Early Church History: Class 2 – The Second Century

CLASS TWO – VIDEO and NOTES

Here are some relevant notes from this class:

Second Century Christianity 

• Advent of Christian Apologetics 
• Post-Apostolic Leadership
• The Problem of Gnosticism 

Important Writings:

The Letter of Clement – This letter was written at the end of the first century (96) as an attempt to settle a dispute in Corinth. Clement was a Presbyter/Elder/Bishop at the Church in Rome. A conflict arose between the older and younger generations regarding the removal of older presbyters and replacing them with younger leaders. He argued for there to be good order in the church and that there should be a sort of “Chain of Command” (God sent Jesus, Jesus sent apostles, apostles appointed bishops and deacons, and they appoint their successors). These leaders should not have been dismissed without cause, and therefore should be restored back to their office. 

The Letters of Ignatius of Antioch – Ignatius was bishop of the church in Antioch. He wrote seven letters on his journey to Rome where he was taken by military escort and ultimately executed in about 110 (see note). His letters went to the churches in Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Philadelphia, Smyrna, and Rome along with a personal letter to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. He strongly urged for the importance of unity in the local church. They also reveal his deep devotion and enthusiasm to sacrifice his life for Christ

The Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians – Also written around 110, this letter from Polycarp (the Bishop of Smyrna and disciple of John) was a pastoral and exhortative letter written to the Christians in Philippi. It includes an encouragement to persevere in faith, a call to unity and love, a warning against false teachings, and an admonition to good works. This is the only direct writing we have from Polycarp, however his life and teachings are preserved in other writings such as The Martyrdom of Polycarp which was written soon after his death in around 155 and is one of the earliest and most detailed accounts of a Christian being martyred. 

The Didache – The word Didache comes from the Greek word for teaching (when we talk about ‘Didactic Literature’ we are discussing teaching books). The Didache is also called “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles”. It was written as early as the latter portion of the first century, making it extremely valuable regarding Christian thought and practice at that time. It is believed by some to be the what the Apostles taught to the gentiles concerning the Christian faith. There is debate as to its authenticity, but it is potentially cited in Eusebius and Athanasius in the third and fourth centuries, which would add to its credibility. Major portions are simply quotes from Christ and other Scriptural texts.

The Apologies of Justin Martyr The first, or “Major Apology,” was addressed about 150 to the Roman emperors Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. In the first part of the First Apology, Justin defends his fellow Christians against the charges of atheism (rejection of the Roman gods) and hostility to the Roman state.

Against Heresies by Irenaeus, an apostle of Polycarp was a refutation of gnosticism written about 180.

ONE OF THE AREAS WE SEE PROPRIETY AND ORDER ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECCLESIASTICAL STRUCTURE

One of the main questions facing the church following the apostles was the issue of governance. Who would be the authority now that the apostles have all died? The pattern that emerged was a threefold distinction.

• Deacon
• Bishop
• Elder/Presbyter

IMPORTANT TERMS:

Gnosticism – Early heresy which taught Secret Knowledge (Gnosis) was key to salvation attaining salvation and Dualism which draws a sharp divide between the material and spiritual worlds.

Docetism An early Christian heresy that taught that Jesus only appeared to have a physical body and to suffer on the cross. According to this view, Christ’s physical form and suffering were illusions or appearances rather than actual human experiences. The term “Docetism” comes from the Greek word dokein, meaning “to seem” or “to appear.”

The Ebionites — The Ebionites were Jewish Christians who believed that followers of Christ should strictly adhere to the Jewish law (Torah) and rituals, including circumcision, dietary laws, and Sabbath observance. They were named “Ebionites” from the Hebrew word ebyonim, meaning “poor ones,” which may have referred to their emphasis on humility and communal simplicity

The Quartodeciman Controversy A second-century debate over the correct date for celebrating Easter. Christians in Asia Minor, known as Quartodecimans, observed it on the 14th of Nisan (the date of Passover in the Jewish calendar), while other churches, particularly in Rome, insisted on celebrating it on the following Sunday to emphasize the resurrection.

The Nag Hammadi Texts – Gnostic manuscripts found in Egypt in 1945 including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, and the Gospel of Judas.

NOTE: Apologists of the second century include Aristedes, Athenagoras, Theophilus of Antioch and Melito of Sardis

QUOTE FROM Melito, bishop of Sardis (Excert from a sermon preached around 180 AD) “And so he was lifted up upon a tree and an inscription was attached indicating who was being killed. Who was it? It is a grievous thing to tell, but a most fearful thing to refrain from telling. But listen, as you tremble before him on whose account the earth trembled! He who hung the earth in place is hanged. He who fixed the heavens in place is fixed in place. He who made all things fast is made fast on a tree. The Sovereign is insulted. God is murdered. The King of Israel is destroyed by an Israelite hand. This is the One who made the heavens and the earth, and formed mankind in the beginning, The One proclaimed by the Law and the Prophets, The One enfleshed in a virgin, The One hanged on a tree, The One buried in the earth, The One raised from the dead and who went up into the heights of heaven, The One sitting at the right hand of the Father, The One having all authority to judge and save, Through Whom the Father made the things which exist from the beginning of time. This One is “the Alpha and the Omega,” This One is “the beginning and the end”—the beginning indescribable and the end incomprehensible. This One is the Christ. This One is the King. This One is Jesus. This One is the Leader. This One is the Lord. This One is the One who rose from the dead. This One is the One sitting on the right hand of the Father. He bears the Father and is borne by the Father. “To him be the glory and the power forever. Amen.”