Period 1 Early Christianity to Constantine – The First Three Centuries

Christianity Many forms of Christianity in Australia Catholic Protestant Orthodox

Christian life in the first 3 centuries the first communities

Who was Jesus? Jesus was born into a Jewish family and raised in the Jewish religion. In Jesus’ time, the Roman empire was at its height. Jesus taught about a loving God, about the Kingdom of God, and about the desire for everyone to live in peace, love and harmony. Jesus was crucified by the Roman government and resurrected. Two key beliefs at the centre of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus and the human and divine natures of Jesus.

The earliest followers of jesus Christianity begun as a movement within Judaism. The disciples saw themselves as Jews – going to the Temple, keeping the food and other laws outlined in the Torah, and continuing to pray as Jews. The disciples taught only to the Jewish people until particular groups of disciples led by a deacon, Stephen, broke with this practice and began to preach to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people).

Saint Stephen Stephen’s criticism of the Jewish leaders led to his death by stoning. He was the first of many Christian disciples to die as a martyr. Stephen’s followers began to preach the Gospel wherever they travelled and to whoever would listen, no longer seeing the message of Jesus as belonging only to the Jews.

The spread of Christianity among the gentiles Good network of roads and seaways throughout the Roman empire. Greek language was used throughout the whole empire. Stable form of government. The witness of Christians who lived by the simple law of love. Christians nursed the sick and cared for the poor. People of all classes were welcomed into the Church.

Questions *Why was Stephen stoned? *What changes did Stephen’s martyrdom cause? *Who are the Gentiles? List what you think are the two most important reasons for the spread of Christianity amongst the Gentiles. Give reasons for your answers.

Were the teachings of Jesus just for the Jews, or were they also for the Gentiles?

Ad 49 - Council of Jerusalem The first Council of the Church, the Council of Jerusalem in AD 49. Paul’s view that Gentiles and Jews alike were saved by Christ was finally accepted. Paul began a series of journeys to many places in the Roman Empire where he preached the Gospel and set up Christian communities.

Separation between Christians and jews The prayers said in the Synagogue looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, but Christians firmly believed and proclaimed that the Messiah had already come in Jesus whom they called the Christ (a title which means Messiah). This posed a problem between the Christians and Jews.

Questions Read through Acts 15: 1-21 and TKWL Section 6.3. *What was the decision that was made at the Council of Jerusalem? Did this decision satisfy Paul and meet the needs of the converts he was representing? *How did this decision fit with the mission given by Jesus to the apostles – ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you’? If the decision went the other way, that is, all converts had to become Jews and follow all the Jewish laws, what impact do you think this would have had on the mission given by Jesus to the Apostles?

persecutions Christianity began to attract the dislike of the Jewish leaders and of the pagans (those who followed the religions of Rome). This is because Christians kept themselves apart from many public activities. They would not buy meats that had been offered to idols, the Roman gods. A Christian jeweler would refuse to decorate a pagan statue. Christian patients would not attend the hospitals which were visited by pagan priests who prayed to the gods of Rome. Christians would not attend gladiatorial combats. Many Christians would not serve in the army. It was difficult for the Romans to understand a strictly monotheistic religion, since Roman religions worshipped many gods. The fact that the rituals of Christianity tended to be secret also caused suspicion.

‘The blood of the martyr is the seed of the church’ In AD 64, Roman Emperor Nero began to persecute Christians. He killed Christians with terrible cruelty – he used some of them as human torches to light up a celebration in his garden. The Apostles Peter and Paul both met their deaths at the hands of Nero. Christianity became an illegal religion, and countless Christians suffered for their faith. It was not until the fourth century when Constantine became the emperor that this persecution of Christians stopped.

Church and state In 324, Constantine became sole emperor of the Roman Empire. He was committed to Christianity, even though he was only baptised just before his death. Constantine’s commitment to Christ (in 312) is said to have resulted from a dream in which he saw in the sky the first two letters of the Greek word, Christos (XP). He had this sign painted on his soldiers’ shields, and under its banner he conquered his rivals to become Emperor of both Eastern and Western sides of the Empire. Constantine immediately made Christianity equal to the Roman religions, and allowed Christians to worship publicly. Soon Christianity became the state religion of the empire and paganism was outlawed.

Questions The early Christians kept themselves apart from many public activities. Name two and explain why you think they would not have participated in these activities. *What is the story behind Constantine granting religious freedom, including to Christians?

Council of Nicea – Nicene Creed In AD 325, Constantine called a Council of the Church at Nicea. It was called to resolve the Arian controversy (Arianism) Arius of Alexandria challenged the belief in the divinity of Jesus. He claimed that Jesus was not God, and therefore, was not equal to the Father. This Council clarified the doctrine of the Trinity, which teaches that there are three Persons in the One God: God the Father, Jesus Christ who is God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Nicene Creed was created and Arius was condemned for his heretical position.

Questions *What was Arianism? *What did the Council of Nicea decide?

Activity – Please let me know when you are up to this stage. ** Create a visual representation of five important people within Early Christianity. You may choose to focus on: Saint Stephen Saint Paul Saint Peter Saint Augustine Emperor Constantine Research their lives – why are they important? How did they die? When did they live?