The Early Church

The Early Church

Topic 1.1 – Relationships Between Different People

Before the Beginning of the Church:
Different groups were very conscious of their languages, culture, or race, and because of this, they treated others differently.

After the Birth of the Church:
People became united in Christ, and differences like language, culture, or race became unimportant. Both Jews and Gentiles were included.

Topic 1.2 – Language Barriers

The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13):
"Pentecost" means "fifty" in Greek and was a Jewish Festival of thanksgiving at the end of the wheat harvest, 50 days after Passover (Leviticus 23:15-21).

The Signs of the Holy Spirit:
120 disciples gathered in a house, and suddenly a noise like a strong wind blew, signifying the presence of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 3:9-14, John 3:8).
Tongues of fire appeared, representing God's presence (Exodus 3:2-5, 1 Kings 18:38-39, 2 Kings 1:9-12).
The disciples began speaking in other languages, and people from different nations understood them.

Topic 1.3 – Racial and Cultural Barriers

The Problem of the Greeks (Acts 6:1-6):
A quarrel arose between Greek-speaking Jews and Aramaic-speaking Jews. The Greek-speaking Jews complained that their widows were being neglected.
The Apostles chose 7 Greek-speaking men, including Stephen, to help with practical matters so that they could continue preaching.

Stephen’s Role:
Stephen served in various ministries, teaching in synagogues and witnessing to the Greek-speaking Jews.
He was falsely accused of speaking against Moses, the Law, and the Temple.

Inclusion of Samaritans (Acts 8:1-25):
After Stephen's death, persecution spread, but Philip went to Samaria and performed miracles, leading many to believe.
Simon, a sorcerer, recognized that Philip's power was greater than his.
Peter and John visited Samaria, prayed for the believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. Peter rebuked Simon for trying to buy the Holy Spirit.

The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40):
The Ethiopian Eunuch, a high-ranking official, was baptized by Philip. This shows the spread of Christianity to different cultures and nations.

Peter’s Role (Acts 10:1-11:18):
Peter had a vision of unclean animals and was told by God that they were now clean, challenging the Jewish believers to accept Gentiles without requiring them to follow Jewish laws.
This decision had a lasting impact on the Church and showed the acceptance of Gentiles into the faith without circumcision.

Topic 1.4 – Paul’s Witness to People of Various Cultures

Saul’s Conversion (Acts 9:1-19):
Saul persecuted Christians but was blinded on the road to Damascus and later baptized. His spiritual eyes were opened, and he began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Church at Antioch (Acts 11:19-26):
Antioch was a crossroad of many cultures and trade routes. Barnabas recognized Saul’s leadership abilities and invited him to help teach in the church there.
Saul and Barnabas worked together for a year, spreading the Gospel to many nations.

The Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-35):
The "Circumcision Party" insisted that Gentile converts had to become Jewish first. The Apostles and elders discussed this issue and decided that Gentiles should not be burdened with Jewish laws but should follow a few guidelines to keep peace with Jewish Christians:

Topic 1.5 – Inclusion of Different Races and Cultures in Other Religions

Islam in Zambia:
Islam is a universal religion that does not discriminate based on race, country, color, or language.
A Zambian Muslim might face conflicts between cultural traditions and Islamic laws, especially concerning marriage, family, or funeral customs.

Zambian Traditional Beliefs:
All humans are to be treated with respect, and this belief unites people. Anyone who subscribes to this belief has equal rights.

Christian Churches in Zambia:
Most Christian Churches in Zambia were started by missionaries who aimed to spread the Gospel to people of different countries and races.
Early Christians began by preaching to Jews, then to Samaritans, and later to Gentiles. Christians today should continue this mission to reach people from all backgrounds (Acts 1:8).

Topic 1.6 – The Early Church and Its Mission

The Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20):
Jesus gave the Great Commission to his disciples, instructing them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that He had commanded. This mission continues today through the Church's outreach to different cultures and people.

The Spread of Christianity:
The early Church faced significant challenges as it spread the message of Christ, especially when encountering opposition, cultural differences, and hostility. Despite these challenges, the apostles and other believers remained steadfast in their commitment to spreading the Gospel across regions and ethnic boundaries.

Topic 1.7 – The Role of Women in the Early Church

Women in the Ministry:
Women played an essential role in the early Church. They supported the apostles in their ministry, providing hospitality and financial support. Some women, like Priscilla, worked alongside their husbands in teaching and spreading the Gospel.

The Role of Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2):
Phoebe is mentioned by Paul as a deacon of the church in Cenchreae, and he commends her for her work in helping others. This highlights the importance of women in leadership roles in the early Christian community.

Topic 1.8 – The Challenges and Persecutions of the Early Church

Persecution by the Roman Empire:
The early Christians faced persecution from both Jewish authorities and the Roman Empire. The apostles were arrested, beaten, and imprisoned for spreading the Gospel. Despite these challenges, they continued their mission, emboldened by their faith in Christ.

The Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60):
Stephen, one of the seven chosen to serve the Church, became the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death after boldly proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. His martyrdom led to the scattering of the early Christians, spreading the Gospel further across the regions.

Topic 1.9 – The Growth of the Church in the Roman World

The Apostles’ Travels:
The apostles, including Peter and Paul, traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire, preaching the Gospel and establishing new churches. Their missionary journeys took them to cities such as Rome, Ephesus, Corinth, and Philippi.

The Conversion of Paul (Acts 9:1-19):
Saul, later known as Paul, was a former persecutor of Christians. After his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul became one of the greatest missionaries, spreading Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. His letters became a significant part of the New Testament.