Seven Periods of Church History
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ScribdTranslationsSeven Periods of Church History
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ScribdTranslations7 PERIODS OF THE CHURCH
1 PERIOD Apostolic Church Year 33 to 100 Analogy with Ephesus
Time of the apostles, from Pentecost to Patmos.
Nero began the persecution of Christians in the year 64, killed 2000 Christians, death of Stephen Acts.
7:54-60
1 Birth of the Church
The Jewish persecution
3 Jerusalem Council
4 The Consolidation
7 PERIODS OF THE CHURCH
1 PERIOD Apostolic Church Year 33 to 100 Analogy with Ephesus
Time of the apostles, from Pentecost to Patmos.
Nero began the persecution of Christians in the year 64, killing 2,000 Christians, the death of Stephen, Acts.
7:54-60
1 Birth of the Church
The Jewish persecution
3rd Council of Jerusalem
4 The Consolidation
5 Religion and function of the Empire
6 End of the Jewish Nation
7 End of the Apostolic Era
2 PERIOD THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH Year 100 to 313. Analogy with Smyrna
Time of the martyrs and of the Church Fathers. The persecutions, the catacombs.
From 200 to 300, they brought the gospel to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, the fathers emerged.
apostolic disciples were made
1 The Church and the Empire in the 2nd Century
The 7 elements of baptism, 2nd war against Rome...
2 The crown of martyrdom
: Las persecuciones, Motivo de las persecuciones, El remanente judío
3 The 10 Persecutions II The martyrs, the Primitive Church, what the Church did and did not do
4 The 10 Persecutions IIIThe motives of the intolerant emperors, the catacombs...
5 Fathers, Bishops, and ChampionsIgnatius, Tertullian, Polycarp, Clement, Cyprian...
6 The Thought of the Church The secret of Christians, the Gnostics, The Creed, Symbolism.
7 Constantine and the end of the persecutions
Edict of Tolerance, Constantine Supreme Pontiff.
3 PERIOD THE IMPERIAL CHURCH Analogy with Pergamum
Year 313 to 475 Fusion of the Church with the Roman Empire (350 years without a pope)
1 The Constantine Effect: 337 Constantine converted to Christianity. He absorbed the religion and it is inherited.
Religion, Theodosius in the year 395 made official the decree that religion is inherited.
The positive and negative aspects of the Constantine Effect
3 The Champions of Christ
4 Divisions and Councils
5 The Bishops, Fathers, and Patriarchs
6 The Syncretism
7 Fall of Paganism (Part joins Christianity)
4 PERIOD THE CHURCH OF OBSCURANTISM Analogy with Thyatira
5 Religion and function of the Empire
6 End of the Jewish Nation
7 End of the Apostolic Era
2 PERIOD THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH year 100 to 313. Analogy with Smyrna
Time of the martyrs and of the Church Fathers. The persecutions, the catacombs.
From 200 to 300, they brought the gospel to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East; the fathers emerged.
apostolic ones who made disciples
1 The Church and the Empire in the 2nd Century
The 7 elements of baptism, 2nd war against Rome...
2 The crown of martyrdom
: Las persecuciones, Motivo de las persecuciones, El remanente judío
3 The 10 Persecutions II The martyrs, The Primitive Church, what the Church did and did not do
4 The 10 Persecutions IIIThe reasons of the intolerant emperors, the catacombs...
5 Fathers, Bishops and Champions
Ignatius, Tertullian, Polycarp, Clement, Cyprian...
6 The Thought of the Church The secret of Christians, the Gnostics, The Creed, Symbolism.
7 Constantine and the end of the persecutions
Edict of Tolerance, Constantine the Supreme Pontiff.
3 PERIOD THE IMPERIAL CHURCH Analogy with Pergamum
Year 313 to 475 Fusion of the Church with the Roman Empire (350 years passed without a pope)
The Constantine Effect: 337 Constantine converted to Christianity. He absorbs the religion and it is inherited.
religion, Theodosius in the year 395 made official the decree that religion is inherited.
The positive and negative of the Constantine Effect
The Champions of Christ
4 Divisions and Councils
5 The Bishops, Fathers, and Patriarchs
6 The Syncretism
7 The Fall of Paganism (Part joins Christianity)
4 PERIOD THE CHURCH OF OBSCURANTISM Analogy with Thyatira
Year 476 to 1400 Millennium of Obscurantism 1st Pope Gregory first
600 years the papacy appeared, it had power from the 13th century to the 18th century. They closed the Bible.
