The Ante-Nicene Church Doing Church before 300 A

House of Worship • New Testament Pattern: Ø House to house in Jerusalem (Acts 2: 46) ØJohn Mark’s mother’s house in Jerusalem (Acts 12: 12) Ø Jason’s house in Thessalonica (Acts 17: 5) Ø Titius Justus’ house in Corinth (Acts 18: 7) Ø Stephanas’ house in Corinth (1 Cor. 16: 15) Ø House of Aquila & Prisca in Ephesus (1 Cor. 16: 19) Ø Nympha’s house in Laodicea (Col. 4: 15) Ø Philemon’s house in Colossae (Philemon 2)

House of Worship • Evidence in the Early Church: Ø Acts of Justin Martyr (165): “I have been living above the baths for the entire period of my sojourn in Rome, and I have known no other meeting place but here” Ø Celsus, True Discourse (178): “We see in private houses, workers in wool and leather, and fullers, and persons of the most uninstructed and rustic character. . . pour forth wonderful statements” to women and children “that they may attain to perfection. ” Ø Clementine Recognitions (211): “Theophilus. . . consecrated the great palace of his house under the name of a church. . . and the whole multitude assembl[ed] daily to hear the word. ”

House Churches Today

Dura-Europos • Private residence converted into church, prior to 256 • Oldest complete church building extant • Wall of dining room removed to create larger room for worship

Dura-Europos • Canopied baptistery with frescoes of Adam and Eve, Good Shepherd, Three women at empty tomb, David & Goliath, the woman at the well

Dura-Europos • Benches installed around interior courtyard for place of instruction

Day of Worship • Early Christians in Jerusalem kept the Sabbath and added celebration on Sunday • Pagans worshiped the sun on dies solis; Christians worshiped Sun of Righteousness (Mal. 4: 2) • New Testament – Acts 20: 7; 1 Cor. 16: 2) • Ignatius: Commemoration of resurrection • Justin: First day of creation and new creation

Offices of the Church • Servant leadership – Matt. 20: 25 -27 ØApostles (those sent out) ØDeacons (servants) ØElders (presbyters, priests) ØOverseers (bishops) ØPastors (shepherds) ØTeachers

Offices of the Church • Ordained ministry in the 2 nd century: ØBishops ØPriests ØDeacons • Ignatius (107): “Do nothing without the bishop and presbyters. . Neither presbyter, nor deacon, nor layman, do anything without the bishop. ”

Sunday Service • • • Scripture Reading Sermon Prayer Eucharist Offering

Scripture Reading • “The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits. ”

Sermon • “The president in a discourse admonishes and urges the imitation of these good things. ” Prayer • “We all rise together and send up prayers. ”

Singing • “The people sing out their assent, saying the ‘Amen. ’” Eucharist • “Bread is presented and wine and water. ” • “A distribution and participation of the elements for which thanks have been given is made to each person. ”

Eucharist • New Testament - Acts 2: 46, “breaking bread. . with gladness and sincerity of heart” • 1 Cor. 11: 26 – “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. ” • Eschatological joy, celebration, unity (“communion”), thanksgiving (“Eucharist”)

Offering • “Those who have means and are willing, each according to his own choice, gives what he wills. ” • “What is collected is deposited with the one presiding. ” • “He provides for the orphans and widows, those who are in need on account of sickness or some other cause, those who are in bonds, strangers who are sojourning, and in a word he becomes the protector of all who are in need. ”

Baptism • Pre-baptismal instruction (catechesis) • Prior to the ceremony: Ø Prayer Ø Fasting Ø Humility Ø Nightlong vigil Ø Confession of sin Ø Renunciation of Satan

Baptism • Water: running, pool, poured • Invocation of God; water consecrated by descent of Holy Spirit, who imparted to the water sacramental power • Triple immersion in name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; baptismal creed • Administrator: bishop; authorized pastor, deacon, or layman – not laywoman!

Baptism • Candidate was baptized naked • Then anointed with oil, signed with cross • Administrator imposed hands in welcome of the Holy Spirit • Newly baptized given white robe • After ceremony, joined the congregation for prayers and Eucharist, including milk & honey, symbols of the Promised Land

Spread of the Ante-Nicene Church

The Extent of the Spread • The Church became predominantly Gentile, no longer identified as a Jewish sect • By 200, it had permeated the Roman Empire, from Spain to India and possibly into China • Christians were concentrated in large cities • By 325, it is estimated that there were 7 million Christians

The Causes of the Spread • Christianity gave meaning to life: answered basic Greek, Roman, Hebrew questions • Endorsement by Constantine • Easily adaptable to all races/nations • Arose during decline of Roman Empire • Possessed moral, transforming power • Radical nature of resurrection evoked strong faith response • Christians treated each other as brothers & sisters • Martyrdom: their witness attracted new believers