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• 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)

Pentecost

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

Life Amongst First Followers

• Identified themselves as Jews• Sacramental Life• Communal responsibilities• Temple • Eucharist celebrated in homes

How Historically Accurate is Acts

• Redaction• Speeches not recorded verbatim• Events and movements are true• Timelines less accurate

Obstacles Faced by Jerusalem Church• Sadducees• St. Paul

• Herod Antipas• Internal Problems

The Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas

Important Figures

• Peter• James• John

St. Peter in prison

Paul’s Mission to the Gentiles

Background to St. Paul

• Tent-maker from Tarsus• Roman Citizen• Pharisaic Jew• Spoke Greek (Not Aramaic)• Westernized Jesus

Paul’s Conversion

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

Paul’s Missions

• Three years in Arabia• Jerusalem• Three Missionary Journeys• Sent to Rome • Journeyed to Palestine, Turkey, Greece,

Malta, Italy

Separation from Judaism

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

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 ChristOut Preaching the Gospel and

converting….admittedly, Paul probably didn’t wear a suit.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Relationship with Rome

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

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

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

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

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

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