Major Developments in Early Christianity

Phase 1: Early Persecution and Expansion

The speech of Stephen before the Sanhedrin unleashed persecution against Christians in the diaspora. Philip was active in Samaria. Another Jew from Tarsus (in the diaspora), who converted to Christianity after a meeting with the risen Jesus, Saul, whose name was changed to Paul, opened Christianity to thinking outside of Israel. The founding of the historic Antioch Church was a first and decisive step towards catholicity (universality). In this city, the disciples of Jesus were first called Christians. The first Jewish Christians practiced many Jewish laws.

Second Stage: Expansion into the Greco-Roman World

In Syria, the first Christian Hellenists formed. Another center was the city of Alexandria, a junction of Greek philosophy and ancient Egyptian culture. In Rome, there was a diaspora Jewish community, where members adhered to Christianity. The fear of Christians to publicly expose themselves led to a series of rumors.

Monasticism and Hermits

Monasticism: St. Benedict of Nursia established rules for monks who sought to pray and work (Ora et Labora).

Hermits: These are people who went to the desert looking for peace and God.

The Constantinian Shift

At the end of the third century in Rome, there was religious indifference; the temples were less frequented. Constantine, in 313, issued an edict by which Christianity ceased to be persecuted and marginalized. The first major Christian churches began to be built. Christian liturgy and art (like the Pantocrator) also developed. The church was also exempted from taxes. In 380 AD, Theodosius enacted a law by which Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Persecution began against those who were not Christians. The Roman Empire was also divided into two sectors for better management: the western side, based in Rome, and the eastern side, whose seat was Constantinople.

Formation of Christian Dogma and Heresies

At this time, the teaching of Christianity also began to develop. Theology and many Christian thinkers grappled with understanding the true message of God. However, other interpretations arose. The most common heresies included:

• Arianism, which stated that Jesus was not fully God.
• Another heretic was Nestorius, who said that Mary was not the Mother of God (Theotokos) but only the mother of the human Jesus.
• Another great heretic was Eutyches, who claimed Jesus was not truly human but a divine spirit or similar (Monophysitism).

Once again, the Church met in the Council of Chalcedon, which affirmed that Jesus was both fully God and fully man (100% God, 100% Man), a miraculous and mysterious truth. Councils were gatherings of bishops where truths were taught and defined.