When did the "early Christians become Catholic"

[elvisman]

Elvis this is so interesting as I just had a discussion about this with someone. I saw an excellent program on TBN where a presentation was made around geocentrism and the value it had in debates over the age of the earth. Basically as I understood it the professor claimed that in taking certain measurements at various points outward they somehow can conclude or prove the earth is at the absolute center of the universe.

In arguing the age of the earth scientists who push for a much older age usually will point to elements like the age of certain stars. The scientists on TBN explained that this would make sense because the farther away from the earth you are apparently time travels faster almost like riding a merry go round. If you stand in the middle of it you are barely turning but once you reach the outside you are moving much faster. So the earth at the center is say 10 thousand years old but something at the outer edge of the universe would then potentially be several million years old.

I may have botched up the explanation but it was quite fascinating.

PEACE

If I’m not mistaken, Albert Einstein came up with the theory of that “merry-go-round-effect”.
Some people write geocentrism off immediately as “kooky” - but it** IS a very interesting theory.**

 

[SpiritMeadow]

Those catholics that believe that other Christians are doomed to hell are not following the VERY liberal catechism:

• 839 “Those who have not yet received the Gospel are related to the People of God in various ways.”[325] The relationship of the Church with the Jewish People. When she delves into her own mystery, the Church, the People of God in the New Covenant, discovers her link with the Jewish People,[326] “the first to hear the Word of God.”[327] The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to God’s revelation in the Old Covenant. To the Jews “belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ”,[328] “for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.”[329]
• 840 And when one considers the future, God’s People of the Old Covenant and the new People of God tend towards similar goals: expectation of the coming (or the return) of the Messiah. But one awaits the return of the Messiah who died and rose from the dead and is recognized as Lord and Son of God; the other awaits the coming of a Messiah, whose features remain hidden till the end of time; and the latter waiting is accompanied by the drama of not knowing or of misunderstanding Christ Jesus.
• 841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”[330]
• 842 The Church’s bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race: All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God. His providence, evident goodness, and saving designs extend to all against the day when the elect are gathered together in the holy city. . .[331]
• 843 "The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as ‘a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life.’

I don’t know as I would consider the Catechism as liberal, but you are most right. The Catechism teaches otherwise. But this I find is common among a few here. They deny what is in black in white. Blessings.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

**Hi Spirit,

I found your post very interesting; you seem part Catholic and part Protestant…someone in the middle; yet the differences in theology between Catholics and fundamental Protestants are polar opposites. I said all of that to ask; where do you stand in relation to the basic teaching on salvation?**

I am Episcopalian, of the high church variety, the very antithesis of fundamentalism I would say. Be specific in your question about salvation. That is entirely too broad to address and is off point I think.

 

[elvisman]

1. I am not your anti-Catholic friend, since I am not anti-Catholic. Please refrain from such language.
2. I, like many others here cannot read your bright blue and red interjections. It is impossible to follow, and I will not read your posts constructed as such.
3. There is nothing wrong with Roman Catholic or Roman Church. Neither appelation is rude or unseemly. They are meant to differentiate you from the EO, and other Catholic churches in the world who also claim to be Catholic and have primacy as the true church, as well as Anglicans, Lutherans and others who claim Catholic as appelation by virtue of apostolic succession.

**1. When you tell untruths and outright lies about the Church or when you refer to her as the “Roman Church”, you are displaying anti-Catholic traits. **
"By their fruits you shall know them." (Matt. 7:16)
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first" (John 15:18)

---

2. You, like many others here can’t answer the points I’ve made . . .

3. We are the Catholic Church - that’s the official name. “Roman Catholic” is also acceptable, but “Roman Church” or “Romanists” is derogatory and I respectfully ask that you refrain from using these immature monikers.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

The catholic church started immediately. The Catholic church was a few centuries later.

Thanks for saying it so siccintly!

 

[Seeking12]

1. I am not your anti-Catholic friend, since I am not anti-Catholic. Please refrain from such language.
2. I, like many others here cannot read your bright blue and red interjections. It is impossible to follow, and I will not read your posts constructed as such.
3. There is nothing wrong with Roman Catholic or Roman Church. Neither appelation is rude or unseemly. They are meant to differentiate you from the EO, and other Catholic churches in the world who also claim to be Catholic and have primacy as the true church, as well as Anglicans, Lutherans and others who claim Catholic as appelation by virtue of apostolic succession.

:clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping::hug3:

 

[elvisman]

**Please show all of us your claims from Scripture concerning the origin of the “Catholic Church”. **

**That’s about as silly as it gets. The whole point is that Sola Scriptura is a man-made, self-refuting farce.

Please show me where the “Holy Trinity” is named in Scripture and I’ll show you where “Catholic” is. Show mw where the word “Bible” is found in the Bible.

Show me where the Bible lists the canonized books in the Bible.

Until you can - stop issuing challenges to others. The fact is - we can illustrate where the Bible gives the Church ALL of Jesus’ authority to do whatever she sees fit. I can’t say the same about your renegade sect.**

 

[Gerry_Hunter]

Oh I always get a real charge out of these demands for Scriptural proof. Someone should point out that the Catholic Church existed before the canon of Scripture was set by her, and before the books in it had been written. To hear it told, the church was sola scriptura before the New Testament existed.

It’s a real head scratcher. Best to just chuckle at it, since it can’t possibly be taken seriously.

Blessings,

Gerry

 

[Mannyfit75]

1. I am not your anti-Catholic friend, since I am not anti-Catholic. Please refrain from such language.

The term Roman Church is incorrect. That has never been used by any Church document. It is a hallmark of Anti-Catholic bias which many Non-Catholics have called us. Second, the proper term is Catholic Church as a whole.

Second, the Catholic Church does not include Latin Rites (Roman Rite) but include Eastern Catholics, whose customs and tradition are the same as EO. Yet, they are in full communion with the Pope.

1. I, like many others here cannot read your bright blue and red interjections. It is impossible to follow, and I will not read your posts constructed as such.

That is between you and the person who openly discusses with you.

1. There is nothing wrong with Roman Catholic or Roman Church. Neither appelation is rude or unseemly. They are meant to differentiate you from the EO, and other Catholic churches in the world who also claim to be Catholic and have primacy as the true church, as well as Anglicans, Lutherans and others who claim Catholic as appelation by virtue of apostolic succession.

There is only One Catholic Church. There are those who claim to be Catholic but they are not. Many people around the world who hear the world Catholic Church, they automatically know that is it is the Catholic Church whose office resides in the Vatican.

Anglican and Lutheran cut themselves off from the historical Church the moment they separated from Pope.

Who in gave them authority to break? I find the justification for the break like justifying to have an divorce (King Henry the Eight) as completely selfish. Yet, God curse the king by denying him an male son.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Seeking12
Please show all of us your claims from Scripture concerning the origin of the “Catholic Church”.

Please show us all the belief that God is Triune God, or that Jesus has true natures, human and divine? These are not taught or mention in Scripture but has official been declared to be dogmatic by the Catholic Church and the belief that most Christians believe.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Oh I always get a real charge out of these demands for Scriptural proof. Someone should point out that the Catholic Church existed before the canon of Scripture was set by her, and before the books in it had been written. To hear it told, the church was sola scriptura before the New Testament existed.

It’s a real head scratcher. Best to just chuckle at it, since it can’t possibly be taken seriously.

Blessings,

Gerry

The Church existed before the completetion of the Bible as a whole.

 

[firstmode]

Here you go, here is a Bible cannon WAY before NICEA ever happened. This gives a good sign that all the early churches were ALREADY using the majority of the Bible at a very early date WAY before NICEA.

OLD TESTAMENT

Mlito (C. 170)

Melito was bishop of the church in Sardis, an inland city of Asia Minor. His list gives the Hebrew canon minus Esther, and makes no mention of any of the disputed books. This list was published abroad and recommended by Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea.

But in the Extracts made by him the same writer * gives at the beginning of the Introduction a catalog of the acknowledged books of the Old Testament, which it is necessary to quote at this point. He writes as follows: “Melito to his brother Onesimus, greeting! Since you have often, in your zeal for the Word, expressed a wish to have extracts made from the Law and the Prophets concerning the Saviour, and concerning our entire Faith, and have also desired to have an accurate statement of the ancient books, as regards their number and their order, I have endeavored to perform the task, knowing your zeal for the faith, and your desire to gain information in regard to the Word, and knowing that you, in your yearning after God, esteem these things above all else, struggling to attain eternal salvation. Accordingly when I went to the East and reached the place where these things were preached and done, I learned accurately the books of the Old Testament, and I send them to you as written below. These are their names: Of Moses five, Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, Deuteronomy; Joshua the son of Nun, Judges, Ruth, four of Kingdoms, 1 two of Chronicles, the Psalms of David, Solomon’s Proverbs or Wisdom, 2 Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Job; of the Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, 3 the Twelve [minor prophets] in one book, Daniel, Ezekiel, Esdras. 4 From which also I have made the extracts, dividing them into six books.” Such are the words of Melito.*

 

[firstmode]

NEW TESTAMENT

The Muratorian Fragment
(about A.D. 170)

The Muratorian Fragment is the oldest known list of New Testament books.

• Ludovico Antonio Muratori, ed., Antiquitates Italicae Medii Aevi, v. 3 (ex typographia Societatis palatinæ, Mediolani, 1740). Reprinted in Bologna, 1965.
  THE MURATORIAN CANON

. . . at which nevertheless he was present, and so he placed [them in his narrative]. [1] (2) The third book of the Gospel is that according to Luke. (3) Luke, the well-known physician, after the ascension of Christ, (4-5) when Paul had taken with him as one zealous for the law, [2] (6) composed it in his own name, according to [the general] belief. [3] Yet he himself had not (7) seen the Lord in the flesh; and therefore, as he was able to ascertain events, (8) so indeed he begins to tell the story from the birth of John. (9) The fourth of the Gospels is that of John, [one] of the disciples. (10) To his fellow disciples and bishops, who had been urging him [to write], (11) he said, ‘Fast with me from today to three days, and what (12) will be revealed to each one (13) let us tell it to one another.’ In the same night it was revealed (14) to Andrew, [one] of the apostles, (15-16) that John should write down all things in his own name while all of them should review it. And so, though various (17) elements [3a] may be taught in the individual books of the Gospels, (18) nevertheless this makes no difference to the faith of believers, since by the one sovereign [3b] Spirit all things (20) have been declared in all [the Gospels]: concerning the (21) nativity, concerning the passion, concerning the resurrection, (22) concerning life with his disciples, (23) and concerning his twofold coming; (24) the first in lowliness when he was despised, which has taken place, (25) the second glorious in royal power, (26) which is still in the future. What (27) marvel is it then, if John so consistently (28) mentions these particular points also in his Epistles, (29) saying about himself, 'What we have seen with our eyes (30) and heard with our ears and our hands (31) have handled, these things we have written to you? [4] (32) For in this way he professes [himself] to be not only an eye-witness and hearer, (33) but also a writer of all the marvelous deeds of the Lord, in their order. (34) Moreover, the acts of all the apostles (35) were written in one book. For ‘most excellent Theophilus’ [5] Luke compiled (36) the individual events that took place in his presence — (37) as he plainly shows by omitting the martyrdom of Peter (38) as well as the departure of Paul from the city [of Rome] [5a] (39) when he journeyed to Spain. As for the Epistles of (40-1) Paul, they themselves make clear to those desiring to understand, which ones [they are], from what place, or for what reason they were sent. (42) First of all, to the Corinthians, prohibiting their heretical schisms; (43) next, [6] to the Galatians, against circumcision; (44-6) then to the Romans he wrote at length, explaining the order (or, plan) of the Scriptures, and also that Christ is their principle (or, main theme). [6a] It is necessary (47) for us to discuss these one by one, since the blessed (48) apostle Paul himself, following the example of his predecessor (49-50) John, writes by name to only seven churches in the following sequence: To the Corinthians (51) first, to the Ephesians second, to the Philippians third, (52) to the Colossians fourth, to the Galatians fifth, (53) to the Thessalonians sixth, to the Romans (54-5) seventh. It is true that he writes once more to the Corinthians and to the Thessalonians for the sake of admonition, (56-7) yet it is clearly recognizable that there is one Church spread throughout the whole extent of the earth. For John also in the (58) Apocalypse, though he writes to seven churches, (59-60) nevertheless speaks to all. [Paul also wrote] out of affection and love one to Philemon, one to Titus, and two to Timothy; and these are held sacred (62-3) in the esteem of the Church catholic for the regulation of ecclesiastical discipline. There is current also [an epistle] to (64) the Laodiceans, [and] another to the Alexandrians, [both] forged in Paul’s (65) name to [further] the heresy of Marcion, [6b] and several others (66) which cannot be received into the catholic Church (67)— for it is not fitting that gall be mixed with honey. (68) Moreover, the epistle of Jude and two of the above-mentioned (or, bearing the name of) John are counted (or, used) in the catholic [Church]; [7] and [the book of] Wisdom, (70) written by the friends [7a] of Solomon in his honour. (71) We receive only the apocalypses of John and Peter, (72) [7b] though some of us are not willing that the latter be read in church. (73) But Hermas wrote the Shepherd (74) very recently, [7c] in our times, in the city of Rome, (75) while bishop Pius, his brother, was occupying the [episcopal] chair (76) of the church of the city of Rome. [7d] (77) And therefore it ought indeed to be read; but (78) it cannot be read publicly to the people in church either among (79) the Prophets, whose number is complete, [8] or among (80) the Apostles, for it is after [their] time. (81) But we accept nothing whatever of Arsinous or Valentinus or Miltiades, (82) who also composed (83) a new book of psalms for Marcion, (84-5) together with Basilides, the Asian founder of the Cataphrygians [8a] . . .

 

[firstmode]

The New Testament Canon
New Testament Books Treated as Traditional Scripture by Early Writers

Italic type indicates that the writer either does not mention the book or expressed some doubt about the status of the book.

Athanasius Origen Irenaeus Marcion*
(b. 296) (b. 185) (b. 130) (b. 85)

Matthew Matthew Matthew
Mark Mark Mark
Luke Luke Luke Luke
John John John
Acts Acts Acts
Romans Romans Romans Romans
1 Cor 1 Cor 1 Cor 1 Cor
2 Cor 2 CoR 2 Cor 2 Cor
Galatians Galatians Galatians Galatians
Ephesians Ephesians Eph Eph
Philippians Philippians Philippians Philip
Colossians Colossians Colossians Colos
1 Thess 1 Thess 1 Thess 1 Thessalonians
2 Thess 2 Thess 2 Thess 2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy
2 Timothy 2 Timothy 2 Timothy
Titus Titus Titus
Philemon Philemon Philemon Philemon
Hebrews Hebrews Hebrews
James James James
1 Peter 1 Peter 1 Peter
2 Peter 2 Peter 2 Peter
1 John 1 John 1 John
2 John 2 John 2 John
3 John 3 John 3 John
Jude Jude Jude
Revelation Revelation Revelation

 

[firstmode]

A Chronology of Scripture

listing the events in the history of the canon and ancient versions of Scripture, and of the place of Scripture in the church and in society.


* 1921. Abraham arrives in Canaan.
* 1898. Destruction of Sodom.
* 1897. Birth of Isaac.
* 1837. Birth of Jacob and Esau.
* 1760. Isaac blesses Jacob. Jacob flees to Haran.
* 1750. Birth of Judah.
* 1739. Jacob wrestles with the Angel at Peniel, who gives him the name Israel.
* 1689. Death of Israel in Egypt.
* 1520. Book of Job written (?)
* 1491. Moses called at the burning bush. Exodus from Egypt. Law given from Mount Sinai.
* 1470. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers probably written by now.
* 1451. Deuteronomy written. Death of Moses.
* 1426. Joshua written. Death of Joshua.

