Early Church History The first 1000 years 23 June 2016

Agenda Important Belief Systems Vocabulary The timeline first 1000 years

Belief Systems Gnosticism – the belief that matter is evil and salvation is reached through secret knowledge Marcionism – a version of Gnosticism believing that the world is evil, the God of the Old Testament created the world and thus he is evil. The God of the New Testament is good. Arianism- the belief that Jesus is just a man and that the Holy Spirit is a created being or force. Non-Trinitarian Christianity. Orthodox Christianity – teachings and traditions as taught by the Apostles. The doctrines early Christians believed and formalised through the Ecumenical Councils.

Vocabulary Creed – an authoritative, formulated statement of the chief articles of Christian belief, as the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, or the Athanasian Creed. Doctrine – a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as of a religion or government. Ecumenical – promoting or fostering unity among the world's Christian Churches.

Gnosticism: salvation through knowledge Marcionism: OT God is Evil, NT God is Good Arianism: challenges divinity of Jesus & Holy Spirit Abt. 250 A.D. 144 A.D. Pauline Christianity: orthodox Christianity 1000 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 Emperor Charlemagne born 748 A.D. Emperor Constantine converts to Christianity 312 A.D. Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity official religion of Rome 380 A.D. John the Last Apostle dies circa 100 A.D. 325 A.D. First Nicaea Council 381 A.D. First Council of Constantinople 431 A.D. Council of Ephesus 451 A.D. Council of Chalcedon 553 A.D. 2nd Council of Constantinople 680 A.D. 3rd Council of Constantinople 787 A.D. 2nd Council of Nicaea

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