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Growth amidst persecution

Growth amidst persecution. The Early Church. From Jewish to Christian. Jewish followers of Jesus Early apostles were Jewish Saw Christ as continuing and fulfilling Judaism, not separate Switch from Saturday to Sunday worship. Why? Acts of the Apostles Story of the Spread of Christianity

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Growth amidst persecution

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  1. Growth amidst persecution The Early Church

  2. From Jewish to Christian • Jewish followers of Jesus • Early apostles were Jewish • Saw Christ as continuing and fulfilling Judaism, not separate • Switch from Saturday to Sunday worship. Why? • Acts of the Apostles • Story of the Spread of Christianity • Acts 1:8 “Jesus told his disciples, ‘you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

  3. Missionary Journeys of St. Paul

  4. From Jewish to Christian • Jewish Christians • Same culture and background • Variety within Judasism • Saducees, pharisees, essenes, zealots • Saul and the Christian “blasphemy”

  5. From Jewish to Christian • St. Paul • Apostle to the Gentiles • Wrote earliest books of the New Testament • Big time conversion – see video • Christians • First called Christians in Antioch • Message to Jews – using Old Testament images • Message to Gentiles – using Hellenistic images • Urban images of athletes, military instruments, temples

  6. Missionary Journeys of St. Paul

  7. Evangelization • Proclamation of Good News through words & deeds • Introduction to Jesus and the message of salvation • In today’s world, who has not heard of Jesus?

  8. New Evangelization • Begins with an encounter with Jesus (like Paul’s) • Re-present teachings in light of our experience • Invite others to this experience through: • Community, Sacraments, Scripture, Service

  9. Inculturation Affirm the goodness that is already in culture Challenging and changing the parts of culture that are not good. Change the way of presenting the faith without changing the truths of faith.

  10. Homework Read article 12 (pages 45-47) Answer questions 5 & 6

  11. Persecution • Jewish Persecution – Why? • Gentile (non-Jew, usually referring to Hellenistic culture) Persecution – Why? • Martyrs (witness) • Stephen • Felicity & Perpetua • Polycarp • Ignatius of Antioch • Birthday of Martyrs • “Blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.”-Tertullian

  12. Growth • Christianity spread in all directions • Used Rome’s resources • roads, stability, dense population • By the 4th Century – 10% of Roman Empire was Christian

  13. The Story Continues • Persecution still a reality in world • Where? • 150,000 Christians are martyred per year • Persecution and proclamation will continue until the end of time.

  14. Story of the martyrs What happened? Be able to retell the story What was their motivation? Why did they go through with it? What surprised you about the account?

  15. Story of St. Stephen – Acts 6-7 • What happened? Be able to retell the story • Establishment of deaconate – assist with community matters • Stephen (1st deacon) accused of blasphemy (Jewish audience) • Stephen tells of the history of Israel and how it relates to the promise of the messiah, which was fulfilled in Jesus. • Stoned to death • Asked Jesus to receive his spirit • Forgave those who stoned him – “Lord, do not hold this sin against them. • Saul (later Paul) was present and approved of the stoning.

  16. Story of St. Stephen • What was their motivation? Why did they go through with it? • “A man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit” Acts 6:5 • Imitation of Christ • “Worked great signs and wonders among the people” Acts 6:* • Taught and explained the Scriptures – Acts 7:2-53 • Was killed unjustly – Acts 6:13 • Forgave his killers – Acts 7:60

  17. Story of St. Stephen • What surprised you about the account? • Clash between the Hellenists and Hebrews • Stephen was able to work great signs and wonders and was persecuted for it. • Impressive reviewing of the history of Israel • Stephen was able to be forgiving during the stoning.

  18. Council of Jerusalem ~50A.D. • Acts of the Apostles Chapter 15 • Also mentioned by Paul in Galatians 1-2 • First council to decide important Church doctrine • Sets a precedence for later Ecumenical (whole Church) councils • Shows the importance that was placed on unity.

  19. Council of Jerusalem How does the problem arise? Who is involved? What is the basic question they are debating? What view does each person take on the basic question? What evidence is used in the debate? What was decided?

  20. How does the problem arise? • Some people were teaching that following the law of Moses was necessary for salvation through Christ. • 15:1 • Who is involved? • Paul and Barnabas – sent to ask the apostles in Jerusalem • Apostles and presbyters (priests) – make decision • Party of the Pharisees –circumcision necessary

  21. What is the basic question they are debating? Do Gentile Christians need to follow the Mosaic law and be circumcised. What view does each person take on the basic question? Paul and Barnabas – No Peter and James – No Party of the Pharisees – Yes

  22. What evidence is used in the debate? Old Testament passages (15:16-18) Wonders and signs of Paul and Barnabas (15:12) Much debate (15:7) The Holy Spirit (15:28)

  23. What was decided? • Gentiles do not need to follow Mosaic Law of circumcision • Do need to follow some laws: • Abstain from meat sacrificed to idols • Abstain from blood • Abstain from meat of strangled animals • Abstain from unlawful marriage

  24. New Testament Epistles • 13 of 27 books of NT name Paul as the author • 7 are undisputedly by Paul • 1 Thessalonians, Galatians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans, Philippians, Philemon • Other 6 are debated – scholars disagree who wrote them • Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus • Different vocab, tone, themes and theology from authentic letters. • Why is authorship important? • Glimpse into the development of the church even in New Testament times

  25. New Testament Epistles • Arranged by size, not by date • Oldest book of the New Testament – 1 Thessalonians • Letters written to large, important Roman cities • Individual communities were small (30 people max) • Met in people’s houses, which limited the size • Letters were read publicly – only 5% of population could read • Written to address specific situations • Solve problems, clarify teaching, send thanksgiving • Underlying Christian principles can be applied to all times and places

  26. Unique letters • Philemon – written to an individual to address one specific problem • Galatians – written to a providence, not a specific city • Romans – written by Paul to a city where he had not yet visited and did not establish the church • Introduction of himself and his philosophy • Longest surviving letter from antiquity

  27. Review Jewish roots of Christianity Why did Jews persecute Christians? Why did Rome persecute Christians? Evangelization, New Evangelization, and Inculturation Persecution and Growth Martyrs Council of Jerusalem – basic issue and what was decided New Testament Epistles

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