Church History

Chapter 3

First Century Cynicism

• Paul recognized that in a world full of _________, people had little of substance to believe in.

• Paul believed that they desperately needed what he had to offer them—the _______________________, who loved them and wanted them to love one another.

cynicism

Good News of the One God

Jesus Gave

• Jesus gave the one a ___________ face, because unlike the Greek and Roman gods, Jesus had lived in the_____________ , not simply in people’s imaginations.

• Paul used this fact to convert many to _______________ because Jesus lived in the real world

human

real world

Christianity

Flourishing of Christian Communities

• The Christian communities flourished in the _____________ especially due to ________

• They did it even before there was a ___________________ .

first centuryPaul

Christian Testament

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

• _________ went with him–Leading member of the Church of

____________• Timothy too

–Greek and _____________ parents• Joined at some time by ___________

Silas

Jerusalem

JewishLuke

Philippi

• Paul established the first ____________ Christian Community in Philippi

• In what present day country is Philippi located? _____________

• __________ , a woman who was known for her hospitality, lived in Philippi

• The people in this town preferred making money off a _______________ to heeding Paul’s message

European

GreeceLydia

fortune-teller

Thessalonica

• The people were so hostile that Paul and Silas had to be _______________ out at night.

• Paul’s letter to the people here was his _____________

• Paul’s letter talked to them about confusion about the fate of those who die before the new kingdom comes

smuggled

first Epistle

Athens

• Called the birthplace of ____________ .

• Paul failed to start a community in Athens

• The Athenian people were too cynical and laughed at him

democracy

Corinth• Only about a _____________ walk

from Athens• Corinth was a seaport town where

Paul converted a good number of

_______________ .• Paul stayed with _________________

here in Corinth• He also returned to ______________

for awhile

15 hour

poorer GentilesPriscilla and Aquila

tent making

3rd Missionary Journey

• Paul was in his ___________ when he started his third missionary journey.

• __________ years took place between his first and third missions

• Paul re-visited a lot of the places that he went to on his 2nd journey

fifties

Eight

Ephesus

• Paul had some ___________ here• The ___________________________

drive Paul away because his teaching threatened their business

problems

silversmiths and magicians

Early Christian Communities

• In early Christian communities, Eucharistic worship often took place in a member’s_____________ .

• Those who wanted to be Christian but were not yet initiated into the faith were called “_______________”

• The meal that sometimes followed the worship service was called the “____________’

home

Catechumens

Agape

Roman Citizenship

• Advantages– Paul was saved from ____________from Roman

soldiers because of his Roman citizenship, because he was protected by the law.

– You could ________ your legal case to Caesar– You could be ____________ if sentenced to die

for your crimes (which was a good thing) • Disadvantages

– Non-Roman Citizens may see him as sympathetic to the Romans

death

appealbeheaded

Nero the Emperor

• In _______ C.E. Emperor Nero ______________ the Christians.

• He blamed a fire (that he ordered started) on Christians

• Thus began years and years of persecution under Roman Emperors

64persecuted

Peter and Paul’s Death

• We are not ______________ about how they died for sure

• According to legend– Peter was ____________________ – Paul was beheaded (Roman Citizen)

• Most likely Peter and Paul were _______________________.

crucified upside down

executed in Rome

positive

Christian Testament

• Also called the New Testament• The books that make up the

Christian Testament were written in ________________________

• By the end of the _______ century, the church finally and formally approved the collection of _______ books called the Christian Testament.

the first century.

fourth

27

Christian Testament Definitions

• “_________” means rule or standard• “_________” means letter• “_________” means assembly• “________” means good news

CanonEpistle

Church

Gospel

Paul’s Letters and their Meaning

• When the Christian communities received Paul’s letters, his words were read during community prayers and at times during the _________________

• Not one letter contains Paul’s entire message about Jesus because Paul wrote each epistle in response to the unique ___________ facing each _____________

• While Paul was writing his letters, there were no ___________ written already

• During Paul’s time only a minority of the population of the Roman Empire were ________

Eucharist

issuescommunity

Gospels

literate

Paul’s Letters (Continued)

• There are ______ epistles attributed to Paul

• Some were written using his _______, but he didn’t actually write them

• The remaining eight are attributed to James, ___________, __________, and Jude.

13

name

Peter John

Gospels Written• The Gospels were written down because

only a few of the people who had known Jesus personally were still ____________

• Also, because the Good News could reach many more people thought the Roman Empire if it was in ______________ .

• The first writing that made up the Gospels were written in ______________ , nothing like a full scroll or book.

living

written form

bits and pieces

Mark

• The Gospel of Mark was the ________ Gospel written. ( _____CE)

• Mark was the source for _________________

• Written to __________________• Themes: Kingdom of God,

Discipleship, _______________

first

Matthew and Luke.

65-70

Gentile Christians

Jesus’ Identity

Luke and Acts

• The Gospel of Luke was addressed to ________________.

• Theme: _________________• The Acts of the Apostles is a companion

piece to the Gospel of ____.• Acts of the Apostles tells us about Luke’s

account of the ______ days of the Christian community.

• Luke was written in ______ CE

Gentile Christians

Luke

early

85

universality

Matthew

• The Gospel of Matthew was written for a _____________________ community in Antioch in _______CE

• Jesus, as Messiah, fulfilled prophecies of _____________

Jewish and Gentile80-100

Jewish Tradition

Revelation

• The book of Revelation is a ___________ picture of the suffering and final triumph of the church.

• It is written in ________ . • If a Roman Soldier would get a hold

of it, they wouldn’t understand its meaning, but ___________ would understand

symbolic

code

Christians

2 Essential Features of Christianity

• By the end of the first century the movement known as Christianity had two essential features

• Small, local communities of _____________ in Jesus

• The Scriptures of the ___________________________

believers

Christian Testament