Question: "What is the history of Christianity?"

Answer: The history of Christianity is really the history of Western civilization. Christianity has had an all-pervasive influence on society at large—art, language, politics, law, family life, calendar dates, music, and the very way we think have all been coloured by Christian influence for nearly two millennia. The story of the church, therefore, is an important one to know.

History of Christianity - The Beginning of the Church

The church began 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection (c. A.D. 35). Jesus had promised that He would build His church (Matthew 16:18), and with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), the church—ekklesia (the “called-out assembly”)—officially began. Three thousand people responded to Peter’s sermon that day and chose to follow Christ.

The initial converts to Christianity were Jews or proselytes to Judaism, and the church was centred in Jerusalem. Because of this, Christianity was seen at first as a Jewish sect, akin to the Pharisees, the Sadducees, or the Essenes. However, what the apostles preached was radically different from what other Jewish groups were teaching. Jesus was the Jewish Messiah (the anointed King) who had come to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17) and institute a new covenant based on His death (Mark 14:24). This message, with its charge that they had killed their own Messiah, infuriated many Jewish leaders, and some, like Saul of Tarsus, took action to stamp out "the Way" (Acts 9:1-2).

It is quite proper to say that Christianity has its roots in Judaism. The Old Testament laid the groundwork for the New, and it is impossible to fully understand Christianity without a working knowledge of the Old Testament (see the books of Matthew and Hebrews). The Old Testament explains the necessity of a Messiah, contains the history of the Messiah’s people, and predicts the Messiah’s coming. The New Testament, then, is all about the coming of Messiah and His work to save us from sin. In His life, Jesus fulfilled over 300 specific prophecies, proving that He was the One the Old Testament had anticipated.

History of Christianity - The Growth of the Early Church

Not long after Pentecost, the doors to the church were opened to non-Jews. The evangelist Philip preached to the Samaritans (Acts 8:5), and many of them believed in Christ. The apostle Peter preached to the Gentile household of Cornelius (Acts 10), and they, too, received the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul (the former persecutor of the church) spread the gospel all over the Greco-Roman world, reaching as far as Rome itself (Acts 28:16) and possibly all the way to Spain.

By A.D. 70, the year Jerusalem was destroyed, most of the books of the New Testament had been completed and were circulating among the churches. For the next 240 years, Christians were persecuted by Rome—sometimes at random, sometimes by government edict.

In the 2nd and 3rd centuries, the church leadership became more and more hierarchical as numbers increased. Several heresies were exposed and refuted during this time, and the New Testament canon was agreed upon. Persecution continued to intensify.

History of Christianity - The Rise of the Roman Church

In A.D. 312, the Roman Emperor Constantine claimed to have had a conversion experience. About 70 years later, during the reign of Theodosius, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Bishops were given places of honour in the government, and by A.D. 400, the terms "Roman" and "Christian" were virtually synonymous.

After Constantine, then, Christians were no longer persecuted. In time, it was the pagans who came under persecution unless they "converted" to Christianity. Such forced conversions led to many people entering the church without a true change of heart. The pagans brought with them their idols and the practices they were accustomed to, and the church changed; icons, elaborate architecture, pilgrimages, and the veneration of saints were added to the simplicity of early church worship. About this same time, some Christians retreated from Rome, choosing to live in isolation as monks, and infant baptism was introduced as a means of washing away original sin.

Through the next centuries, various church councils were held in an attempt to determine the church’s official doctrine, to censure clerical abuses, and to make peace between warring factions. As the Roman Empire grew weaker, the church became more powerful, and many disagreements broke out between the churches in the West and those in the East. The Western (Latin) church, based in Rome, claimed apostolic authority over all other churches. The bishop of Rome had even begun calling himself the "Pope" (the Father). This did not sit well with the Eastern (Greek) church, based in Constantinople. Theological, political, procedural, and linguistic divides all contributed to the Great Schism in 1054, in which the Roman Catholic (“Universal”) Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church excommunicated each other and broke all ties.

