Category: Early Church

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For the first years, the church functioned as a sect of Judaism.

Abstract: The Church began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. With the power of the Holy Spirit, the church grew quickly but, for a number of years, it consisted of Jews only, functioned as a sect of Judaism, and was confined to Jerusalem. All Christians continued to live like Jews; strictly adhering to the Law of Moses.

Summary

The first 30 years of the church may be divided into four phases. This article discusses the first of these phases. It began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 and ended when the church was scattered from Jerusalem through persecution (Acts 8:1). Estimates of the duration of this phase vary from one year to four years.

During this phase, God’s Holy Spirit worked mightily, performing many great miracles (Acts 2:43), giving courage to the apostles and power to their sermons. In just a few years, the church grew from the initial group of 120 to many thousands (Acts 2:41). However, the church was confined to Jerusalem, consisted only of Jews and Jewish proselytes, and functioned as part of Judaism. The following are indications of the Jewish nature of the church in this first phase:

The church was limited to Jerusalem.

The church received the power of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem (Acts 1:4). The Jewish Council later stated that the disciples had filled Jerusalem with their teaching (Acts 5:21, 27, 28). The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly, but only in Jerusalem (Acts 6:7).

The church ‘began’ on a Jewish feast day.

God selected the Jewish feast day of Pentecost to pour out His Holy Spirit. On that annual feats day, devout Jews from all nations, who spoke the languages of the countries where they were born, were gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 2:10, 5). God also gave His followers the ability to speak the languages of these foreigners, indicating God’s purpose to reach Jews from all over the world with the news of Jesus Christ. On that day, 3000 Jews were added to the church (Acts 2:41).

Israel is called to repent.

Peter, the main spokesperson during this phase, did not hesitate to accuse the Jews directly for the death of Jesus (Acts 2:22-23). However, he also called the Jews to repentance, saying that God exalted Jesus to His right hand to grant repentance to Israel (Acts 5:31) and, for Israel first, God raised up His Servant Jesus and sent Him to bless Israel by turning them from their wicked ways (Acts 3:26, 20). In other words, God did not reject Israel for killing Jesus. On the contrary, God greatly increased His effort to convert Israel to repentance.

The church gave Jewish Sermons.

Their sermons were entirely Jewish, indicating that it was intended for Israel alone. For example, Peter addressed his audience as “Men of Israel“ (Acts 2:22, 36) and quoted liberally from the prophets (e.g., Acts 2:17-21). Stephen’s defense before the High Priest and the council was similarly thoroughly Jewish, summarizing Israel’s history (Acts 7).

The church worshiped in the Temple.

The church worshiped every day but they worshiped in the temple (Acts 2:46), where only Jews were allowed. God gave them explicit instructions to preach in the temple (Acts 5:20). God also gave a most significant miracle at the temple (Acts 3:1-10), attracting the attention of all the Jews worshiping in the temple, allowing Peter to witness powerfully (Acts 3:19; 4:4).

A Sect of Judaism

During these first few years, God limited the efforts of His Holy Spirit to Jews. The church grew extremely fast but consisted of Jews only, continuing to live practically as Jews. Christianity at this time was a sect of Judaism, and the dramatic actions of the young church were still confined to Jerusalem.

– END OF SUMMARY – 

Overview of the History

Before Pentecost

For a period of forty days after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His chosen apostles (Acts 1:2), proving to them that He is alive (Acts 1:3). At the end of the forty days, He was taken up into heaven (Acts 1:2-3).

Just before He was taken up, He gave instructions to His apostles (Acts 1:2) not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait in Jerusalem to be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5).

Pentecost

Ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, the remaining 120 followers of Christ (Acts 1:15) were all together in one place. Suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind that filled the whole house. There appeared what looked like tongues of fire that came to rest on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages (Acts 2:1-4).

After Pentecost

On that day and during the subsequent years God’s Holy Spirit worked mightily”

“Many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles” (Acts 2:43; 5:12; 6:8).

A man who was more than 40 years old (Acts 4:22), and who was lame from birth (Acts 3:2), was healed at the temple (Acts 3:1-10).

While the apostles were securely locked up in prison (Acts 5:18, 23), an angel released them (Acts 5:19).

The people of Jerusalem “even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them” (Acts 5:15).

“People from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were … bringing people who were sick … and they were all being healed” (Acts 5:16).

The church grew quickly.

