LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH
ANCIENT CHRISTIANITY COURSE
THERE'S NO BETTER DECISION
Taking the time and applying yourself to the study of God's Word is the very best way to spend your time!
2 TIMOTHY 2:15
Study to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
ANCIENT CHRISTIANITY
A COURSE PRESENTED BY HILLSDALE COLLEGE
INTRODUCTION
LARRY P. ARNN (13:32)
Religion in the ancient world was local and particular. The monotheism of the Jewish faith and the standards of Greek philosophy prepared the way for the growth of Christianity—the universal faith.
THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTIANITY
KENNETH R. CALVERT (24:40)
Jesus of Nazareth was born to poor Jewish parents under the legal authority of Caesar Augustus—who was declared in his lifetime to be the son of a god and the savior of his people. The great challenge of the early Christians was to explain the audacious message of the Incarnation—that the true God of the Universe entered the world as a baby in Bethlehem.
THE WORLD BEFORE CHRIST
KENNETH R. CALVERT (42:56)
Jesus was born into the long history of Judaism, which through the centuries before his birth, included being conquered, exiled, and ruled by foreigners. But this meant that Judaism and its messianic promise were familiar to many cultures, including the Greeks and the Romans.
THE LIFE OF JESUS
KENNETH R. CALVERT (30:21)
Jesus performed miraculous healing, encouraged friendliness, and preached peace. Yet the Romans crucified Him because they, and the Jewish leaders, feared His claim to be God would disrupt the order and peace.
APOSTLES, CREEDS AND SCRIPTURE
KENNETH R. CALVERT (37:53)
The apostles spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire after Christ’s death and trained others to preach the good news. As Christianity spread, many of the leading Christian apologists clarified their faith by forming credal statements of belief.
THE RISE OF ROMAN PERSECUTION
KENNETH R. CALVERT (23:17)
Most Romans were suspicious of this new religion because Christians refused to partake in pagan rituals and services that the Romans believed were necessary for good order. And unlike the Jews, the Christians did not have a long history or tradition.
NORTH AFRICAN DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH
KENNETH R. CALVERT (32:32)
Persecutions eventually spread throughout the Empire and were mandated by the emperors even as the Empire went through a century of chaos and instability. Many leading Christians began to defend their faith more vigorously, which also led to disputes and schisms between believers.
LESSON 8 - 11 COMING SOON
ROMANS 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
RESOURCES
Find some awesome resources below to get you started on your journey with Jesus! YouVersion is an amazing bible app that you can download to your phone to begin diving into the word of God. The Bible Project creates amazing visiualizations and videos of scriptures to help you learn about bible stories. Check out our New Believers page as well to get you started with the first steps of your new life with Jesus.
GETTING CONNECTED
ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO FIND CONNECTION IS BY COMING TO CHURCH
As a local church, with a passion to love God, people and life, we trust you feel both at home and at ease. Lighthouse Church is layers deep with wonderful people and fabulous community, and we would love to get to know you more. Whatever season of life you may be in, we sincerely pray you will sense the presence, peace and goodness of God