Chapter 5 - Section III. The Introduction of Christianity

Introduction of Christianity

• God prepared the world for the arrival of Jesus and the spread of the gospel.
• Roman society offered safe travel, social calm, and political order.
• The widespread Greek language aided communication.
• Moral decay highlighted the failure of human philosophies and religions.

Role of the Jews

• The Jews maintained the worship of the true God.
• They preserved the hope of the Messiah's arrival.
• Their sacrifices symbolized humanity's need for reconciliation with God.
• The Babylonian exile led to the establishment of synagogues as worship centers.
• The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Old Testament, allowed more people to learn about the moral law and the Messiah.

The Turning Point of History

• Jesus Christ came to redeem humanity from sin.
• Jesus was born in Judea during the reign of Caesar Augustus.
• At thirty, Jesus began His ministry, preaching, teaching, and performing miracles.
• Most Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah, expecting a liberator from Roman rule.
• Jesus emphasized the need for a new birth to enter God's kingdom and save people from sin.
• Religious leaders got offended by Jesus' preaching and plotted His death.
• Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, leading to His trial before Pontius Pilate resulting in his sentencing to death by crucifixion.
• His resurrection demonstrated God's acceptance of His sacrifice and marked a turning point in history.
• After the Resurrection Jesus was exalted to rule from heaven as the Davidic King until the Father subdued all His enemies.
• The apostles preached the gospel, offering forgiveness and transfer into Christ's kingdom.

The Spread of the Gospel

• Jesus commanded His disciples to teach all nations about salvation and obedience.
• Early Christian expansion was aided by Jewish persecution and Paul's conversion.
• Jewish persecution in Jerusalem scattered Christians throughout Judea and Samaria.

The Apostle Paul

• Paul (originally Saul) was a Jewish-Roman citizen educated as a Pharisee.
• Paul initially persecuted the Christian church.
• Paul converted to Christianity and became a key figure.
• The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write significant portions of the New Testament.
• Paul's missionary work spread the gospel across Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece, proving it for all people.

The Destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70)

• Jewish discontent with Roman rule led to rebellion in AD 66.
• The Roman army, led by Titus, destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.
• The destruction of Jerusalem fulfilled Jesus' prophecy and judged the Jews for rejecting the Messiah.
• The Jews lost their homeland but retained their identity, with a promise of future restoration.

Church Organizational Development

• Early Christians met in homes for worship and fellowship, reading Scripture, praying, singing, and partaking in the Lord's Supper.
• As the community grew, the apostles delegated responsibilities to deacons.
• Early church leaders were apostles chosen by Christ.
• Later, pastors and bishops were selected to lead local assemblies, providing stability and doctrinal protection.
• The pastors of larger churches in key cities gained prominence over time.

Persecution of the Church

• Persecution was viewed as an attack on God through His people.
• Romans viewed Christianity as a threat because Christians refused to worship Roman gods
• Christians were considered "social misfits" for abstaining from many public activities.
• Emperor Nero initiated the first official Roman persecution, blaming Christians for the fire in Rome.
• From AD 250, persecution became empire-wide, with Christians facing death by various means.
• The most widespread persecution occurred under Emperor Diocletian.
• Despite persecution, the church grew stronger, as it was believed that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."

Polycarp: "Faithful unto Death"

• Polycarp, leader of the church at Smyrna, was burned to death around AD 160.
• He was seized by authorities and refused to deny Christ, remaining faithful until his death.

From Imperial Persecution to Acceptance

• Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313, ending the persecution of Christians.
• Constantine publicly embraced Christianity, attributing his military success to the Christian God.
• The Edict of Milan marked a turning point, transitioning Rome from persecutor to protector of the church.
• Constantine restored church property, made Sunday a legal holiday, and funded church construction.
• Constantine intervened in a doctrinal dispute, leading to the Council of Nicaea in 325, that affirmed Christ's deity and condemned Arianism.
• Emperor Theodosius I made Christianity the official religion of the Roman state at the end of the fourth century.
• The church grew in membership and prosperity, but purity declined as pagan ideas infiltrated.
• Monasticism emerged, with individuals withdrawing from the world to seek piety through strict discipline.

Growth of Church Hierarchy

• By the fourth century, the church had a hierarchical structure based on Roman political divisions.
• The structure included parishes led by pastors, dioceses by bishops, provinces by archbishops, and patriarchates.
• Patriarchs of major cities like Jerusalem, Alexandria, Rome, Antioch, and Constantinople held the highest prestige.
• The patriarch of Rome began claiming the title of "first among equals."

Explore the historical context of Christianity's emergence. Learn about the Roman Empire's influence, the role of the Jewish people in preserving monotheism and the anticipation of the Messiah. Discover how Jesus Christ's birth marked a turning point in history, offering redemption from sin.