Early Christianity

Early Christianity, also called the Early Church, refers to the time period of the Christian religion up until the year 325 AD. During this time, Christianity grew from its beginnings in the Holy Land and spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. The first followers of Christianity were Jewish people who had converted to the faith, along with others from nearby areas.

The early Christians were often merchants or travelers who moved to places like Asia Minor, North Africa, the Middle East, and even Rome. They met in small private homes called house churches. Over time, these small groups grew into larger communities, forming the foundations for Christianity's spread around the world.

History

Origins

Main articles: Second Temple Judaism and Second Temple Period

See also: Historical background of the New Testament

Christianity began as a small group within Second Temple Judaism, which existed from around 598 BC to 70 AD. This form of Judaism believed in one God and that the Jewish people were special because of their agreement, or covenant, with God. They followed rules called the Torah.

After the Persian Empire allowed Jewish people to return to their homeland around 516 BC, life changed. They rebuilt their temple but were no longer ruled by their own kings. Instead, a special leader called the high priest led them. Later, the region was ruled by different empires, including Alexander the Great, who spread Greek culture. This brought changes to Jewish life, especially for those living far from their homeland.

Jesus

Further information: Jesus in Christianity and Historical Jesus

Christianity centers around Jesus of Nazareth, who lived around 4 BC to around 33 AD. Although he didn’t write anything himself, we learn about him from early Christian writings, including the New Testament. These include letters by Paul and the four main stories of Jesus’ life, called the canonical gospels.

Jesus grew up in Nazareth in Galilee. He began teaching when he was about 30, traveling through areas like Galilee and Jerusalem. He taught about the coming of the Kingdom of God and chose twelve followers, called disciples, to help spread his message. His teachings emphasized love and kindness.

According to Christian belief, Jesus was crucified but later came back to life. This event, known as the resurrection of Jesus, is a central idea in Christianity. After his resurrection, Jesus is said to have risen to Heaven.

1st century

Main article: Christianity in the 1st century

Initial spread

Main article: Spread of Christianity

After Jesus’ death, his followers started small Christian groups in cities like Jerusalem. The religion spread quickly to places such as Damascus and Antioch, which was an important city in the Roman Empire. The name “Christian” was first used in Antioch.

Paul, one of Jesus’ followers, traveled widely, establishing Christian communities in many areas. He visited cities in Asia Minor and later traveled to Europe, including Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens, and Corinth. In Rome, there were already Christian groups, some started by Paul’s friends.

Early Christians often met in people’s homes because they were sometimes treated differently by others. They included people from all backgrounds, including women and those without freedom, showing that everyone was equal in their faith. By around 100 AD, there were estimated to be about 7,000 Christians in the Roman Empire.

Jerusalem church

Further information: Jerusalem in Christianity

Jerusalem was the first center of the Christian church. The early leaders included Peter and John, and later James, brother of Jesus. They followed Jewish traditions, such as resting on certain days and meeting at the temple. They also met on Sunday to remember Jesus’ coming back to life.

Unfortunately, in the year 70 AD, Jerusalem was destroyed during a war. Many people were affected, and the church moved to other places. Later, it returned to Jerusalem.

Gentile Christians

As more people who were not Jewish joined Christianity, questions arose about whether they needed to follow Jewish rules, like certain foods or rituals. Some believed they should fully follow Jewish laws, while others, like Paul, thought faith in Jesus was enough. A meeting in Jerusalem helped settle some of these issues, deciding that non-Jewish followers didn’t need to follow all Jewish laws.

1st century persecution

Early Christians sometimes faced unfair treatment. Some Romans disliked them because they didn’t join in celebrations or worship the emperor. There were times when Christians were treated harshly, such as during the rule of Emperor Nero, who blamed Christians for a big fire in Rome around 64 AD. Later emperors were more tolerant, but there were still challenges for early Christians.

Early centers

Eastern Roman Empire

Jerusalem became an important Christian center, though its significance declined during Roman persecutions. Christians fled to nearby areas during conflicts. Later, Jerusalem regained importance through royal visits and recognition at church meetings.

Antioch was a major city where Christians were first called by their name. It was an early church site, with strong traditions linking it to the apostle Peter. The city had important Christian learning and was one of three cities recognized at early church meetings.

Alexandria in Egypt was a center of learning and produced important Christian writers and leaders. It had a large Jewish population and became a key place for Christian thought and scripture study. The city played a major role in shaping early Christian beliefs.

Western Roman Empire

Rome became a central place for Christianity, though exactly when it began there is unclear. The apostles Peter and Paul were linked to the city, and a Christian community existed there early on. Rome grew in importance over time and became a leader among Christian centers.

Other cities like Carthage in North Africa, places in France like Lyon, and cities in Spain like Seville also became early Christian centers. These places had important Christian communities and leaders who helped spread the faith.