Transcript Apostolic Era: The Journey Begins

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Every person should recall and share
something from Acts 2-7
Founding the visible Church.
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Historical Primary Sources
 Bible: Gospel, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles.
• Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture
provide us with the Jesus’ life and the early
Church action.
• Jesus trains the first Bishops, the Apostles.
• Peter is appointed as the head of the
Apostles, he is the first Pope.
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Written by Luke. Provides a historical account
of the early Church and the actions the
Apostles.
Ascension of Christ- “Men of Galilee why do
you stand looking at the sky?”
Elect Matthias to replace Judas. (Apostolic
Succession!)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHURCH – Pentecost, the
descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
(50 days after the Resurrection).
The holy spirit provides power and
inspiration to the Apostles so they can
convert Jews and Gentiles!
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Tension between the Hellenized Jews and the
Hebrews.
Apostles decide that assistants are needed to
help accommodate the growing Church. 7 are
chosen to take care of widows.
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Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
Nicholas of Antioch and Stephen.
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First Martyr of the Church- “Protomartyr” St.
Stephen
Accused of blasphemy against God and Moses.
“You stiff-necked people…” Makes the
Sanhedrin angry and they throw him out of the
city and is stoned to death.
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Asks God to forgive his executioners, just as Jesus
did on the Cross.
Saul of Tarsus
-Roman Citizen
-Ardent Jew
-Persecutor of Christians
Saul is temporarily blinded and fasts within
Damascus after witnessing a bright light and
hearing the voice of Jesus.
-note Jesus says why are you persecuting
“me” not “my Church.” Jesus = Church
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Prompted by Jesus the disciple Ananias goes to
Saul.
Saul regains his sight and is immediately
baptized.
Saul begins preaching the “Good news” and
everyone is astounded at this dramatic and
radical change of heart.
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Christ died for the salvation of ALL.
Holy Spirit is poured into Gentiles thus
showing that they too are to be saved. (Acts
10:45-49).
“What God has made clean, you are not to call
profane.”
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First Ecumenical Council- 48 or 50 A.D.
All the Bishops were present including Peter
(the Pope).
Topic: Do Gentiles have to become Jews in
order to become Christians.
Circumcision: covenant sign between Abraham and
God.
Peter ends the discussion- “executive order”- Gentiles
DO NOT have to become Jewish in order to be
baptized! (Gentiles were probably happy to hear that)
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Peter (Cephas, Simon)
 Bishop of Jerusalem 30-37 AD (James ben Alpheus,
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his successor)
Missionary journeys 38-39 AD
Antioch, 40-42 AD (Establishment of Evodius as
Bishop; his successor, St. Ignatius)
Rome, late 42-49, 62-67 (Jewish section, Trastevere,
14 district near Vatican Hill)
Martyrdom: Crucifixion upside down, c. 67 AD in
the Circus of Nero, buried in Vatican necropolis
Wrote the Letter of Peter
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Mission in Spain
Martyrdom by Herod Agrippa in 42 A.D.
First Apostle martyred
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John ben Zebedee
James the Greater’s little brother
Known at the “beloved apostle”
Missionary in Ephesus, Asia Minor. (Cared for
Virgin Mary until she was assumed into
heaven in 49 A.D.)
Exiled to Patmos, died in 99 A.D. Only Apostle
not to be Martryed.
Wrote the Gospel of John, 3 letters of John,
Revelation.
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Bishop of Jerusalem
Wrote the letter of James in the Bible.
Martyred by Annas in 62 A.D.
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Mission to Scythia
(Ukraine today)
Crucified on an X
cross
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Mission to South
Arabia and possibly
India
Flayed/skinned alive.
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No information on
Matthias except that
he replaced Judas.
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Mission to Asia Minor
(Phrygia)
Crucified upside
down.
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Mission to
Mesopotamia
(Armenia, Iran,
Turkey)
Wrote the Letter of
Jude
Crucified
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Mission to Ethiopia
Wrote the Gospel of
Matthew
Stoned to death
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Mission to Iran
Crucified
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“Unbelieving
Thomas”
Mission to Parthia 42
A.D.
Mission to India 52
A.D.
Speared by the
Brahmans of Kali
(Hindu Preists)
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Preached in Greece, Asia Minor, Rome and
potentially Spain.
Wrote many of the Epistles.
Beheaded along the Ostian Way in Rome 67
A.D. by Nero.