The Holy Spirit gave courage to the apostles and power to their sermons. The church grew from an initial group of 120 to many thousands in just a few years. On the day of Pentecost alone the followers of Jesus increased from 120 to more than 3,000 (Acts 2:41). “The Lord was adding to their number day by day” (Acts 2:47). After the healing of the lame man at the temple, there were more than 10,000 believers (Acts 4:4). Thereafter “all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number” (Acts 5:14; 6:1, 7). This is amazing, considering that the Leader of the group was killed. But instead of hiding, the number of followers increased exponentially on the basis of the teaching of these “uneducated and untrained men” (Acts 4:13). This shows the power of the Holy Spirit.

However, the church was limited to Jerusalem, consisted of Jews only, and functioned as a sect of Judaism. Indications of the Jewish nature of this first phase are:

The church was limited to Jerusalem.

Jesus explicitly told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). The Jewish Council (Acts 5:21, 27) later declared “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching” (Acts 5:28). This first phase of the early church closed with the comment: “The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).

The church ‘began’ on a Jewish feast day.

The church received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost when devout Jews and proselytes from all nations were gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 2:10, 5). These Jews and proselytes included, amongst others, Parthians, Medes, Egyptians, Libyans, Romans, and Arabs (Acts 2:9-10). They spoke the language of the nation where they were born. They also heard the sound from heaven and came together to see what it was. The Holy Spirit gave the believers the ability to speak the various languages of these people. These foreigners were amazed to hear the 120, whom they knew were Galileans (Acts 2:7), speaking in their own foreign languages of the mighty deeds of God (Acts 2:11-12).

The fact that God chose Jerusalem and the day of Pentecost to pour out His Holy Spirit and that He gave His followers the ability to speak the languages of these foreigners, indicates God’s intention to reach Jews all over the world with the good news of Jesus Christ. On that day 3000 Jews were added to the church (Acts 2:41).

Israel was called to repent.

Peter, the primary spokesperson during this phase, did not hesitate to blame the Jews for the death of “the Holy and Righteous One”::

On Pentecost Peter said to the Jews: “Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this Man … you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death” (Acts 2:22-23) AND “Let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified” (2:36).

In his speech in the temple, after the healing of the lame man, Peter said to the Jews gathered in the temple: “His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate … you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life” (Acts 3:13-15)

The next day, after they were jailed for teaching in the temple, Peter said to the “rulers and elders and scribes … gathered together in Jerusalem” (Acts 4:5, 8): “By the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone” (Acts 4:10-11)

The Jewish Council (Acts 5:27) later complained, “You… intend to bring this man’s blood upon us” (Acts 5:28), but Peter reiterated “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross” (Acts 5:30).

But God did not reject Israel for killing Jesus. Christ’s prayer on the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” was an expression of God’s heart. Israel still had the opportunity to repent (Acts 3:17-19). Therefore Peter and the apostles preached repentance to the Jews:

“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise (of the Holy Spirit) is for you and your children and for all who are far off” (Acts 2:38-39)

After the lame man was healed, Peter said to the Jews in the temple, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19).

Not only did Peter preach repentance to the Jews; he preached repentance for Jews first. He assured his Jewish listeners:

That “for you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways” (Acts 3:26);

That Jesus is ”the Christ (Savior) appointed for you” (Acts 3:20) and;

That “God exalted (Jesus) to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel” (Acts 5:31);

Paul often used the phrase “Jew first” (E.g., Rom 1:16; 2:9, 10). God, after the death of Christ, not only sent the gospel to the Jews first, but they will always have the first right to salvation. “From the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers” (Rom 11:28).

The church gave Jewish Sermons.

Peter’s sermons were entirely Jewish. In his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, he addressed his audience as “Men of Israel“ (Acts 2:22) and “the house of Israel” (Acts 2:36) and quoted both Joel (Acts 2:17-21) and David (Acts 2:25-28). These references would have meant nothing to any Gentile standing around. The 3000 people who were saved that day would all have been Jewish. His second sermon, in the temple, after the lame man was healed, was also entirely Jewish. Several times he referred to the prophets (Acts 3:18, 21, 24-25), explicitly mentioning Samuel (Acts 3:24), Moses (Acts 3:22), and Abraham (Acts 3:25).

Stephen’s defense before the High Priest and the council was also thoroughly Jewish, summarizing Israel’s history (Acts 7).

The church worshiped in the Temple.

After Pentecost, the 3000 believers were “day by day continuing with one mind in the temple” (2:46), where Gentiles were not allowed (Acts 2:46). The nearest the Gentiles could get was the Court of the Gentiles that surrounded the Temple. “Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer” (Acts 3:1). “They were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico”, which was a specific part of the temple (compare Acts 3:8 and 3:11).

