Early Church

Jesus asked his heavenly Father to make his followers completely one “so that the world may know that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-23). The Father granted his Son’s prayer. The history of the Church records how Christians, in unity, have recounted the Lord’s teachings, passion, and resurrection, celebrated the holy sacraments instituted by Christ, and made disciples of all peoples. In fact, the unity of the Church offers a compelling witness to the truth of the gospel. Reflecting on the amazing survival and expansion of the early Church, Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), ...

EXPERIENCE THE EARLY CHURCH. Forced from her home after the stoning of Stephen and persecution of believers in Jerusalem, Libi and her family now live in the city of Antioch. Days pass quickly in a community where the oppressed are in great need, and Libi finds every opportunity to serve alongside other believers despite growing obstacles and a lack of resources. All of this leaves little time to think about what she has lost, or the growing desire in her heart for what she does not have. Cassius lives his life in the shadows after witnessing the impossible and deserting the Roman Army as a...

David Bercot explains why the writings of the early Christians serve as our best commentary on Scripture.

Prepare to step into the mind of one of Christianity’s most influential thinkers, Clement of Alexandria. This book is your gateway to understanding how one man’s genius shaped the course of Christian thought, merging the profound wisdom of classical philosophy with the emerging teachings of the early Church. Unlock the Secrets of Ancient Wisdom Clement wasn’t just a scholar; he was a visionary. By delving into this book, you’ll discover how he deftly wove together the threads of Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine, creating a rich tapestry that has endured for centuries. ...

This ebooklet is the transcript of David Bercot's audio lecture on What The Early Christians Believed on the Doctrine of the Two Kingdoms. This doctrine concerns the relationship of the kingdoms of this world with the Kingdom of God. In this ebooklet, Bercot explains what the early Christians believed about involvement in the governments of this world. Bercot quotes extensively from the early Christian writings to demonstrate what the early church believed. He also discusses attempts Christians have made to combine the church with various kingdoms of this world--all without success.

In a world drowning in noise, the wisdom of a 4th-century desert monk offers a lifeline to clarity, peace, and purpose. Evagrius of Pontus for Beginners is your guide to the profound teachings of one of Christianity’s most influential thinkers, presented in a way that’s accessible, transformative, and utterly relevant for modern life. Unlock the secrets of apatheia—a state of inner calm that frees you from the tyranny of distractions and passions. Master the eight evil thoughts that threaten your peace and learn practical strategies to overcome them with grace and resilience. ...

Cyprian of Carthage is not just a name in the annals of history; he is a symbol of unwavering faith, intellectual rigor, and the ultimate sacrifice. But how well do we truly know this towering figure of early Christianity? Cyprian of Carthage for Beginners invites you to step into the life of a man who shaped the Church in ways that still echo today. Unveil the story of a man who transformed from a privileged Roman citizen into a beacon of Christian leadership. Cyprian's journey to becoming the Bishop of Carthage was marked by challenges that would test the faith of any ordinary person. Yet...

Athanasius rightly knew that upon one’s view of Christ hung one’s eternal destiny. As he wrote to the bishops of Egypt in 356: “as therefore the struggle that is now set before us concerns all that we are, either to reject or to keep the faith, let us be zealous and resolve to guard what we have received, bearing in mind the confession that was written down at Nicaea.” And, by God’s grace, his victory in that struggle has been of enormous blessing to the church ever since.

Early Scenes in Church History, is the eighth in a series of 17 books called The Faith-Promoting Series. Published between 1879 and 1915, this series of books was published by the Juvenile Instructors Office for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints. It was George Q. Cannon's inspiration that produced the series, however. In 1866, Cannon, then a member of the Quorum of the 12, began publication of a magazine for youth and young adults called The Juvenile Instructor, which he owned and published until his death in 1901, when his family sold the magazine to the LDS Church's Sunday School organization. Thus, in 1882 when the present work, Early Scenes in Church History, was published, it was a work undertaken under the direction of Cannon, with the blessing of the Church's governing leadership.

In the shadows of Salem Village in 1692, one young girl must navigate the complexities of a divided society. Often cold and hungry, eight-year-old Verity Manton, an orphaned ragpicker, clings to the scraps of love and kindness in her harsh world. Things get tangled as the village Puritans' strange behavior grows more alarming. Verity is caught between the safety of her life and the promise of a better future with a Quaker family who reaches out to her. Yet, she has been warned her whole life that Quakers are evil. Will Verity have the courage to trust her heart and choose a path that defies...

