Unit 2 Church History

expression on paper of all of Jesus’s beliefs and the church's beliefs. 

 Nicene Creed

 a gathering of the church’s bishops from all over the world conducted by the Pope and deal with pressing issues in the church.

 Ecumenical

Jesus is not divine, JUST human. Jesus was the son of God but not THE SON of God.

Arianism

• a commitment to peace and opposition to war

 Pacifism

A person who is killed for their religious beliefs

Martyrdom

–Jesus is DIVINE, not human. Salvation is not a gift of Jesus but a special privilege of Gnostics. Human beings were seen as evil and unclean. 

Gnostics

 Belief contrary to some essential belief of the faith

Heresy

Creed

The official document that made Christianity legal in the Roman Empire. 

Edict of Milan

 Proclaim the faith, plant God’s kingdom on Earth, perform sacraments, and must have 1 in each community. 

Bishop

 a synonym for “elder” in the acts of the apostles an alternative word for “priest.” Teaching and spreading the faith as well as assisting the Bishops. 

 Presbyter

-The distribution of food for widows and orphans. They spread the word of God, assist Bishops, and take care of the community. 

 Deacon

Why were Christians persecuted in Rome in the early church? Why not Jews?

• The Romans established that the Christians were a threat to the Roman order because Christians did not worship their gods, lacked unity, had mandatory service problems, and did not respect the emperor. 

Who legalized Christianity? Why? What effects did this have on the Christian Church?

• Emperor Constantine legalized it because he had a vision from God that God would help him win if he carried Christs name on their banner. The effects were changed like Sabbath on Sunday and more equal treatment for Jews. 

Council of Nicaea

• When:

• Where:

• 325 AD

• Nicea, Turkey

• Who called it and why was the council of Nicea called?

• WHO: Emperor Constantine, Pope St.Sylvester I, 300 Bishops, Bishop Arius 

• WHY: In response to the growing heresy of Arianism - the belief that Jesus is human, but not Divine

What was decided/what happened at the council of Nicea

• At the council they denounced Arius's teaching and set to work on a creed that would spell out the Church doctrine

How did the Council of Nicea aftermath affect the church?

• They created the Nicene Creed, which we pray at church. It accurately describes the beliefs of the Church. They also determined that Jesus is both completely human and completely divine

Council of Chalcedon

• When:

• Where:

451, Chalcedon, located outside of modern-day Istanbul, Turkey

• Who and Why Council of Chalcedon

• : Pope Leo I, Bishop Nestorius, and All the Bishops from Known World (Roman Empire)

• They were discussing whether or not Jesus was one or two people. Whether or not Mary would be the mother of God. (Mary’s role in the church). Who should hold the most power in the Church?- Bishop of Rome or the Patriarch of Constantinople

Council of Chalcedon

• What was decided at the Council? (need at least 2 decisions)

• Mary is theotokos, or the mother of God

• Hypostatic union was developed - the human and divine natures of Jesus Christ are inseparable (Jesus was born this way)

• The Bishop of Rome (pope) was the highest authority

• Elevated the patriarch of Constantinople to number 2

• How did it (Council of Chalcedon) affect the church:

• Six centuries of dispute and wars between the East and West of  Rome

• East led by Patriarch of Constantinople

• West led by the Pope

• → the Schism

  • → development of different liturgical styles 

 Why is the bishop of Roman the most powerful bishop in the Church?

• Peter, one of the earliest leaders of Christianity, was the father of the Church and the first bishop of Rome. Therefore, the Roman bishop should have more power than other bishops.

Why did the western part of the Roman Empire collapse?

Moving capital, bad leaders, and barbarian attacks

Who was Constantine?

• Constantine had a vision as a Roman soldier that God/Jesus told him that if he carried Jesus' name (Chi-Rho) on his banner, he would win. When he won he granted religious tolerance of Christianity. 

What was Constantine’s influence on the Christian Church?

• He made Christianity legal with the Edict of Milian. He started to control the church, but also gave the Churches land, and Christian property returned, and made Sunday the official day of rest for Christians. 

Who is the most powerful Bishop?

BISHOP OF ROME

In the Apostolic church who are the distributors of Communion?

• DEACONS

The OFFICAL fall of the empire?

• The city fell in 455 AD and 476 AD is when the last emperor in the west died.