Early Christianity Midterm

What do church history and the history of early Christianity mean?

Refers to the initial period in the history of Christianity, from its

origins in the 1st century CE up until the early centuries of the Middle Ages. It is a pivotal period for understanding the formation of the Christian religion and its spread throughout the Roman world.

Church history: The first ecclesiastical

structures were developed, and the first councils

were held to define Christian doctrine.

The term 'Church history' is often favoured within Catholic circles. This definition emphasises the centrality of the institutional dimension and the unity of the Christian experience.

In contrast, the term 'history of Christianity' reflects an approach initially developed within Protestant circles. This definition highlights the complexity and diversity of the early Christian movement.

What sources can be used to reconstruct the history of early

Christianity?

Biblical texts: The Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles of Paul, and others, serve as primary sources for reconstructing the history of early Christianity.

• Patristic texts: Writings of the Church Fathers, such as Augustine and Irenaeus, provide interpretations and deeper understandings of the Christian faith in the early centuries.

• Inscriptions: Epigraphs on monuments, religious buildings, and funerary stones, among others, offer insights into the spread of Christianity and its cultic practices.

• Papyri: Documents written on papyrus, often of a private or

administrative nature, can provide details about the daily lives of early Christians.

• Official documents: Acts of councils, imperial decrees, and the like, provide information about the organization of the Church and its relations with secular power.

What are the most ancient written sources that historians can use to

study the history of early Christianity?

The Gospels

1st: Mark 70 CE

2nd: Matthew 80 CE

3rd: Luke 90 CE

How are these sources connected?

The three texts mentioned above are referred to as the Synoptics, as they share a similar structure and a common textual basis. Scholars generally agree that the Gospels of Matthew and Luke used the Gospel of Mark as a source.

Once the material derived from Mark is removed, a substantial amount of material common to both Matthew and Luke remains, consisting almost exclusively of sayings of Jesus and, initially, of John the Baptist. This has led scholars to postulate a second written source - the so-called 'Q source' (from the German Quelle, meaning 'source').

Common elements:

A common narrative pattern:

1. Baptism of Jesus and his stay in the desert

2. Jesus carries out public activity in Galilee

3. journey and ministry in Jerusalem (four journeys in John)

• Entry

• dispute in the temple

• last supper,

• process,

• crucifixion,

• burial,

• visit of the women at the tomb

Common materials:

parabolas,

Disputes

tales of miracles

Who governed Palestine in the first century of the Christian era?

At the time of Jesus, Palestine was a territory under Roman control. After the conquest by Pompeus in 63 BC. Galilee had become, by 6 CE, a Roman province, controlled by a prefect (praefectus) and later a procurator/Governator sent by Rome, generally residing in Caesarea Marittima.

Who represented the elite of Jewish society at the time?

The Sanhedrin was the religious governing body located in Jerusalem. It also served as the highest court of Jewish law in Palestine.

• The High Priest was president of the Sanhedrin and its members were made up of Sadducees and Pharisees, two religious groups who disagreed on many issues.

The most sacred building for Jewish people was the Temple in the city of Jerusalem.

What relationship existed between religion and social status?

In 63BC, the Romans conquered the land and called it Palestine. The Romans allowed the Jewish people to continue to practice their religion. They saw this as a way of keeping the people happy and so making it easier for them to govern Palestine.

The Roman Emperor was called Caesar. He allowed King Herod to continue as a token leader (i.e. without any real power), but he sent governors to Palestine to take care of his interests and, therefore, the real power was firmly held by Rome.

Can you remember the name of any social/religious groups active in

Palestine at the time of Jesus?

The Sanhedrin was the religious governing body located in Jerusalem. It also served as the highest court of Jewish law in Palestine.

• The High Priest was president of the Sanhedrin and its members were made up of Sadducees and Pharisees, two religious groups who disagreed on many issues. The Romans allowed the Sanhedrin to:

act as a law court

punish Jewish people who broke the Jewish law

keep its own guards, who maintained order.

The Pharisees

• God's law was important to the Pharisees.

The Sadducees

• The Temple was important to the Sadducees.

The Zealots

• The freedom of Palestine was important to the Zealots.

The Essenes

• The Essenes lived in the desert where they followed a strict religious life, like the monks of later times.

What is the difference between the Temple in Jerusalem and the

synagogues?

The most sacred building for Jewish people was the Temple in the city of Jerusalem. The Temple was at the heart of Jewish life. The Jews believed it was the dwelling place of God. They tried to visit the Temple at least once a year, during a Jewish festival.

In Jesus' time there was a synagogue in every town and village in Palestine. The synagogue was a meeting place for the Jewish community. Every week the Jews attended a service in the synagogue on Sabbath. They went to pray and listen to the scriptures.

What historical information do we have about Jesus?

We know practically nothing about the birth of Jesus.

- he was a Jewish man.

- birth around 4 AD.

- the names of four brothers/cousins of Jesus, James, Joses,

Judas and Simon, appear, as well as the mention of "his sisters", who were therefore at least two.

- Jesus' activity took place largely in the villages of Galilee.

- Jesus' activity would have lasted more than two years.

- Several independent sources connect the beginning of Jesus' activity with John, called the Baptist.

- Both Mark and Q have connected the beginning of Jesus'

autonomous activity with the end of John's. Jesus' detachment from John must have been caused by his own specific vocation.

- Charismatic: untethered from institutionalised religious/social

functions.

- No historicity of the conflict with the Pharisaic component/ more plausible that with the Sadducees.

- Intrinsic tension between Jesus' life practice and those that organise and perpetuate a society, including the system of moral norms.