1165. Hannah presents the boy Samuel to Eli.​

1095. Saul anointed king by Samuel.​

1056. Death of Saul. David becomes king.​

1017. David numbers the people of Israel. Seventy thousand die of pestilence.​

1015. Death of David. Solomon becomes king. Psalms, Judges and Ruth written by now.​

1004. Solomon dedicates the Temple. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs written.​

984. Solomon builds heathen shrines for his wives.​

975. Death of Solomon. Rehoboam becomes king in Jerusalem and plays the tyrant.​

974. Jeroboam wrests 10 tribes of the North from Rehoboam and builds rival altar in Bethel.​

925. First and Second Samuel written about now.​

910. Elijah preaches against king Ahab in the North.​

899. Naboth robbed and murdered by Jezebel.​

855. Obadiah begins to preach.​

800. Joel begins to preach (?)​

785. Jonah begins to preach.​

760. Amos begins to preach.​

750. Hosea begins to preach.​

740. Isaiah begins to preach.​

730. Micah begins to preach about now.​

726. Hezekiah becomes king of Judah, purges the land of idols.​

722. Fall of the Northern kingdom to Assyrians. The 10 tribes taken into captivity.​

710. Sennacherib invades Judea.​

681. Death of Isaiah.​

678. Samaria colonized by Assyrians.​

650. Manasseh, king of Judah, taken captive to Babylon.​

641. Josiah proclaimed king at 8 years of age.​

630. Zephaniah begins to preach about now.​

627. Jeremiah begins to preach.​

624. Reformation of religion begun under Josiah.​

621. Josiah purifies the Temple. Book of the Law discovered there.​

615. Nahum begins to preach about now.​

609. Death of Josiah in battle.​

606. Habakkuk begins to preach about now.​

605. Daniel begins to preach.​

593. Ezekiel begins to preach.​

586. Jerusalem destroyed by Babylonian army of Nebuchadnezzar.​

580. Thousands of Jews exiled. Lamentations written. Death of Jeremiah.​

550. First and Second Kings written about now.​

538. Capture of Babylon by Persian army of Cyrus.​

536. First return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel.​

530. Death of Daniel.​

527. Death of Cyrus.​

 

[firstmode]

520. Zechariah and Haggai begin to preach.​

515. Temple rebuilt by now.​

490. Persians defeated by Greeks at Battle of Marathon.​

480. Events of Book of Esther.​

460. Esther written.​

458. Return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem with Ezra.​

440. First and Second Chronicles and Ezra written. Malachi begins to preach.​

432. Return of more Jewish exiles with Nehemiah. Samaritans establish rival temple. Nehemiah written.​

424. Death of Persian king Artaxerxes I and succession of Darius II.​

400. Death of Nehemiah.​

336. Accession of Darius III, last of the Persian kings. Alexander succeeds Philip as king of Macedonia.​

332. Alexander the Great arrives in Jerusalem.​

331. Alexander defeats Persian army at Battle of Arbela.​

323. Death of Alexander the Great and division of his empire.​

320. Ptolemy Soter (Greek king of Egypt) annexes Judea.​

283. Ptolemy Philadelphus reigns in Egypt.​

250. Septuagint version of the Pentateuch published.​

223. Antiochus the Great reigns over Syria.​

200. Tobit, Epistle of Jeremiah and Ecclesiasticus written. Letter of Aristeas written.​

198. Antiochus the Great annexes Judea.​

190. First Esdras written.​

175. Antiochus Epiphanes ascends the throne.​

174. Antiochus Epiphanes makes Jason High Priest.​

170. Additions to Esther written.​

168. Antiochus Epiphanes sets up altar to Zeus in the Jerusalem Temple. Maccabean revolt against Greek rule.​

166. Judas Maccabeaus victorious. Israel independent.​

160. Death of Judas Maccabeaus, succeeded by Jonathan.​

150. Judith and Baruch written. Septuagint version of Hebrew canon now complete.​

143. Jonathan Maccabeaus slain, succeeded by Simon. Book of Jubilees written.​

120. Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs and Assumption of Moses written.​

100. Wisdom of Solomon and First Maccabees written.​

75. Additions to Daniel (Song of the Three Children, Story of Susanna, and Bel and the Dragon) written.​

70. Second Maccabees and Prayer of Manasseh written. Book of Enoch compiled.​

63. Third Maccabees written. Judea conquered by Roman army of Pompey.​

37. Herod the Great appointed by Roman Senate as king of Judea. Psalms of Solomon written.​

31. Augustus made Roman emperor.​

19. Herod’s restoration of Temple begun. Fourth Maccabees written.​

5. Birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.​

4. Death of Herod the Great.​

 

[firstmode]

A.D.