History of Christianity - The Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages in Europe, the Roman Catholic Church continued to hold power, with the popes claiming authority over all levels of life and living as kings. Corruption and greed in the church leadership was commonplace. From 1095 to 1204 the popes endorsed a series of bloody and expensive crusades in an effort to repel Muslim advances and liberate Jerusalem.

History of Christianity - The Reformation

Through the years, several individuals had tried to call attention to the theological, political, and human rights abuses of the Roman Church. All had been silenced in one way or another. But in 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther took a stand against the church, and everyone heard. With Luther came the Protestant Reformation, and the Middle Ages were brought to a close.

The Reformers, including Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli, differed in many finer points of theology, but they were consistent in their emphasis on the Bible’s supreme authority over church tradition and the fact that sinners are saved by grace through faith alone apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Although Catholicism made a comeback in Europe, and a series of wars between Protestants and Catholics ensued, the Reformation had successfully dismantled the power of the Roman Catholic Church and helped open the door to the modern age.

History of Christianity - The Age of Missions

From 1790 to 1900, the church showed an unprecedented interest in missionary work. Colonization had opened eyes to the need for missions, and industrialization had provided people with the financial ability to fund the missionaries. Missionaries went around the world preaching the gospel, and churches were established throughout the world.

History of Christianity - The Modern Church

Today, the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church have taken steps to mend their broken relationship, as have Catholics and Lutherans. The evangelical church is strongly independent and rooted firmly in Reformed theology. The church has also seen the rise of Pentecostalism, the charismatic movement, ecumenicalism, and various cults.

History of Christianity - What We Learn from Our History

If we learn nothing else from church history, we should at least recognize the importance of letting "the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly" (Colossians 3:16). Each of us is responsible to know what the Scripture says and to live by it. When the church forgets what the Bible teaches and ignores what Jesus taught, chaos reigns.

There are many churches today, but only one gospel. It is "the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3). May we be careful to preserve that faith and pass it on without alteration, and the Lord will continue to fulfill His promise to build His church.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/history-Christianity.html#ixzz3CCG3yWg4

imagine this kind of thread ... but no comment yet.. becos many christains knw not their history

livebullet:

imagine this kind of thread ... but no comment yet.. becos many christains knw not their history

I hope Christians know their history and maybe we will know where we are coming from and where we are going.

There are many churches today, but only one gospel. It is "the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3). May we be careful to preserve that faith and pass it on without alteration, and the Lord will continue to fulfill His promise to build His church.

"What is the history of Christianity?"

OLAADEGBU:

Question: "What is the history of Christianity?"

Answer: The history of Christianity is really the history of Western civilization. Christianity has had an all-pervasive influence on society at large—art, language, politics, law, family life, calendar dates, music, and the very way we think have all been coloured by Christian influence for nearly two millennia. The story of the church, therefore, is an important one to know.

History of Christianity - The Beginning of the Church

The church began 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection (c. A.D. 35). Jesus had promised that He would build His church (Matthew 16:18), and with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), the church—ekklesia (the “called-out assembly”)—officially began. Three thousand people responded to Peter’s sermon that day and chose to follow Christ.

The initial converts to Christianity were Jews or proselytes to Judaism, and the church was centred in Jerusalem. Because of this, Christianity was seen at first as a Jewish sect, akin to the Pharisees, the Sadducees, or the Essenes. However, what the apostles preached was radically different from what other Jewish groups were teaching. Jesus was the Jewish Messiah (the anointed King) who had come to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17) and institute a new covenant based on His death (Mark 14:24). This message, with its charge that they had killed their own Messiah, infuriated many Jewish leaders, and some, like Saul of Tarsus, took action to stamp out "the Way" (Acts 9:1-2).

