The Early Church: The Spread of Christianity

In this third study of the Church History series, David Guzik answers this question: What Attracted People of the Roman Empire to Christianity?
Some important points:
• The Power of the Gospel and the Work of the Holy Spirit.
• The Inherently Evangelistic Nature of Christianity.
• The Unique Nature of the Christian Faith in Comparison to Roman Religions.
• The Character and Integrity of Christians.
• The Nature of Christian Community and Church Gatherings.
• A Focus on Discipleship.
Read the complete Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik: enduringword.com/

[@TimeTactician]

Love this! I don’t have any college education or seminary degree, so this is my only way of learning about the faith and the early church. Thank you for providing context for my growth. God Bless you.

[@PopleBackyardFarm]

Thank you we need more of these educational videos in the church

[@kvelez]

8:54 Tertullian. 12:40 Irenaeus of Lyon. 15:16 Attractive Christianity. 18:39 Zechariah 4 6 20:18 Jewish anecdotes. 31:57 Clarification on Emperors. 34:14 Paganism. 36:01 Origen of Alexandria. 40:28 Astonishing martyrs. 44:52 Cornelius of Rome and evangelism. 45:32 Christian-Egyptian prayer. 47:18 Gregory Thaumaturgus. 50:12 Evangelism. 51:49 Converts. 53:09 Christian life. 1:04:30 Christian courses.

[@donalddodson7365]

Each episode builds my knowledge of God's Kingdom. Thank you, Pastor-Teacher-Professor David. Blessed 2023.

[@m.a.2432]

I learn so much from your teachings. Thank you so much 👏🏼🙏🏼

[@jessyjonas4988]

Really interesting study Eagerly looking forward to learning lots Thanks for your dedication to Christ

[@m.a.2432]

Thank you for sharing 🙋🏽‍♀️

[@austinbodiford6360]

This series is just great! It would cool to have a download-able PDF to follow along with. Thanks for this 😊

[@jessyjonas4988]

The GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST from JERUSALEM TO ROME TO ALL OVER THE WORLD

[@jessyjonas4988]

Studying the book of acts This is exactly what we are looking at No money No proven Leader no technological tool It was new The truths were incredible to the unregenerate world It was subject to intense hatred + persecution Still it spread greater than wildfire From Jerusalem to Rome A remarkable feat The WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

[@ToOpen6seven]

ABSOLUTELY!!

[@donalddodson7365]

Amen!

[@peterkimani127]

GLORY to God and His Christ WHO are the original missionaries to Man with the message of Love.

[@jessyjonas4988]

@@peterkimani127 studying Mark 6

[@jessyjonas4988]

THE SUPERNATURAL WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT STILL WORKING TODAY GLORY BE TO GOD

[@garystanfield2274]

I have a test for anyone that thinks that they are Spirit filled, you will all flunk it.

[@jessyjonas4988]

@@garystanfield2274 I agree most flunk A big Fat F- for flunk( spell check do not mess up)🥲

[@garystanfield2274]

@@jessyjonas4988 No one today is Spirit filled in this fully Satan's world. HERE IS THE TEST FOR PROOF: No one today can pass the test below which is proof once again no one has Yahweh’s SpirIt, so once again no salvation for today. 1. In my name shall they cast out devils. - This was also proven throughout scriptures. 2. They shall speak with new tongues. - A tongue that could only come from Yahweh, tongues understood by all languages, why the true believers did not need an interpreter when they were sent to the ends of the earth to preach the Word. 3. They shall take up serpents. - Paul proved this fact. Acts 28:3-6 4. If they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. - I believe they tried to kill true believers with poisons. 5. They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall (will) recover. - Not maybe, or might, but WILL and they were, throughout the scriptures. 6. They needed no man to teach them, the Spirit taught them all things. - No Spirit filled person needed to go and listen to a preacher to teach them, they were preachers. 7. They all knew that they would suffer persecution and would be killed.

