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Early Christianity: A Captivating Guide to Early Christian History, Starting with the Ministry of Jesus through the Apostolic Age to the First Council of Nicaea
What was the starting point of Christianity? Was it in a little town in Bethlehem, just as the lyrics of our favorite Christmas songs contend?
Did Christianity start immediately after the Sermon on the Mount? After the crucifixion? The resurrection? Or did Christianity take a little more time than that? Was there a larger coalescing of concepts and ideas at work?
In truth, in the earliest days of Christianity, when Peter and Paul first set out to preach the gospel, the belief systems of early Christians were viewed as merely a new sect of Judaism. The appellation of “Christian” was a term developed by outside antagonists, which the so-called Christians wore with pride. It took time for Christianity to be fully cleaved away from its mother religion of Judaism.
A council was held in Jerusalem around 50 CE for the early church leaders to decide what would become the fundamentals of the new faith, such as what old rules and regulations from the Old Testament should remain for new believers. From Christianity’s earliest formation as a separate identity, it began to spread across the known world. The early Christians met in underground churches and, at times, even in graveyards to avoid persecution.
Yet, their very secrecy often spurned the wildest of rumors. It got to the point where Communion was even mistaken as an act of cannibalism! This led to the rise of Christian apologists, who were tasked with explaining the most fundamental elements to the lay public.
This book explores all of these aspects of early Christianity and more. In this book, you will learn about the ministry of JesusWho first spread the gospelEarly Christian outreach to the Greco-Roman worldChristian Gnosticism, Manicheism, and other Christian sectsThe struggle of Christian apologistsThe early martyrs of the Christian faithThe impact of the Council of NicaeaHow the church survived the fall of the Roman EmpireAnd much, much more!
Click the “add to cart” button to begin learning more about early Christianity!
Did Christianity start immediately after the Sermon on the Mount? After the crucifixion? The resurrection? Or did Christianity take a little more time than that? Was there a larger coalescing of concepts and ideas at work?
In truth, in the earliest days of Christianity, when Peter and Paul first set out to preach the gospel, the belief systems of early Christians were viewed as merely a new sect of Judaism. The appellation of “Christian” was a term developed by outside antagonists, which the so-called Christians wore with pride. It took time for Christianity to be fully cleaved away from its mother religion of Judaism.
A council was held in Jerusalem around 50 CE for the early church leaders to decide what would become the fundamentals of the new faith, such as what old rules and regulations from the Old Testament should remain for new believers. From Christianity’s earliest formation as a separate identity, it began to spread across the known world. The early Christians met in underground churches and, at times, even in graveyards to avoid persecution.
Yet, their very secrecy often spurned the wildest of rumors. It got to the point where Communion was even mistaken as an act of cannibalism! This led to the rise of Christian apologists, who were tasked with explaining the most fundamental elements to the lay public.
This book explores all of these aspects of early Christianity and more. In this book, you will learn about the ministry of JesusWho first spread the gospelEarly Christian outreach to the Greco-Roman worldChristian Gnosticism, Manicheism, and other Christian sectsThe struggle of Christian apologistsThe early martyrs of the Christian faithThe impact of the Council of NicaeaHow the church survived the fall of the Roman EmpireAnd much, much more!
Click the “add to cart” button to begin learning more about early Christianity!
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2022
355 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 4, 2022
Eyes
Learning about the beginning of Christianity has softened my perspective on this "kind" way of life. There are plenty of hypocrites who don't know a dang thing about why they are trying to spread their "God" learning about why and how they created this religion has turned my angry emotions into understanding and the need to spread a little truth about the purpose of this religion, which is kindness. There are so many events to hear such as "The Slaughter of The Innocents" and Constantine's flaming cross, it's so interesting! I can't wait to read more and thanks again Captivating History for giving another perfect introduction.
Learning about the beginning of Christianity has softened my perspective on this "kind" way of life. There are plenty of hypocrites who don't know a dang thing about why they are trying to spread their "God" learning about why and how they created this religion has turned my angry emotions into understanding and the need to spread a little truth about the purpose of this religion, which is kindness. There are so many events to hear such as "The Slaughter of The Innocents" and Constantine's flaming cross, it's so interesting! I can't wait to read more and thanks again Captivating History for giving another perfect introduction.
November 19, 2022
Between the ascension of Christ and the Church in the Middle Ages, there is a fuzzy area of Christianity when many of the wrinkles were ironed out about what to believe. Captivating History uses the Bible and extra-biblical references to flesh out the early years of Christianity. It must have been a confusing time. With Paul and the 12 Apostles (minus Judas Iscariot and plus Mattias), each man's story must have varied over time. As Christianity spread over the known world, different sects and beliefs emerged.