It is quite proper to say that Christianity has its roots in Judaism. The Old Testament laid the groundwork for the New, and it is impossible to fully understand Christianity without a working knowledge of the Old Testament (see the books of Matthew and Hebrews). The Old Testament explains the necessity of a Messiah, contains the history of the Messiah’s people, and predicts the Messiah’s coming. The New Testament, then, is all about the coming of Messiah and His work to save us from sin. In His life, Jesus fulfilled over 300 specific prophecies, proving that He was the One the Old Testament had anticipated.

History of Christianity - The Growth of the Early Church

Not long after Pentecost, the doors to the church were opened to non-Jews. The evangelist Philip preached to the Samaritans (Acts 8:5), and many of them believed in Christ. The apostle Peter preached to the Gentile household of Cornelius (Acts 10), and they, too, received the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul (the former persecutor of the church) spread the gospel all over the Greco-Roman world, reaching as far as Rome itself (Acts 28:16) and possibly all the way to Spain.

By A.D. 70, the year Jerusalem was destroyed, most of the books of the New Testament had been completed and were circulating among the churches. For the next 240 years, Christians were persecuted by Rome—sometimes at random, sometimes by government edict.

In the 2nd and 3rd centuries, the church leadership became more and more hierarchical as numbers increased. Several heresies were exposed and refuted during this time, and the New Testament canon was agreed upon. Persecution continued to intensify.

History of Christianity - The Rise of the Roman Church

In A.D. 312, the Roman Emperor Constantine claimed to have had a conversion experience. About 70 years later, during the reign of Theodosius, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Bishops were given places of honour in the government, and by A.D. 400, the terms "Roman" and "Christian" were virtually synonymous.

After Constantine, then, Christians were no longer persecuted. In time, it was the pagans who came under persecution unless they "converted" to Christianity. Such forced conversions led to many people entering the church without a true change of heart. The pagans brought with them their idols and the practices they were accustomed to, and the church changed; icons, elaborate architecture, pilgrimages, and the veneration of saints were added to the simplicity of early church worship. About this same time, some Christians retreated from Rome, choosing to live in isolation as monks, and infant baptism was introduced as a means of washing away original sin.

Through the next centuries, various church councils were held in an attempt to determine the church’s official doctrine, to censure clerical abuses, and to make peace between warring factions. As the Roman Empire grew weaker, the church became more powerful, and many disagreements broke out between the churches in the West and those in the East. The Western (Latin) church, based in Rome, claimed apostolic authority over all other churches. The bishop of Rome had even begun calling himself the "Pope" (the Father). This did not sit well with the Eastern (Greek) church, based in Constantinople. Theological, political, procedural, and linguistic divides all contributed to the Great Schism in 1054, in which the Roman Catholic (“Universal”) Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church excommunicated each other and broke all ties.

History of Christianity - The Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages in Europe, the Roman Catholic Church continued to hold power, with the popes claiming authority over all levels of life and living as kings. Corruption and greed in the church leadership was commonplace. From 1095 to 1204 the popes endorsed a series of bloody and expensive crusades in an effort to repel Muslim advances and liberate Jerusalem.

History of Christianity - The Reformation

Through the years, several individuals had tried to call attention to the theological, political, and human rights abuses of the Roman Church. All had been silenced in one way or another. But in 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther took a stand against the church, and everyone heard. With Luther came the Protestant Reformation, and the Middle Ages were brought to a close.

The Reformers, including Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli, differed in many finer points of theology, but they were consistent in their emphasis on the Bible’s supreme authority over church tradition and the fact that sinners are saved by grace through faith alone apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Although Catholicism made a comeback in Europe, and a series of wars between Protestants and Catholics ensued, the Reformation had successfully dismantled the power of the Roman Catholic Church and helped open the door to the modern age.

History of Christianity - The Age of Missions

From 1790 to 1900, the church showed an unprecedented interest in missionary work. Colonization had opened eyes to the need for missions, and industrialization had provided people with the financial ability to fund the missionaries. Missionaries went around the world preaching the gospel, and churches were established throughout the world.