God gave Peter to heal a lame man “at the gate of the temple” (Acts 3:2, 7). This man “they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple” (Acts 3:2). All the people knew him (Acts 3:10). Since God had removed his deformity, the man was probably now, for the first time in his whole life, allowed to enter the temple. He “entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God” (3:8). With the man still “clinging to Peter and John” (Acts 3:11), and with all the people gathering around them, full of amazement (3:11), the miracle gave Peter the opportunity to testify in the temple, where only Jews were allowed. God chose this location, which confirms that God’s efforts were still focused on the Jewish nation. Peter urged them to “repent, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19). Many believed, and the church grew to 5000 men (Acts 4:4).

After the apostles were jailed (Acts 5:18), an angel released them and told them to go and speak to the people in the temple (Acts 5:20), which they did (Acts 5:25). The authorities arrested them again (Acts 5:26), “flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus” (Acts 5:40), but they just kept on preaching in the temple “Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:42). Their worship still centered around the temple. In their view, they were the true Jews.

Conclusion

For a number of years after Jesus’s death and resurrection, God limited the efforts of His Holy Spirit to Jews. During this first phase of massive growth, the church consisted only of Jews, and continued to live like Jews. Christianity at this time was a part of Judaism, and the dramatic actions of the young church were still confined to Jerusalem. The later three phases provide additional evidence for this conclusion.

Other Articles

Early Church History

Key events in the first few decades that transformed the church from a sect of Judaism into an independent religion:

      • Jerusalem Phase 1After receiving the Holy Spirit, the church grew quickly but remained a Jewish sect, based in Jerusalem.
      • NEXT: Judea and Samaria phase 2After the 490 years of Daniel 9 have come to an end, God dispersed the church to Judea and Samaria through persecution.
      • Gentile Dispute Phase 3When the first Gentiles became Christians, a dispute arose about whether they must observe the Law of Moses.
      • Separation Phase 4The church council (Acts 15 ) caused a separation between Jewish and Gentile Christians when it decided that Gentiles are not subject to the Law while Jewish Christians continued in the Law.
      • Theological Implications 5This history explains the disputes addressed by Paul’s letters.
      • Chronology – Dates for key events

Other Articles

FOOTNOTES

  • 1
    After receiving the Holy Spirit, the church grew quickly but remained a Jewish sect, based in Jerusalem.
  • 2
    After the 490 years of Daniel 9 have come to an end, God dispersed the church to Judea and Samaria through persecution.
  • 3
    When the first Gentiles became Christians, a dispute arose about whether they must observe the Law of Moses.
  • 4
    The church council (Acts 15 ) caused a separation between Jewish and Gentile Christians when it decided that Gentiles are not subject to the Law while Jewish Christians continued in the Law.
  • 5
    This history explains the disputes addressed by Paul’s letters.
  • 6
    The Antichrist in Daniel, which is the same as the beast in Revelation, arises out of the Roman Empire; it is not Antiochus Epiphanes.
  • 7
    Discussion of the prophecy and the four main interpretations
  • 8
    Critical scholars teach that Daniel was written after the events it claims to predict.
  • 9
    The ultimate purpose of this website is to explain the mark of the beast.
  • 10
    Does Revelation describe events chronologically? Must it be interpreted literally? The temple in heaven, Christ’s Return, Hear/See Combinations, and the Numbers in Revelation
  • 11
    There was a book in heaven that not even Christ was able to read because it was sealed up with seven seals. But, by overcoming, He became worthy to break the seven seals and open the book.
  • 12
    This is the apex of Revelation, providing an overview of history from before Christ until the end-time, with emphasis on the end-time persecution.
  • 13
    These plagues will follow after the end-time Christian persecution and will be followed by Christ’s return. What is the purpose of these?
  • 14
    Revelation has three beasts with seven heads and ten horns each; a great red dragon, the beast from the sea, and a scarlet beast.
  • 15
    Babylon is mentioned only once in the first 15 chapters but the seventh and final plague targets her specifically. Then Revelation 17 and 18 explain who and what she is.
  • 16
    The conclusion that Jesus is ‘God’ forms the basis of the Trinity Doctrine.
  • 17
    The decision to adopt the Trinity doctrine was not taken by the church.
  • 18
    Including Modalism, Eastern Orthodoxy view of the Trinity, Elohim, and Eternal Generation
  • 19
    Discussions of the Atonement – How does God do away with sin?
  • 20
    How people are put right with God
  • 21
    Must Christians observe the Law of Moses?
  • 22
    Must Christians observe the Sabbath?
  • 23
    Are the dead still alive and aware?
  • 24
    Will the lost be tormented in hell for all eternity?
  • 25
    And why does God not make an end to all evil?
  • 26
    Key events that transformed the church into an independent religion
  • 27
    When? How? Has His return been delayed?
  • 28
    I do not have any formal theological qualifications and I am not part of any religious organization. These articles are the result of my studies over many years.
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Christianity began as a Jewish sect but 4 events separated it from Judaism.

