Leaders, Thinkers and Growth of the Early Church

Today we’re going to talk about the leaders, thinkers, and the growth of the early church. As we go through it, please consider in your mind what we can learn from the early church leaders and the patterns of church growth – what things are applicable to us, what we should emulate, and what we should not.

I. Time of the Apostles (~30-~65)

Jerusalem church lived in a close-knit community (Acts 2:46), similar to Essenes

Struck a chord quickly with Greek-speaking Jews who had grievances with priests

After Stephen’s martyrdom, Philip the Evangelist went to preach in Samaria (Acts 8)

Church liturgy was close to Jewish to start with, but Greek-speaking churches developed

their own liturgy

Apostles – first led by Peter, James, and John (sons of Zebedee)

James (brother of Jesus) became church leader in Jerusalem

Paul and Peter were missionary leaders

II. Subapostolic Period (~65-~135)

In early subapostolic times, Church viewed itself as part of Israel still (a la James/1 Peter)

Gentiles are considered to be saved through covenant of Noah

Later on, more of a sense of distinguishing – viewed itself as New Israel

There are definitely missions, but few documentations of them

Probably most successful in Asia, but also to Bithynia and Cappadocia

Might have slowed down tremendously by about 100

Aramaic speaking churches might have extended to Parthia (Persia) –

Key ones are Antioch and Edessa

Egyptian church – not much known about organization, but started Platonist integration

Greece – some Pauline congregations, not much else known

Rome – known to be already influential in surrounding communities, but not much else

Not subversive – members came from all walks of life

e.g., urged to treat slaves well, but slaves were encouraged to endure slavery

Held strict discipline in the church (see Paul’s admonitions)

Moving away from collegial government model toward episcopal (bishop) model

Timothy – Asia

Titus – Crete

John – Asia (probably the longest living apostle)

Ignatius – bishop of Antioch

Polycarp – bishop of Smyrna

III. “Stabilization Period” (~135-~190)

Growth appeared to be relatively slow up to about 150 – mostly Greek-speaking areas

However, eventually did spread to Gaul on the west and Pontus on the east

Church still strove to share – e.g., Roman church helped less wealthy churches

Church thoughts Hellenizing greatly and de-Judaicizing – Gnostic influence

Influential churches were appearing in large cities

Church considered by most people outside to be an “alternative lifestyle”

As persecutions continued, Church looked forward to Apocalypse

Justin Martyr (~100-165)

Born of pagan (Greek) heritage; in young years went on soul-searching trip

Touched by Christian old man in Epehesus – later also touched by martyrdoms

Rejected Greek philosophy in writings, yet incorporated Stoic and Platonist ideas

First systematic theologian

Migrated to Rome, set up school of theology – against Cynicism/Gnosticism

Was denounced by a Cynic, and killed after refusing to sacrifice to Roman gods

Wrote apologies – blended philosophical and eschatological arguments

Tatian (operated ~160-~180)

Justin’s pupil – initially accepted Justin’s orthodox beliefs

Opposed to Roman authority, viewed it as evil and must be overthrown

Later on became an extreme ascetic

Irenaus (~130-200)

Disciple of Polycarp (thus 2 generations removed from John) in Smyrna

Later became bishop of Lyons

One of the earliest attempts to define orthodox Christianity

Based his authority on the tradition handed down by Apostles

and “accepted by Christians everywhere”

The Bible alone contained necessary doctrines – no “hidden mysteries”

Rejected Platonist ideas

Asserted that God is one – rejected dualist ideas about God

Argued that church doctrines should be unchanging

Apologists – asserted loyalty to the empire and sought to defend Christianity

Quadratus of Athens (~125) – wrote to Hadrian based on Jesus’ miracles

Aristides (~145) – argued that paganism was a deadend

Melito (~160-180) – argued that Christianity is beneficial to the empire

Athenagoras (~176-180) – defended against charges of incest/cannibalism

IV. Emergence into Mainstream (~190-~260)

Began to get sense that the Church will eventually prevail in the World

Thus, less looking forward to Apocalypse

Further development of central churches

Antioch, Alexandria, Rome, Carthage all became more and more important

Lyons and Ephesus fading in importance

Organized attempts to mass-proselytize educated pagans

Christians became major segments (but not majority) in many places

Cities’ decline means that their cults also decline

People began to view Christianity as a superior religion to turn to

Church authorities became more and more concentrated in bishops

This allowed more effective administration of church and charitable works

However, many also began to view bishops as tyrannical

Presbyters (elders) were members of clergy who were the bishop’s assistant

Deacons were presbyters’ assistants and administrators (but later got more power)