Then, there were the Arian Christians (who did not believe that Jesus was coeternal with the Father) and the Gnostics (who wanted to ignore the Old Testament of the Bible and denied the physical resurrection of Christ), along with other sects that had to be resolved with the Christian beliefs. One of the things I enjoy about Captivating History is the little nugget of amazing facts they unearth in their books. For example, the word martyr derives from Justin Martyr, an early Church follower who was beheaded. The other nugget I recall is how Israel was renamed Palestine by Hadrian (a Roman emperor).
Another interesting concept of this book is the group of martyrs they chose to explain. I grew up with nuns named Sr. Polycarp and Sr. Perpetua. The young sisters chose those names (Polycarp, Perpetua, and others) because those individual lives meant something to the young novitiates selecting their new names. It is interesting to learn their unique histories all these years later.
Over the years, various councils convened to confirm beliefs that the Church would espouse. They standardized the Bible with the books of the Old and New Testaments. The Council of Nicea in 325 CE was the main Church council covered in this book. Constantine called for the Council to resolve the Arianism controversy and to determine Christ's relationship to God the Father and the Holy Spirit. It was essential to decide on the beliefs of all Christians. Therefore, it included bishops from all over the known world.
Contrary to most Captivating History eBooks, this one has a short appendix for extra reading.
Then, there were the Arian Christians (who did not believe that Jesus was coeternal with the Father) and the Gnostics (who wanted to ignore the Old Testament of the Bible and denied the physical resurrection of Christ), along with other sects that had to be resolved with the Christian beliefs. One of the things I enjoy about Captivating History is the little nugget of amazing facts they unearth in their books. For example, the word martyr derives from Justin Martyr, an early Church follower who was beheaded. The other nugget I recall is how Israel was renamed Palestine by Hadrian (a Roman emperor).
Another interesting concept of this book is the group of martyrs they chose to explain. I grew up with nuns named Sr. Polycarp and Sr. Perpetua. The young sisters chose those names (Polycarp, Perpetua, and others) because those individual lives meant something to the young novitiates selecting their new names. It is interesting to learn their unique histories all these years later.
Over the years, various councils convened to confirm beliefs that the Church would espouse. They standardized the Bible with the books of the Old and New Testaments. The Council of Nicea in 325 CE was the main Church council covered in this book. Constantine called for the Council to resolve the Arianism controversy and to determine Christ's relationship to God the Father and the Holy Spirit. It was essential to decide on the beliefs of all Christians. Therefore, it included bishops from all over the known world.
Contrary to most Captivating History eBooks, this one has a short appendix for extra reading.
January 4, 2023
Please note: I was given a copy of this book and have voluntarily decided to give it this honest review.
At the time of Jesus Christ, the area we know as Israel was under the rule of the Roman Empire and what Rome wanted was stability and control, therefore they did not tolerate rebels. Although Jesus did not consider himself to be a rebel, other factors came into being from inside the Jewish community that eventually caused Jesus to be arrested and executed. After his resurrection and ascension, his disciples went into various communities to spread their story. This book tells the political situation during this period and shows how Rome reacted. Christianity was originally thought to be a new sect of Judaism but eventually became a separate religion, worshipped by Jews as well as Gentiles, or non-Jewish people. The book continues until the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E. Here is where the doctrine of the Trinity was developed, church doctrines were to be universal (“Catholic”) and the head of the church was to be a Pope. I was fascinated by the political aspects that were involved during this time period.
At the time of Jesus Christ, the area we know as Israel was under the rule of the Roman Empire and what Rome wanted was stability and control, therefore they did not tolerate rebels. Although Jesus did not consider himself to be a rebel, other factors came into being from inside the Jewish community that eventually caused Jesus to be arrested and executed. After his resurrection and ascension, his disciples went into various communities to spread their story. This book tells the political situation during this period and shows how Rome reacted. Christianity was originally thought to be a new sect of Judaism but eventually became a separate religion, worshipped by Jews as well as Gentiles, or non-Jewish people. The book continues until the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E. Here is where the doctrine of the Trinity was developed, church doctrines were to be universal (“Catholic”) and the head of the church was to be a Pope. I was fascinated by the political aspects that were involved during this time period.
November 14, 2022
I thought this book would be an actual history of the rise of Christianity, from the crucifixion to the integration of Christianity into the Roman Empire, using historical documents, archeological findings and the like. Instead, it’s a retelling of the Book of Acts along with stories told of the the early disciples. The book starts from the assumption that Jesus was real (which is debated by historians). There is some history mixed in, but it is buried under the preaching. The quotes at the start of each chapter are from modern evangelicals, slamming non-believers rather than promoting Jesus.
