Foundations
History of Christianity
From the first-century Church to the present: persecution, councils, schisms, and reform.
Origins in First-Century Judea
Christianity began in first-century Judea with the ministry of Jesus and, after his death and resurrection, the preaching of his apostles. Following Pentecost — described in the Acts of the Apostles as the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles — the faith spread rapidly around the Mediterranean, notably through the missionary journeys of Paul.
Persecution and Legalization
For its first three centuries, Christianity was periodically persecuted within the Roman Empire. This changed with the Edict of Milan in AD 313, issued by the Emperor Constantine, which granted Christianity legal tolerance; by the Edict of Thessalonica in AD 380, it became the empire's official religion.
Councils and the Great Schism
Early Church councils, including the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325, defined core Christian doctrine and produced the Nicene Creed. In 1054, longstanding theological and political tensions between the Church in the West (based in Rome) and the East (based in Constantinople) led to the Great Schism, splitting Christianity into what became the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. These early councils are also where the doctrine of the Trinity received its most precise formal definition.
The Reformation and the Modern Era
In 1517, Martin Luther's protests against certain Church practices set off the Protestant Reformation, leading to the formation of numerous Protestant denominations across Europe. Christianity subsequently spread worldwide through missionary work. In the twentieth century, the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) brought significant reforms to Catholic worship and Church life.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Christianity become legal in the Roman Empire?
The Edict of Milan in AD 313 granted Christianity legal tolerance across the Roman Empire; it became the empire's official religion under the Edict of Thessalonica in 380.
What caused the split between Catholic and Orthodox Christianity?
The Great Schism of 1054 formalized a split rooted in centuries of theological, liturgical, and political differences between the Western Church, centered in Rome, and the Eastern Church, centered in Constantinople.
What was the Protestant Reformation?
Beginning in 1517 with Martin Luther's protests against certain Church practices, the Reformation was a movement that led to the formation of numerous Protestant denominations separate from the Catholic Church.