A brief and compelling history, telling the story of Christianity from its origins to the present day. Ranges from the missionary journeys of the apostles to the tele-evangelism of the twenty-first century. Demonstrates how the Christian community received and forged its identity from its development of the Bible to the present day.

What is the history of Christianity?

Christianity – Christianity – The history of Christianity: Christianity began as a movement within Judaism at a period when the Jews had long been dominated culturally and politically by foreign powers and had found in their religion

What is the history of the church?

In present churches, the rights are defined by many faiths using different interpretations. Christianity began in the mid of first century as a Jewish sect. From its origin in Eastern Mediterranean coast, it rapidly spread to Mesopotamia, Syria, Egypt and Asia Minor. It increased in size and became a popular religion in the Roman Empire.

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When did Christianity become a religion in the Roman Empire?

However, after Constantine the Great assumed the throne, he issued a decree of tolerance in 313 in favor of all religions present in the Empire (Guisepi). It is in 380 that Theodosius 1 officiallyrecognized Christianity as religion in the Roman Empire.

What were the groups that supported Rome?

Other groups were the Herodians, supporters of the client kingdom of the Herods (a dynasty that supported Rome) and abhorrent to the Zealots, and the Essenes, a quasi-monastic dissident group, probably including the sect that preserved the Dead Sea Scrolls.

What was the predominant note of Palestinian Judaism?

In Palestinian Judaism the predominant note was separation and exclusiveness. Jewish missionaries to other areas were strictly expected to impose the distinctive Jewish customs of circumcision, kosher food, and Sabbaths and other festivals.

What was the relationship between the early church and Judaism?

Christianity began as a movement within Judaism at a period when the Jews had long been dominated culturally and politically by foreign powers and had found in their religion (rather than in their politics or cultural achievements) the linchpin of their community .

Who are the main targets of criticism in the Gospels?

In the canonical Gospels (those accepted as authentic by the church) the main targets of criticism are the scribes and Pharisees, whose attachment to the tradition of Judaism is presented as legalistic and pettifogging. The Sadducees and Herodians likewise receive an unfriendly portrait. The Essenes are never mentioned.

Who established God’s rule?

God’s rule would be established by an anointed prince, or Messiah (from mashia?, “anointed”), of the line of David, king of Israel in the 10th century bce. The proper course of action leading to the consummation of the drama, however, was the subject of some disagreement.

Who was the king of Palestine in 168-165 BCE?

But the attempts of foreign rulers, especially the Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (in 168–165 bce ), to impose Greek culture in Palestine provoked zealous resistance on the part of many Jews, leading to the revolt of Judas Maccabeus against Antiochus.

What does the Old Testament say about the Messiah?

The Old Testament explains the necessity of a Messiah, contains the history of the Messiah’s people, and predicts the Messiah’s coming. The New Testament, then, is all about the coming of Messiah and His work to save us from sin. In His life, Jesus fulfilled over 300 specific prophecies, proving that He was the One the Old Testament had anticipated.

How many prophecies did Jesus fulfill?

In His life, Jesus fulfilled over 300 specific prophecies, proving that He was the One the Old Testament had anticipated. History of Christianity – The Growth of the Early Church. Not long after Pentecost, the doors to the church were opened to non-Jews.

How long did it take for the church to start?

The church began 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection (c. A.D. 30). Jesus had promised that He would build His church ( Matthew 16:18 ), and with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost ( Acts 2:1-4 ), the church—ekklesia (the “called-out assembly”)—officially began. Three thousand people responded to Peter’s sermon that day and chose to follow Christ.

What happened to the church after Constantine?

After Constantine, then, Christians were no longer persecuted. In time, it was the pagans who came under persecution unless they “converted” to Christianity. Such forced conversions led to many people entering the church without a true change of heart. The pagans brought with them their idols and the practices they were accustomed to, and the church changed; icons, elaborate architecture, pilgrimages, and the veneration of saints were added to the simplicity of early church worship. About this same time, some Christians retreated from Rome, choosing to live in isolation as monks, and infant baptism was introduced as a means of washing away original sin.

What is the history of Christianity?

The history of Christianity is really the history of Western civilization. Christianity has had an all-pervasive influence on society at large—art, language, politics, law, family life, calendar dates, music, and the very way we think have all been colored by Christian influence for nearly two millennia. The story of the church, therefore, is an …

How did colonization affect the church?

From 1790 to 1900, the church showed an unprecedented interest in missionary work. Colonization had opened eyes to the need for missions, and industrialization had provided people with the financial ability to fund the missionaries. Missionaries went around the world preaching the gospel, and churches were established throughout the world.

When was the New Testament destroyed?

By A.D. 70, the year Jerusalem was destroyed, most of the books of the New Testament had been completed and were circulating among the churches. For the next 240 years, Christians were persecuted by Rome—sometimes at random, sometimes by government edict.

