Early Church History - CH101

Early Church History 101 is the place where you can learn some basics about the early Christian Church, ask difficult questions, and find answers for some of the assertions being used to attack the historic Christian faith.

The Fourth Century
The fourth century has now been added through the historic Council of Nicea.
- persecution under Diocletian
- read about the faith of Constantine
- get some facts about Donatus and Arius
- read the actual history regarding the historic Council of Nicea
- the original Nicean Creed of 325 AD


Feedback Updated
The CH101 Feedback Q & A section has been updated.
Topics include:
Why do Christians worship on The Lord's Day rather than on the Jewish Sabbath?
Why did the Reformers reject The Apocrypha?
Did the early "Christian" schools teach universal salvation?
How did Saul have the authority to hunt down Christians?
Why do Christians light candles during worship?
Palestine or Israel?
How did the ancient writers refer to the land occupied by Israel?

Other Questions
Water Baptism in the Early Church
Wine in the Ancient World
The Early Church Fathers on NT Revelation
The Early Church Fathers on Holiness
The New Testament, Faith, and the Resurrection
The New Testament and tithing

Other Topics of Interest:

1. Early Church History Podcasts
"Grace to You," a study in Ephesians using Watchman Nee, "Sit, Walk, Stand."

"Contemplative Prayer," a series based on the Brother Lawrence classic "The Practice of the Presence of God."

Church History class lectures given at Saint Augustine's College. (unedited)

2. Early Church History Book Reviews
The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life, by Hannah Whitall Smith

How the New Testament Canon was Formed
The NT was NOT dropped from heaven.
The NT was NOT delivered by an angel.
The NT was NOT dug up in a farmer's field as golden plates like the Book of Mormon.
The NT was NOT suddenly "discovered" in a clay jar with 27 "books" intact like the Dea Sea Scrolls or the Nag Hammadi texts.
Read "How the New Testament Canon was Formed"


What you will find with CH101
I have great passion for early church history in general, and the first three centuries of Christian history in particular. There is a real lack of knowledge and understanding of early church history, especially among Protestants. We should realize that the early church was not perfect, even though they were closer to the apostolic age. To understand how the fathers faced the issues of their day should instruct us, at the very least to give us perspective, and help us know which issues are truly important.
Meet Dr. R.A. Baker.
Dr. Baker's Research.