Early Christian Church Research Paper

Women played a diverse role during early Christianity. At some points during history they were celebrated for assisting in the spread of the religion and at other times they were silenced by society and their male counterparts. Disciples of both sexes traveled with Jesus to Galilee but it was the women followers that provided financial assistance along the way. Although many of his female followers left their homes and chores behind this was a right that Jesus felt women should have. In the book of Luke Jesus says of Mary sister of Martha, “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (New International Version, Luke 10:42). Clearly Jesus felt that what women contributed to the spread of the Gospel was significant enough to

The early church had lots of characteristics. According to Acts 2:42-47, the church was teaching, worshipping, communal, selfless, and growing. This empowered people to join the apostles in their spiritual journey. The modern church still is all these things, but also an institution, a herald, a sacrament, body of christ, servant, and community of disciples. All of these characteristics are important to the church as a whole.

Many people often acknowledge the men that contributed to establishing the foundation of the Church. There have been great men such as Peter and Paul, whom will never be forgotten in the Church’s history. Meanwhile, the women who helped the church become a whole are often overlooked. It is not only men who build the church, for women also play a role in establishing it as well. While men indeed play a very significant part in spreading the Good News, women should also be recognized more often for their faith and courage to follow Christ.

"Suddenly Jesus met them and said, `Greetings!' And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him." (Matthew 28:9)# Near the end of each of the four Christian gospels, it is women who first discovered that the body of Jesus was missing and who were the first to report seeing him after his death. Certainly then, this is a major indication of the high involvement of women in early Christianity. With such high status undoubtedly must have come power, influence, and important positions in the early Church. But by approximately 750 C.E women had lost these major roles in the Church, and the power and influence they once had. This essay will examine the decline of women's roles

When one thinks about the leaders of early Christianity, an orthodox vision of Jesus’ male apostles and disciples fills their head. While there is no doubt these men were important, their influential women counterparts are often overlooked and underrated. For years, historians were perplexed at the rapid spread of early Christianity, until they considered women. Women had a major role in the rise and spread of early Christianity because they were not only numerous, but also influential in leadership positions and converting others.

Whether one chooses to view the text by title of The Acts of Paul, The Acts of Thecla, or The Acts of Paul and Thecla, shows how one is likely to view the tale itself. An entirely different perspective can be formed from reading the various versions by different names. For instance, when reading The Acts of Paul, the story is focused on Paul and his contributions to Christianity. When reading The Acts of Paul and Thecla or simply The Acts of Thecla, a new perspective is formed viewed in a feminine light. This version focuses on Thecla’s dedication to an ascetic lifestyle and portrays the influence a woman can have in the Christian tradition. The acts of Paul and Thecla are widely disputed on a number of aspects. In question is the

The earliest Christians did not have church building. They typically met in homes. (The first actual church building so far found is at Dura Europos on the Euphrates , dating about 231.). They did not have public ceremonies that would introduce them to the public, and they had no access to the mass media of their day. So, to understand the steady and diverse expansion, we can have a conversation, about the Apostle Paul, we don't run across many "big names" as missionaries in the first few hundred years of Christians history. Instead, the faith spread through a multitude of humble, ordinary believers whose names have been long forgotten.

Over the past years of my life I have seen many changes, some for the good and others not as good. Change can be demanding and also crucial. The early believers would encounter this. One can see that significant change happened, when reading through the gospels and the book of acts it is obvious to the reader that the believers who followed Jesus would never be the same again.

Everyone in the world believes in some kind of religion. Whether it’s Christianity, Buddhism, Muslim, Atheism, etc. Each one of those religions is so unique and so diverse in the fact that they all have different values, beliefs, morals, dialogue, actions, and more. That being said, I have chosen to observe and write about the discourse community of the modern day Christian church.

The general church is the branch of government in the Church of the Nazarene that effectively and efficiently connects the members and resources of our denomination to preserve our core values and beliefs and advance our mission to preach holiness, make Christ-like disciples in all the nations, and bring relief to the needy. Recognizing the strength and equality of all partners, the general church combines and apportions time and resources for global mobilization. Simply stated, we can accomplish more united as a global denomination than we ever could at the local church or district level.

Christianity is one of the oldest religions. It began in Roman Palestine when Judaism was the political religion of the Roman State. The first major event of Christianity was the birth of it all, the birth of Jesus. During Jesus’s time, Judaism was characterize by strict monotheism. So, when a man comes forth claiming He is the God and essentially the son of God, the Christian movement first began. He was inevitably crucified due to treasons of claiming He was God. However, He had twelve disciples that followed Him. After Jesus’s death, they scattered about and taught the word of God. This lead to the growth of Jesus followers, who were soon called Christians.

Christianity, which first grew out of Judaism, began in Jerusalem in present day Israel. In 70 CE, because of Roman efforts to drive Jews from Palestine, the Jewish people were forced to disperse over the entire Roman Empire. This destroyed any hope for an independent Jewish state. It is in this political, social, and spiritual climate that Christianity was born. Most Christians understand this history as a special plan of God that reaches its apex in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. For Christians, all world events prior to Jesus’ life are a preparation for his coming. All events after Jesus’ life are believed to be proof of God’s plan.

Christianity was in fact spawned from Judaism. It is based on the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Fisher, 302). It is believed to have been initiated about 2000 years ago in Judea by Jesus Christ and his disciples (History of Christianity, n.d). Though in his earlier life, Jesus followed the Jewish faith and law, he would later create what it is now referred to as Christianity. Jesus Christ was believed to have held many teachings in which he proclaimed his love and worship for his father, God. He encouraged others to repent and follow his path so that they too could also embrace the loving arms of God Almighty. Through this notion, he obtained many followers, some in which would become His disciples. Jesus of Nazareth (as he was also known), would be crucified by those whom opposed his teachings, the Romans (History of Christianity, n.d). In such a notion, humanity would understand that for this, Jesus Christ paid for the sins of humanity. Once he rose back to life, three days after his crucifixion, his followers realized that they had just witnessed a miracle and therefore Jesus was the true Messiah. Thus, through the teachings of their Savior and the word being spread by His disciples, Christianity and the faith would be

I found the early Church writings interesting, because it gave me a clearer understanding of the lattice weaving between the scriptures, catechetical manuals, witness statements, and liturgical guides working together supporting each other within the Catholic Church. After the fall of Jerusalem 70AD, the Holy Spirit was obviously present for the Jewish rabbis to meet and agree on what Old Testament books would be considered Sacred Scripture: The Law, or Torah is the first five books of the Bible, the historical books, the Prophets, and the Writings. Because by the second century the Church found itself being challenged by Marcion own interpretation of God goes against the dogma of the Church therefore, twenty seven New Testament biblical books

Ranft, Patricia. Women and Spiritual Equality in Christian Tradition. New York: Saint Martin’s Press, 1998.