History of Christianity - The Modern Church

Today, the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church have taken steps to mend their broken relationship, as have Catholics and Lutherans. The evangelical church is strongly independent and rooted firmly in Reformed theology. The church has also seen the rise of Pentecostalism, the charismatic movement, ecumenicalism, and various cults.

History of Christianity - What We Learn from Our History

If we learn nothing else from church history, we should at least recognize the importance of letting "the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly" (Colossians 3:16). Each of us is responsible to know what the Scripture says and to live by it. When the church forgets what the Bible teaches and ignores what Jesus taught, chaos reigns.

There are many churches today, but only one gospel. It is "the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3). May we be careful to preserve that faith and pass it on without alteration, and the Lord will continue to fulfill His promise to build His church.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/history-Christianity.html#ixzz3CCG3yWg4

I don't have the time for this, its still morning.


I was here, i'll be back

Ubenedictus:


I don't have the time for this, its still morning.


I was here, i'll be back

Should we still wait for you to come back on this?

OLAADEGBU:


Should we still wait for you to come back on this?

it seems u waited.


First, the title pope was a title all patriach used, the bishop of alexandria still retains his title as pope, the bishop of rome wasn't the first person to use it.


You can correct your post and thank me later.

Ubenedictus:


it seems u waited.


First, the title pope was a title all patriach used, the bishop of alexandria still retains his title as pope, the bishop of rome wasn't the first person to use it.


You can correct your post and thank me later.

Shall I then assume that all the Bishops today should be referred to as popes?

OLAADEGBU:


"What is the history of Christianity?"

there is two kinds christianity, the one that was not called "christianity" follows Jesus. and there is the hijacked christianity (hijacked by lucifer/devils), it is 600 years old. the form of christianity where they claim Jesus is GOD, the trinity, this is the devil's christianity, why is the seat of christianity in rome and not in Jerusalem where Jesus taught.
Jesus's christianity was formed after he was killed, they didn't claim that he rose from the dead or that He is GOD. (this are the real christian that heaven or hereafter is prepared for).

gatiano:


there is two kinds christianity, the one that was not called "christianity" follows Jesus. and there is the hijacked christianity (hijacked by lucifer/devils), it is 600 years old. the form of christianity where they claim Jesus is GOD, the trinity, this is the devil's christianity, why is the seat of christianity in rome and not in Jerusalem where Jesus taught.
Jesus's christianity was formed after he was killed, they didn't claim that he rose from the dead or that He is GOD. (this are the real christian that heaven or hereafter is prepared for).

Which one is your own kind of Christianity?

A christain that trys hard to follow the teachings of Jesus, that taught freedom, justice and equality, and above all, The submission to the will of GOD, and GOD alone.

OLAADEGBU:


Which one is your own kind of Christianity?

gatiano:


A christain that trys hard to follow the teachings of Jesus, that taught freedom, justice and equality, and above all, The submission to the will of GOD, and GOD alone.

Then stick to the 5 solas.

what is 5 solas?

OLAADEGBU:


Then stick to the 5 solas.

Deuteronomy 20:10–15


10 “When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it. 11 And if it responds to you peaceably and it opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall do forced labor for you and shall serve you. 12 But if it makes no peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. 13 And when the Lord your God gives it into your hand, you shall put all its males to the sword, 14 but the women and the little ones, the livestock, and everything else in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as plunder for yourselves. And you shall enjoy the spoil of your enemies, which the Lord your God has given you. 15 Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not cities of the nations here.

Deuteronomy 20:10-15

10 ¶When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.

11 And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.

12 And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:

13 And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:

14 But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath given thee.

15 Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.

gatiano:


what is 5 solas?

