foundations of christianity
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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 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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)
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
Background to St. Paul
• Tent-maker from Tarsus• Roman Citizen• Pharisaic Jew• Spoke Greek (Not Aramaic)• Westernized Jesus
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
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
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