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Growth amidst persecution

Growth amidst persecution. The Early Church. From Jewish to Christian. Jewish followers of Jesus Early apostles were Jewish Saw Christ as continuing and fulfilling Judaism, not separate Switch from Saturday to Sunday worship. Why? Acts of the Apostles Story of the Spread of Christianity

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Growth amidst persecution

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  1. Growth amidst persecution The Early Church

  2. From Jewish to Christian • Jewish followers of Jesus • Early apostles were Jewish • Saw Christ as continuing and fulfilling Judaism, not separate • Switch from Saturday to Sunday worship. Why? • Acts of the Apostles • Story of the Spread of Christianity • Acts 1:8 “Jesus told his disciples, ‘you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

  3. Missionary Journeys of St. Paul

  4. From Jewish to Christian • Jewish Christians • Same culture and background • Variety within Judasism • Saducees, pharisees, essenes, zealots • Saul and the Christian “blasphemy”

  5. From Jewish to Christian • St. Paul • Apostle to the Gentiles • Wrote earliest books of the New Testament • Big time conversion – see video • Christians • First called Christians in Antioch • Message to Jews – using Old Testament images • Message to Gentiles – using Hellenistic images • Urban images of athletes, military instruments, temples

  6. Missionary Journeys of St. Paul

  7. Evangelization • Proclamation of Good News through words & deeds • Introduction to Jesus and the message of salvation • In today’s world, who has not heard of Jesus?

  8. New Evangelization • Begins with an encounter with Jesus (like Paul’s) • Re-present teachings in light of our experience • Invite others to this experience through: • Community, Sacraments, Scripture, Service

  9. Inculturation Affirm the goodness that is already in culture Challenging and changing the parts of culture that are not good. Change the way of presenting the faith without changing the truths of faith.

  10. Homework Read article 12 (pages 45-47) Answer questions 5 & 6

  11. Persecution • Jewish Persecution – Why? • Gentile (non-Jew, usually referring to Hellenistic culture) Persecution – Why? • Martyrs (witness) • Stephen • Felicity & Perpetua • Polycarp • Ignatius of Antioch • Birthday of Martyrs • “Blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.”-Tertullian

  12. Growth • Christianity spread in all directions • Used Rome’s resources • roads, stability, dense population • By the 4th Century – 10% of Roman Empire was Christian

  13. The Story Continues • Persecution still a reality in world • Where? • 150,000 Christians are martyred per year • Persecution and proclamation will continue until the end of time.

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