* 6. Judea annexed to the Roman province of Syria. Books of Adam and Eve written.
* 14. Death of Augustus. Tiberius made emperor.
* 26. Baptism of Jesus. Pontius Pilate begins to govern Judea. Book of the Secrets of Enoch written.
* 27. Jesus calls the twelve, preaches Sermon on the Mount.
* 28. Peter, James, John witness the Transfiguration.
* 29. Jesus is crucified, rises again, ascends to heaven. Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost.
* 35. Martyrdom of Stephen. Paul persecutes the churches.
* 36. Jesus Christ appears to Paul near Damascus, converts and commissions him. Paul departs to Arabia.
* 38. Paul preaches in Syria and Cilicia.
* 43. Paul invited to Antioch, preaches to church. Roman legions invade Britain under the Emperor Claudius, beginning 400 years of Roman control.
* 46. Paul and Barnabas leave Antioch for First Missionary Journey. They preach in Cyprus and southern Galatia, with great success. Return to Antioch in 48.
* 49. Judaizers come to Antioch from Jerusalem, attempt to frustrate Paul's mission. Apostles at Jerusalem affirm Paul's teaching, give Gentiles freedom from the Law of Moses.
* 50. Paul and Silas leave Antioch for Second Missionary Journey. They preach in Galatia, Mysia, Macedonia, Achaia, Asia. Return to Antioch in 52.
* 52. Paul writes First Thessalonians and Second Thessalonians.
* 53. Paul begins Third Missionary Journey alone. Preaches in Asia, Macedonia, Achaia.
* 55. Judaizers active in Paul's churches. Paul writes Galatians to counter their influence.
* 56. Paul hears of disorder and conflict in Corinth, writes First Corinthians and Second Corinthians. Epistle of James circulates in Jewish churches.
* 57. Paul writes Epistle to the Romans, goes to Passover in Jerusalem, is assaulted by mob in the Temple, arrested by Romans, held in custody at Caesarea.
* 59. Paul appeals to Caesar, is sent to Rome for trial.
* 60. Paul held in Rome, writes Philippians and Philemon.
* 62. Paul writes Ephesians and Colossians, is released, visits Crete and Asia, leaves Titus in Crete. Hebrews written.
* 63. Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke probably in circulation by this time.
* 64. Paul writes 1 Timothy and Titus.
* 65. Roman persecution of Christians begins under Nero. 1 Peter and Acts written.
* 66. Jews of Judea rebel against Roman rule. Paul arrested again, sent to Rome. Ascension of Isaiah compiled. Docetic heresy (in which humanity of Christ is denied) arises in churches of Asia. Paul writes 2 Timothy.
* 67. Paul put to death. Nero sends army under Vespasian to subdue Judea.
* 68. Nero commits suicide. Jude and 2 Peter in circulation. Peter dead by now. Jerusalem Christians refuse to join rebellion, move to Pela in Arabia to escape persecution.
* 69. Vespasian becomes Emperor, puts army under command of his son Titus.
* 70. Jerusalem destroyed by Roman army under Titus. Remnant of Jewish church there falls into Ebionite heresy (in which Jesus is merely a prophet), rejects all writings but corrupted Gospel of Matthew. Rabbinic academy established at Jamnia.
* 73. Mass suicide of 1,000 Jewish Zealots at fortress of Masada.
* 81. Domitian becomes Emperor. Timothy dead by now. John has charge of churches in Asia. Docetic conventicles increase there.
* 85. John resists Ebionite and Docetic errors in the churches, writes his Gospel of John about now.
* 90. Domitian renews persecution of Christians. John exiled to Patmos. 1 John written by now. Second Esdras and Odes of Solomon written. Council of Jewish rabbis at Jamnia ratifies Hebrew canon.
* 95. John writes his Revelation, is released, returns to Ephesus. Docetic heretics depart from John's churches and form their own sects.
* 98. Trajan becomes Emperor.
* 100. 2 John and 3 John written by now. Death of John in Ephesus. Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians written by Clement of Rome. Death of Clement. Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (earliest catechism) written. Josephus writes Contra Apionem in defence of Judaism.

 

[firstmode]

110. Persecution of churches in Syrian Antioch. Second and Third Baruch written.​

112. Persecution of churches in Bythynia. Pliny the Younger reports to Trajan.​

115. Bishops established over elders in larger churches of Asia. Legalism prevails in many churches.​

117. Death of Ignatius of Antioch in Rome. Epistle of Barnabas written by now. Hadrian becomes Emperor.​

125. Earliest notice of church in Alexandria.​

130. Death of Papias, disciple of John.​

132. Jews hail militant Bar-Cochba as Messiah and revolt again.​

135. Roman army victorious. Jews dispersed. Gnosticism flourishes in Asia. Jamnia academy moves to Galilee. Fourth Baruch written.​

