Church History for Beginners

There are about 2.3 billion followers of Christianity worldwide, making up one-third of the world population. Throughout the centuries, Christians have made multiple contributions to human progress in areas like benevolence, orphanages, hospitals, schools, homeless shelters, education, scientific discoveries, medicine, science, music, and other inventions. Most Western universities were founded as Christian institutions. But how has the Christian Church changed over time? Here is a brief history.

The Evolution of the Church

1. 30-300 AD – The Church is Powerful & Persecuted

The birth of the Church started with Jesus’s death and the coming of the Holy Spirit, but the conversion of Paul caused the spread of Christianity beyond Jewish communities to Gentiles (non-Jews). When many Gentiles became believers, a council in Jerusalem decided to disconnect Gentile believers from ceremonial Jewish traditions without rejecting the Old Testament teachings.

During this time Christianity spread widely from 30 to 300 AD due to several factors, including a burning conviction to spread Jesus’s message, practical expressions of love, persecution that publicized the faith, and God confirming preaching with miracles, signs, and wonders.

It was at this time that the New Testament Canon was formed. The books of the New Testament were written before 120 AD, and by the end of the apostolic age, there was a general consensus of 27 books. These books were included based on apostolic authorship, conformity to Orthodox beliefs, consistency, and a widespread usage by the Early Church fathers.

The Early Church, however, faced heavy persecution. Initially, Romans were tolerant of religions from conquered lands, including Christianity, which was considered a sect of Judaism. However, when Jews made it clear that Christians were not part of their community, the Romans’ attitude changed. Christians differed from Jews by trying to convert others and refusing to worship the emperor. Major persecution started under Emperor Nero, who accused Christians of stirring up the fire of Rome. The Persecutions involved violence and brutality, fueled by accusations of sexual immorality, cannibalism, and atheism. It was during this time that Apostle Peter was martyred.

2. 300-600 AD – The Church is Popular

In this period, there was a rise of influential Christian theologians and writers, known as Church Fathers, such as Augustine of Hippo and Jerome. Their extensive writings left a rich legacy in theology, philosophy, and Christian living.

The conversion of Armenia to Christianity in 301 AD marked the first country to officially adopt Christianity as a national religion. In 313 AD, after Constantine’s conversion, the Edict of Milan granted religious tolerance to Christians, ending persecution and allowing Christianity to flourish. And in 380 AD, Christianity became the national religion of Rome under Emperor Theodosius I.

During this time, heresies such as Arianism were addressed. Arians believed Jesus was a created being and not fully divine, seeing Him as subordinate to God the Father. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD condemned Arianism.

Later, the rise of Desert Fathers, like St. Anthony, marked a shift towards Monasticism, focusing on solitude, silence, and prayer. The fall of Rome in 410 AD and the subsequent conversion of German tribes to Christianity further spread the faith.

3. 600-1000 AD – The Church Divides

Later in 600-100 AD, the Church continued to evolve and the church buildings became hospitals where monks provided medicine and care for the poor. However, in 625 AD with Muhammad’s revelations and the Rise of Islam, conflicts arose. Muhammad rejected Christianity’s belief in the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus.

During this time, a significant shift occurred in the Church known as the the Great Schism of 1054. It divided the Church into the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. As a result, the disagreements over the Holy Spirit, the role of the Pope, and other theological issues caused a mutual excommunication to take place. It was then that the Western Church conducted services in Latin, while the Eastern Church used Greek.

4. 1000-1500 AD – The Church’s Dark Days

During this time period, the Church went into the Dark Age. The Church’s deviation from preaching to using military force marked this period.

The Crusades were a series of military campaigns that the Church did to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslims. Nine crusades, all of which ended ultimately failing.

During this time, heresies and the increased power of the Pope, who was often more powerful than kings and emperors, contributed to dark days. The Pope offered pardons for sins to those participating in crusades, and excommunication was used as a threat.

During the Middle Ages, forgiveness required confession, and priests would pronounce forgiveness and require acts of penance. It was also during this time where the concept of purgatory, where souls could complete their penance, was prevalent.

5. 1500 – 1600 AD – The Church Reforms

Later on in 1500 AD, the Protestant Reformation began. Pre-Protestant movements like the Moravian Mission movement and figures like Jan Hus, who were burned at the stake in 1415, paved the way. Martin Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517 criticized the Church’s practices and indulgences. Luther’s beliefs in faith alone, scripture alone, Christ alone, and grace alone created a division, forming Protestantism.

Protestants believed in the authority of the Bible, multiple true churches under Jesus, and the communion elements as symbols. Catholics believed in the authority of the Pope, seven sacraments, and purgatory. There was also a significant difference in marriage as Protestant ministers could marry, unlike Catholic priests.

6. 1600-Present AD – The Modern Church

Later, the Church was faced with the he Enlightenment period which emphasized reason and individualism, which began to challenge Church authority. During this, the rise of Pentecostalism and the Evangelical movement marked the 17th and 18th centuries.

We also see that the movements like the Great Awakening in the US, led by figures like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, and subsequent awakenings in the 1800s, led by Charles Finney and others, brought revival.

The Azusa Street Revival in 1906, led by William Seymour, marked the rise of Pentecostalism. Post-World War II awakenings, led by Billy Graham and others, continued to spread the faith. Films like the “Jesus Film” in 1979 and “Passion of the Christ” in 2004 spurred worldwide evangelism.

In conclusion, Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Despite heresies, divisions, and struggles, Jesus continues to build His Church. It’s evident that the Church has gone through formation, fame, division, dark days, and reform, but Jesus continues to purify His bride.

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