Project

Jesus' Crucifixion

33

Christianity begins with Jesus’ resurrection and the Great Commission, where He commands His disciples to spread the Gospel to all nations. The Apostles begin preaching in Jerusalem and throughout the Roman Empire.

Apostolic Age

Period: 33 to 100

Time after the crucifixion in which the Apostles spread Christianity

Council of Jerusalem

49

Was a meeting held by the most influential Church leaders. This meeting discussed the issue of whether Gentile converts must follow Jewish laws. The council decided that Gentiles do not need to fully adhere to the Mosaic Law.

Paul and Peter's execution

64

The apostles Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero. This began a period of great oppression towards Christians.

Nero's Persecution

64

Following the Great Fire of Rome, Emperor Nero blames Christians, and begins to persecute them.

Persecution and Growth

Period: 100 to 313

Despite facing brutal persecution, Christianity continues to grow in numbers and influence, attracting people from all levels of Roman society

Christian Apologists

150

Thinkers like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian defend Christianity against pagan accusations and philosophical criticisms. Their writings appeal to Roman authorities.

Decian's Persecution

249

Emperor Decius enforces empire-wide sacrifices to Roman gods. Christians who refuse are arrested, tortured, and often executed. Many reject the faith to avoid persecution, leading to debates about the Church’s treatment of those who renounce and later seek reconciliation.

Diocletian’s Persecution

303

The harshest persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian issued edicts requiring Christians to adhere to traditional Roman religious practices and sacrifice to the Roman gods. Churches were destroyed, scriptures burned, and Christian leaders were imprisoned or executed. This period severely tests Christian communities.

Constantine's Conversion

312

Constantine experienced a vision before the Battle of Milvian Bridge, where he saw a cross of light with the words "In this sign, conquer." He converted to Christianity becoming the first Roman emperor to embrace it.

Edict of Milan

313

Emperor Constantine, after experiencing a vision before the Battle of Milvian Bridge, issues the Edict of Milan, granting religious tolerance to Christians and restoring confiscated church properties.

Imperial Christianity

Period: 313 to 451

This was a transformative era for Christianity within the Roman Empire.

First Council of Nicaea

325

Convened by Constantine to address the Arian controversy, which questioned Christ’s divine nature. The council affirms Christ’s full divinity and establishes the Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed is a foundational statement of Christian belief that defines Christ as "begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father."

First Council of Constantinople

381

Reaffirms the Nicene Creed and expands upon the understanding of the Holy Trinity, defining the divinity of the Holy Spirit.

Sack of Rome

410

The Visigoths sack Rome, raising theological questions about the role of Christianity in a declining empire. St. Augustine writes The City of God in response, emphasizing the eternal nature of the heavenly kingdom over earthly cities.

Council of Ephesus

431

Declares Mary as Theotokos or God-bearer, and condemns Nestorianism, which separated Christ’s divine and human natures too distinctly.

Council of Chalcedon

451

Defines the doctrine of Christ as being fully divine and fully human in one person, countering Monophysitism, which held that Christ had only one divine nature.

Reflection

452

The early church's development still impacts us today because of scriptures and doctrines from that time. The Councils established key doctrines on Christ’s nature and the Trinity, which continue to define Christianity today. Many events such as Constantine's conversion and the Edict of Milan, turned Christianity into a dominant force in the Roman Empire. this ended up influencing many Western civilizations. The fall of Rome shows how we learned to adapt to political and doctrinal challenges.

Reflection

452

What we can learn from the early struggles is to continue trusting our faith because God has a defined path for us which will lead us to where we need to be.