Caste System In India, Hinduism And Buddhism, Liberalism, The “Best” Political Philosophy, Forms of government in England and France. Despite being chastised, imprisoned, and beaten by the Jewish council, the apostles continued to boldly proclaim Christ (Acts 4–5). He truly believed that Jesus was the promised Savior. First, the church of Christ was not established at “just anytime” in history. The Jews on the other hand contributed their r eligion to the growth of Christianity . Everything rises … From the beginning of Christianity, devotees have tried to concur on statements of beliefs, called creeds. Augustus meaning “Majestic” was the more familiar name of Octavian, he was no military genius to dazzle the world with his achievements; he was a cool and passionless statesman who took advantage of a memorable opportunity to remake the Roman state and later on, he became a wise and impartial ruler of the Roman Empire (Webster 187). Peter dominated the community for nearly fifteen years following the Resurrection; it was he who raised his voice and preached at Pentecost, the day when the Church came into being, he served as an advocate for the apostles before the Jewish religious court in Jerusalem and he led the others in extending the Church, going first to the Samaritans, then to the Mediterranean coast where he introduced Gentiles into the Church (Pollock 18). Book of Acts . Stephen's unwavering belief is incredible. A Roman emperor, himself a god to the subjects of Rome, became the worshiper of a crucified provincial of his empire. Through the Holy Spirit, he performed miracles and spoke God’s truth to all who would listen. Thus, the most important belief for Christians is that the world and everything in it is an expression of God’s power and love (Pollock 16). (Source: http://www.4to40.com/culture/index.asp?p=Christianity_Disciples). McGavran was a third-generation Christian missionary to India, where his observations of How Churches Grow (the title of another of his books) went beyond typical theological discussion to discern sociological factors that affected receptivity to the Christian Gospel among non-Christian peoples. Peter is invariably mentioned first in the lists of the disciples and recognized as the spokesperson of the group (Pollock 18). Some widows were being neglected. The first of the reasons that the Christianity spread was a political factor. Social Networks are the Vehicle. Certain officers called presbyters or elders were chosen to conduct the services and instruct the converts. His belief in Christ, his love for Christ, his desire to see all people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus led him to his death—a death he did not resist. After reading this passage, I realized how difficult it must have been for Stephan to turn away from the other believers and follow what God was pushing him towards in front of every discerning eye. Christians believe that he was perfect and that he came to earth to teach God’s plan. As the empire grew, the army It must have been testing to the faith to have so many people push against you once you know that God has a plan for you. They met in private houses, where they sang hymns, listened to readings from the Holy Scriptures and partook in a sacrificial meal in memory of the last supper of Jesus with his disciples. During the period of 264-218 B.C., the West is ruled by the kingdoms of Rome and Carthage, who at the beginning were in friendly alliance and eventually became the bitterest of foes; the three wars between them are known as the Punic Wars, which are the famous contests that ancient history records and in the end, they lead to the complete destruction of Carthage (Webster 156). After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476, the Catholic Church became a powerful social and political institution and its influence spread throughout Europe. As the church came from the hand of God, it was fully capable of doing the great work God gave it to accomplish. Augustine contributed to the spread of Christianity by writing about it. If we are willing to see how the early church existed among the Jewish, Roman, and Greek cultures, and implement their techniques, we too, can experience church growth. Given the information from the Gospels, it is not surprising that Peter should emerge immediately after the death of Jesus as the leader of the earliest Church. Writing in Canada. New York: T & T Clark International, 2003. Pollock, Robert. Early European History. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Seeing a great light and falling to the ground, Saul heard a voice speaking to him (Matthews 288). Each church had also one or more deacons, who visited the sick and relieved the wants of the poor. Christians formed communities bound to one another in which people could express their love by helping each other and offering assistance to the poor, the sick, widows and orphans. The belief that Jesus rose from the dead is central to Christians. He turned his eyes to see Jesus in that moment. The papers are not supposed to be submitted for academic credit. New York: Osprey Publishing, 2009. In this verse, we find our second update on the newly founded church of Jesus. They chose seven Holy Spirit–filled men with good reputations to be in charge of caring for these widows so that the apostles could continue teaching the Word of God. The religious and moral norms of the Christians are largely determined by three different forms of authority: the legal authority, the traditional authority and the charismatic authority. None if it mattered because he knew what and who was waiting for him. What do you think of him, his style of leadership, and his administration. So often when presented or challenged by world views I am silent for fear of reaction. (Source: http://www.sspeter-paul.net/edge/index.cfm?load=page&page=542). They drove him out of the city and stoned him. However, as he approached Damascus, he