It just distinguishes the RCC from the reformers:

1. Sola scriptura: "Scripture alone"
2. Sola fide: "faith alone"
3. Sola gratia: "grace alone"
4. Solo Christo: "Christ alone"
5. Soli Deo gloria: "to the glory of God alone"

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/five-solas.html#ixzz3JdvNuR7Q

Nice. i accept it only if that christ does not refer to the Jesus of 2000 years ago. without a man, there is no baby. and once a person is pronounced dead, brain dead and the doctor is not drunk or something other, no human being can come back. If Jesus was indeed resurrected by GOD, he can never, no one can never live 2047 years, atleast not now. the maximum is 1000. The 5 solas are beautiful.

OLAADEGBU:


It just distinguishes the RCC from the reformers:

1. Sola scriptura: "Scripture alone"
2. Sola fide: "faith alone"
3. Sola gratia: "grace alone"
4. Solo Christo: "Christ alone"
5. Soli Deo gloria: "to the glory of God alone"

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/five-solas.html#ixzz3JdvNuR7Q

gatiano:


Nice. i accept it only if that christ does not refer to the Jesus of 2000 years ago. without a man, there is no baby. and once a person is pronounced dead, brain dead and the doctor is not drunk or something other, no human being can come back. If Jesus was indeed resurrected by GOD, he can never, no one can never live 2047 years, atleast not now. the maximum is 1000. The 5 solas are beautiful.

Can you explain your rantings up there?

can you prove to me that a Man after death( when a person dies, then he becomes a spirit, how did the disiples see the spirit? it showed that he wasn't a spirit, he ressurected full body with holes in both hands, he ascended, to where? to the moon? without out body helmet and covering, the moon surface will dry out all the liquid in ones body, so he is not there. in space? there is no air, no moist or water molecules that voices could break pass that would produce a sound, so our noices and prayers could not have passed through the earth's atmosphere, infact nothing go out of the earth atmosphere except if GOD permits it.
what i'm trying to say talking so much is Jesus died, he himself said somebody else would be sent. not him, that person that is to be sent is the Jesus we are waiting for. Jesus means Justice! and the end of the world is about Judgement.

OLAADEGBU:


Can you explain your rantings up there?

gatiano:
can you prove to me that a Man after death( when a person dies, then he becomes a spirit, how did the disiples see the spirit? it showed that he wasn't a spirit, he ressurected full body with holes in both hands, he ascended, to where? to the moon? without out body helmet and covering, the moon surface will dry out all the liquid in ones body, so he is not there. in space? there is no air, no moist or water molecules that voices could break pass that would produce a sound, so our noices and prayers could not have passed through the earth's atmosphere, infact nothing go out of the earth atmosphere except if GOD permits it.
what i'm trying to say talking so much is Jesus died, he himself said somebody else would be sent. not him, that person that is to be sent is the Jesus we are waiting for. Jesus means Justice! and the end of the world is about Judgement.

just listen to yourself

gatiano:
can you prove to me that a Man after death( when a person dies, then he becomes a spirit, how did the disiples see the spirit? it showed that he wasn't a spirit, he ressurected full body with holes in both hands, he ascended, to where? to the moon? without out body helmet and covering, the moon surface will dry out all the liquid in ones body, so he is not there. in space? there is no air, no moist or water molecules that voices could break pass that would produce a sound, so our noices and prayers could not have passed through the earth's atmosphere, infact nothing go out of the earth atmosphere except if GOD permits it.
what i'm trying to say talking so much is Jesus died, he himself said somebody else would be sent. not him, that person that is to be sent is the Jesus we are waiting for. Jesus means Justice! and the end of the world is about Judgement.

Nawao... It amazes me how people reason here. Are you really saying this or are you kidding me? It's obvious satan is really at work, using lot of people as instruments.

1Dray:


Nawao... It amazes me how people reason here. Are you really saying this or are you kidding me? It's obvious satan is really at work, using lot of people as instruments.