[@jessyjonas4988]

@@garystanfield2274 no salvation for today? Not sure what this means The command was given “ Be filled with the Spirit “ Ephesians 5:18 Why would He give us a command that we cannot fulfill ? What I know for sure I am filled with the Holy Spirit He equips me to do what He wants me to do Whatever the Holy Spirit wants us to do He will equip us to do The Holy Spirit does not work on our timetable and our agenda. At the start of the church these signs were necessary and needed. Whenever and wherever the Holy Spirit wants to work He will work. These signs did follow the Apostles. I believe if the Holy Spirit wants to do it again He will. He works in and through us at all times. When we stand to speak He speaks through us convicting hearts When we go places His presence goes with us giving hope and healing to others. The Holy Spirit is working and accomplishing the greater works

[@garystanfield2274]

@@jessyjonas4988 You are being taught what they were told to do when Peter and Paul walked the earth and the Spirit filled Elect of those back then. Christianity was started by Constantine in the 4th century from an already established pagan religion by the same name Rev. 12:9, the only time Satan in human history could deceive the world is when Constantine killed off the last of Yahweh's Elect with the 11th Roman Emperor Persecution. 4th Seal; and up to the coming Papacy's 7 Year Peace Plan, right after WW3, that can start at any time. Christianity is of Satan, all world religions are man made.

[@lettruthprevail9820]

Awesome video

[@DavidCrews-lg1wf]

Church history

[@BrambleHead]

I am very curious about the beliefs and traditions of the early church! Why isn't the church unified anymore? Why cant we agree what is, and what isn't heresy anymore?

[@donalddodson7365]

Yes, the pervasive effect of the Adversary Satan, and those human religionists who seek pious divisions rather than Christ proclaimed Divine Unity.

[@randybattiest3161]

People deny the bible is God's Word or its fallible or contradicts itself or make it to what they think,.....

[@cbannen8]

What cause the peaceful beginnings of the early church to become the violence of the crusades?

[@ToOpen6seven]

These were not true Christians (the crusaders). Preaching the gospel will never bring peace on this earth because the devil hates God and he stands in the way of any soul getting saved, but we must preach the gospel anyways. 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 kjv 1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

[@seanorourke5137]

Isaiah 27:6 [6]Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob; Israel shall blossom and bud, And fill the face of the world with fruit. Jesus thank you

[@myhappyspace4533]

Totally embarrassing how churches locked down and behaved exactly as the world during covid

[@donalddodson7365]

Also, totally tragic at the numbers of "church members" who prematurely went Home to be with the Lord because of their ignorance, willfulness or addiction to ritual over Relationship with the Living God.

[@truth409]

What proves open air preaching is for today?

[@DavidGuzikEnduringWord]

Perhaps we should consider this: Is there any Biblical passage that prohibits open air preaching? Jesus said that we are to make disciples, teaching them, telling them, etc. Open air preaching might not be culturally appropriate for every setting, but it certainly is useful in some places.

[@jenna2431]

What attracted them to Christianity? Would that be before or after it was made illegal to be anything BUT a Christian? If it were before, that's easy, too. Christianity was birthed in response to military occupation. It's the religion of rescue. So of course it would appeal to other people who were similarly under Rome's heel, no?

[@DavidGuzikEnduringWord]

The early church demonstrated great love for their fellow man, and great holiness. That was certainly part of the draw. God chose to do signs and wonders through the apostles, so that of course was a demonstration of God's power, and a validation of the message. Actually, the edict to make Christianity the state religion didn't come until 325 AD. Before that, it was at times very dangerous to follow Jesus Christ, and many Christians were killed or tortured for their faith. The early followers of Jesus thought that He came to be a political Messiah, but soon found out that that was not his reason for coming. Jesus' coming was for a spiritual kingdom. The early church did live expecting the soon return of the crucified, risen Christ, but their risked everything as they waiting. All the disciples except for John were martyred. The appearance of the risen Christ was a strong motivation for people to follow Him. he had been raised from the dead, as he said that he would be. I think those are the reasons that people followed Jesus. Thanks for writing.