was struck blind. Everything you know about the collapse of the soviet union is wrong, Understanding Interstate and Intrastate Wars During And After The Cold War Through Levels Of Analysis, Communists vs. Nationalists in China’s Civil War. The church needed to respond. The term Christ came from the Greek word Xristos, which can be translated as the “anointed one” or “messiah” in Hebrew (Pollock 11). His letters, which were collected for general circulation, have become a standard reference for Christian teaching (Pollock 20). Growth of any kind follows a typical pattern. Every city had a congregation of Christian worshipers. Sparta was the undisputed leader of Continental Greece and of the Aegean during the period of 404-362 B.C., it ended the struggles for supremacy between rival cities; however, the Greek cities soon found that they exchanged the mild sway of Athens for the brutal tyranny of Sparta (Webster 110). There are many different denominations within Christianity. From the beginning, the church consisted of people who truly believed the words of Jesus, proclaimed His message, and gave their lives for the truth of the gospel. Christianity was able to attract many followers due to a variety of reasons. I am moved by his conviction and confidence. The church increases locally and spreads universally. Great Leadership – Without a doubt the greatest key to church growth is leadership. California, U.S.A.: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2010. The Everything World’s Religions Book: Discover the Beliefs, Traditions and Cultures of Ancient and Modern Religions. Even Jewish priests were coming to faith in Christ. Pentecostalism - Pentecostalism - International growth of Pentecostalism: Inspired by Acts of the Apostles 2:1–13, which speaks of God pouring out his Spirit in the last days, many Pentecostals believe that their revival is a sign of the Endtime, and hence a call to bring the world to salvation before Christ’s Second Coming. Church and society. The spread of Christianity was made a lot easier by the efficiency of the Roman Empire, but its principles were sometimes misunderstood and membership of the sect could be dangerous. It was said to be the voice of Jesus asking him why he is persecuting him and the Christians, Saul was then trembling and astonished asking what he should do, the voice then instructed him to go to the city where he would be told what he should do; thus did the conversion of Saul the prosecutor of Christians to Saint Paul the Apostle took place (Pollock 20). I have much to learn in this study from the founders of the church. Creeds attempt to verbalize what cannot really be expressed in words. He surrounded himself with Christian bishops, freed the clergy from taxation and spent large sums in building churches. John Calvin was the most important figure in the second generation of the Reformation, and his interpretation of Christianity, known as Calvinism, deeply influenced many areas of Protestant … The mediterranean was a source of communication between the lands and eased the growth of a thriving trading network within the empire. Because the veil to the holy of holies (the place where God’s presence resided) was torn in the temple upon Jesus’ death, God’s presence now resides in us through the Holy Spirit. [n.p]: Forgotten Books, 2008. These sources were and still are most important criteria for the religious and moral life of the Church (Meinardus 40). The church was considered a religio prava , an illegal and depraved religion. The twelve apostles called the multitude of believers together to discuss the matter. He walked through the history of Israel up until the time when Solomon built the temple where God would dwell. “Before time began” God purposed to offer salvation to the world through Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:9). Rome controlled most of Europe and spread its empire through Asia to North Africa. Wave after wave of persecution was unleashed to squash it. For instance, most Christians agree that God is three persons in one: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit, creating the Holy Trinity. The book of Acts provides a detailed, orderly, eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.Its narrative supplies a bridge connecting the life and ministry of Jesus to the life of the church and the witness of the earliest believers. Three years after his conversion, Paul went to Jerusalem to meet Peter and James, Jesus’ brother. When asked if this was true, Stephen responded with a poignant speech. Read Acts 6:8–7:60. He faced opposition and was brought before the Jewish council for blasphemy. Overwhelming faith and Grace, Lord may we show this too. His life and teachings were the groundwork of Christian faith. The local church was not something that needed to be abolished or repaired so that church growth could occur. This is one of the ancient poems that preserved the beautiful legends during the Aegean age (around 1100 B.C.) possibly to end the Roman’s invasion of his homeland, Thrace (Fields 28). Finally, Christianity fulfilled the human need to belong. Stephen … : A Gladiator rebels against Rome. A recent check on Amazon.com discovered that over 25,000 books are listed under the category of Church Growth. Stephen's story seems so foreign to today but, at the same time, really strikes a chord. When he talks about how the temple was built and the curtain to the resting place of God was torn and the Holy Spirit lives in us instead of in the temple, t just reminds me that you don't have to be at church to worship God. Second, Christianity was not entirely unfamiliar. that highlighted remarkable excavations that disclosed the remains of a widespread and flourishing civilization during those times (Webster 75). Just like Jesus did. In this verse, we find our second update on the newly founded church of Jesus. The spread of the Christian church in its earliest centuries is one of the most amazing phenomena in all of human history. As a local church increases in life and number, we call it the increase. The aupport of the pope as head of the Catholic Church A vast road system linking urban areas in Europe The invention of the printing press and improvements in literacy Economic changes and the growth if towns following the Renaissance. Stephen's story inspires me to enjoy Jesus more every day...what a mighty Savior we serve! The Romans tried to persecute it out of existence, yet it spread the gospel throughout the entire empire. Meinardus, Otto F.A. The paper concludes that God prepared the world to receive both Jesus and his church. THE SPREAD OF THE CHURCH. In comparison consider that just … 3 pages (750 words). To lay down his life first to care for the widows, then literally as he stood by his belief in Christ unto death. Start studying The Growth and Spread of the Church 2. Ignorance and imagination. (Source: http://www.civfanatics.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=920&original=1). This paper endeavors to tackle what transpired before and after the existence of Christianity into the world. One of his laws abolished the use of the cross as an instrument of punishment. a portion of Jerusalem was constituted a city-state or “polis”, which is defined not by its physical formation but by its Greek/Hellenized citizenship and way of life; during the Hellenistic period, the Temple State and the subsequent Jerusalem State was a theocracy in which the High Priest ruled (Thomas & Jayyusi 80). These have evolved over the years often because of disagreements about teachings or through different ways of worshiping. I worry about our future as Christians in this world and though I know my Savior is coming for me, I want to make sure that I trust myself and have strong enough faith in Jesus to be willing to die (or suffer consequences & obstacles) in His name! God planned for Jesus to come to Earth and for His church to be established at a special and specific point in time in human history, which God chose an… Stephen, the First Martyr. While Christianity was conquering the world, the believers in its doctrines were grouping themselves into communities or churches. Christians believe in one all-powerful creator, God. Martin Luther precipitated the Reformation with his critiques of both the practices and the theology of the Roman Catholic Church. He professed love for Jesus and was capable of great loyalty. As the book of Acts continues, the church grows. NEWMAN THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE The Spread of Christianity and Factors that Contributed to the Political and Religious Separation of the Early Church Submitted to Rev. The greatest leaders of the Reformation undoubtedly were Martin Luther and John Calvin. Spartacus spent some years as a paid auxiliary for the Romans who then became a gladiator and turned against the Roman Empire and was the sole military leader of the Slave War at around 73-71 B.C. Dr. Scott Sharman in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of FTH 400r Early Church History by Linda Chiupka April 10, 2017 Chiupka 1 INTRODUCTION Although Christianity began with only a handful of disciples … Writing Service UK, Essay Conclusion On the top of these was the Holy spirti who helped the church to grow in spite of presecution and hard times. I can't imagine the faithfulness and bravery of Stephen as he is being murdered to say to the Father, forgive them! There is a 2,000 year-old insight that any congregation can apply to … There is an old saying if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Think about Stephen’s dedication to Christ. (Source: http://harpers.org/archive/2008/02/hbc-90002305). This is an amazing number of books given the fact that the North American Church Growth Movement is only forty-one years old. The early church increased in number so dramatically in a relatively short period of time for a variety of reasons. The narrative account about Jesus Christ’s ministry and an early history of Christianity are contained in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. Could have the American Civil War been avoided? He was a Christian theology writer who wrote about the original sin and predestination. It challenges me to not allow any "inconveniences" keep me from living out my faith. The church growth movement began with the publication of Donald McGavran 's book The Bridges of God. Another enactment required that magistrates, city people and artisans were to rest on Sunday; this was the first Sunday law (Webster 220-221). These are an inter-dependent combination of political, social and economic factors. Saul of Tarsus (who will later be called Paul after his conversion), who had been present when Stephen was stoned in Jerusalem, volunteered to take writs to Damascus to find members of the Way, arrest them and return them in chains to Jerusalem where they would be tried. What would they do? These factors can be summarized under three main headings. The promise of salvation, made possible by Jesus’ death and resurrection, had immense appeal in a world full of suffering and injustice. How would they handle one of the first conflicts within the new church? The spiritual factos of the rapid growth od the church in the book of Acts were the five pusposes of the church from Acts 2: worship, teaching, discipleship, ministry, evangelism and mission. He was totally devoted to eliminating the Christian influence within Judaism. Most, however agree on the basic tenets of faith (Pollock 9). In 175 B.C. Also, in Stephen's last moments he cried out to God saying "Don't hold this sin against them", that is amazing to me. The Jewish council was enraged at Stephen’s speech. First of all, the Christian message had much to offer the Roman world. Moreover, Christianity had universal appeal. I think the looking beyond his present circumstance. 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