Christianity began as a Jewish sect but four major events separated it from Judaism: (1) Receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost; (2) Persecution of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem; (3) The first uncircumcised Gentile Christians, and (4) the Acts 15 church council.

1. Jerusalem Phase

This phase began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. With the power of the Holy Spirit, the church grew exponentially but, for 2 to 4 years, consisted of Jews only, functioned as a sect of Judaism, observed the Law of Moses and the Jewish customs, remained limited to Jerusalem, and worshiped daily in the temple.

2. Judea and Samaria Phase

When Israel again rejected God by persecuting His Spirit-filled believers, the 490 year-covenant of Daniel 9 ended. Stephen pronounced God’s judgment on Israel and the Christians fled to Judea and Samaria, taking the gospel away from Jerusalem. For the next years, the church still observed the Law of Moses.

3. Gentile Dispute Phase

The church regarded Gentiles as unclean and avoided them but when Gentiles also received the Holy Spirit in Acts 10, it convinced the church that Gentiles may join the church. But a dispute arose as some Christians claimed that Gentile Christians must observe the Law of Moses.

4. Separation Phase

The Church Council in Acts 15 agreed that Gentiles are not subject to the Law of Moses, but Jewish Christians continued to live according to the Law and customs. This caused separation between the Jews and the Gentiles in the church.

Theological Implications

Early Church history provides important context for (1) Paul’s arguments that Jewish and Gentile Christians are united under the same law, (2) that the Law of Moses is no longer applicable, (3) that man is not justified by the works of the Law and (4) for Paul’s teaching, or lack of it, with respect to the Seventh Day Sabbath.

Estimated Dates

Approximate dates for key events in the first 40 years of the church – This article compares dates proposed by eight different Internet resources.

    • Other Articles

      Early Church History

      Key events in the first few decades that transformed the church from a sect of Judaism into an independent religion:

          • Jerusalem Phase 1After receiving the Holy Spirit, the church grew quickly but remained a Jewish sect, based in Jerusalem.
          • Judea and Samaria phase 2After the 490 years of Daniel 9 have come to an end, God dispersed the church to Judea and Samaria through persecution.
          • Gentile Dispute Phase 3When the first Gentiles became Christians, a dispute arose about whether they must observe the Law of Moses.
          • Separation Phase 4The church council (Acts 15 ) caused a separation between Jewish and Gentile Christians when it decided that Gentiles are not subject to the Law while Jewish Christians continued in the Law.
          • Theological Implications 5This history explains the disputes addressed by Paul’s letters.
          • Chronology – Dates for key events

      Other Topics

        • DANIEL
            • The Antichrist in Daniel 6The Antichrist in Daniel, which is the same as the beast in Revelation, arises out of the Roman Empire; it is not Antiochus Epiphanes.
            • The 490 years of Daniel 9 7Liberal scholars claim that this prophecy describes the Greek king Antiochus IV, two centuries before Christ. In Dispensationalism, the prophecy culminates in an end-time Antichrist. In the traditional interpretation, which dominated before liberalism and Dispensationalism, the prophecy focuses on Jesus Christ.
            • Is Daniel a fraud? 8Critical scholars teach that Daniel was written after the events it claims to predict.
        • REVELATION 9The ultimate purpose of this website is to explain these prophecies and, finally, the mark of the beast.
            • General Topics 10Does Revelation describe events chronologically? Must it be interpreted literally? The temple in heaven, Christ’s Return, Hear/See Combinations, and the Numbers in Revelation
            • The Seven Seals (Rev 4-7) 11There was a book in heaven that not even Christ was able to read because it was sealed up with seven seals. But, by overcoming, He became worthy to break the seven seals and open the book. Why was Jesus not “worthy” to open the book before He “overcame?” And how did His death make Him “worthy” to open the book?
            • The Seven Wars (Rev 12-14) 12This is the apex of Revelation. Revelation 12 provides an overview of history from before Christ until the end-time, Revelation 13 culminates in the end-time persecution, and Revelation 14 describes God’s response.
            • The Seven Last Plagues (Rev 15-16) 13The seven last plagues will be preceded by the end-time Christian-on-Christian persecution and followed by Christ’s return. Is the purpose simply punishment or do the plagues have a higher goal?
            • Revelation’s Beasts 14Revelation has three beasts with seven heads and ten horns each; a great red dragon (Rev 12:3), the beast from the sea (Rev 13:1), and a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names (Rev 17:3).
            • Babylon – Mother of Harlots (Rev 17-18) 15Babylon is mentioned only once in the first 15 chapters (Rev 14:8) but the seventh and final plague targets her specifically (Rev 16:19). Then Revelation 17 and 18 are dedicated to explaining who and what she is.
            • Revelation 17 verse-by-verse
        • TRINITY
        • SALVATION
        • THE LAW
        • DEATH
        • OTHER
            • Why does evil exist? 25And why does God not make an end to all evil?
            • The church began as a Jewish sect.26Key events that transformed the church into an independent religion
            • The Return of Christ 27When? How? Has His return been delayed?
            • About Author 28I do not hold any formal theological qualifications. Since I am not part of any religious organization, I am free to present the truth as I understand it. These articles are the result of my personal studies over many years.

