Early Christianity Councils and Key Figures

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Questions and Answers

What significant change did Theodosius implement in the Roman Empire?

He made Rome a Christian Empire. (correct)

He constructed the first church.

He converted to paganism.

He initiated the Edict of Milan.

Which individual is known for authoring 'The Confessions' and became a Bishop in North Africa?

St. Jerome

Nero

Saint Augustine (correct)

St. Perpetua

What was the purpose of the Ecumenical Councils?

To execute Roman Emperor decisions.

To persecute Christians.

To gather leaders for ecclesiastical discussions. (correct)

To establish different religions.

What does the term 'Heresy' refer to in a church context?

Beliefs contrary to Church Teachings. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main issues addressed at the Council of Nicaea?

The divinity of Jesus Signup and view all the answers

Which council discussed the concept of the Trinity?

Constantinople Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the Edict of Milan?

It made Christianity legal in the Roman Empire. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes St. Ambrose's early background?

He was a lawyer and governor of a Roman province. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first Roman emperor to persecute Christians?

Nero Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Martyr' signify?

Someone who dies for their beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did Constantine take regarding Christianity?

He made Christianity legal in Rome. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Apostolic Succession' signify within the Church?

The authority given by Christ handed down through the apostles. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Arius and what did he teach?

A heretic who taught Arianism, denying Jesus' full divinity. Signup and view all the answers

What did the term 'Manicheans' refer to in early Christianity?

A group believing the material world is evil and controlled by an evil spirit. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the advantages early Christians experienced under Roman rule?

Widespread peace and safe transportation through extensive roads. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is associated with Docetists in early Christianity?

They believed Jesus did not actually suffer on the cross. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early Christianity

Councils:
- Jerusalem Council: Determined whether converts to Christianity needed to follow Jewish Law
- Ecumenical Councils:
  - Nicaea: Addressed the divinity of Jesus
  - Constantinople: Defined the doctrine of the Trinity
  - Ephesus: Affirmed the two natures of Jesus (divine and human) and the Virgin Mary's role
  - Chalcedon: Confirmed the two natures of Jesus (divine and human) and defined the person of Christ.
Key Figures:
- Saint Peter: Traditionally believed to be the first Pope.
- Saint Paul: Originally a persecutor of Christians, he became a devout follower and evangelist, writing numerous letters to early Christian communities.
- Saint Ambrose: A lawyer and governor who became Bishop of Milan. Known for defending the divinity of Christ against Arianism and his influential homilies.
- Saint Augustine: A philosopher and theologian whose conversion to Christianity is documented in his autobiography "The Confessions," a significant work in Christian literature.
- Saint Helena: Mother of Constantine the Great, who discovered the True Cross in Jerusalem.
- Saint Lydia: One of the first Gentile converts to Christianity.
- Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity: African Christian martyrs during the Roman Empire.
- Saint John Chrysostom: A renowned preacher known for his eloquent sermons.
- Saint Jerome: Translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into Latin, creating the Vulgate.
Roman Emperors and Early Christianity:
- Constantine the Great: Played a pivotal role in the legalization and establishment of Christianity within the Roman Empire. He issued the Edict of Milan (313 AD) granting religious freedom to Christians, made Sunday an official holiday, funded church construction, and promoted Christianity.
- Theodosius: Made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
- Diocletian, Decius, and Galerius: Roman Emperors responsible for periods of significant persecution of Christians.
- Nero: The first Roman Emperor known to have persecuted Christians.
Beliefs and Heresies:
- Agnosticism: A belief system that holds that it is impossible to know definitively whether or not a deity exists.
- Docetism: The belief that Jesus only appeared to be human, that he did not truly suffer on the cross.
- Manichaeism: A dualistic worldview that believes the material world is evil and controlled by a malevolent spirit.
- Marcionism: A belief system that rejected the Old Testament and considered it incompatible with Christian teachings.
- Arianism: A heresy that denied the divinity of Jesus, arguing that he was a created being.
Challenges and Advantages of Early Christians:
- Advantages: The Roman Empire provided a vast network of roads, common languages, and relative peace, facilitating the spread of the Christian message.
- Disadvantages: Christians faced opposition from Jews and other groups who viewed Christianity as a threat to their own beliefs.
Key Terminology:
- Community: A group of people united by shared interests, beliefs, or location.
- DNA: A metaphor suggesting a connection between humans and a higher power, possibly alluding to the idea that humanity inherently possesses a connection to God.
- Persecution: The mistreatment or oppression of individuals or groups based on their beliefs or identities.
- Martyr: An individual who dies for their beliefs.
- Ecumenical Council: A formal gathering of leaders from various Christian churches to discuss and address important theological issues.
- Heresy: A belief or doctrine that contradicts the teachings of a particular religious group.
- Edict of Milan: An official decree issued by Constantine in 313 AD, legally granting religious freedom to all citizens of the Roman Empire, including Christians.
- Canon: The official list of books included in the Bible.
- Apostolic Succession: The belief that the authority and mission of Jesus was passed on to the apostles, and from them to subsequent generations of ordained clergy.
- Gentiles: Non-Jewish people.
- Presbyter: A priest.
- Magisterium: The teaching authority of the Church.
- Testament: A synonym for "covenant."
- Covenant: A formal agreement, typically between God and humans, often marked by promises and obligations.
- Blasphemy: Any speech or action that is disrespectful or contemptuous of God or religious beliefs.
- Church: Refers to both the Christian community as a whole and to individual churches or denominations.

The Old & New Testament

Old Testament: Contains the Torah (law), historical narratives, prophetic writings, and wisdom literature.
New Testament: Includes the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, letters (epistles), and Revelation.
Gospels:
- Mark: Composed around 70 AD.
- Matthew: Composed between 70-90 AD.
- Luke: Composed between 70-90 AD.
- John: Composed around 90 AD.
Covenant
- Old Testament Covenant: Made between God and the Jewish people, with Moses as the mediator.
- New Testament Covenant: Made between God and all humanity, with Jesus Christ as the mediator.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the significant councils and key figures of early Christianity. This quiz covers important decisions made at the Jerusalem and Ecumenical Councils, as well as the influential lives of saints like Peter, Paul, Ambrose, and Augustine. Explore how their contributions shaped the foundations of Christianity.