Early Church History: Class 1 – The First Century

CLASS ONE – VIDEO and NOTES

Here are some relevant notes from this class:

Church history can be broken down into three main parts.

• The Early Church [first 500 years]
• The Medieval Church [1000 years]
• The Post-Reformation Church [last 500 years]

The first 500 years, can further break that down into 3 parts:

• Apostolic Age (first century)
• Ante-Nicene Era (2nd-early 4th century)
• Post-Nicene Era (Later 4th-6th century)

The first century, also broken into 3 parts:

• The time of Jesus’ earthly ministry (approx. 3bc-ad30)
• The birth and growth of the NC community (30-70)
• The post-Jerusalem world (70-100)

Roman emperors (Caesars) who ruled during the first century AD:

• Augustus (27 BC – AD 14) The first Roman emperor, ruling during the time of Jesus’ birth.
• Tiberius (AD 14 – 37) Emperor during most of Jesus’ life and ministry, and during His crucifixion.
• Caligula (AD 37 – 41) Known for his erratic behavior and cruelty. His reign was short and turbulent.
• Claudius (AD 41 – 54) Expanded the Roman Empire and ruled during the early days of the Christian church.
• Nero (AD 54 – 68) Infamous for his persecution of Christians and blamed for the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64.
• Galba (AD 68 – 69) One of the four emperors during the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors.
• Otho (AD 69) Ruled for only a few months during the same turbulent year.
• Vitellius (AD 69) Another brief ruler in the Year of the Four Emperors.
• Vespasian (AD 69 – 79) Brought stability to Rome after the chaos of AD 69 and began the construction of the Colosseum.
• Titus (AD 79 – 81) Son of Vespasian, known for completing the Colosseum and his role in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
• Domitian (AD 81 – 96) Known for his autocratic rule and the persecution of Christians late in his reign.

Death of the apostles

We do not have records of all of the deaths of the apostles, so some of these are a mix of church tradition and historical record, with only one being recorded in scripture. 

1. Peter (Simon Peter)

• Death: Tradition holds that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.
• Time: Likely during Emperor Nero’s reign, around AD 64-68.
• Details: Peter is said to have requested to be crucified upside down, as he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.

2. Andrew

• Death: Tradition says Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras (Greece).
• Time: Likely in the mid-to-late 1st century.
• Details: According to tradition, he preached to the crowd while he was tied to the cross for two days.

3. James (Son of Zebedee)

• Death: The only apostle whose death is recorded in the Bible. He was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I in Jerusalem.
• Time: Around AD 44.
• Details: His death is mentioned in Acts 12:2.

4. John (Son of Zebedee)

• Death: According to tradition, John was the only apostle to die of natural causes.
• Time: Likely around AD 90-100, during the reign of Emperor Trajan.
• Details: John is said to have lived in Ephesus and died peacefully.

5. Philip

• Death: Tradition holds that Philip was crucified upside down or stoned to death in Hierapolis (modern-day Turkey).
• Time: Around AD 80.
• Details: Some traditions say he was martyred while preaching in Phrygia.

6. Bartholomew (Nathanael)

• Death: Tradition says Bartholomew was flayed alive and then beheaded in Armenia or India.
• Time: Likely in the mid-to-late 1st century.
• Details: Accounts vary, but he is often associated with preaching in Armenia or India before his martyrdom.

7. Thomas (Didymus)

• Death: According to tradition, Thomas was speared to death in India.
• Time: Likely around AD 72.
• Details: Thomas is said to have brought the Gospel to India, where he was martyred by local authorities near Chennai (formerly Madras).

8. Matthew (Levi)

• Death: There are various traditions, but one popular account is that Matthew was martyred in Ethiopia by being stabbed with a sword or spear.
• Time: Around AD 60-70.
• Details: His missionary work is traditionally associated with Ethiopia and possibly Persia.

9. James the Less (Son of Alphaeus)

• Death: Tradition says James was thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple in Jerusalem and then beaten to death.
• Time: Likely around AD 62.
• Details: James was a leader of the early church in Jerusalem and is sometimes confused with James, the brother of Jesus.

10. Thaddeus (Jude)

• Death: Various traditions suggest he was martyred by being clubbed to death or axed in Persia (modern-day Iran).
• Time: Likely in the late 1st century.
• Details: He is said to have preached in Persia alongside Simon the Zealot.

11. Simon the Zealot

• Death: Traditions vary, with some saying Simon was sawn in half in Persia, while others say he was crucified.
• Time: Likely in the late 1st century.
• Details: Simon is said to have preached alongside Thaddeus in Persia.

12. Matthias (The Apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot)

• Death: Tradition says Matthias was either stoned and then beheaded in Jerusalem or crucified.
• Time: Likely in the mid-to-late 1st century.
• Details: He is not mentioned much in historical sources, so the details of his death are largely based on church tradition.

13. Paul (Saul of Tarsus)

Details: As a Roman citizen, Paul was beheaded rather than crucified.

Death: Tradition holds that Paul was beheaded in Rome under Emperor Nero.

Time: Likely around AD 64-67.

Early Apostlic Fathers

Clement of Rome

• Life: c. AD 35–99
• Details: Clement is traditionally considered one of the earliest bishops of Rome and may have been a disciple of the apostles Peter and Paul. He is best known for his letter, 1 Clement, which addressed issues of church authority and unity.

Ignatius of Antioch

• Life: c. AD 35–107/110 (possibly later, historians are divided)
• Details: Ignatius was the bishop of Antioch and is famous for his series of letters written on the way to his martyrdom in Rome. His writings emphasize the role of bishops and the importance of unity within the church.

Polycarp of Smyrna

• Life: c. AD 69–155
• Details: Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna and a disciple of the apostle John. He was martyred for his faith, and his Letter to the Philippians and the account of his martyrdom (The Martyrdom of Polycarp) are key sources of early Christian thought and practice.