Nick at 09:16, 28 December 2020

2020-12-28T09:16:40Z

Nick at 08:50, 28 December 2020

2020-12-28T08:50:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:50, 28 December 2020
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	'''Early Christianity''' is commonly defined as the [[Christianity]] of the roughly three centuries ([[Christianity in the 1st century\|1st]], [[Christianity in the 2nd century\|2nd]], [[Christianity in the 3rd century\|3rd]], early [[Christianity in the 4th century\|4th]]) between the [[Crucifixion of Jesus]] (c. 30) and the [[First Council of Nicaea]] (325). The major [[primary source]] for the 1st century (the [[Apostolic Age]]) is the ''[[Acts of the Apostles]]'', but its [[Historical reliability of the Acts of the Apostles\|historical accuracy is disputed]].		'''Early Christianity''' is commonly defined as the [[Christianity]] of the roughly three centuries ([[Christianity in the 1st century\|1st]], [[Christianity in the 2nd century\|2nd]], [[Christianity in the 3rd century\|3rd]], early [[Christianity in the 4th century\|4th]]) between the [[Crucifixion of Jesus]] (c. 30) and the [[First Council of Nicaea]] (325). The major [[primary source]] for the 1st century (the [[Apostolic Age]]) is the ''[[Acts of the Apostles]]'', but its [[Historical reliability of the Acts of the Apostles\|historical accuracy is disputed]].

	At first, the church was centered in [[Jerusalem in Christianity\|Jerusalem]], and leaders included [[James the Just\|James]], [[Simon Peter\|Peter]], and [[John the Apostle\|John]].<sup>[1]</sup> Following the [[Great Commission]], the missionary activity of the [[Apostle (Christian)\|Apostles]], including [[Paul the Apostle\|Paul of Tarsus]], spread Christianity to cities throughout the [[Hellenistic]] world, such as [[Alexandria]] and [[Antioch]], and also to [[Ancient Rome\|Rome]]<sup>[2]</sup~~>E. Glenn Hinson, ''The church triumphant: a history of Christianity up to 1300'', Mercer University Press, 1995.</ref~~> and even beyond the [[Roman Empire]]. The term "Christian" was first applied to members of the [[Christian Church\|church]] at Antioch according to ~~{{bibleverse\|\|~~Acts\|11:26}}. The [[New Testament]] includes [[Pauline epistles\|letters written by Paul]] to churches, such as those in [[Thessalonica]] and [[Corinth]], during the years 50-62<sup>[3]</sup>, see also [[Seven Churches of Asia]]. Christians continued to revere the [[Hebrew Bible]], using the [[Septuagint]] translation that was in general use among [[Koine Greek\|Greek]]-speakers, or the [[Targums]] in use among [[Aramaic]]-speakers, but [[Development of the New Testament canon\|added to it their own writings]].		At first, the church was centered in [[Jerusalem in Christianity\|Jerusalem]], and leaders included [[James the Just\|James]], [[Simon Peter\|Peter]], and [[John the Apostle\|John]].<sup>[1]</sup> Following the [[Great Commission]], the missionary activity of the [[Apostle (Christian)\|Apostles]], including [[Paul the Apostle\|Paul of Tarsus]], spread Christianity to cities throughout the [[Hellenistic]] world, such as [[Alexandria]] and [[Antioch]], and also to [[Ancient Rome\|Rome]]<sup>[2]</sup> and even beyond the [[Roman Empire]]. The term "Christian" was first applied to members of the [[Christian Church\|church]] at Antioch according to [[Acts 11:26]]. The [[New Testament]] includes [[Pauline epistles\|letters written by Paul]] to churches, such as those in [[Thessalonica]] and [[Corinth]], during the years 50-62<sup>[3]</sup>, see also [[Seven Churches of Asia]]. Christians continued to revere the [[Hebrew Bible]], using the [[Septuagint]] translation that was in general use among [[Koine Greek\|Greek]]-speakers, or the [[Targums]] in use among [[Aramaic]]-speakers, but [[Development of the New Testament canon\|added to it their own writings]].