The man inserts over 30 heresies such as 375 the saints are intercessors. In the year 450 the selivato, 1st
Timothy chapter 3, 563 extreme unction, in the year 850 holy water was invented, in 1190 salvation was sold, in 1215 the
transubstantiation is the ritual of the host and the mass, the second council of Trent, each priest gives himself as
sacrifice in the rite of the mass, 1303 outside of Rome there is no salvation only Rome saves not Christ, 1860
papal infallibility, 1961 Pope John XXIII opens the Bible. He realizes, orders the removal of the Mass in Latin, orders
remove the images of the church, 1634 proclaims who is a saint in the canonization, year 2000 John Paul II
declares co-redeemer the Virgin Mary. Luke 2, Mary calls Jesus her Savior. Galatians 1: 6-8 1st.
If anyone teaches another doctrine and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
1 Europe after the Empire
2 The Church after the Empire
3 The High Middle Ages 650 to 1100 Muhammad
The Crusades 1095 1204
5 Christian movements
6 The Low Middle Ages the Inquisition: 1198 Pope Innocent III orders the extermination of those who do not obey him.
They obeyed him and obeyed the Bible. 1540 - 1570 the Vatican killed a million people. 18th century
the richest Vatican in history. 1492 discovery of America Christianity arrived in Peru
7 The Medieval Catholic Church
5 PERIOD THE REFORM CHURCH Analogy with Sardis
Year 1400 to 1650 Begins the restoration of forgotten doctrines
THE PRE REFORM John Wycliffe 1320 1384
4 men arose: Petrarch, Italian crucified; John Wycliffe, Oxford professor; John Huss, rector.
Prague University was burned alive, Girolamo Savonarola 1498 Florence denounced sensual vice.
homosexuals and children, Pope Alexander VI was blackmailed and died hanged.
2 THE REFORMATION 1517 Martin Luther from Germany wrote the 95 theses, Pope Sixtus IV in 1476 had
initiated the purchase of salvation with money, (it's a license to sin) Pope Leo X excommunicates
Luther. In 1529, he called Luther's followers Protestants. By 1559, there were 400,000 Protestants - the Pope.
Paul III orders the extermination against the Jesuits, Captain of the Army Ignacio de Loyola's mission to kill.
Those who read the Bible. Catherine de' Medici ordered the killing of 700,000 Christians on August 24, 1572. 1607.
persecution in Europe they flee to England. they flee to the USA 1607 puritans to Virginia, 1639 Baptists arrived
Virginia state broken island leader royer william. USA is the first nation founded in the
bible
3 The Remnant and the Reformers
The Reformation in England
5 The Reform in France and Spain
6 The Gospel in America
7 THE COUNTER-REFORMATION 1550
6 PERIOD THE MODERN CHURCHAnalogy with Philadelphia
Year 1650 to 1900 Emergence of contemporary churches. July 4, 1776 foundation of the USA
In 1709, the missionary church fled to the US; in 1607, Puritans went to Virginia; in 1639, Baptists arrived in the state.
Virginia is the leading island of Royer William. The USA is the first nation founded in the Bible.
David Livingston started the missions, Johnson Taylor went to China, Guillermo Carrie went to India.
Morrison Mofat.
19th century beginning of the 20th century Harvard, Princeton, Yale universities were founded by pastors
8 pillars of Christianity
it is not the Bible more ataya, sacraments, pearl of the great
1 Inspiration from the Bible as faith and conduct
price doctrines and Mormon agreements all sects is the Bible plus something else.
the virgin birth of Jesus.
3 the deity of Jesus Christtwo human nature and divine nature
the doctrine of the Trinity father son holy spirit
5 the bodily resurrection of Christ. it was physically
Salvation by grace without the works of the law. Salvation is not lost
7 redemption is through the blood of Christ
8 the new birth
The New Church of Christ
2 The Rebuilders of the Church I
3 The Rebuilders of the Church II
4 The Church in Europe
The Church in the United States
6 The Church in Mexico and CA
7 The Church in South America
7 PERIOD Analogy with Laodicea
CURRENT CHURCH
Year 1900 to 2011 The emergence of Pentecostal Churches
The apostasy of the church in the 21st century criticizes that the Vatican sells salvation and churches.
Christians sell salvation, and in the 1960s and 70s a Colombian Catholic priest Camilo Torres embraced communism.
to save it was called liberation theology. Christianity was mixed with Hindu mysticism.
Eastern philosophies
1 The Pentecostal Revival
2 Ecumenism and Ecclesiastical Associations
The Three Great Conflicts and the Church
4 The World Society
5 The other Churches
6 The Contemporary Rebuilders
7 The Denominational Church
Common questions
Powered by AIConstantine's conversion to Christianity in 337 led to a significant transformation in both the Roman Empire and the Christian Church. He absorbed the religion into the state, and Theodosius later made a decree that legalized Christianity and declared it the state religion in 395 . This fusion resulted in several positive and negative consequences. Positively, it ended the persecution of Christians and gave the Church a powerful ally in the state . However, it also led to syncretism, where Christian practices were mixed with pagan traditions, and it marked the beginning of the Church's political entanglements, leading to future church-state conflicts .