Women were there. For centuries, discussions of early Christianity have focused on male leaders in the church. But there is ample evidence right in the New Testament that women were actively involved in ministry, at the frontier of the gospel mission, and as respected leaders. Nijay Gupta calls us to bring these women out of the shadows by shining light on their many inspiring contributions to the planting, growth, and health of the first Christian churches.

They called him a saint. His enemies called him dangerous. But history remembers him as the man who dared to define the nature of Christ when the church stood on the edge of fracture. Cyril of Alexandria: A Beginner’s Guide is not just a book—it’s your front-row seat to one of the fiercest theological battlegrounds in Christian history. If you’ve ever wondered how the early church survived heresy, imperial pressure, and internal war, you’ll find the answer in the life of one bishop who refused to back down. Cyril wasn’t interested in theories. He wanted truth nailed down, ...

Sex and money scandals. An exploding divorce rate. Drug-addicted youths. And an ever-growing worldliness. Today's evangelical church is fighting battles on all fronts. And we seem to be losing these battles to the relentlessly encroaching world. Perhaps the answers to our problems are not in the present, but in the past. Because there was time when Christians were able to stand up to world.

The early Christians were certainly closer to the teachings of Christ, of true Christianity. Here we have some texts that can help us understand what true Christianity was. We have divided them into two parts. In the first part we bring together fragments in which ancient writers portray Christianity. In a second part we bring together texts by contemporary writers who analyze early Christianity.

Long before the New Testament was a document, it was a sacrament. Jesus called the Eucharist by the name Christians subsequently gave to the latter books of the Holy Bible. It was the "New Covenant," the "New Testament," in his blood. Christians later extended the phrase to cover the books produced by the apostles and their companions; but they did so because these were the books that could be read at Mass.

Ever wondered if there were more writings from the first few centuries by Christians? Well the answer is - yes! There is much that the early Christians left us and they are available in this day and time. The New Testament is our rock to stand upon, but there are other works that we can glean from that are filled with godly wisdom and virtue. The 1st Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians is just that kind of work that can further your walk with Christ in this present day.

Maximus the Confessor for Beginners: Insights into Christology and the Human Will takes you into the life and teachings of one of Christianity’s most courageous and influential thinkers. This is not just another history lesson—it’s a journey into the mind of a man whose ideas on Christ’s nature and human freedom reshaped Christian doctrine for centuries. Why does Maximus matter today? Maximus wasn’t just a theologian. He was a spiritual warrior who stood firm in the face of torture and exile, all to defend the truth. His defense of Christ’s human and divine will is more than an ...

Unlock the Untold Stories of Christianity’s Early Giants Step into the world of the early Church, where two men—John Chrysostom and Ambrose of Milan—rose from humble beginnings to become pillars of faith and influence. Antioch to Milan: The Influence of John Chrysostom & Ambrose offers you an unparalleled journey through their lives, revealing the profound impact they had on the shaping of Western Christianity. Discover the Power of Rhetoric: John Chrysostom, the “Golden Mouth,” captivated the hearts of his followers and challenged the might of emperors. His sermons, full of moral...

From peasants to princes, no one was untouched by the spiritual and intellectual upheaval of the 16th century. Martin Luther's challenge to church authority forced Christians to examine their beliefs in ways that shook the foundations of their religion. The subsequent divisions, fed by dynastic rivalries and military changes, fundamentally altered the relations between ruler and ruled. Geographical and scientific discoveries challenged the unity of Christendom as a belief community.

Unlock the Mysteries of Africa’s Sacred Christian Legacy For centuries, two of the world’s most fascinating Christian traditions have quietly preserved their ancient roots, vibrant rituals, and unwavering faith. Christianity’s African Treasures: The Coptic Orthodox and Ethiopian Catholic Churches delivers two captivating journeys in one essential volume. Travel Back in Time: Walk through the sands of Egypt, where the Coptic Orthodox Church was born, and ascend the Ethiopian highlands, home to a Catholic tradition as unique as it is enduring. Witness Ancient Practices: Experience the ...