12 The AnteNicene Church on Mission Introduction This

12 The Ante-Nicene Church on Mission

Introduction • This chapter looks at 100 -325 AD • You can’t understand the history and theology of this period without putting it into a missionary context

The Post-apostolic Context • Basic characteristics of churches – Clusters of small, home-based, urban congregations – Trending toward Hellenistic culture • General factors affecting expansion – Roman roads and Roman law enforcement – Greek language and culture – love of truth – Jewish synagogues attracted God-fearers

Early Church

House converted to church 4 th Century remodel

The Illegal Church • After 100 ad – Rome saw it as a secret sect that threatened stability. • Empire-wide persecution 250, 303 -313 ad • Church in 2 nd century spread along natural routes (ocean, river, Roman roads) – Mesopotamia, Arabia, North Africa, Bythinia – Later to Spain, Gaul, and the British Isles • By the 3 rd century, every province had believers

Growth in the 3 rd Century • Slow urban growth up to 260 • Empire unrest and inflation from 260 -300 – Caused economic hardship for rural people – They questioned the old gods – Christianity made rapid inroad. Perhaps as many as one million converts during the 40 years • Persecution breaks out in 303 ad, lasts 8 yrs – 1500 martyrs, thousands suffered lesser persecution – Many recanted their faith • Persecution ends with Constantine’s rise to power

Whom did God Use? • Missionaries – Missionaries after the Pauline model continued to exist throughout the period – They may have traveled the caravan roads as far as Japan and into India • Missionary Bishops – Bishops of towns evangelized the surrounding area – Irenaeus and Gregory Thaumaturgos (of Pontus) • Lay Missionaries – Christians, especially traders, shared the gospel as they traveled about. – Retired soldiers established churches where they settled – Women evangelized through their networks and through hospitality

How did God Grow His Church • Public preaching by called out evangelists • Catechetical schools taught and evangelized • Private citizens evangelized friends and neighbors, bringing them into their house church • Literature became a rising method

How God Grew His Church • The primary method was personal witness and exemplary living • Also the public testimony at and example of martyrdom • Some won through social service (Harnack’s list: alms giving in general, support of teachers and officials, widows & orphans, sick and infirm, care of prisoners and convicts in mines, burial of paupers, care of slaves, disaster relief, providing employment, and extending hospitality) • Benevolence positively impacted evangelism

Why did the Church Grow • • • The blessing of God Zeal of believers An appealing message Organization and discipline of the church Inclusiveness High ethics

Conclusion – by 325 AD • • Church existed in all parts of the empire Five to six million believers The innovation of literature evangelism Key was the lives and witness of individual believers

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