• Stephen – First Martyr – c. 35 AD – stoned to death by Jews for

teaching Jesus’ words to Jews and Gentiles (ACTS 7.54-60)– Results in Stephen’s followers begin to preach the

Gospel to whomever would listen

St Paul

– Pharisee educated, Roman citizen, Jew– Persecuted the Church in Jerusalem – present at

Stephen’s stoning – Conversion (ACTS 9) (c. 35-36 CE) – Great Missionary of the Church– Apostle to the Gentiles

• Importance of Letters– Gives insight in Paul, into the Christian community,

the spread of Christianity, teachings of the early Church, issues within the Church

Divisions between Judaism and Christianity• Council of Jerusalem 49 AD

– The missionary work of Peter, Paul and the other disciples spreads Christianity beyond Palestine to the Gentiles (non-Jews)

– PROBLEM: did the new converts, the Gentiles, need to be Jewish first and thus circumcised and follow the dietary laws of the Torah, before baptism?

• DIVISION: converted-scribes and Pharisees claimed that circumcision was necessary and crucial to the law of Moses VERSUS Peter, Paul and other missionaries

• DECISION: As long as the new converts abandoned pagan idols, followed God’s commandments and were committed to Jesus’ teachings and ministry, Gentiles could be baptised and receive salvation

• SIGNIFICANCE: The decision to preach to BOTH GENTILES AND JEWS signals separation from Judaism

• SIGNIFICANCE: Made it easier for Gentiles to convert to Christianity and for Christianity to spread• Reactions:

• Jews – disbelief that the Law of Moses was being ignored. Increased hostility to Christianity • Gentiles – gained a sense of equality with Jewish converts • Reinforced by the failed revolt (66-70), destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans 70

AD and the Diaspora (dispersion) of the Jews

• ESTIMATES: By 100 CE , there were 500, 000 Christians spread throughout the empire, representing 1% of the Roman population

Spreading the Word• St Paul’s Journeys

Well established

and maintained

road and sea

networks

Common Language:

Greek

The Roman Empire was peaceful at this time – enabling safe and secure travelling

Christians were preaching a simpler and more personal message that attracted many people

Christians cared for the sick during epidemics as well as the poor and

widows

Women were treated

with more respect in Christian

communities – marriage and family

life was more stable

The Persecutions• Two directions: Jewish

and Roman – Jewish examples: Saul of

Tarsus and the Stoning of Stephen

• Roman: – Emperor Nero - Blamed

the burning of Rome on the Christians in 64 CE – martyred in the streets

and in gladiatorial combats

Constantine• Emperor Constantine’s Conversion (312 AD)– Emperor of the entire Roman Empire– Legitimised Christianity – and became the state

religion (Edict of Milan 313 AD)• Council of Nicaea 325 AD– In response to theological arguments within the

Church– Affirmed the teaching of the trinity: three Persons

in the One God: FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT

• Moves the Roman capital to Byzantium in the East – renamed Constantinople – modern Istanbul– Two centres of Christianity emerge:

Constantinople and Rome– According to tradition: • the leader of the Church was the Bishop of Rome –

Peter had been the first • Followed by the Bishop of Constantinople• Followed by Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandra • These were the Patriarchs of the Church

Constantine

From Outlaws to the State Religion• Many rushed to be baptised • Building of public churches –

Basilica of St Peter in Rome – Sancta Sophia in Constantinople

• Increased power and influence of the Bishops and local clergy

• In the East: richer and more powerful

• In the West: The bishop of Rome was the recognised successor of St Peter

Fall of Rome• Barbarian Hordes • 410: Sacking of Rome

East-West Schism 1054 CE

• Political Causes – In the West, the Bishop of Rome (now referred to

as the Pope) took on more leadership duties – In the East, the Patriarch of Constantinople was

intricately linked with the Emperor

formal separation from the unity of

the Church

Cause West EastLanguage Latin GreekAuthority Claimed authority based on their

decedent from St Peter, the first Bishop and leader of the Apostles

Claimed authority as the Patriarchs of the capital of the Roman EmpireOr at least equal authority

Eucharist and Sacraments

-Hymns were translated into Latin-Altar remained out the front and visible to all

- Emphasised the mystery of the Eucharist concealing the altar behind decorated screens: “iconostasis”

Holy Images

- Portraying holy images remained allowable

-Debate arose-Periods were depicting holy images was banned-Re-emerged as flat images, paintings, mosaics, or shallow carvings – called icons-NO STATUES

Ministers - Increasingly insisted on celibacy -Ordained married deacons into the priesthood

Nicene Creed

-Debate about the status of the Holy Spirit-Originally, the creed stated “who proceeds from the Father” but later added “and the Son”

- Fiercely opposed the addition of “and the Son” and refused to include it

Doctrine of Papal Jurisdiction

• The Catholic Doctrine that the Pope and the Church of Rome (Apostolic See) retained overall authority due to their unique position as heirs to St Peter

East-West Schism 1054• Mutual Excommunication

• East: Orthodox Christianity• West: Catholicism

being cut off from the sacraments and the life

of the Church