Early Church

How did the Bible come to Be, and Why does it matter? This book tells the story of how the Bible came to be and makes a case for why this history matters. Beginning with the basic questions believers are often asked about the origins of the Bible, Spellman introduces strategic steps you can take to understand and explain how the biblical writings were written and then gathered together into a treasured collection of authoritative Scripture. Examining the story of canon formation is both challenging and rewarding. The gains from this historical and theological heavy-lifting will strengthen ...

In the turbulent world of the second century, the early Christian Church faced intense scrutiny, widespread persecution, and the rise of numerous heresies that threatened to distort its core teachings. Amidst this backdrop, a group of courageous thinkers and writers emerged—men of profound intellect and deep faith—dedicated to defending the fledgling Christian faith against both external attacks and internal divisions. Christian Apologists of the Second Century: Christian Defenders of the Faith explores the lives, writings, and theological contributions of these early apologists who ...

EARLY CHRISTIANITY IN THE FIRST CENTURY: Jesus’ Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth offers an in-depth exploration of the early days of Christianity, as it emerged and spread throughout the known world. This comprehensive and insightful book delves into the historical and cultural context of the time, examining the birth of a new faith that would change the course of human history. From the humble beginnings of Jesus’ ministry and the miraculous events of Pentecost to the rapid growth of the Christian movement, this volume paints a vivid portrait of the first-century believers who were ...

In Faithful Witness, Phil Baker explains the theology of martyrdom that developed over the first 300 years of Christianity, and why that theology proved so powerful in the early years of the faith. Why did they choose faithfulness over fear? Why did they choose dying over killing? Why did they choose self-sacrifice over revenge? Why did they have such peace and joy in the midst of unimaginable torture? By AD 313, why had roughly 10 percent of the Roman Empire’s population embraced Christianity, when it was both illegal and incredibly dangerous to do so?

The Action Bible: The Early Church presents 31 fast-paced episodes in chronological order, making it easy to follow the Bible’s historical flow of the beginning years of the church, from Pentecost through the final writings of those who walked with Jesus personally. Every episode sparks excitement to explore God’s Word and know Him personally. Listeners will witness God’s active presence in the world through stories from the life of Jesus and great heroes of the faith.

Putting Joy into Practice: Seven Ways to Lift Your Spirit from the Early Church is an invitation to a life of joy. Phoebe Farag Mikhail explains what joy is and how to experience it through seven spiritual practices that cultivate our inner lives and connect us to our communities. These seven practices, which include giving thanks, hospitality, praise, and more, take us on a journey that leads to joy through the giving and receiving of sacrificial love.

Are Your Faith Practices Stuck in a Rut? Discover how the vibrant, dynamic energy of the early church can ignite your faith journey today. In Acts Bible Study, take a transformative 40-day exploration of the fascinating narrative penned by Doctor Luke. Who better to guide us than the only non-Jewish writer in the New Testament? Luke’s unique perspective offers invaluable insights for today’s believers navigating faith in a complex world. As you journey through the Book of Acts, you’ll uncover powerful lessons on perseverance, community, and the work of the Holy Spirit that resonate ...

Early Christians were called "heretics" and "atheists" when they denied the gods of Rome, in particular the divinity of the emperor and the statism he embodied in his personality cult. These Christians knew that Jesus Christ, not the state, was their Lord and that this faith required a different kind of relationship to the state than the state demanded. Because Jesus Christ was their acknowledged sovereign, they consciously denied such esteem to all other claimants. Today, the church must take a similar stand before the modern state.

A complex and fascinating character, Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, is best remembered as the Father of Orthodoxy, upholding the doctrine of the Trinity against the Arian heresy. In the newest addition to the Christian Biographies for Young Readers series, author Simonetta Carr introduces children to the life and times of this important church father who tirelessly defended the Nicene Creed, which many of us today recite as a confession of our faith.

What can we learn about leadership and influence from Paul? Most Christians know something of the Apostle Paul's life and ministry, but what about the incredible team of influencers he assembled and mobilized? Who were they, and how did Paul lead this team to accomplish God's purposes? Even more, what can we learn from their successes and failures, and how can we imitate their qualities?