138. Valentinus (Gnostic arch-heretic) comes to Rome.​

140. Shepherd of Hermas and Second Epistle of Clement written. Marcion opposes legalistic trend in churches, collects and edits Paul’s epistles, comes to Rome.​

144. Marcion withdraws from church in Rome and establishes heretical sect, rejects all writings but corrupted letters of Paul and Gospel of Luke, gains many followers.​

156. Death of Polycarp of Smyrna (according to the chronology of many modern scholars), last disciple of John. Sacramentalism arises in the churches. Montanus begins charismatic revival preaching in northwest Asia, gains a following in small towns.​

160. Birth of Tertullian, first of the Latin Church Fathers.​

161. Marcus Aurelius becomes Emperor, begins severe persecution of the Church.​

166. Death of Justin Martyr, first Christian apologist. Death of Polycarp of Smyrna (according to the chronology of Eusebius and some modern scholars). Tatian leaves Rome for Syria. Death of Marcion. Alexandrian church flourishes.​

170. Muratorian Canon lists approved books of the Church: James, Jude, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, Hebrews still not accepted by all. Bishops now preside over elders in most churches.​

173. Tatian teaches Encratite heresy (Gnostic asceticism) in Syria, composes Diatessaron, harmony of Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke.​

177. Persecution of churches in Gaul.​

178. Death of Montanus. Bishops of Asia excommunicate his charismatic followers. Irenaeus bishop of Lyons.​

180. Beginning of Syrian and Latin versions of the New Testament. First report of Christians among Germanic tribes.​

185. Birth of Origen.​

200. Death of Irenaeus of Smyrna, disciple of Polycarp. Montanist conventicles now in Gaul. Mishna (legal tradition of the Pharisees) committed to writing by rabbis.​

203. Origen head of catechetical school in Alexandria.​

204. Birth of Plotinus.​

207. Tertullian, “distressed by the envy and laxity of the clergy of the Roman church,” joins the Montanist sect in Carthage.​

215. Death of Clement of Alexandria, teacher of Origen.​

220. Death of Tertullian.​

231. Origen moves to Caesarea.​

254. Death of Origen.​

263. Birth of Eusebius.​

270. Death of Plotinus.​

276. Execution of Manes, founder of Manichaeism.​

288. Birth of Constantine.​

303. Emperor Diocletian begins severe persecution of the Church. Many copies of Scripture burned.​

312. Constantine converted, becomes Emperor in the West. End of persecutions.​

313. Edict of Toleration promulgated by Constantine at Milan. Eusebius appointed bishop of Caesarea.​

318. Arius teaches that Christ was created being, is excommunicated by Alexander, bishop of Alexandria.​

320. Pachomius establishes first Christian monastery.​

324. Constantine gains control over Eastern provinces, becomes sole Emperor.​

325. Constantine convenes Council of Nicea, rejects Arian heresy, affirms Trinitarian Dogma.​

330. Constantinople dedicated as new capitol of the Empire.​

336. Death of Arius.​

340. Goths converted as a tribe by Ulfilus (Arian).​

345. Birth of Jerome in Dalmatia.​

350. Birth of Chrysostom.​

354. Birth of Augustine.​

363. Council of Laodicea publishes authoritative list of books considered as Scripture in the East.​

367. Easter Letter of Athanasius delimits books of Scripture.​

 

[firstmode]

382. Jerome comes to Rome.​

387. Augustine converted from Manichaeism and baptized.​

394. Olympian games abolished.​

395. Augustine made bishop of Hippo.​

397. Third Council of Carthage publishes authoritative list of books considered as Scripture in the West.​

405. Jerome finishes Latin Vulgate version of the Bible.​

410. Rome sacked by Goths under Alaric.​

426. Augustine publishes his City of God.​

 

[Gerry_Hunter]

The Church existed before the completetion of the Bible as a whole.

Yes, of course it did, as Catholics know. I’ve yet to find a fundamentalist Protestant who can explain to me how the Church in the Book of Acts could have been taking direction from books not yet written as their sole rule of faith.

As for the list that was placed here, it notes that only most of Holy Scripture was available to the early Church, not all of it for sure, so there’s proof that Holy Scripture, though a part of the Deposit of the Faith, cannot be the totality of it.

As an aside, I’ve been unable to visit the forums regularly for a period past, and it’s good to see you back safe Stateside, Manny.

Blessings,

Gerry