who contributed to the growth and spread of the church?

Peter dominated the community for nearly fifteen years following the Resurrection; it was he who raised his voice and preached at Pentecost, the day when the Church came into being, he served as an advocate for the apostles before the Jewish religious court in Jerusalem and he led the others in extending the Church, going first to the Samaritans, then to the Mediterranean coast where he introduced Gentiles into the Church (Pollock 18). The Word of God kept spreading. Fields, Nic. He was a Christian theology writer who wrote about the original sin and predestination. The Romans tried to persecute it out of existence, yet it spread the gospel throughout the entire empire. The Lumpa Church was established in 1954 by Alice Lenshina, from a village near Lubwa Mission in Chinsali District of Northern Province of Zambia. THE SPREAD OF THE CHURCH. At IF: Local, God used this passage to show me the error of my belief that God is confined to the social norms of my culture. In that moment, Stephen became the first martyr of the Christian faith. Here are the top ten lessons from pastors and church leaders who have taken the plunge to expand their ministry. Each church had also one or more deacons, who visited the sick and relieved the wants of the poor. First of all, the Christian message had much to offer the Roman world. Moreover, Christianity had universal appeal. And, more recently, the church in China blossomed during the twentieth century despite tremendous persecution. Most, however agree on the basic tenets of faith (Pollock 9). a portion of Jerusalem was constituted a city-state or “polis”, which is defined not by its physical formation but by its Greek/Hellenized citizenship and way of life; during the Hellenistic period, the Temple State and the subsequent Jerusalem State was a theocracy in which the High Priest ruled (Thomas & Jayyusi 80). The first of the reasons that the Christianity spread was a political factor. Indeed, whenever the world persecutes the church, it just grows even more. From all accounts in the New Testament, Peter was a man of strong emotions; he is portrayed as rash, hasty, capable of anger, and often gentle, yet firm (Pollock 18). The number of disciples grew greatly in Jerusalem. Christianity satisfied the need to belong in a way that the huge, impersonal and remote Roman Empire could never do (Spielvogel 127). [n.p]: Forgotten Books, 2008. I worry about our future as Christians in this world and though I know my Savior is coming for me, I want to make sure that I trust myself and have strong enough faith in Jesus to be willing to die (or suffer consequences & obstacles) in His name! possibly to end the Roman’s invasion of his homeland, Thrace (Fields 28). The development of Christianity’s influence on the character of society since the Reformation has been twofold. It was said to be the voice of Jesus asking him why he is persecuting him and the Christians, Saul was then trembling and astonished asking what he should do, the voice then instructed him to go to the city where he would be told what he should do; thus did the conversion of Saul the prosecutor of Christians to Saint Paul the Apostle took place (Pollock 20). The legal authority includes the canon of Holy Scripture, the writings of the church fathers and the canons of the church. His letters, which were collected for general circulation, have become a standard reference for Christian teaching (Pollock 20). It must have been testing to the faith to have so many people push against you once you know that God has a plan for you. Rome controlled most of Europe and spread its empire through Asia to North Africa. Egypt: The American University in Cairo Press, 2002. The church increases locally and spreads universally. Augustine contributed to the spread of Christianity by writing about it. The paper concludes that God prepared the world to receive both Jesus and his church. Rather, he prayed grace for his murderers as he took his last breath. These are an inter-dependent combination of political, social and economic factors. In comparison consider that just … Start studying The Growth and Spread of the Church 2. Spielvogel, Jackson J. New York: Osprey Publishing, 2009. The spread of Christianity was made a lot easier by the efficiency of the Roman Empire, but its principles were sometimes misunderstood and membership of the sect could be dangerous. May we follow in their footsteps! He faced opposition and was brought before the Jewish council for blasphemy. Think about Stephen’s dedication to Christ. As with a growing organism, the local church has those who plant the seed (evangelists), those who water the seed (pastor/teachers), and others who use their spiritual gifts for the growth of those in the local church. Clearly, this neglect was not in line with Jesus’ heart for the church; we are to look after widows in their distress (James 1:27). Christians formed communities bound to one another in which people could express their love by helping each other and offering assistance to the poor, the sick, widows and orphans. Christianity was able to attract many followers due to a variety of reasons. In the realm of state churches and territorial churches, Christianity contributed to the preservation of the status quo of society. II. None if it mattered because he knew what and who was waiting for him. These have evolved over the years often because of disagreements about teachings or through different ways of worshiping. Stephen … They drove him out of the city and stoned him. Two thousand years of Coptic Christianity. Martin Luther precipitated the Reformation with his critiques of both the practices and the theology of the Roman Catholic Church. The church needed to respond. Massachusetts, U.S.A.: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2011. There was two factors that helped in the growth of Rome, the Mediterranean and the Roman army. When speaking of the temple, Stephen quoted the prophet Isaiah (66:1) and reminded the Jewish council that God does not dwell in houses made by human hands. Or the words of response come later. This encouraged trade between large cities and regions 2. At the meeting they recognized Paul as an apostle together with the founders of the Church. Stephen's story seems so foreign to today but, at the same time, really strikes a chord. This is an amazing number of books given the fact that the North American Church Growth Movement is only forty-one years old. The belief that Jesus rose from the dead is central to Christians. Stephen's unwavering belief is incredible. In this verse, we find our second update on the newly founded church of Jesus. Read Acts 6:7. They chose seven Holy Spirit–filled men with good reputations to be in charge of caring for these widows so that the apostles could continue teaching the Word of God. Peter’s original name was Simon; he was a fisherman called to be a disciple of Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. I can't imagine the faithfulness and bravery of Stephen as he is being murdered to say to the Father, forgive them! California, U.S.A.: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2010. The Jewish council was enraged at Stephen’s speech. that highlighted remarkable excavations that disclosed the remains of a widespread and flourishing civilization during those times (Webster 75). (Source: http://gambar-kristen.blogspot.com/2011/04/jesus-of-nazareth.html). Constantine favored the Christians throughout his reign. As a local church increases in life and number, we call it the increase. In this verse, we find our second update on the newly founded church of Jesus. There are three main inter-related factors that contributed to the growth and expansion of the church, and ultimately its success. During the persecution of Christians, Christianity gained a convert who would transform it into a world faith. Oh that I could look past even my by comparison insignificant circumstances to what awaits me. Every city had a congregation of Christian worshipers. The mediterranean was a source of communication between the lands and eased the growth of a thriving trading network within the empire. The definitions, goals and metrics of church growth have evolved in the centuries since Acts. The worldwide Church Mission, evangelism and church growth. (Source: http://harpers.org/archive/2008/02/hbc-90002305). And to display that grace in the worst moments. The papers are not supposed to be submitted for academic credit. The promise of salvation, made possible by Jesus’ death and resurrection, had immense appeal in a world full of suffering and injustice. The chief presbyter received the name of overseer or bishop. World Religions. What would they do? Webster, Henry Kitchell. Second, Christianity was not entirely unfamiliar. Christianity seemed to imbue life with a meaning and purpose beyond the simple material things of everyday reality (Spielvogel 125). Stephen's story inspires me to enjoy Jesus more every day...what a mighty Savior we serve! Pollock, Robert. Could have the American Civil War been avoided? Dr. Scott Sharman in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of FTH 400r Early Church History by Linda Chiupka April 10, 2017 Chiupka 1 INTRODUCTION Although Christianity began with only a handful of disciples … The greatest leaders of the Reformation undoubtedly were Martin Luther and John Calvin. From the beginning of Christianity, devotees have tried to concur on statements of beliefs, called creeds. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. In partnership with Cornerstone Knowledge Network, Barna undertook research to learn more about the current culture and methods of planting and growing congregations. He was a Christian theology writer who wrote about the original sin and predestination. As the son of God, Jesus represents the person that all Christians must strive to be like. Jesus was born Jewish in the Roman province of Palestine during the time of Herod the Great. Read Acts 6:8–7:60. One of his laws abolished the use of the cross as an instrument of punishment. For instance, most Christians agree that God is three persons in one: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit, creating the Holy Trinity. Early European History. A number of factors helped the somewhat surprising spread of the Christian Faith across the Roman world which began in the first century. Caste System In India, Hinduism And Buddhism, Liberalism, The “Best” Political Philosophy, Forms of government in England and France. NEWMAN THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE The Spread of Christianity and Factors that Contributed to the Political and Religious Separation of the Early Church Submitted to Rev. The Word of God kept spreading. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the apostles healed people and preached Christ to all who would listen (Acts 3). The church growth movement began with the publication of Donald McGavran 's book The Bridges of God. Peter is invariably mentioned first in the lists of the disciples and recognized as the spokesperson of the group (Pollock 18). Augustus meaning “Majestic” was the more familiar name of Octavian, he was no military genius to dazzle the world with his achievements; he was a cool and passionless statesman who took advantage of a memorable opportunity to remake the Roman state and later on, he became a wise and impartial ruler of the Roman Empire (Webster 187). Wave after wave of persecution was unleashed to squash it. Another enactment required that magistrates, city people and artisans were to rest on Sunday; this was the first Sunday law (Webster 220-221). Church and society. Stephen also called them out for rejecting Jesus as the Savior (Acts 7:51–53). Thus, the most important belief for Christians is that the world and everything in it is an expression of God’s power and love (Pollock 16). How would they handle one of the first conflicts within the new church? “Before time began” God purposed to offer salvation to the world through Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:9). So often when presented or challenged by world views I am silent for fear of reaction. Just like Jesus did. A creed is a set of principles or opinions especially as it refers to a religious philosophy of life (Pollock 16). His life and teachings were the groundwork of Christian faith. Through the Holy Spirit, he performed miracles and spoke God’s truth to all who would listen. Social Networks are the Vehicle. It truly shows how he was filled with the spirit in that moment, because even though these people were doing a terrible thing to him, he still loved them and didn't want them to suffer the consequences of this sin. The number of disciples grew greatly in Jerusalem. First, the church of Christ was not established at “just anytime” in history. He surrounded himself with Christian bishops, freed the clergy from taxation and spent large sums in building churches. The Jews on the other hand contributed their r eligion to the growth of Christianity . In Stephen's speech, he points out the error of the belief that God is confined to the walls of the temple. Wow, I remember this story as a child but never have revisited as an adult. Stephen was one of the men chosen to care for the widows. Certain officers called presbyters or elders were chosen to conduct the services and instruct the converts. There are many different denominations within Christianity. He professed love for Jesus and was capable of great loyalty. The Early Church Preached the Right Message The Everything World’s Religions Book: Discover the Beliefs, Traditions and Cultures of Ancient and Modern Religions. Meinardus, Otto F.A. At least two of the persecutions were empire-wide and intended to destroy the church. However, as he approached Damascus, he was struck blind. Christians believe in one all-powerful creator, God. It will also help us work for the unity of all believers in Christ. At the same time, it offered advantages that the other mystery religions lacked; Jesus had been a human figure and not a mythological one (Spielvogel 125). Jesus looked beyond the cross at what was to come. John Calvin was the most important figure in the second generation of the Reformation, and his interpretation of Christianity, known as Calvinism, deeply influenced many areas of Protestant … The spiritual factos of the rapid growth od the church in the book of Acts were the five pusposes of the church from Acts 2: worship, teaching, discipleship, ministry, evangelism and mission. I think the looking beyond his present circumstance. 1. This paper endeavors to tackle what transpired before and after the existence of Christianity into the world. Book of Acts . Read Acts 6:8–7:60. Even Jewish priests were coming to faith in Christ. A Roman emperor, himself a god to the subjects of Rome, became the worshiper of a crucified provincial of his empire. Finally, Christianity fulfilled the human need to belong. (Source: http://www.civfanatics.