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Church

1. OUR CHURCH HISTORY CHRISTIAN LIVING 9 MR. MARLON BALDESCO CLE TEACHER

2. THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH Pentecost 30 CE Pentecost, which took place around 30 CE, marks the birth of the Christian Church. It was on this day, 50 days after Jesus' resurrection, that the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. This event, recorded in Acts 2 , empowered them to preach the gospel boldly, speaking in different languages, which allowed people from various nations to understand their message.

3. THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH 30-70 CE The early Christian community led by the apostles, from Pentecost (c. 30 CE) to the end of the first century . This period was marked by rapid growth, missionary work, and the establishment of Christian doctrine, all under the leadership of Jesus' original disciples and their close associates. After receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the apostles began preaching the gospel, performing miracles, and establishing churches across the Roman Empire. Key figures: Peter, Paul, John, and James , who played vital roles in spreading Christianity beyond Jewish communities to Gentiles. The Apostolic Church faced persecution from Jewish authorities and the Roman government but continued to grow. It was also a time of theological development, with teachings based on Jesus' life, death, and resurrection , later recorded in the New Testament writings .

4. THE EARLY CHURCH (70–312 CE) The Early Church from 70 to 312 CE was a time of growth, struggle, and transformation for Christianity. After the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 CE , Christians became more distinct from Judaism and spread throughout the Roman Empire , forming communities of believers despite facing severe persecution. Way of Life Early Christians lived simple, communal lives , devoted to prayer, worship, breaking of bread (Eucharist), and acts of charity (Acts 2:42-47). They met in homes rather than public churches, emphasizing faith, love, and moral purity. They cared for the poor, sick, and marginalized, which attracted many converts. However, they faced 3 major challenges: Persecution – Roman emperors like Nero, Domitian, and Diocletian saw Christians as a threat, leading to arrests, torture, and martyrdom. Heresies – False teachings like Gnosticism and Arianism arose, challenging apostolic doctrine. Social Exclusion – Christians refused to worship Roman gods or the emperor, leading to distrust and accusations of being atheists or traitors. Despite these struggles, Christianity grew rapidly,

5. THE ROMAN CHRISTIAN EMPIRE (313–590 CE) The period from 313 to 590 CE marked the transformation of Christianity from a persecuted faith to the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. Following Emperor Constantine’s Edict of Milan (313 CE) , which granted religious freedom, Christianity flourished, leading to the establishment of churches, the development of doctrine, and the formation of Christian liturgy. This era laid the foundation for medieval Christendom. Important Events THE EDICT OF MILAN (313 CE) – Issued by Constantine and Licinius , it granted Christians religious tolerance, ending state-sponsored persecution and allowing churches to be built openly. THE TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE BY ST. JEROME (382–405 CE) – Jerome translated the Latin Vulgate , making Scripture more accessible to the Western Church. THE FLOURISHING OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES AND ESTABLISHMENT – Grand basilicas like St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and Hagia Sophia in Constantinople were built, solidifying Christianity’s presence. THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN LITURGY – Worship became more structured, incorporating hymns, prayers, sacraments, and rituals , shaping modern Christian worship.

6. Important Councils on Doctrine : Council of Nicaea (325 CE) – Defined Christ as fully divine , rejecting Arianism. Council of Constantinople (381 CE) – Confirmed the Trinity doctrine . Council of Ephesus (431 CE) – Declared Mary as Theotokos (Mother of God) . Council of Chalcedon (451 CE) – Affirmed Christ’s two natures: divine and human . The Official Canon of the Bible (397 CE) – The Council of Carthage confirmed the New Testament canon , shaping Christian Scripture. By 590 CE , under Pope Gregory the Great , the Church had become a powerful institution, guiding spiritual and political life in the Western world.

7. MEDIEVAL CHURCH HISTORICAL EVENTS

8. THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH (590–1517 CE) The Church played a central role in shaping European civilization. After the fall of the Roman Empire , it became the primary source of order, education, and governance. Despite challenges such as barbarian invasions, corruption, and religious conflicts, the Church also preserved culture, promoted learning, and influenced both politics and philosophy. Historical Overview THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE & THE RISE OF KINGDOMS The weakening of the Roman Empire led to invasions by barbarian tribes (Visigoths, Vandals, Huns, Franks). In 476 CE , the Western Roman Empire collapsed , giving rise to small kingdoms ruled by warrior-kings . Civilization declined as education, governance, and infrastructure deteriorated. PRESERVATION OF KNOWLEDGE BY THE CHURCH Monasteries and universities became centers of learning, literacy, and cultural preservation . Monks copied ancient manuscripts, safeguarding classical knowledge. The Church and state became intertwined , with the Pope holding significant authority over rulers. THE RISE OF THE PAPACY The Pope became the most powerful religious and political leader in medieval Europe. Corruption increased through simony (selling church offices), indulgences, and moral decay among clergy .

9. MAJOR RELIGIOUS & POLITICAL EVENTS THE BIRTH OF ISLAM (7TH CENTURY) – Islam, founded by Prophet Muhammad , expanded rapidly, leading to conflicts and exchanges with Christianity. THE GREAT SCHISM (1054 CE) – The Church split into Roman Catholic (West) and Eastern Orthodox (East) due to theological and political differences. THE CRUSADES (1096–1291 CE) – Military campaigns to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule ; resulted in cultural exchanges and conflicts. THE INQUISITION (12TH–15TH CENTURY) – A Church-led effort to combat heresy, often marked by trials, torture, and executions .

10. NOTABLE SAINTS IN MEDIEVAL CHURCH HISTORY

11. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS & THE HARMONY OF FAITH AND REASON St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) was a philosopher and theologian who sought to harmonize faith and reason . He integrated Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology, arguing that reason and divine revelation are not in conflict but complement each other . His greatest work, the Summa Theologica , provided a structured explanation of Christian doctrine using logic and philosophy. Aquinas’ work laid the foundation for Scholasticism , influencing Christian thought, ethics, and education for centuries. GREAT SAINTS & MONASTIC REFORM St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) – Founded the Franciscan Order , emphasizing poverty and charity . St. Dominic (1170–1221) – Founded the Dominican Order , focusing on education and preaching . St. Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) – Influenced the return of the Papacy to Rome and promoted Church reform. Monastic Reforms – The Cistercians and Benedictines revived strict religious discipline. By 1517 , corruption, political struggles, and theological disputes led to Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation , marking the end of the Medieval Church and the beginning of a new era in Christianity.