Transcript PowerPoint

The Church
in Fourth Century:
from Constantine
to Augustine
Class #1: The Historical Context, Part1:
The First Three Centuries
General Outline of the Course
Student
Handbook
• “Hoc vince!”
• Martyrdom to Monasticism
• The Church, Inc.
• “Tolle lege!”
translation by
Maria Boulding
The Christian World of
the New Testament
• Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension of Jesus
• Pentecost
• Persecutions of Christians by Jews
Roman-Jewish Conflict
as Background
• Babylonian Exile & Return: 6th c. BC
• Maccabean Revolt
and the Kingdom of Jerusalem: 164-63 BC
• Jewish Militant Apocalyptic & Wars
• 1st War: 66-73 AD
• Kitos War: 113 AD
• Bar Kochba Rebellion: 132 AD
The Christian World of
the New Testament
• Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension of Jesus
• Pentecost
• Persecutions of Christians by Jews
• Early Growth of Christian Church –
Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Rome
Major Concentrations of early Gospel
Proclamation and Church Growth
The Christian World of
the later First Century
• Roman Persecution of Christians – Nero (64 AD)
• Destruction of Jerusalem, 70 AD
The fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD
took the lives of some 600,000.
Following Bar Kochba rebellion
(135 AD), Jews were exiled
from Jerusalem (AElia)
until the time of Constantine.
terminated sacrificial worship
among the Jews
(even to the present day).
clearly divided Jews against Christians
(no longer allowed in synagogues).
The Christian World of
the later First Century
• Roman Persecution of Christians – Nero (64 AD)
• Destruction of Jerusalem, 70 AD
• Roman Persecution of Christians –
Domitian (r. 81-96 AD)
• Growth of Christian Church –
• Antioch, Alexandria, Rome
The Christian World of the Second
and Third Centuries
• Growth of Christian Church –
• cities of Antioch, Alexandria, Rome
• regions of North Africa and Syria
• Roman empire continues to deteriorate
The Christian World of the Second
and Third Centuries
• Growth of Christian Church –
• cities of Antioch, Alexandria, Rome
• regions of North Africa and Syria
• Roman empire continues to deteriorate
• Persecutions of Christians by Roman Empire
- Nero (c. 64-68). Traditional martyrdoms of Peter and Paul.
- Domitian (r. 81-96).
- Trajan (112-117). Christianity is outlawed but Christians are
not sought out.
- “A False Dawn” (135-165)
- Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180). Martyrdom of Polycarp.
- “The Turn of the Tide” (180-235)
- Septimus Severus (202-210). Martyrdom of Perpetua.
- Decius (250-251). Christians are actively sought out by
requiring public sacrifice. Could buy certificates (libelli)
instead of sacrificing. Martyrdoms of bishops of Rome,
Jerusalem and Antioch.
- Valerian (257-59). Martyrdoms of Cyprian of Carthage and
Sixtus II of Rome.
- Maximinus the Thracian (235-38).
- Aurelian (r. 270–275).
- Diocletian and Galerius (303-324).
New Covenant
Presbyterian Church
Preaching God’s Sovereign Grace
to a World of Need
128 St. Mary’s Church Rd.
Abingdon, MD 21009
410-569-0289
www.ncpres.org
www.ephesians515.com