The Community of Believers How did the first Christian communities begin? What were they like? It began with Pentecost, but also in other places Wandering preachers spread the message There were both settled groups in towns There were different interpretations of how to follow Jesus – some radical, giving up normal lifestyle Unsure about how Jewish to be Desire to spread the messsage To 1.08

The Jerusalem Community Was this the ideal Church? Acts 2:42-7 Using the textbook p.76-7 and the analysis of the bible texts, make notes on the different headings. Acts 2:32-37 What the first Christians attitude to possessions? Read para.3 of the info sheet. Acts 6:2 What conflict did the community face, as it grew? What was a priority, for the apostles? Was one of the most radical groups of the “Jesus Movement” Led by well known personalities: Peter James, blood-relation of Jesus (not apostle) In an atmosphere of persecution: Jewish authorities wanted to stamp out the Jesus movement - Saul Founded at Pentecost: the experience of receiving the Holy Spirit gave them courage to live as Christians, and proclaim Christ’s message Radical lifestyle: expected the imminent return of Jesus (the Second Coming). Still very Jewish: kept Jewish dietary customs, would go up to the Temple 3x a day to pray.

Summary: How did the early believers live Summary: How did the early believers live? Do modern believers live like that? Follow Apostle’s teaching Worship together Break bread, share meals Share possessions Give to the needy Apostle’s Creed said in most Churches…but doctrinal fragmentation since Reformation Mass, other devotions Eucharist…different interpretations, inter-communion a problem. Meals?? Possessions – monks and nuns? Charity – Lent, other collections

Fragmentations within Christendom

The Early Church: not so ideal… Evaluating the Early Church Communities The Story of Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11 Read the story in class. What did Ananias and Sapphira do wrong? What does this tell you about problems and expectations in the community? The Jerusalem c’ty was not a standard model for other Churches: can’t generalise Problems with false behaviour from new converts, even in Jerusalem c’ty Uncertainties, even among lead apostles, about how Jewish new converts should be St Paul in his Churches has problems with abuses of the Eucharistic meal, false “teachers”, serious immorality among new converts, Jewish legalism Explain in what ways the Jerusalem community was not typical of the other Churches.(no.1 on sheet) Was not authoritative/ decisive in Christian teaching (no.2b on sheet)

The Modern Church What is your experience of Church? To describe the permanent characteristics of the Church To evaluate if the main role of the Church is its teaching role What is your experience of Church? Which Churches have you visited? What do you know about what some different Churches do? What do you think should be a person’s main experience of Church? How far does your current experience of Church fall short of what you might expect?

The Modern Church The “Church” is a mystery – a complex reality, we cannot reduce to any one definition. often people first think of it in its visible form as “institution”, a human organisation, with a hierarchy and regulations But ultimately, the deep reality of the “Church” is the activity of Christ within it: the “Church” is what Christ does, in each of its members, building up the Kingdom of God, carrying out his plan of salvation. This happens in hidden, invisible ways. It is a mystery. Images used to speak about the Church: flock of Christ, vine, Bride of Christ, Body of Christ, People of God, mustard seed parable, Healer, a field of wheat and tares, a Sacrament. Pope Paul VI Ecclesiam Suam: “The Church is something to be lived” - a mystery at work in the hearts of committed Christians. Explain how some of these images of Church might work, to your partner. What are they saying about what the Church is?

5 Permanent Characteristics describing functions of the Church Institutional – structured as a human society A Sacrament: a Communion of Grace Liturgical: offering praise and worship Missionary – task of sharing the Good News Healing and Restoring – for the good of all humanity Find out more about each of these 5 characteristics. Read the info sheets and make notes. Is the Church’s role primarily to provide teaching?

Is the main role of the Church to teach? 1. Institutional To let people know if they are insiders/ outsiders, for disciplining. 2. A Sacrament / Communion of Grace Sacraments make present God’s life in us, and enable us to show it to others. This is by faith, and God’s promise to be in the Church. Those receiving grace do not need to understand teachings: only invited to recognise the power & love of God. 3. Liturgy & worship Expressions of worship do themselves teach appropriate attitudes to God. Liturgy refers to God as saviour, Father, Creator etc. Bible is read. But main purpose is spiritual – to gather everybody into a community, & offer them, with Christ, to God. 4. Missionary To let people know what they ought to put their faith in, and what this means for them. Can be by example 5. Healing and Restoring for all humanity Acting for justice. A form of social work, unless understand through teaching that it is really about restoring all things to Christ – ultimate end. Which of these roles involved teaching? How important is this teaching aspect, in that role?

The 4 “marks” of the Church - traditional features (not functional) ONE – unique, because set up by Christ. All are united in the same belief. (Creed) HOLY – the Church shares in God’s life, and communicates it to others. CATHOLIC – embraces all God’s truth, wherever it may be found, and all God’s people. APOSTOLIC – based on the teachings and traditions of the Apostles, and continuing these, in the same Spirit.