Early Church in 1st and 2nd Century

Early Church in 1st and 2nd Century 95121383 Jamie Wu 95121373 Nancy Chen 95121342 Iris Huang 95121314 Cathy Huang

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

The map of Christianity

Historical introduction of Christianity • It concerns the Christian religion and Church • Christians believe in atriune 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, 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 • 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 Christianity

Acts of Apostles • Principal source of information for the Apostolic Age • Genre: “Acts” denoted a recognized genre characterizing books that describes great deeds of people. • Source: From Oral traditions • Dated to the 2nd half of the first century. • Recounts the lives and works of the Apostles of Jesus • 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. • It is the foundation upon which the entire church history is founded. • The Apostolic Age is particularly significant to restorationism

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

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.” Trajan Persecution

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

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

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

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

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

Faith—the faith of the early Christianity

Edward Gibbon, (1737-1794 A.D.) • The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire • 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, (121-180 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.

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 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 • 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 cansee 4 steps of training in“The Didache of the Twelve Apostles” 1) abandon the bad habbits 2) learn to obey the law (commandments) 3) to pray 4) to reject the circumambulate • 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 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

Early Church in 1st and 2nd Century