Prominent Church Fathers such as Ignatius, Tertullian, Polycarp, Clement, and Cyprian played crucial roles during the Primitive Church period by defending the faith against heresies, formalizing theological doctrines, and addressing practical aspects of church governance . Their writings and teachings were instrumental in articulating Christian theology and reinforcing orthodoxy. For example, Ignatius emphasized the importance of maintaining unity and obedience within the Church, while Tertullian is credited with developing early Christian vocabulary and apologetics . Their collective influence helped establish a foundation of Christian thought that guided the Church through times of persecution and doctrinal controversies.
The fusion of the Christian Church with the Roman Empire during the Imperial Church period fostered a syncretic blend of Christian doctrine with pagan rituals. This synthesis was partly due to Constantine's conversion and the subsequent absorption of the religion into the state apparatus, which required accommodating existing pagan traditions as Christianity expanded its influence. As Christianity became the state religion under Theodosius, it became necessary to integrate and harmonize differing beliefs to maintain social cohesion . Moreover, the lack of papal leadership for 350 years created a vacuum where local traditions could merge with Christian practices without centralized theological guidance .
Constantine's Edict of Tolerance, issued through the Edict of Milan in 313, was significant because it officially ended the persecution of Christians and granted them freedom of worship throughout the Roman Empire . This edict marked a pivotal point in Church history, allowing Christianity to move from a persecuted sect to a legally recognized and influential religion. It also initiated a closer relationship between the Church and the Roman state, leading to increased political and social involvement of Christian leaders within the empire, thereby setting the stage for Christianity to eventually become the state religion .
Persecutions during the Primitive Church period deeply influenced Christian communities, forcing them to develop practices that were resilient to external threats. Christians often met in secret places like catacombs to avoid detection, which not only protected their communities from Roman authorities but also fostered a sense of solidarity and secrecy . The constant threat of persecution also led to the emergence of the concept of martyrdom as a noble path, further strengthening the resolve and commitment of believers. The emphasis on creeds and symbolism became vital for discreet communication of beliefs . These adaptations allowed Christianity to survive and even flourish despite intense adversity.
The Inquisition had a profound impact on the Church and European society during the Medieval period by enforcing religious orthodoxy through fear and persecution. Initiated in 1198 by Pope Innocent III, it aimed to eliminate heresy, however, it led to abuses of power, widespread fear, and repression within the Church and society. The Inquisition expanded the power of the Church over secular authorities, often involving secular leaders in the enforcement of punishments. Socially, it contributed to an atmosphere of suspicion and fear, stifling intellectual and cultural progress by punishing deviation from official Church doctrines . Despite extending the Church’s influence, it left a legacy of intolerance and conflict within the Christian community.
The 3rd Council of Jerusalem played a crucial role in the consolidation of Christianity by addressing the critical issue of whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law, specifically circumcision. The Council ultimately decided that Gentile Christians did not have to follow these Jewish practices, which helped to unify and strengthen the early Church by opening its doors to a broader audience without imposing Jewish cultural customs on non-Jewish converts .
The Crusades, initiated in 1095, significantly affected the Catholic Church by boosting its political and spiritual influence in Europe while simultaneously straining relationships with other religious and political entities. Militarily, the Crusades enabled the Church to assert control over the Holy Land, strengthening its territorial ambitions . Politically, the Church's role as a rallying force for European unity against a common enemy enhanced its prestige among Christian monarchs. However, the Crusades also worsened relations with Eastern Orthodox Christians, deepened the schism within Christianity, and ignited lasting hostilities with Muslim communities. The massive mobilization of resources and people also facilitated cultural exchanges and economic growth but left a legacy of religious tensions .
The Reformation, beginning with Martin Luther's 95 Theses in 1517, challenged the practices of the Medieval Catholic Church by attacking issues such as the sale of indulgences, which Luther condemned as a means to exploit believers under the guise of salvation . It sparked a theological debate about the nature of salvation, the authority of scripture, and the role of church tradition. The movement resulted in significant outcomes including the fragmentation of Western Christianity, the emergence of Protestant denominations, and the Counter-Reformation where the Catholic Church initiated its own reforms . The Reformation also paved the way for the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages, increasing lay access to scripture.
During the Apostolic Church period (33 to 100), the spread of Christianity was driven by the work of the apostles who traveled extensively to preach the Gospel, from Pentecost to Patmos, despite facing intense persecution, particularly under Nero who began persecuting Christians in year 64 . In the Primitive Church period (100 to 313), Christianity spread further into Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East as a result of the missionary activities of the apostles' disciples and Church Fathers, despite ten major persecutions under Roman rule and the challenges of practicing faith in secrecy, such as using the catacombs .
