Page 5 - History of Christianity I - Student Textbook

“…through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the
mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness
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was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received
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back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that
they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and
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imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.
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They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not
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worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.”

Throughout the eons of time, God has searched for those individuals who would trust Him and has used those
who put their trust totally in Him to change the course of History.

When others look at your life, do they see you demonstrating FAITH? In other words, do they
hear you talk about living for the Lord AND see it demonstrated in your life? Just as God
honored great faith in the history of civilization, He today, is looking for men and women of FAITH who
will demonstrate their faith by action! Have you stepped out by faith in any area of your life lately? Be
one of those who demonstrates FAITH and whom God uses to CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY!

The Early Church – AD. 33 to 100

The church was born at Pentecost, the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot (the day that God gave the Torah to the
entire Israelite nation at Mount Sinai and committed Israel to serving God. It was also Jewish tradition that King
David was born and died on Shavuot). Shavuot is also called the Feast of Weeks also called Feast of Tabernacles,
50 days or seven weeks after Passover. It is a celebration of the early wheat and barley harvest. Jews offered a
“wave offering” of two loaves of leavened bread to the Lord. Of course, Christ was crucified on Passover, so 50
days later, was also called Pentecost (“pente” meaning 50). On that day, the Holy Spirit came upon the twelve
apostles and other followers as described in the book of Acts, 2: 1-31. It is the “Birthday of the Church.”
Immediately, the Apostles and early believers began to obey their great commission:

Matthew 28: 19-20 “ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
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and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely
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I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The church grew rapidly. Thousands were responding to the Gospel. The three distinguishing marks of the early
church were: separation from the world, unconditional love, and childlike obedience to the teachings of Christ.

Characteristics of the Early Church

The first Christians lived under a completely different set of principles and values than the rest of mankind. They
rejected the world's entertainment, honors, and riches. They were already citizens of another kingdom, and they
listened to the voice of a different Master. This was as true of the second century church as it was of the first.

Because the earth wasn't their home, the early Christians could say without reservation, like Paul, "to live is
Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). Justin Martyr explained to the Romans, "Since our thoughts are not fixed
on the present, we are not concerned when men put us to death. Death is a debt we must all pay anyway."

They demonstrated love for one another. They sold their properties and contributed to those who were in need.
And the love of the early Christians wasn't limited simply to their fellow believers. Christians also lovingly helped
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