1. The Church in the Early Christian Centuries
Section 1
The Church in the Early Christian Centuries

2. Growth & Persecution in Apostolic Times
Section 1, Part 3
Growth & Persecution in Apostolic Times

3. Introduction Christian versus Roman view point on worship
Tension between the two viewpoints led to persecution & even martyrdom
The Church not only survived this threat but thrived
“The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity” – Tertullian
Seed of Christianity was planted & spread during Apostolic Times [Apostles & Apostolic Fathers— a.d.] and Apologetical Times [ a.d.]
Four Articles
(A. 7) Persecution & Progress
(A. 8) Early Christian Worship
(A. 9) The Early Apologists
(A. 10) Authority in the Church

4. Article 7: Persecution & Progress
Paul & Apostles spread Christianity throughout the known world
Quick growth due to hard work & guidance of the Holy Spirit but obstacles
Christian message threatened 2 established orders of the time
Roman—unity through worship of Emperor & many gods
Jewish—unity through the Law & worship of Yahweh; survival through appeasing the Romans
Jews under Roman occupation had received an exemption
Christianity had not as it emerged as a distinct religion Judaism
Exacerbated by the declining state of the Roman Empire
Result was waves of persecution & even martyrdom
Define martyrdom & apostacy
Martyrologies might seem like legends but
attested to by the Jewish historian Josephus &
Roman authors such as Tacitus, Suetonius, & Pliny

5. Article 7: Persecution and Progress cont.
Christians accused of being atheistic, subversive, cannibalistic
Christians were blamed for the decline of the Roman empire & natural disasters which were seen as punishment from the gods
Extent of persecution depended on the Emperor
Nero—fire of 64 a.d. in Rome; Sts. Peter & Paul & others scapegoats
Domitian (81-96) & Trajan (98-117)—punish by death but not seek out
Hadrian ( )—respite in between waves until Marcus Aurelius ( ) began again
Septimus Severus ( )—especially brutal for Jews & Christians to establish a single religion; Sts. Perpetua, Felicity, & Ireneaus
Decius ( )—required written certificate of sacrifice
Diocletian ( )—last & worst; active persecution;
confiscate property, hard labor & death

6. Article 7: Persecution and Progress cont.
Tertullian—”The blood of the martyrs is the seed of Christianity”
The courage & conviction or Christians, especially martyrs, won hearts
A faith worth dying for must be true
Christian love for the marginalized stood in stark contrast to Roman cruelty
The basic goodness of Christian morality appealed to intellectuals who sought philosophical value
Practical aides to the spreading of Christianity
Jewish network of synagogues through the Diaspora & the Gentile audiences that surrounded them
Common language(s) & culture
Safe & efficient travel by road & sea
Pax Romana from a.d.
Others…?

7. Homework
HW 1.3; 1-2
Read AA. 8-9)

8. Article 8: Early Christian Worship
Christians worshiped in homes after working all day Sunday
Jewish worshiped on Saturday an official day of rest
The Sunday Eucharist is heart of worship from the very beginning
Etymology of the English word Church—ekklesia to kirche to church
What does this reveal about its deepest & secondary meanings
Two part structure from the beginning
Liturgy of the Word
OT, Psalm, Letter from Apostles or Paul—NT exist yet?
St. Justin Martyr—intercessions & sign of peace
Liturgy of the Eucharist (also Justin Martyr)
Etymology of the word Eucharist—thanksgiving
Presider, deacon, those present, amen, those absent
The collection between the two liturgies—bread & wine (ecuharist & presider and poor), food, money, etc…as each is able & willing = charity
The Didache (Teaching of the 12 Apostles); 150 ad Syria; pastoral manual
How does modern Christian worship compare to ancient

9. Article 9: The Early Apologists
What is an apologist; the etymology of apology—w/ words
Two audiences—Christians & pagans
Two purposes—reasonable & don’t persecute
Most famous early Christian apologists—Ignatius, Justin, & Irenaeus
Apologists lived & worked—30 to 150 to 313 ad
St. Ignatius of Antioch ( a.d.)
2nd bishop of Antioch after Peter around 70 a.d.
Arrested & taken to Rome & fed to lions
Wrote seven letters along the way
Remain faithful to bishop & apostolic teaching
Martyrdom is a Eucharistic connection to Jesus

10. Article 9: The Early Apologists cont.
Saint Justin Martyr ( a.d.)
Samarian gentile convert at the age of 30 to Christianity
Know so much about him b/c autobiographical
1st & 2nd Apology; Dialogue w/ the Jew Tryphon
Converted from Stoicism & Platonism
2 reasons—old man on seashore & witness of martyrs
Martyred himself thus the name
St. Irenaeus ( a.d.)
Born in Smyrna, Asia Minor & studied for the priesthood in Rome
Served in Lyons, Gaul before becoming its 2nd bishop as Pothinus was martyred
Wrote Against Heresies to combat Gnosticism
Secret knowledge of few of the dualistic world saved
Method: Contrasted with SS & ST
Another problem: all 4 Gospels canonical & important
Buried under altar in Lyons; in 1562 Calvinists robbed
Tertullian ( a.d.)—Montanism (not S, F, or D)
Scholar, lawyer, & orator; Carthage, NA; married; convert; 1st to write in Latin

11. Homework
HW 1.3; 3-5
Read A. 10

12. Article 10: Authority in the Church
The Church is a community of faith, hope, & charity that
exists in the world as a visible organization
Every visible organization needs a leadership structure
The Church accomplishes its mission depending on how
well its leaders listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Most of us have a negative notion of authority--environment
Try to mold that by looking at early Church leadership
St. Peter—the first Pope (etymology—papa & pappas)
Early Christians knew from personal experience & oral tradition
of Peter’s authority among the Apostles given to him by Jesus
Later this tradition was written down in Mt. 16 & supported by
many stories in the Gospels & Acts of The Apostles
Universal source of church unity & authority through the apostles/bishops
Power associated Rome because of city’s importance—seat (sedes) of Peter
Survived Constantine moving capital but one exception (Western Schism)
Head of the college of bishops, Vicar of Christ, & supreme pastor

13. Article 10: Authority in the Church cont.
Timothy—an early Church bishop
Learn much about Timothy from Paul’s 1st & 2nd letter to him
Written around 100 a.d.? to instruct Church leaders on tasks?
No seminaries—learned from family & from apostles
Ordained by St. Paul through laying on of hands—Holy Orders (2 Tm. 1: 6)
Organizational structure formed in early 2nd century as Church grew
Episkopos—bishops who pastored through overseeing; present in the 1st century
Presbyters—priests who were elders in the community & assisted the bishops; 2nd cen.
Diakonia—deacons who assisted the bishops with corporal; needed in the 1st century
Stephen & 6 others (Acts 6); assumed into presbyterate until Vatican II renewed
Roles of bishops (episkopos—overseer) & priests (presbyters—elders)
Share in the mission of Christ—sanctify, teach, pastor = leadership
Act “in persona Christie”—with the power of Christ
Bishop has full share as successor to apostles; priest only share; deacon only assists the Body of Christ, no power of headship; therefore bishop delegates
Visible source & foundation of unity in own particular Church to form universal C.
Bishop must be in communion with pope to share power = apostolic tradition

14. Homework HW 1.3; 6-7 Study for the 1.3 Quiz tomorrow (AA. 7-10)
Make sure the 1.3 HW is ready to turn in tomorrow (1-7)