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Foundations of Christianity

Foundations of Christianity. Growth in the First Century. Scattered cult after Crucifixion Barely had 100 members By end of first century, had a few thousand Age of the Apostles Over took mainstream movements of the day. Did Jesus Found the Church?. Arguments against Jesus founding Church

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Foundations of Christianity

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  1. Foundations of Christianity

  2. Growth in the First Century • Scattered cult after Crucifixion • Barely had 100 members • By end of first century, had a few thousand • Age of the Apostles • Over took mainstream movements of the day

  3. Did Jesus Found the Church? • Arguments against Jesus founding Church • No blueprint • Jesus was a faithful Jew • No ecclesiastical office • However, Jesus did lay foundations • Gathered disciples • Singled out leaders • New Reality (Kingdom of God breaking into reality, New Covenant, Established Eucharist)

  4. Pentecost • Birth of the Church • Acts 2: 1-13 • Apostles receive Charismas • Begin a mission

  5. Life Amongst First Followers • Identified themselves as Jews • Sacramental Life • Communal responsibilities • Temple • Eucharist celebrated in homes

  6. How Historically Accurate is Acts • Redaction • Speeches not recorded verbatim • Events and movements are true • Timelines less accurate

  7. Obstacles Faced by Jerusalem Church • Sadducees • St. Paul • Herod Antipas • Internal Problems The Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas

  8. Important Figures • Peter • James • John St. Peter in prison

  9. Paul’s Mission to the Gentiles

  10. Background to St. Paul • Tent-maker from Tarsus • Roman Citizen • Pharisaic Jew • Spoke Greek (Not Aramaic) • Westernized Jesus

  11. Paul’s Conversion

  12. What was the Motive for Bringing Jesus to the Gentiles? • Davidic Covenant • 2 Samuel 7 • David’s House will be a “Charter” for humanity • Isaiah 19:6 • with the restoration of the tribes of Jacob, the Jewish peoples are to be a light for the Gentile nations • Jesus was that restoration

  13. Paul’s Missions • Three years in Arabia • Jerusalem • Three Missionary Journeys • Sent to Rome • Journeyed to Palestine, Turkey, Greece, Malta, Italy

  14. Separation from Judaism

  15. Review • Jesus and His Apostles were Jewish • James’ vision was of a Jesus-movement that remained Jewish • Peter and Paul had a different vision • Only one vision would prevail Jesus, the Jew, healing in the Temple

  16. St. Paul • Understood himself as a Jew meant to bring Salvation to all peoples • Began to open up membership to non-Jews • Recruiting members (different from mainstream Judaism) • Creates questions about Membership • What role would a Jewish Temple play for Greek followers of Christ Out Preaching the Gospel and converting….admittedly, Paul probably didn’t wear a suit.

  17. Title “Christian” • Acts 11:26 • Church in Antioch dubs themselves “Christian” • One who follows—and has been baptized in the name of—the Christ (God’s Anointed), Jesus

  18. Council of Jerusalem • 49 C.E. • Questions about membership • Did one have to become Jewish to follow Christ • Questions about Circumcision and dietary concerns • Compromise reached If the Council of Jerusalem had occurred in Middle Earth, instead of the Middle East, this is what it might have looked like.

  19. Jewish Revolt • 66 – 70 C.E. • Various Jewish factions took control of Jerusalem • Jewish Christians fled • Romans retook Jerusalem after three years of fighting • Horrific warfare Jerusalem is scorched to the ground

  20. Aftermath • Temple Destroyed • Jerusalem erased form the map • New Roman Colony erected • Christians relocate to Jordan • Pharisaic Jews, Zealots, and Christians only groups to emerge • Anger towards Christians for not helping

  21. Another Jewish Rebellion • 132-135 • Led by Simon Bar’Koba • Romans mercilessly expunge this revolt • Disperse Jews through out Mediterranean Jewish Faith left in shambles

  22. Theological Divorce • Fall of Temple means both Jesus-Jews and Pharisaic-Jews need to refocus • Jesus-Jews (Christians) theology centres on Sacraments • Pharisaic-Jews (Rabbinic Judaism) centres on Scripture • Hostilities emerge between Christians and Jews at the turn of the century

  23. Relationship with Rome

  24. The Roman Empire • Vast Empire over three continents • Polytheistic religion • Romans believe they descend from Mars, god of war • Rome built on military might and ingenuity • Would accumulate other gods and deities • For monotheistic Christians, Roman Religion was problematic Mars, Roman god of War

  25. Rome and other Religions • When no perceived threat, Rome was very open • Even admitted other gods into their pantheon • List of officially recognized Religions in the Empire • Respected the Jewish Religion • Jewish emphasis on History gave them credibility

  26. Christianity Arrives in Rome • Christianity already established presences when it arrives in Rome • Paul and Peter • Paul under strict probation • Paul working in commercial district • Christian message appeals to urban poor Basilica of St. Paul outside the walls, located at the site Paul lived in Rome

  27. First Persecution of Christians • Emperor Nero • Fire of 64 C.E. • Christians scapegoated • Paul, along with many other Christians, executed • Peter crucified upside down • Purges have opposite affect

  28. The Empire Strikes Back • Roman officials react to embolden Christians • Launch propaganda campaign • Distort, manipulate, and spread rumours about Christianity • Christianity forced to be very cautious Christians Celebrate Mass in catacombes

  29. Christianity Flourishes in the First Century • Had Several advantages • Simple Religion • Appealed to Women • Admitted anyone who wanted to join • Provided practical needs • Christians outliving pagans, lower infant mortality rate, and higher standard of living St. Cecelia

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