It’s an easy read, but not a historical book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It’s an easy read, but not a historical book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 30, 2023
Early Christianity is a short history of the early years of the Christian church. My church used it for a series of adult classes on the topic. It was a good choice because it was relatively easy to read and inexpensive. There are no footnotes and a few references at the end. The information appears to be consistent with other sources.
This is one of many books in a series of similar history books. None of them list a specific author. I want to know the author of books I read, their background and why I should trust what they write. Matt Clayton claims authorship for the series, but I assume that they are actually written by unnamed associates.
This is one of many books in a series of similar history books. None of them list a specific author. I want to know the author of books I read, their background and why I should trust what they write. Matt Clayton claims authorship for the series, but I assume that they are actually written by unnamed associates.
November 14, 2022
This book gives a good thumbnail sketch of the rise of early Christianity. I had hoped that it would be a bit more specific about the organization of the primitive church as organized by Christ, or by the apostles. Other than mentioning the addition of Matthias to the Twelve to take the place of Judas, the authors didn't touch the other officers at all. Other than that, it is a short history of the general rise of Christianity.
I did receive a free copy of the ebook from the authors, and was asked to leave a voluntary review, be it good, bad, or indifferent.
I did receive a free copy of the ebook from the authors, and was asked to leave a voluntary review, be it good, bad, or indifferent.
November 19, 2022
A brief but engaging history of early Christianity, roughly from the time of Jesus to the fall of the Roman Empire. This work introduces the different schools of thought and influences during this time period as well as important events (Council of Nicaea). Well-researched and a good book to start your exploration into the subject.
Booksprout Review Copy
Booksprout Review Copy
December 19, 2022
Early Christianity
If you ever wondered what happened between Jesus death and resurrection and Christianity at the end of the Roman Empire this book pretty well covers it in brief. It would take a lot of study to get the full picture but it is laid out here in a yay you can understand!
If you ever wondered what happened between Jesus death and resurrection and Christianity at the end of the Roman Empire this book pretty well covers it in brief. It would take a lot of study to get the full picture but it is laid out here in a yay you can understand!
December 21, 2023
Like many books of the Captivating History series, this book deals in general terms and events. These books introduce one to a broad approach to a subject, much like 'dipping toes in the water.' However, that does not mean they are dull or non-engaging. Readers can still learn some major points of Christianity's first 400 years.
May 1, 2025
Best part of this book is that it was short. First half was a summary of the Gospels, which I knew fairly well. I found after that he often repeated himself and it felt trite. I know part of my disappointment is I wanted more depth. I'm trying to learn more about what happened - the miracle of how this subset of Judaism gained traction. This gave me some of that, but very little.
January 13, 2026
Very comprehensive and the author makes the history easy to understand. They’ll use modern day comparisons to help draw understanding of unfamiliar territory from 2000 years ago. The author is unbiased towards Christian faiths that are mentioned, which is a breath of fresh air. It was quick and caught me up to speed on early Christianity! It leaves off right at the end of the Roman Empire.
November 13, 2022
Captivating History does a great job of informing without bias and keeping the subject matter easily digestible and as factually accurate as possible. This is no exception. It's a good, short book that gives the reader plenty of information without being preachy.
February 9, 2023
Half of the book is a re-telling of the NT narrative. There is also information on several early church fathers and several heresies, such as Manichean, Nestorian, and Arianism. The story of the adoption of Christianity by the Roman Empire is also told.
September 12, 2023
A admirable overview
This brief overview of early christian history is a nice introduction to the subject highlighting the social and political climate of the times
the first nearly 500 years of the emerging faith
This brief overview of early christian history is a nice introduction to the subject highlighting the social and political climate of the times
the first nearly 500 years of the emerging faith
January 21, 2024
Great read I'm always looking forward to learning and will continue reading and studying other books
Like it was easy to read, liked the fact it was not filled with alot of jargon. Will continue series.
Like it was easy to read, liked the fact it was not filled with alot of jargon. Will continue series.
January 13, 2023
very informative
The book is very informative for all Christians. It gives good sound knowledge of coming from Judaism to Christianity. Enjoyable.
The book is very informative for all Christians. It gives good sound knowledge of coming from Judaism to Christianity. Enjoyable.
October 5, 2023
Early Christianity
Good overview of the beginnings of the Christian faith. Not an in-depth study but a nice starter to further reading.
Good overview of the beginnings of the Christian faith. Not an in-depth study but a nice starter to further reading.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews