The Council of Jerusalem 49 C.E. The Council of Jerusalem can
be found in the Bible Acts 15 and Galatians 1 & 2. After Jesus
death and as the gospel began to spread beyond the borders of
Palestine four distinct groups developed. Some who had come down
from Judea were instructing the brothers, Unless you are
circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be save.It
is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the
Mosaic law.After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said
to them, My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God
made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would
hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the
heart, bore witness by granting them the holy S[irit just as he did
us. He made no distnction between us and them, for by faith he
purified their hearts. Why, then, are you now putting God to the
test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that
neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the
contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the
Lord Jesus, in the same way as they. (Acts 15: 1 12)
Slide 3
The Council of Jerusalem 49 C.E. GROUP 1 Leader: Apostle James
GROUP 2 Leader: Apostle Peter Group 3 Leader: Apostle Paul Group 4
Leader: no specific leader but a group did advocate for this
position Insisted full observance of the Mosaic Law (including
circumcision and keeping kosher) was necessary to being a
Christian. Insisted on circumcision but did not think it was
necessary to obey Kosher laws. Insisted that it was not necessary
to be circumcised or to obey the Kosher laws. Insisted on breaking
all ties with Judaism, therefore Christianity would have no
connection with Judaism.
Slide 4
The Council of Jerusalem 49 C.E. How was the issue resolved?
The final decision of the council, after much debate, was that
Christians did not have to be circumcised or to follow the dietary
laws of Judaism, but they were required to abstain from food
sacrificed to idols in accordance with the first commandment. The
basis of this decision was that Jesus did not make a distinction
between Gentile and Jews and therefore, salvation was for
everyone.
Slide 5
The Council of Jerusalem 49 C.E. What were the effects of the
resolution? This established a separate and distinct religion from
Judaism. Therefore, no longer were these people welcomed into the
synagogue and Jewish community.
Slide 6
What empire controlled Judea at this time?
Slide 7
Roman Persecution Christians were subjects of persecution by
Romans Persecution to keep someone down by using violence
Christianity spreads Roman leaders feared it would cause unrest in
the Empire. Many Emperors fed Christians to the lions!!
Slide 8
Roman Persectuion Reasons for Roman Persecution: 1. Christians
were considered traitors because they refused to worship the
emperor as a god. 2. Christians were accused of being cannibals
because they themselves claimed that they regularly ate the body of
Christ. The Romans did not understand that this referred to the
divine, resurrected body of Christ. 3. Christians refused to live
the same lifestyle as the Roman populace. They formed their own
communities, practiced communal service work and rituals (e.g. the
last supper, baptism).
Slide 9
Meeting in Secret Christians had to meet in secret. How can you
tell who is a Christian?
Slide 10
A Fishy Tale? In the years following the ascension of the
resurrected Jesus to heaven, the Christian church grew rapidly.
Christians soon found themselves to be the subjects of persecution
by both the Romans and the Jews. In many locales, it became
dangerous to be known as a Christian. Thus, when two strangers met
and thought maybe they were fellow believers, one of them would
draw, on the ground, the upper half of the fish symbol. Recognizing
the symbol, the stranger would add a second curved line and
complete the drawing of a fish.
Slide 11
The Growth of Christianity How did Christianity Grow Amidst the
Persecution? 1. The sacrifice and witness of faith by early
Christian Martyrs often left people amazed at their faith and as a
result they realized there must be some truth in their faith. 2.
People were attracted to the fact that Christianity was a religion
of equality that welcomed all. 3. It had an organized governance
and leadership of a bishop, maintaining some consistency. 4. The
First Nicea Council, 325 C.E., were the basic beliefs of
Christianity are written out in what became known as the Nicean
Creed. Later on in 367 C.E. the Council of Hippo also canonizes the
27 New Testament books; essential the Bible as we know it today was
officially formed. 5. The last and one of the most important
is
Slide 12
The emperor of Rome became a Christian
Slide 13
After having a dream telling him if he embraced Christianity
then he would have victory over his enemies he removed all laws
forbidding Christians from practicing their beliefs. This is known
as the Edict of Milan (written policy for religious tolerance) By
300 A.D. Emperor Constantine converts to Christianity and it is
made the official religion of the Empire. As a result, Christianity
begins to spread throughout the world.
