What was Christianity and the church in the 1st century like?
✟In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God Amen. “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) ✟
The first century of Christianity started with Jesus saying, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15.
The first century was full of early evangelism in the roman empire, the writing of the Gospels, and a great faith facing the percussion.
Let’s start our journey to the history of the church and early Christianity!
In 33 AD, The Ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven occurred on the 40th day after His Resurrection. Furthermore, we celebrate the blessed Pentecost, a significant event that took place fifty days after Easter Sunday, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the blessed Apostles.
In 34 AD, Saint Stephen the first Deacon in the history of the church became the first martyr in Christianity by getting stoned to death in Jerusalem.
In 50 AD, The Council of Jerusalem or the Apostolic Council was held in Jerusalem and decided that Gentile Christians have to believe in Jesus and be baptized but They don’t have to follow all Jewish laws. The Apostles and Elders of Jerusalem admitted Saint Paul into the church as an apostle.
In 49 AD, Saint Mark the Evangelist, one of the seventy disciples, and the writer of one of the four Gospels make his first mission to Egypt When Saint Mark entered and walked through the streets of Alexandria, his sandals were torn and met a cobbler called Ananias who mended Saint Mark’s shoes, but his finger was cut from the awl and he cried out: “O the one god!” and Saint Mark healed the cobbler’s finger and spoke to him about who the “One God” really is.
Deeply moved by Saint Mark’s teachings, Ananias invited him to his home, where he and his entire household professed their Christian faith and received the sacrament of baptism. Soon after, many others in Egypt embraced Christianity, and Ananias’s home became a gathering place for the faithful, establishing the first church in Egypt. Saint Mark served as the first Patriarch of Egypt, while Ananias became the first Bishop of Egypt. In AD 68, Ananias met a martyr’s death when a rope was placed around his neck, and he was dragged through the streets of “Bokalya” until his life was extinguished. His holy relics remained in Egypt until they were eventually transferred to Venice, where they continue to be venerated to this day.
Presently, the Christian world recognizes the existence of four patriarchal churches: Alexandria, Rome, Jerusalem, and Antioch. These esteemed centers of faith uphold the teachings of Christ and nurture the spiritual growth of their respective flocks.
Antioch played a pivotal role in shaping the Church. The Antiochian community flourished as a significant hub of Christian teaching and missionary activity. It was in Antioch that the followers of Christ were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26), signifying their identification with the teachings and person of Jesus. The Church in Antioch produced prominent figures such as Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who steadfastly defended the faith and eventually became a revered martyr.
In 64 AD, The first persecution of Christians under the rule of Emperor Nero. This tragic event occurred following the devastating Grand Fire of Rome and marked a dark chapter in our history.
In 70 AD, The Siege of Jerusalem was the pivotal event after the long Jewish-Roman War. The Roman army triumphed, capturing the city of Jerusalem and obliterating both the city and its sacred Temple.
Between 89 and 96 AD AD, The Second persecution of Christians, during the latter part of Emperor Domitian’s reign, Christians and Jews endured a second wave of severe persecution. The faithful followers of Christ faced tremendous hardships during this distressing period.
Lastly, Around 96 CE, we commemorate the beloved Apostle John, the Gospel of John’s author, and several other New Testament books. while exiled on the island of Patmos, he wrote the Book of Revelation. Following the death of Emperor Domitian, the Apostle returned to Ephesus during the reign of Trajan. It was in Ephesus that he eventually departed from this world, around A.D. 100, leaving behind a lasting legacy of faith and love.
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14
To be continued…