Penitentiary system more rigid/structured in West than in the East

Original thought that Church could not forgive sins (only God could)

Later on compromise on Church’s authority to hand out discipline

Clergy allowed to marry but celibacy/virginity was favored

First development of monasticism

Alexandria became great center of Christian learning – important catechetical school

Became center of synthesis of Christianity and Platonist thinking

North Africa – great emphasis on the piety of martyrs and confessors

Many people became Christians after seeing the courage of martyrs

Much more of a sense of the Apocalypse

Developed a well-organized disciplinary system – may be influenced by Jews

Or might be influence of the old Baal-Hamon/Saturn religion

Rome – catacombs developing, and the succession of bishops became important

Became revered for its connection to the Apostles as well as the city’s status

Osrhoene – home to a Syriac church – less emphasis on distinguishing orthodoxy/heresy

Start of evidence of a East/West rift based on language and theological ideas

Clement – headmaster at the Alexandrian school

Attempted to reach out to the educated Greeks

Considered Christianity the highest form of thinking – compared to Orpheus

Therefore, Christ was the highest manifestation of philosophy

Encouraged missions – ordered Christians to teach neighbors

Argued that people must reexamine their strict adherence to custom

Forced to flee in 202 due to persecution – succeeded by Origen

Had an optimistic view of people – God is good, so the world He created is good

Origen – born in 185 of mixed Greek/Egyptian parentage – both parents Christian

Father martyred in 203; tried to share father’s fate, but stopped by mother

Prolific writer – most well-known work is the Hexapla

Wanted to use the Hebrew text to refute Jews

Castrated himself to adhere to Matt. 19:12

Because of this was initially not ordained

Later was consecrated by the bishop of Caesaria against orders

Originated the idea of allegorical readings of Scripture – up to 4 levels of meaning

Bardesanes – church leader and teacher in Osrhoene – Persian

Viewed personal freedom and autonomy as important

Believed in original pure elements of Light, Wind, Fire, and Water –

God created the universe and humans out of these elements

Soul is divine in origin and cpaable of free choice and purification

Darkness will decrease for the next 6000 years

Victor – first bishop of Rome (Pope) to assert authority over entire Church –

Easter controversy – 14 Nisan or the Sunday following?

(later on one usage was based on equinox)

Victor tried to excommunicate all bishops not following his ruling

Tertullian (160-240?) – bishop of Carthage

Strengthened the idea of Christianity’s eventually prevailing character

Strengthened the idea of Jesus as Savior and Judge and Mediator

Hated the Roman/African pagan society with a deep passions

Opposed Marcionites

Church is bride of Christ – thus, must have strict discipline

Cyprian – bishop of Carthage

Asserted that God is one and therefore church must be one with one leader

Church is in the bishop and bishop is in the church

First bishop of a major church to recognize Roman authority

Argued that lapsed clergy cannot return to former state –

Called a council of African bishops to settle the question

Also argued that baptisms given by heretical clerics were invalid

V. Diocletian and Constantinian Times (270-330)

Some towns/cities have become by now almost wholly Christianized

People losing touch more and more with pagan deities

At same time, Christians absorbed pagan traditions

Armenia became the first state to establish Christianity as official religion (~300)

Constantine did not convert until his deathbed, yet claimed to be a Christian

Educated his family in Christian doctrines

Showered the Church with material donations

Church/Empire worked hand in hand to suppress heresies, often bloodily

For Constantine, a divided Church was useless

Council of Nicaea – condemned Arianism and solidified orthodox Christian doctrine

Idea of homoousios

Also set the date for Easter

Constantinople joined the rank of major sees as Nova Roma

Eusebius of Caesarea (260-339)

Great chronicler of Christianity

At the same time loved the institution of the unified Empire (not Tetrarchy)

Felt that Church and Empire could work in harmony