Relational Concepts ShlfiilhiSchool of Discipleship esentsPr esentsPr 1 The History of Christianity 2 QUESTION What is “Historyyy”? 3 ANSWERANSWER History is the unfolding ofGf Go d’s eternal pl an through the ages. 4 The study of history includes several elements: Dates•• Dates– WHEN did something take place? Places•• Places–– WHERE did something take place? Events•• Events– WHAT took place? However… history will only take on a special meaning when you consider that it is allPEOPLE about .. PEOPLE As we study this course, pay special attention to how Godpeople uses peopleto cause His plan to unfold through the ages. 5 ANSWER ANSWER The onlyyg, true religion, derived from Jesus Christ, based on the bible as the inspired word of God. 6 History of Christianity School of Discipleship INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW OF OUR STUDY 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 OSOur Study w ill cover the History of Christianity on a time line of 100 year segments . 7 History of Christianity School of Discipleship INTRODUCTION The beginning years of Christianity 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 BC BCAD0 AD 30 30 70 70 100 100 PENTECOST “But you will receive powe r when the Holy Spirit comes The Ministry of on you; and you will be my Jesus Christ witnesses in Jerusalem, and The Ministry of the in all Judea and Samaria, Apostles Peter and Paul and to the ends of the earth.“ earth.“ The Mini st ry o f the Acts 1:8Acts 1:8 Apostle John 8 History of Christianity School of Discipleship INTRODUTION THE BIG PICTURE OFVIEWOVER 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 9 History of Christianity School of Discipleship INTRODUCTION THE BIG PICTURE OFVIEWOVER 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 10 History of Christianity School of Discipleship INTRODUCTION THE BIG PICTURE OFVIEWOVER 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 “Epicenter” of Christianity Jerusalem Jerusalem North Africa Rome / Rome / Constantinople opestern EureW England England America America 11 History of Christianity School of Discipleship INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW OF THE BIG PICTURE 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 The Great “Schism” Benedictine (1054) (1054) Monastery Monastery Eastern Orthodoxy Rules (540)Rules (540) Protestantism 313 Christianity 1517 Reformation Became “Legal” “Quality” of 1. Biblical scholarship Western Roman Catholicism 2I2. Impac t on the wor ld Christianity 3. Biblical morality vailabilityAAvailability vailabilityA of the Bibleof Bible 12 Power of the Clergy Printing Press (1445) History of Christianity School of Discipleship 100s - Persecution and Expansion 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 oduced PrMartyrs oducedScholars andPr Martyrsand Scholarssuch as:such as: Ignatius Ignatius(50(50--98/117)98/117) Execution Execution Charggges: Bishoppp of Antioch h btby the h bt Persecution: Cannibalism martyr martyr AtheismRoman Atheism Roman governmentPolycarp 155) Polycarp(69(69- -155) Bishop of Smyrna Gnostics Gnostics: spirit is good , martttyr physical / material is bad Cults: Cults: JustinMartyr Justin(100- 165) Martyr (100 -165) Marcionites God is OT : God is ScholarOT / apologist Jewish, not like Jesus of martyrmartyr martyr NT. Antijewish view.ertullianT(160-225) ertullianT (160 -225) Montanus: Montanus:Claimed to be Scholar / apologist / martyyyr Fanatiiics: mouthpiece of Holy Spirit. Advocated extreme “The blood of the martyrs asceticism and martyrdom. is the seed of the church.” 13 History of Christianity School of Discipleship The 100’s – Persecution and Expansion of Christianity – Chapter Review ••Rome persecuted the Christians. Did this weaken or stthChitiit?trengthen Christianity? ••Cults and Fanatics appeared. Did they weaken or strengthen Christianity? ••Scholars, like Justin Martyr led with new ideas based on reason. Did theyyg weaken or strengthen Christianity? 14 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 100s - Persecution and Expansion 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 What Can We Learn From the 100’s? 1. Persecution stimulates spiritual quality in Christianity. James 1:21:2-Mark-44 13:13 Mark 13:13 2. Cults must be identified as false teaching. 3. Christianity will always have extreme groups within its ranks (family). 4. Those who teach and defend the faith are always an asset and helpful to Christianity. 15 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 200s - Developing Church Government 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 Three keynote events of the 200’s: •• North Africa developed as a major center of Christianity ••Rome’s persecution intensified ••The church formed new kinds of government 16 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 200s - Developing Church Government 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 Three Prom inent Nort h Afr ican Churc h Lea ders ypCyprian yp Anthonyyy Origggen Bishop of Carthage of Egypt of Alexandria & -258) (248-258) (248 -356) (251-356) (251 Caesarea (185(185--254)254) Called church councils First to noted First Greatestnoted scholar of early church. promote unity & harmony ascetic (hermit) Taught 3 levels of Bible and discipler. interpretation 17 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 200s - Developing Church Government 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 Persecutions by the Roman Government Increasing Severity • 250 AD under Emperor Decius 253-• •-260260 253 AD under Emperor Valerian 303-• •-305305 303 AD under Diocletian Resulted in purification and growth of the church. 