	In 70 the [[Siege of Jerusalem (70)\|Second Temple was destroyed]], and in c. 135 Jews were banned from the [[Aelia Capitolina\|renamed]] city after the [[Bar Kokhba revolt]]. Among those who left the city were most of the Christian population.<sup>[2]</sup> Following this time, early [[History of early Christianity\|Church historian]] [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] records that ethnically Jewish leadership of the church in [[Jerusalem in Christianity\|Jerusalem]] (literally those "of the [[Circumcision controversy in early Christianity\|circumcision]]") was replaced by Gentile leadership.<sup>[4]</sup> Similarly, [[Claudius]] expelled the Jews from Rome in 49, though [[Nero]] allowed their return but turned against Christians after the [[Great Fire of Rome]] of 64, the beginning of [[Persecution of Christians\|persecution]] by Roman authorities.<sup>[5]</sup> Historians debate whether or not the Roman government distinguished between Christians and Jews prior to Nerva's modification of the [[Fiscus Judaicus]] in 96. (From then on, practising Jews paid the tax, Christians did not.)<sup>[6]</sup>		In 70 the [[Siege of Jerusalem (70)\|Second Temple was destroyed]], and in c. 135 Jews were banned from the [[Aelia Capitolina\|renamed]] city after the [[Bar Kokhba revolt]]. Among those who left the city were most of the Christian population.<sup>[2]</sup> Following this time, early [[History of early Christianity\|Church historian]] [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] records that ethnically Jewish leadership of the church in [[Jerusalem in Christianity\|Jerusalem]] (literally those "of the [[Circumcision controversy in early Christianity\|circumcision]]") was replaced by Gentile leadership.<sup>[4]</sup> Similarly, [[Claudius]] expelled the Jews from Rome in 49, though [[Nero]] allowed their return but turned against Christians after the [[Great Fire of Rome]] of 64, the beginning of [[Persecution of Christians\|persecution]] by Roman authorities.<sup>[5]</sup> Historians debate whether or not the Roman government distinguished between Christians and Jews prior to Nerva's modification of the [[Fiscus Judaicus]] in 96. (From then on, practising Jews paid the tax, Christians did not.)<sup>[6]</sup>
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	Christianity spread further during the [[Christianity in the 2nd century\|second century]]. Notable leaders and writers of this time include [[Irenaeus]] of [[Lyon]],<sup>[5]</sup> [[Polycarp]] of [[Smyrna]], [[Ignatius of Antioch]],<sup>[5]</sup> [[Clement of Rome]], and [[Justin Martyr]]. During the [[Christianity in the 3rd century\|third century]], Christianity further increased in numbers ([[Robin Lane Fox]] suggests that Christians composed about 2% of the Empire by 250<sup>[5]</sup>). Teachers of this period, including [[Origen]] in [[Alexandria]] and [[Tertullian]] in [[Carthage\|North Africa]], expressed in their writings doctrines such as that of the [[Trinity]]. [[Anthony the Great]] and others established [[Christian monasticism]], and [[Gregory the Illuminator]] was responsible for [[Armenia]] becoming the first officially Christian country. Following the [[Constantine I and Christianity\|conversion]] of [[Constantine I\|Constantine the Great]] (just prior to the [[Battle of the Milvian Bridge]] in 312), the [[Roman Empire]] tolerated Christianity with the [[Edict of Milan]] in 313, leading later to the adoption of Christianity as the [[state religion]] in 380 by [[Theodosius I]] and the rise of [[Christendom]] in the [[Byzantine empire]].		Christianity spread further during the [[Christianity in the 2nd century\|second century]]. Notable leaders and writers of this time include [[Irenaeus]] of [[Lyon]],<sup>[5]</sup> [[Polycarp]] of [[Smyrna]], [[Ignatius of Antioch]],<sup>[5]</sup> [[Clement of Rome]], and [[Justin Martyr]]. During the [[Christianity in the 3rd century\|third century]], Christianity further increased in numbers ([[Robin Lane Fox]] suggests that Christians composed about 2% of the Empire by 250<sup>[5]</sup>). Teachers of this period, including [[Origen]] in [[Alexandria]] and [[Tertullian]] in [[Carthage\|North Africa]], expressed in their writings doctrines such as that of the [[Trinity]]. [[Anthony the Great]] and others established [[Christian monasticism]], and [[Gregory the Illuminator]] was responsible for [[Armenia]] becoming the first officially Christian country. Following the [[Constantine I and Christianity\|conversion]] of [[Constantine I\|Constantine the Great]] (just prior to the [[Battle of the Milvian Bridge]] in 312), the [[Roman Empire]] tolerated Christianity with the [[Edict of Milan]] in 313, leading later to the adoption of Christianity as the [[state religion]] in 380 by [[Theodosius I]] and the rise of [[Christendom]] in the [[Byzantine empire]].

	What started as a religious movement within first century Judaism therefore became, by the end of this period, the favored religion of the [[Roman Empire]], as well as a significant religion outside the empire.<sup>[5]</sup> According to [[Will Durant]], the [[Christian Church]] prevailed over [[Paganism]] because it offered a much more attractive doctrine and because the church leaders addressed human needs better than their rivals.<sup>[7]</sup~~>[[Will Durant\|Durant, Will]]. Caesar and Christ. New York: Simon and Schuster. 1972</ref~~> The First Council of Nicaea marks the end of this era and the beginning of the period of the [[first seven Ecumenical Councils]] (325 - 787).		What started as a religious movement within first century Judaism therefore became, by the end of this period, the favored religion of the [[Roman Empire]], as well as a significant religion outside the empire.<sup>[5]</sup> According to [[Will Durant]], the [[Christian Church]] prevailed over [[Paganism]] because it offered a much more attractive doctrine and because the church leaders addressed human needs better than their rivals.<sup>[7]</sup> The First Council of Nicaea marks the end of this era and the beginning of the period of the [[first seven Ecumenical Councils]] (325 - 787).

	==History==		==History==
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	==References==		==References==
	~~{{reflist\|2}}~~

	==Bibliography==		==Bibliography==

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← Older revision		Revision as of 09:36, 10 March 2016
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	[[Category:Ancient Christianity]]		[[Category:Ancient Christianity]]
	[[Category:Christian history]]		[[Category:Christian history]]

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Nick: New page: '''Early Christianity''' is commonly defined as the Christianity of the roughly three centuries (1st, 2nd, [[Chr...

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New page: '''Early Christianity''' is commonly defined as the Christianity of the roughly three centuries (1st, 2nd, [[Chr...

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Early Christianity - Revision history

Nick at 09:16, 28 December 2020

Nick at 08:50, 28 December 2020

KJV: removed Template:Main

Beza 1598: /* External links */

Nick: New page: '''Early Christianity''' is commonly defined as the Christianity of the roughly three centuries (1st, 2nd, [[Chr...