It is my prayer that the Lord will deliver them from the blindness caused by the god of this world so that they may see the light of the gospel.

gatiano:


can you prove to me that a Man after death( when a person dies, then he becomes a spirit, how did the disiples see the spirit? it showed that he wasn't a spirit, he ressurected full body with holes in both hands, he ascended, to where? to the moon? without out body helmet and covering, the moon surface will dry out all the liquid in ones body, so he is not there. in space? there is no air, no moist or water molecules that voices could break pass that would produce a sound, so our noices and prayers could not have passed through the earth's atmosphere, infact nothing go out of the earth atmosphere except if GOD permits it.
what i'm trying to say talking so much is Jesus died, he himself said somebody else would be sent. not him, that person that is to be sent is the Jesus we are waiting for. Jesus means Justice! and the end of the world is about Judgement.

You are still not making any sense. Try again.

gatiano:
can you prove to me that a Man after death( when a person dies, then he becomes a spirit, how did the disiples see the spirit? it showed that he wasn't a spirit, he ressurected full body with holes in both hands, he ascended, to where? to the moon? without out body helmet and covering, the moon surface will dry out all the liquid in ones body, so he is not there. in space? there is no air, no moist or water molecules that voices could break pass that would produce a sound, so our noices and prayers could not have passed through the earth's atmosphere, infact nothing go out of the earth atmosphere except if GOD permits it.
what i'm trying to say talking so much is Jesus died, he himself said somebody else would be sent. not him, that person that is to be sent is the Jesus we are waiting for. Jesus means Justice! and the end of the world is about Judgement.

lol guy what dah heck are u saying. . . . you are seriously confused you dont even know what you believe in...lmAO..

OLAADEGBU:


Shall I then assume that all the Bishops today should be referred to as popes?

the patriachs are still called popes.

Ubenedictus:


the patriachs are still called popes.

Don't just make an assertion, show us the scriptural evidence where the Patriarchs are called Popes, and I do not mean your "church tradition".

I was writing about the greatest man of the last 2000 years "Jesus". This figure is of the most important to Man today especially the Blackman (lets face the facts, whiteman don't believe in Jesus). Jesus is so important to us that the truth of him will put one in heavenly places once and for all. and the slightest mistakes or lies written about him can put one in hell for generations and generations to come. but one must first understand what heaven and hell means. heaven and hell are both condition of life, and not a place we go after we die. when we die, we die, it means we have done our bit and then we pass on, without death, there is no life.
in short, the true knowledge of the life and teachings of Jesus will give all physical, mental and spiritual life. and the lies about him made up by the devils makes man dies on all three levels.
what i meant to say is Jesus died 2000 years ago, and in truth there is the second coming of Jesus, but not the one of 2000 years ago.

johnydon22:


lol guy what dah heck are u saying. . . . you are seriously confused you dont even know what you believe in...lmAO..

gatiano:
I was writing about the greatest man of the last 2000 years "Jesus". This figure is of the most important to Man today especially the Blackman (lets face the facts, whiteman don't believe in Jesus). Jesus is so important to us that the truth of him will put one in heavenly places once and for all. and the slightest mistakes or lies written about him can put one in hell for generations and generations to come. but one must first understand what heaven and hell means. heaven and hell are both condition of life, and not a place we go after we die. when we die, we die, it means we have done our bit and then we pass on, without death, there is no life.
in short, the true knowledge of the life and teachings of Jesus will give all physical, mental and spiritual life. and the lies about him made up by the devils makes man dies on all three levels.
what i meant to say is Jesus died 2000 years ago, and in truth there is the second coming of Jesus, but not the one of 2000 years ago.

my bros i still cant place what you are yapping about, are u saying that the jesus of the bible is a lie?

The ruthless daredevil-decieving demi-gods destroying the Foundation of The Faith while flying in the skies and the unwitting multitudes driving,trekking,wining,dancing,enjoying at the brink of fall and into Hell(everlasting fire)-The wise few now cementing their places deeper in the recesses of The Good Shepherd's loving and unwavering arms.