Early Church in 1st and 2nd Century Jamie Wu Nancy Chen Nancy Chen Iris Huang Iris Huang Cathy Huang Cathy Huang

Introduction Early church in the 1st and 2nd century Early church in the 1st and 2nd century 1. The history of early Christianity 1. The history of early Christianity 2. Apostolic Age and Acts of Apostles 2. Apostolic Age and Acts of Apostles 3. Persecution in early Church 3. Persecution in early Church 4. Faith in the early Church 4. Faith in the early Church

The map of Christianity

Historical introduction of Christianity It concerns the and It concerns the Christian religion and Church Christians believe in a triune God: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit The largest branches of Christianity: the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Protestant Churches

Christianity ’ s spread: Jerusalem → Near East → the state religion of Armenia → the state religion of the Roman Empire → common to Europe in Middle Ages → Exploration Age → become the world's largest religion

The history of early Christianity spans from the death of Jesus Christ (c.26-36) to the First Council of Nicaea In the 1st part of period － the Great Commission (the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples, that they spread his teachings to all the nations of the world ) of the twelve apostles

The earliest followers of Jesus composed an apocalyptic The earliest followers of Jesus composed an apocalyptic, Jewish sects Early Christianity apart from Judaism and established itself as a predominantly gentile religion One of the earliest Christian inscriptions found, it is from the early 3rd-century Vatican necropolis area, Rome

Apostolic Age WHAT IS THE APOSTOLIC AGE? Post- Jesus Christianity Post- Jesus Christianity The period of the Twelve Apostles, dating from the Crucifixion of Jesus(c.26-36) and the Great Commission until the Death of John(c.100) The period of the Twelve Apostles, dating from the Crucifixion of Jesus(c.26-36) and the Great Commission until the Death of John(c.100) Represents the purer form of Represents the purer form of Christianity Christianity

Acts of Apostles Principal source of information for the Apostolic Age Principal source of information for the Apostolic Age Genre: “Acts” denoted a recognized genre characterizing books that describes great deeds of people. Genre: “Acts” denoted a recognized genre characterizing books that describes great deeds of people. Source: From Oral traditions Source: From Oral traditions Dated to the 2nd half of the first century. Dated to the 2nd half of the first century. Recounts the lives and works of the Apostles of Jesus Recounts the lives and works of the Apostles of Jesus Particular emphasis on the ministry of the Twelve Apostles and Paul of Tarsus. Particular emphasis on the ministry of the Twelve Apostles and Paul of Tarsus.

the Twelve Apostles, also called Apostolic Age － in the front row are Matthew, Peter, James and John

Significance Produced writings attributed to the direct folowers of Jesus Christ. Produced writings attributed to the direct folowers of Jesus Christ. It is the foundation upon which the entire church history is founded. It is the foundation upon which the entire church history is founded. The Apostolic Age is particularly significant to restorationism The Apostolic Age is particularly significant to restorationism

Persecutions in the early church － Rome as persecutor The First Persecution, under The First Persecution, under Nero, A.D. 67 The Second Persecution, under The Second Persecution, under Domitian, A.D. 81 The Third Persecution, under Trajan and Hadrian, The Third Persecution, under Trajan and Hadrian, A.D. 108 The Fourth Persecution, under The Fourth Persecution, under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, A.D. 162 The Fifth Persecution, Commencing with Severus, A.D. 192

Trajan Persecution Between 109 and 111 AD Between 109 and 111 AD Pliny was the governor sent by the emperor Trajan – “ for I held no question that whatever it was they admitted, in any case obstinacy and unbending perversity deserve to be punished. ” Pliny was the governor sent by the emperor Trajan – “ for I held no question that whatever it was they admitted, in any case obstinacy and unbending perversity deserve to be punished. ”

Reasons for persecution Hatred against Christians Hatred against Christians Caesar is Lord Caesar is Lord--155AD Martyrdom of Polycarp Martyrdom of Polycarp

Saints Saint Irenaeus, Martyr Saint Clement of Rome, Martyr Saint Ignatius, of Antioch Saint Polycarp, Martyr

Justin Martyr 100AD-- Justin Martyr is born 100AD-- Justin Martyr is born Good education Good education -Stoicism, Pythagoreanism, Platonism -Stoicism, Pythagoreanism, Platonism 130AD-- Conversion 130AD-- Conversion

Justin Martyr 153AD-- Writes First Apology 153AD-- Writes First Apology 160AD-- Writes Dialogue with Trypho 160AD-- Writes Dialogue with Trypho 165AD-- Martyrdom 165AD-- Martyrdom

The martyrdom of St. Clement The martyrdom of St. Ignatius The martyrdom of St. Justin The martyrdom of St. Polycarp

Faith — the faith of the early Christianity

Edward Gibbon, ( A.D.) The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Conclude 5 reasons why make the Christianity so successful Conclude 5 reasons why make the Christianity so successful

1. Christians are extremely enthusiastic in their religion Christians are not narrowed in only Jew ’ s, instead, they share the bliss to every people in the world and emphasize that people are brothers and sisters with each other. However, they won ’ t compromise the belief and canon to anyone. e.g. Marcus Aurelius, ( A.D.) thought that they ’ re too stubborn to insist their own religion. And abandon any kinds of the way which Heresies live with. Christian live in a unique and stubborn way, that they know very well about their own religion and will never mix up with any others. Christian live in a unique and stubborn way, that they know very well about their own religion and will never mix up with any others.

2. The loyalty to waiting for the Messiah This attitude is quite important for Christian, because the situation of Rome Empire is turbulent. Their firm will of waiting for the Messiah help Christian to tolerant towards all the difficulties. This attitude is quite important for Christian, because the situation of Rome Empire is turbulent. Their firm will of waiting for the Messiah help Christian to tolerant towards all the difficulties. This kind of attitude toward the life make the belief more powerful and positive. This kind of attitude toward the life make the belief more powerful and positive.

3. They believe in the miracle of Holy The prophets, the beatitude, the healing power, to expel the demons The prophets, the beatitude, the healing power, to expel the demons These kinds of super-nature power and miracle is an important experience within their belief. And lots of Christian do rely on these miraculous miracle. These kinds of super-nature power and miracle is an important experience within their belief. And lots of Christian do rely on these miraculous miracle.

4. The early Christians ask themselves to live with a holy, pure, and conscientious life We can see 4 steps of training in “ The Didache of the Twelve Apostles ” We can see 4 steps of training in “ The Didache of the Twelve Apostles ” 1) abandon the bad habbits 1) abandon the bad habbits 2) learn to obey the law (commandments) 2) learn to obey the law (commandments) 3) to pray 3) to pray 4) to reject the circumambulate 4) to reject the circumambulate A seeker should be training step by step for 3 years then can enter the group A seeker should be training step by step for 3 years then can enter the group

5. The fellowship The follower will love and take care to each other. And there ’ s no any barrier between them, everyone is equal and can share with each other. The follower will love and take care to each other. And there ’ s no any barrier between them, everyone is equal and can share with each other. The member in the fellowship is like a big family that they encourage each other to conquer the obstacles in the life. The member in the fellowship is like a big family that they encourage each other to conquer the obstacles in the life.

Thank you for your attention