FOOTNOTES

  • 1
    After receiving the Holy Spirit, the church grew quickly but remained a Jewish sect, based in Jerusalem.
  • 2
    After the 490 years of Daniel 9 have come to an end, God dispersed the church to Judea and Samaria through persecution.
  • 3
    When the first Gentiles became Christians, a dispute arose about whether they must observe the Law of Moses.
  • 4
    The church council (Acts 15 ) caused a separation between Jewish and Gentile Christians when it decided that Gentiles are not subject to the Law while Jewish Christians continued in the Law.
  • 5
    This history explains the disputes addressed by Paul’s letters.
  • 6
    The Antichrist in Daniel, which is the same as the beast in Revelation, arises out of the Roman Empire; it is not Antiochus Epiphanes.
  • 7
    Liberal scholars claim that this prophecy describes the Greek king Antiochus IV, two centuries before Christ. In Dispensationalism, the prophecy culminates in an end-time Antichrist. In the traditional interpretation, which dominated before liberalism and Dispensationalism, the prophecy focuses on Jesus Christ.
  • 8
    Critical scholars teach that Daniel was written after the events it claims to predict.
  • 9
    The ultimate purpose of this website is to explain these prophecies and, finally, the mark of the beast.
  • 10
    Does Revelation describe events chronologically? Must it be interpreted literally? The temple in heaven, Christ’s Return, Hear/See Combinations, and the Numbers in Revelation
  • 11
    There was a book in heaven that not even Christ was able to read because it was sealed up with seven seals. But, by overcoming, He became worthy to break the seven seals and open the book. Why was Jesus not “worthy” to open the book before He “overcame?” And how did His death make Him “worthy” to open the book?
  • 12
    This is the apex of Revelation. Revelation 12 provides an overview of history from before Christ until the end-time, Revelation 13 culminates in the end-time persecution, and Revelation 14 describes God’s response.
  • 13
    The seven last plagues will be preceded by the end-time Christian-on-Christian persecution and followed by Christ’s return. Is the purpose simply punishment or do the plagues have a higher goal?
  • 14
    Revelation has three beasts with seven heads and ten horns each; a great red dragon (Rev 12:3), the beast from the sea (Rev 13:1), and a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names (Rev 17:3).
  • 15
    Babylon is mentioned only once in the first 15 chapters (Rev 14:8) but the seventh and final plague targets her specifically (Rev 16:19). Then Revelation 17 and 18 are dedicated to explaining who and what she is.
  • 16
    The conclusion that Jesus is ‘God’ forms the basis of the Trinity Doctrine.
  • 17
    For the first more than 300 years, the church fathers believed that the Son is subordinate to the Father. The Trinity Doctrine was developed by the Cappadocian fathers late in the fourth century but the decision to adopt it was not taken by the church.
  • 18
    Including Modalism, Eastern Orthodoxy view of the Trinity, Elohim, and Eternal Generation
  • 19
    Discussions of the Atonement – How does God do away with sin?
  • 20
    How people are put right with God
  • 21
    Must Christians observe the Law of Moses?
  • 22
    Must Christians observe the Sabbath?
  • 23
    Are the dead still alive and aware?
  • 24
    Will the lost be tormented in hell for all eternity?
  • 25
    And why does God not make an end to all evil?
  • 26
    Key events that transformed the church into an independent religion
  • 27
    When? How? Has His return been delayed?
  • 28
    I do not hold any formal theological qualifications. Since I am not part of any religious organization, I am free to present the truth as I understand it. These articles are the result of my personal studies over many years.
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