María Magdalena es probablemente la figura más célebre del cristianismo popular, una mujer de nuestro tiempo, la que los medios de comunicación y las sensibilidades modernas pueden abrazar con mayor convicción.

"Miracles in the Early Christian Church" edited by Timothy W. Grogan is a thought-provoking exploration into the historical claims of miraculous events that were believed to have shaped the early Christian faith. Drawing from Conyers Middleton's seminal 1749 work, this annotated edition critically examines the authenticity of miracles attributed to the Christian Church from its earliest days. Grogan provides detailed commentary on the controversies surrounding these events, questioning their origins and the motivations behind them.

“Theologically rich, bursting with Scripture, thoughtfully written, worthy of reflection and faith-enlarging, this is a prayer tool that many sincere Jesus-followers will turn to again and again.” –Dr. John Stumbo, President, The Christian & Missionary Alliance Praying for a Church--for the Church--is one of the most spiritually significant things we can do for the Kingdom of God. In this prayer guide, Ty King has provided 31 powerful Scripture-based prayers that focus on praying the purposes of Jesus Christ for His Bride, the Church. Not meant to be prayed as rote prayers, Pray the ...

Unlock the mysteries of the Trinity with "Subordinationism : A Beginner's Guide," a captivating exploration into one of Christianity's most debated doctrines. Dive into the heart of theological inquiry and uncover the profound dynamics that have shaped centuries of belief and practice. Engage your curiosity as you journey through the historical origins of Subordinationism. This guide meticulously traces its development from early church teachings to contemporary theological discussions. Meet the pivotal figures, understand the key councils, and grasp the controversies that have defined and ...

Many pastors feel isolated and helpless, especially those beginning pastoral ministry. Phil Newton and Rich Shadden know what this road is like, and they want to share what they have gained from pastoral mentoring—Rich, a young pastor receiving support and guidance from Phil, an older, more experienced shepherd.

The book PAUL AND LUKE ON TRIAL deals with their reputations, the authenticity, and the trustworthiness of their New Testament books (Acts and Galatians), which Bible critics have sought to undermine for centuries. Sadly, this attack also comes from “the new generation of evangelical scholars [who are] far more comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty than previous generations.” (Wallace forward, Page xii) Herein the Bible critics and modern evangelical scholars are the prosecutors in this trial, and Andrews is serving as the Christian apologist in defense of the Apostle Paul and the ...

Acts 2:47 tells us that the believers in the early Church, prayed, and people were saved. In fact, this pattern--prayer first, then evangelism--is a pattern emphasized throughout the book of Acts. Somewhere along the line the modern Church has forgotten that biblical formula! Evangelistic Prayer explores the truth of this prayer-evangelism connection and shows individuals and churches how to see people come to faith in Jesus Christ as they put this early Church method into practice. Let Evangelistic Prayer challenge and equip you and your congregation to pray with more passion and insight ...

THE READING CULTURE OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY provides the reader with the production process of the New Testament books, the publication process, how they were circulated, and to what extent they were used in the early Christian church. It examines the making of the New Testament books, the New Testament secretaries and the material they used, how the early Christians viewed the New Testament books, and the literacy level of the Christians in the first three centuries. It also explores how the gospels went from an oral message to a written record, the accusation that the apostles were ...

Who would have thought that from its humble beginnings as a small group of followers of a Jewish man called Jesus that Christianity would become, less than 2,000 years later, the most widespread religion on Earth? Christianity’s birth and development is a vast, complex story filled with setbacks and contradictions but also with triumphs.

This particular volume (Volume One) begins with the period in the early 1600s when two very different English societies were established in the New World, one in Virginia and one in New England. The Virginia society simply re-created the rigidly class-based feudal society of the times. The New England society was a most unusual democracy of social equals, covenanted to live under God's—not man's—personal rule. These two American social types would find themselves in rather constant struggle....