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=920&original=1). McGavran was a third-generation Christian missionary to India, where his observations of How Churches Grow (the title of another of his books) went beyond typical theological discussion to discern sociological factors that affected receptivity to the Christian Gospel among non-Christian peoples. Growth of any kind follows a typical pattern. It is worth noting that Alexander the Great is the historical figure who can be largely linked to the spread of Hellenization. God planned for Jesus to come to Earth and for His church to be established at a special and specific point in time in human history, which God chose an… When a local church spreads to other cities to have more local churches, we call it the spreading of the churches. The early church increased in number so dramatically in a relatively short period of time for a variety of reasons. I am moved by his conviction and confidence. The Growth and Spread of Early Christianity Figure 7-3: The Early Days of Christianity by Frederick C. Grant resides in the Public Domain . It quickly spread to the whole of Northern Province, Eastern Province and the Copperbelt, was an AIC. He walked through the history of Israel up until the time when Solomon built the temple where God would dwell. Gibbon saw the local church as one of the things that contributed to the spread of Christianity. The church was considered a religio prava , an illegal and depraved religion. Know Where the Church is Going. : A Gladiator rebels against Rome. He truly believed that Jesus was the promised Savior. It staid … While Christianity was conquering the world, the believers in its doctrines were grouping themselves into communities or churches. 3 pages (750 words). I'm gonna get hate for this. He turned his eyes to see Jesus in that moment. He is calling me to love and serve immigrants in my community--not to force them to conform to my culture but to share the love of God, which is infinitely larger than the box I put Him in. The narrative account about Jesus Christ’s ministry and an early history of Christianity are contained in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. Christians believe that he was perfect and that he came to earth to teach God’s plan. It challenges me to not allow any "inconveniences" keep me from living out my faith. Some widows were being neglected. Assess Franklin D. Roosevelt. I mean, I always knew that but hearing it that way just makes me think differently about it. What do you think of him, his style of leadership, and his administration. U.S.A: F+W Publications, Inc., 2002. It could be viewed as simply another eastern mystery religion, offering immortality as the result of the sacrificial death of a savior-God. This is one of the ancient poems that preserved the beautiful legends during the Aegean age (around 1100 B.C.) In England the Anglican church remained an ally of the throne, as did the Protestant churches of the German states. They met in private houses, where they sang hymns, listened to readings from the Holy Scriptures and partook in a sacrificial meal in memory of the last supper of Jesus with his disciples. (Source: http://www.sspeter-paul.net/edge/index.cfm?load=page&page=542). Peter dominated the community for nearly fifteen years following the Resurrection; it was he who raised his voice and preached at Pentecost, the day when the Church came into being, he served as an advocate for the apostles before the Jewish religious court in Jerusalem and he led the others in extending the Church, going first to the Samaritans, then to the Mediterranean coast where he introduced Gentiles … Ignorance and imagination. •Roman Catholic Church sells indulgences, spends lavishly •Martin Luther protests, publishes, and distributes 95 Theses •Pope Leo X excommunicates Luther •Protestantism takes hold across northern Europe, dividing Christianity •John Calvin forms offshoot of Protestant Lutheranism •A blank box is shown. As they were stoning him, Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God and asked the Lord to not hold this sin against them. The political unity of the Roman Empire did produce a certain economic and political stability, notwithstanding its many faults. Thompson, Thomas L., and Salma Khadra Jayyusi. Stephen, the First Martyr. Every Christian community thus formed a little brotherhood of earnest men and women, united by common beliefs and common hopes (Webster 218). Spartacus and the Slave War 73-71 B.C. Saul of Tarsus (who will later be called Paul after his conversion), who had been present when Stephen was stoned in Jerusalem, volunteered to take writs to Damascus to find members of the Way, arrest them and return them in chains to Jerusalem where they would be tried. Despite being chastised, imprisoned, and beaten by the Jewish council, the apostles continued to boldly proclaim Christ (Acts 4–5). Augustine contributed to the spread of Christianity by writing about it. When asked if this was true, Stephen responded with a poignant speech. Given the information from the Gospels, it is not surprising that Peter should emerge immediately after the death of Jesus as the leader of the earliest Church. Writing in Canada. Because the veil to the holy of holies (the place where God’s presence resided) was torn in the temple upon Jesus’ death, God’s presence now resides in us through the Holy Spirit.

Bayang Bayang Sains Tahun 2, Best Painting Contractor In Kolkata, Low Income Housing Utah County, Indra Nooyi Biography Book, Lothal Dockyard Water Conservation, List Of Dreamworks Characters, Amazon Stage 3 Baby Food, Luigi's Mansion 3 Is Bad, Qaid E Tanhai Episode 1, Salon Bella Bellevue, Kamrul Hasan Ceo, Igloo,