The Church

The Work of the Early ChurchThe Acts of the Apostles

The LettersThe Book of Revelation

Mission of the Apostles

Continue Jesus’ missionSpread Christianity

Accept the Holy Spirit

Continue Jesus’ Mission

• Began during Jesus lifetime– Jesus proclaimed the good news & healed people,

sent his apostles to do the same (Mt. 10: 5-15)

• At His ascension sent apostles to – “Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the

name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt. 28: 19-20)

• His mission was universal, for everyone

Christianity Spreads • Within a few years, faith

was proclaimed from Jerusalem to Samaria

• St. Paul travels to Asia Minor and Greece and plans to go to Spain

• Scholars tell us that the Church traveled south into Egypt and into eastern Syria

Map of Christianity’s Growth

Spreading the Gospel• Conversion of Paul (Acts 9:1-12)

– Dramatic conversion experience• Blinded• Fasts• Baptized by Ananias

• Early evangelism• Peter baptizes both Jews and gentiles• Paul begins to preach to those in Damascus

• Peter’s vision (Acts 10: 9-16)• Relates that baptism is for all not just the Jews

• Jews & Gentiles in the Church• Paul preaches to both Jews and gentiles • Gentiles are more accepting • Controversy occurs as to whether to become a follower of

“The Way” is a 1 or 2 step process

What Facilitated the Spread?• Holy Spirit• Missionary Journeys of Paul– The most prolific evangelizer

• Council of Jerusalem, 49AD• Pax Romana (27-180 AD)

– A period of peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire• Good roads• Safe sea routes• Knowledge of Greek

The Holy Spirit & The Apostles’ Mission

• Pentecost• Came to the newly baptized• Inspired the results of Council

of Jerusalem, 49 AD• Inspired and strengthened the

apostles and disciples that participated in the evangelization

Paul’s Contribution

• Preached to both the Jewish people and the gentiles– Was a Roman citizen– Understood both cultures– Spoke Greek– Used images familiar to all peoples

• Was instrumental in the calling of the Council of Jerusalem– Wanted clarification on what was necessary for one to

be baptized

Paul’s Missionary Journeys

• First Missionary Journey

– 46-48 AD (with Barnabas)• Second Journey

– 49-52 AD (with Timothy)• Third Journey

– 53-57 AD • Paul’s Trip to Rome

– 59-60 AD • Martyred in Rome by beheading

Council of Jerusalem

• Held in Jerusalem in 49AD• First “Ecumenical” Church Council• Purpose was to address the controversy regarding the

necessity that those who desired baptism must become Jews by circumcision and adhere to dietary laws

• Declared that Baptism was open to all and adherence to circumcision and dietary laws was not necessary, all must obey the commandments– Three necessary observances

• No meat sacrificed to false gods• No meat of strangled animals or meat full of blood• Avoid illicit sexual practices

Persecution & Martyrdom

• Adherence to beliefs is not always easy or popular• Martyr

– One who gives up his life for the sake of the Church

• Jewish persecution– Jewish leaders did not accept Jesus as Messiah so

therefore sought to stop teachings about him; claimed that believers of Jesus were blasphemers

• Roman persecution– Refusal to worship or offer sacrifice to the gods of

Rome was seen as disloyalty to the emperor

Martyrdom of the Disciples• Martyr: a witness, one who dies for his faith or beliefs

– St. Stephen, the first martyr, stoned to death at the feet of Saul (who later became Paul)

• Apostles: The first witnesses to the truth. All except one, John, were martyred

• Communion of Saints: Entire assembly of the Church that have lived or are living a just and holy life, in heaven , purgatory or on earth.

• Canonization: An official church process that declares a person to have lived a holy life of heroic virtue. Last stage confers sainthood.

• Modern martyrs: Fr. Oscar Romero, Sr. Dorothy Strang, St. Andrew Kim

Church’s Final Trial

• Before the Parousia the Church will undergo a final persecution

• The appearance of an antichrist– Someone who claims the power and authority of

God– One who preaches the opposite of Jesus

• God’s love will support us during those times• God will triumph in the end