18 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 200s - Developing Church Government 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 Apostolic Leadership: “Elders who provide effective leadership must be counte d wor thy o f dou ble honor, espec ia lly those who work hard in speaking and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17 NET) Conclusion: The apostolic churches always had a plural ldeeld hiers ldhip p. hiIt ha d severa l overseers over a singl e group of believers. No organization beyond this. (Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:51:5--9;9; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1, 5) 19 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 200s - Developing Church Government 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 Overseers Overseers Apostolic Apostolic Organization: Local Bishop Organization by about 110 AD: (()pArch)bishop Organization by Local Bishop about 250 AD: Jerusalem Antioch Rome Alexandria Metropolitan Organization by about300 A 300 A 300D: A 20 History of Christianity School of Discipleship The 200’Th200’200’s –– DEVELOPING CHURCH GOVERNMENT Chapter Review ••What three cities became the centers of Christianity in the 200’s after the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome? ••Alexandria – North Africa ••AihAihAntiochA h ••RomeRome ••What happened to church government in the 200’s? ••The apostle’s model of plurality of leadership was replaced by single bishops, then archbishops. ••Persecution from Rome continued. Did it lessen or did it get worse under the 3 emperors of the 200’s? ••Rome’s persecution was the worse ever under Diocletian. Yet even his wife became a Christian. 21 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 200s - Developing Church Government 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 What Can We Learn From the 200’s? 1. We shouldnever neveradd to the author’ s intended meaning of Scripture. 2. Leadership development should never create two kinds of Christians - clergy and laity. 3. Disciplers focus on their own growth and maturity. 22 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 300s - eChristianity Becomes the Official Religion of the Empir 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 300 320 340 360 380 400 400 23 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 300s - Christianity Becomes the Official Religion of the Empire 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 300 320 340 360 380 400 400 312 --EmEmppperor Constantine testified to a heavenly vision and professed Christianity. “By this sign, conquer” 24 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 300s - Christianity Becomes the Official Religion of the Empire 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 300 320 340 360 380 400 400 313--”Edict”Edict 313 of Milan” - Christianity legalized 321321 321-- First day of the week made “SUNday, a Christian holiday 325 - Nicean (first) church council - Christ identified: 100% God / 100% man 326 - Roman capital moved to Byzantium (Constantinople/Istanbul) 336336 336- Institution of Christmas - Dec. 25th and Easter “Holiday” period 337 - Constantine died / Sons divided emempipirere permanently into East and West 350 - Latin replaced Greek in the West 367 – Athanasius listed 27 canonical books of the New Testament 381 - Christianity made Roman state religion / Nicene Creed adopted 25 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 300s - eChristianity Becomes the Official Religion of the Empir 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 300 320 340 360 380 400 400 The Council of Nicaea 26 History of Christianity School of Discipleship 300s - Christianity Becomes the Official Religion of the Empire 500 500 1000 1000 1500 1500 2000 2000 300 320 340 360 380 400 400 Athanasius 296-373 Basil the Great 330-370 Athanasius•• Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria (328) Scholar, aggressive a polo gist, and proro--monasticismmonasticism TwoTwo Two Major influence at the Council of Nicea and doctrine of Trinity significant significant First identified 27 books that became the New Testament churchmen Opposed imperial intrusion into the church during the during the s300’ s300’•• Basil the Great Scholar and Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia Helped clarify the doctrine of the Trinity With brother and a friend became founders of Eastern Orthodoxy27 History of Christianity School of Discipleship The 300’s –