[@ToOpen6seven]

@@DavidGuzikEnduringWord Praise the Lord Jesus. Jesus Christ is our ONLY hope and the ONLY means of being reconciled to God, that is the draw and also why TRUE Christianity is fought and hated so much! 2 Corinthians 5:19 “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

[@Syed_12]

( Do Christians And Jews and "OTHER" non-Muslims go to Heaven? ) Quran 2:62 '' Those who believe (in the Quran) and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures) and the Christians and the Sabians->ANYAllah< Is The Protector Of Monasteries, Churches, Synagogues And The Mosques ) Quran 22:40 [They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right - only because they say, " Our Lord is God " And were it not that God checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of God is much mentioned. And God will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, God is Powerful and Exalted in Might. Note: Why did Allah protected Churches and Synagogues if they worship false Allah ? ( Why Are There So Many Different Religions In The World ? ) Quran 5 48 ''...... If God wanted He could have made all of you a single nation.( ie single religion ) But He willed otherwise in order to test you in what He has given you (ie Scriptures) therefore try to excel one another in good deeds. Ultimately you all shall return to God then He will show you the truth of those matters in which you '' >DISPUTE verb < not noun like other religions Islam mean "submission" to God ( The above verse saying is that God will not accept a religion from the >MUSLIM< and the Non-Muslims but total "submission" to God ) Question: How Can Muslim And the Non-Muslim "submit" to the God? Answer: Be kind to other human beings and Do not lie, Do not steal, Do not cheat, Do not hurt others, Do not be prideful and Do the charity work. Note: If you obeyed all the ABOVE Allah-God's moral laws "YOU" submitted to God.( ie Islam mean "submission" to God ) The only people who will enter Paradise those who '' Submitted to God '' ( ie by Good Deeds ) God does NOT accept your religion of birth but only ''Your Total'' Submission to Him. ( God Allows Interfaith Marriages And Eat Food From the Christian And Jew And Vice Versa ) Quran 5:5 ''This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture (ie Christian and Jew) is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And lawful in marriage are chaste women from among the believers (ie Muslim ) and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture (ie Christian and Jew) before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith - his work has become worthless and he in the Hereafter will be among the losers.'' Note: > Only < Islam allows interfaith marriages (>14 hundredsSame God< but They are >ALL Corrupt< more or less, some more than others from their original foundational teaching. The older religion are MORE corrupted than newer religion. Question to Muslim and Christian: Does God / Allah only answer your pray ? And God / Allah does not answer non Muslim / non Christian pray? Did Allah '' Canceled '' all other religions Judaism and Christianity? Quran 5:48 '' And We have revealed to you [O Muhammad] the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture ( ie New and old Testament ) and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. >>>TO EACH OF YOU WE PRESCRIBED A LAW AND A METHODone nation>differ qualified < for to enter Paradise ) On the day of judgement God will ''NOT'' judge humanity bases on Sunni Muslim sect VS Shia Muslim sect ''NOR'' by Muslim VS non-Muslim >but< Doer of Goods VS Doer of Evils. '' YOUR " birth in the Muslim's family is NOT a > qualification < for to enter the Paradise. '' YOUR " religion / sect / foot long beard is NOT a > qualification < for to enter the Paradise. The > qualification < to enter Paradise is > Faith in God and Good Work

[@rebekahcole3106]

You are mislead. Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He ALONE!

[@ToOpen6seven]

Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

[@donalddodson7365]

@Seyed, Thank you for your scholarly response. I praise The One God that we both Worship, that Eternal Truths can be learned by mortal humans. Keep seeking Truth, keep praying for Wisdom and letting The Spirit of God/Allah permeate deeply into your soul. Blessings. May Peace be upon you, my dear cousin of Abraham.

[@Syed_12]

@@donalddodson7365 My brother God bless you one day we will meet in heaven !!!

[@donalddodson7365]

@@Syed_12 May it be. 🙏🤲🕊🤗