- Announcing the kingdom of God

- Jesus performs exorcisms:

- Jesus as "Messiah" is almost never put into Jesus' mouth. Instead, it is applied to him by both supporters and adversaries

- He considered himself to be the mediator of salvation sent by God to Israel, which was a fundamental trait of the messiah; but probably, because of the multiple and partly contradictory meanings of this term, he did not want to proclaim himself as

such.

- Cause of death: expulsion of the merchants from the Temple and "messianic" entry into Jerusalem.

- Infamous death.

Are disciples and apostles the same figure?

No. Disciples= followers, apostles were debated role

- Luke will systematize the identification of the

"Twelve" with the "apostles." In reality, Paul's letters show that, in the first generation of believers in Jesus, missionaries were

referred to as apostles.

- According to Mark (3:14-15), the Twelve were chosen to do

what Jesus does: proclaim the kingdom and cast out demons. In all probability, they symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel,

therefore the people as a whole. The constitution of the Twelve seems therefore a symbolic act similar to those of the ancient prophets.

How does one become a disciple of Jesus?

1. Appointment by Jesus himself (chosen 12)

2. Joining of own free will, witnessing miracles/hearing word

3. Word-of-mouth, hearing about Jesus from others

Who leads the community of Jerusalem after Jesus' resurrection?

Jesus' disciples gathered again in Jerusalem and gave life to that embryo of the Church that is the early community.

• This is the "official" birth act of the "community of God," that is, of that assembly of believers in Christ that is considered the heir of the assembly of the people of God.

• The early community is therefore a Jewish community united by faith in Jesus as Lord and Messiah and enlivened by the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Who are the presbyters?

the elders: leaders within Christian communities who played a key role in teaching, pastoral care, and the administration of sacraments. Their role evolved over time, but they were foundational in the development of Christian church hierarchy. James was to be the first within the group of Elders.

Who are the deacons?

The Seven: figures linked to the life of the community. seven men were chosen and entrusted with the service (diakonia) of the tables shows them as preachers and missionaries in Samaria and Syria, clearly shows that these seven are not simple "deacons," but rather "evangelists" and "apostles" themselves.

What role does Jesus' "family" play in the Jerusalem community?

- Until the beginning of the second century, the community of

Jerusalem remained under the leadership of members of Jesus'

family clan.

- a cousin of Jesus, named Simeon, would have been elected Bishop of Jerusalem

- Jude, another brother of Jesus, is the author of the epistle that, under his name, has become part of the New Testament; some nephews of Jude were at the head of Palestinian churches as relatives of Jesus

Who is Paul of Tarsus?

Originally a Pharisaic Jew and a persecutor of Christians, he converted to Christianity after experiencing a vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus. He then became a missionary, spreading Christianity throughout the Roman world, particularly to Gentiles (non-Jews).

What role does Paul play in the spread of Christianity?

Paul asserted his freedom of action in his mission and proclaimed his "Gospel" with tireless dedication. Achieved great success, and communities of believers in Jesus of Gentile

origin became increasingly numerous. In this context, it is easy to understand how the relationship of these communities with

Judaism, particularly with Jewish institutions, progressively weakened.

What happens in the Jerusalem assembly narrated in the Acts of the

Apostles?

The Jerusalem Council was an early Christian meeting where leaders debated how Gentiles could be saved. Two main perspectives emerged:

Peter and Paul: Believed salvation was for all through faith in Jesus and his redemptive work, emphasizing its universal accessibility.

James: Saw Gentile salvation as part of God's plan for Israel's restoration, with Gentiles joining God's covenant by turning to the true God.

These views reflected different understandings of Jesus' role in salvation and the relationship between Judaism and Christianity.

Do the new Christian communities (for example, those of Corinth,

Philippi, and Thessalonica) all have the same institutional structure?

No, they don't. The organization of these early churches varied based on local circumstances, leadership dynamics, and the stage of development in each community. While all these communities shared a belief in Jesus and followed apostolic teachings, their structures differed.

What was the attitude of the early Christians towards the Roman

Empire?

The relationship between early Christians and the Roman Empire was complex and changed over time.

Some Christians sought peaceful coexistence, accepting Roman rule while maintaining ultimate loyalty to God.

At times, Christians faced hostility and persecution, especially when their beliefs conflicted with imperial authority (e.g., emperor worship).

Over time, Christianity adapted to and influenced Roman society, gradually gaining a more defined place within the empire.

This dynamic relationship ultimately led to Christianity's transformation from a marginalized movement to the dominant religion of the Roman Empire by the 4th century.

How did the Empire address the Christian phenomenon between the

1st and 2nd centuries?

- Early Christian preaching caused tensions within the Jewish community, leading to Roman intervention.

- During this period, Christian persecution was localized and usually tied to specific events rather than an organized imperial policy.

What are martyrs?

A person willing to die for their faith; Polycarp, Perpetua, Felecity...etc

What did the martyrs represent for the early Christian communities?

They represented:

Unshakable Faith - Martyrs like Perpetua and Felicity chose to die rather than give up their belief in Jesus. This showed others that true faith was worth more than life itself.

Victory Over Death - Even though they died, Christians believed they would live forever with God. Their deaths were not seen as defeats but as victories over sin and the world.

Inspiration and Strength - Their bravery encouraged other Christians to stay strong, even in times of persecution. People would read their stories to remind themselves that suffering for Jesus was an honor.

Proof of God's Power - Martyrs were seen as chosen by God, filled with His Spirit. Many believed their sacrifices showed that God was still working miracles and protecting His people in a spiritual way.

A Bond Between Believers - The stories of martyrs helped unite Christian communities. They honored them in prayers, celebrated their lives, and used their stories to teach new believers about faith and courage.