What did Saint Ninian bring to Scotland?

Saint Ninian brings Christianity to Scotland, rise of literacy and written history. Completion of Orosius ‘ famous work Seven Books of History Against the Pagans. Fourth Ecumenical Council takes place in Chalcedon, determining that Jesus Christ had two distinct natures and wills, perfectly united.

How many Christians were martyred at Gortyn?

10 Christians are famously martyred at Gortyn in a wild animal hunt.

What religion does Armenia follow?

Armenia adopts Christianity as the state religion .

Where did Paul the Apostle go on his missionary journeys?

Paul the Apostle goes on missionary journeys across Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome .

Which city was captured by Rome?

The city of Jerusalem is besieged and captured by Rome; the Second Temple destroyed.

Is the Pantheon a Christian church?

The Pantheon in Rome is converted into a Christian church.

What are the factors that contributed to the spread of Christianity?

It also illustrates the factors such as; early Christian beliefs, the assembly of believers and separation from Israel among other factors that contributed to its spread.The paper also discusses Paul’s mission among the Gentiles was an element to the rapid spread of Christianity in places such as; Thessalonica Alexandria, Antioch and Ephesusamong other places.

What is the term for believers in the New Testament?

In writing the New Testament, the term initially used to refer to believers was the “assembly”. Assembly was a Greek word Ecclesia; it meantan assembly or a group of people.

How many adherents does Christianity have?

Through this belief, Christianity has attractedmore than a billion adherents globally.Though the twentieth centuryhas seen Christianity split into various denominations, the largest being the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and countless protestant churches respectively.

How long has Christianity been around?

The history of Christianity dates back to thousands of years ago . It is connected with divisions, debate and conflicts. Though these issues are common with all major world religions, Christianity to a certain extend has endeavored to address them openly. Besides these challenges, Christianity has exploited the beauty that comes with the religion.

What was the New adherents in the Roman Empire?

New adherentswerefound in severalplaces of the Roman Empire. There was also the assembly of believers who had alienated themselves from the Israel religion. This group fixedbroad evaluations about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and what it meant (Christianity). Also, the community of believers improvised measures and forms of adoration that remained prominent in their lives.

What does the term "church" mean?

Much later, in the third and fourth century, the term “church” came into use. It meant a definite assembly that believers were composed of. The “church “was also a Greek term, Kuriakon. It designated “belonging to the Lord” (Guisepi).

How did Paul strengthen the growth and expansion of Christianity?

Paul strengthened the growth and expansion of Christianity by pulling the church from the synagogue and the temple. He alsoseparated the church and made it a distinct institution. The separation was purelyPaul’s interest rather than a physical separation to benefit other Christians. The separation had some doctrinal value.

Who Was Jesus?

Most historians believe that Jesus was a real person who was born between 2 B.C. and 7 B.C. Much of what scholars know about Jesus comes from the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

What are the basic beliefs of Christianity?

Some basic Christian concepts include: 1 Christians are monotheistic, i.e., they believe there’s only one God, and he created the heavens and the earth. This divine Godhead consists of three parts: the father (God himself), the son ( Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. 2 The essence of Christianity revolves around the life, death and Christian beliefs on the resurrection of Jesus. Christians believe God sent his son Jesus, the messiah, to save the world. They believe Jesus was crucified on a cross to offer the forgiveness of sins and was resurrected three days after his death before ascending to heaven. 3 Christians contend that Jesus will return to earth again in what’s known as the Second Coming. 4 The Holy Bible includes important scriptures that outline Jesus’s teachings, the lives and teachings of major prophets and disciples, and offer instructions for how Christians should live. 5 Both Christians and Jews follow the Old Testament of the Bible, but Christians also embrace the New Testament. 6 The cross is a symbol of Christianity. 7 The most important Christian holidays are Christmas (which celebrates the birth of Jesus) and Easter (which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus).

Why did Christians believe Jesus was crucified?

Christians believe God sent his son Jesus, the messiah, to save the world. They believe Jesus was crucified on a cross to offer the forgiveness of sins and was resurrected three days after his death before ascending to heaven. Christians contend that Jesus will return to earth again in what’s known as the Second Coming.

What religion did Constantine follow?

Constantine Embraces Christianity. The Catholic Church. The Crusades. The Reformation. Types of Christianity. Sources. Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in the world, with more than 2 billion followers. The Christian faith centers on beliefs regarding the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What are the three parts of Christianity?

This divine Godhead consists of three parts: the father (God himself), the son ( Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. The essence of Christianity revolves around the life, …

What did Jesus use to teach?

Jesus used parables—short stories with hidden messages—in his teachings.

How many disciples did Jesus have?

For about three years, Jesus traveled with 12 appointed disciples (also known as the 12 apostles), teaching large groups of people and performing what witnesses described as miracles. Some of the most well-known miraculous events included raising a dead man named Lazarus from the grave, walking on water and curing the blind.