Peter
Saint Peter the Apostle, original name Simeon, or Simōn (died c. ad 64, Rome) disciple of Jesus Christ, recognised in the early Christian church as the leader of the disciples and by the Roman Catholic church as the first of its unbroken succession of popes. Peter, a fisherman, was called to be a disciple of Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. He received from Jesus the name Cephas (i.e., Rock, hence Peter, from the Latin Petra).
Given the information supplied by the Gospels, it is not unexpected that Peter should emerge immediately after Jesus’ death as the leader of the earliest church. For approximately 15 years after the Resurrection, the figure of Peter dominated the community. He presided over the appointment of Matthias as an Apostle (Acts 1:23–26) to take the place of Judas, who had betrayed Christ and later died. It was Peter who first “raised his voice” and preached at Pentecost, the day when the church came into being (Acts 1:14–39).
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016.
Philip
Saint Philip the Evangelist, also called Philip The Deacon (born 1st century, ; feast day June 6) in the early Christian church, one of the seven deacons appointed to tend the Christians of Jerusalem, thereby enabling the Apostles to freely conduct their missions. His energetic preaching, however, earned him the title of Philip the Evangelist and led him to minister successfully in Samaria, in Palestine, where he converted, among others, the famous magician Simon Magus (Acts 8:9–13). Later, on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, he instructed and baptized a court official from Ethiopia.
Philip’s missionary journey ended at Caesarea (Acts 8), where he raised his four daughters, reputed to be prophets, and where, about ad 58, he entertained the Apostle St. Paul and his companions on their last journey to Jerusalem (Acts 21:8).
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016.
Paul
Saint Paul, the Apostle, original name Saul of Tarsus (born 4 BC,Tarsus in Cilicia [now in Turkey]—died c. ad 62–64, Rome [Italy]) one of the leaders of the first generation of Christians, often considered to be the second most important person in the history of Christianity. In his own day, although he was a major figure within the very small Christian movement, he also had many enemies and detractors, and his contemporaries probably did not accord him as much respect as they gave Peter and James. Paul was compelled to struggle, therefore, to establish his own worth and authority. His surviving letters, however, have had enormous influence on subsequent Christianity and secure his place as one of the greatest religious leaders of all time.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016.
This easy to use site will help you to create your bibliography for your assignment.
The Holy Spirit played an important role in the life and ministry of the early church. It is impossible to understand the explosive growth of the New Testament church without understanding the important role of the Holy Spirit in the church.
For much of church history the third Person of the Trinity has been virtually overlooked. However, today many people are hungry to experience the Holy Spirit in their life.
The Spirit plays an important role in personal salvation, church formation, and the general spread of the gospel. Without Him, it is impossible for individuals or the church to experience revival.
Disciples Church, 2016.
The Holy Spirit appeared at Pentecost, ten days after the Ascension of Jesus, to the Apostles and disciples in the Upper Room, and inspired them to proclaim the faith (Acts 1:13-2:4). The Twelve Apostles at the Pentecost were Peter, Andrew, James and John, Matthew, Philip, Thomas, Nathaniel Bartholomew, James son of Alpheus, Jude Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and Matthias. There were about one hundred and twenty persons gathered together in the Upper Room. This community of disciples of Jesus was the beginning of our Church. The oral tradition of the Apostles was established in the infancy period of the Church, from the time of Jesus to the written Gospels. During this period the Christian faith was transmitted by word of mouth (Romans 10:14-15).
The Acts of the Apostles describes the emergence of Christianity beginning with the mission in Jerusalem and spreading throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean world.
http://www.jesuschristsavior.net/Church.html
The history of the Christian communities in the Land of Israel begins with the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. After his death the early Apostolic Church, at least that in and around Jerusalem, remained Judeo-Christian until the rebuilding of Jerusalem (c. 130 CE). Since this date the local Church has been entirely gentile in composition. It was also one and undivided, until the early Ecumenical Councils.
With the rise of the Eastern Empire under Constantine the Great, Palestine became a Christian province and remained so from 330-640 CE when the land fell to invading Muslim forces. Palestine continued to be a war-torn and much contested region up through the time of the Crusades and, of course, even to the present day.
Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited, 2016.
Religion was very important to the Romans. Within the Roman Empire, Christianity was banned and Christians were punished for many years. Feeding Christians to the lions was seen as entertainment in Ancient Rome. The message of Christianity was spread around the Roman Empire by St. Paul who founded Christian churches in Asia Minor and Greece. Eventually, he took his teachings to Rome itself.
The early converts to Christianity in Ancient Rome faced many difficulties. The first converts were usually the poor and slaves as they had a great deal to gain from the Christians being successful. If they were caught, they faced death for failing to worship the emperor. It was not uncommon for emperors to turn the people against the Christians when Rome was faced with difficulties. In AD 64, part of Rome was burned down. The Emperor Nero blamed the Christians and the people turned on them. Arrests and executions followed.
The History Learning Site, 2016.
Christendom: the part of the world in which Christianity prevails
By the 10th century the religious and cultural community known as Christendom had come into being and was poised to enter a prolonged period of growth and expansion. Important progress had taken place well before this period, however. Beginning in the last years of the Roman Empire, the central institutions of medieval Catholic Christianity had gradually evolved, laying the foundation for the great advances of the later Middle Ages and beyond.
One of the most significant developments of the late ancient and early medieval periods—for Roman Catholicism and all forms of Christianity—was the emergence of Christian theology.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016.
As the empire fell and a new civilization emerged, Christianity expanded beyond the Roman Empire, developed important institutions, and advanced toward a dramatic division of the Christian church. According to tradition, the apostle St. Thomas spread Christianity to India. Although there is little evidence for this, Christians appeared in central and southern Asia by the late 2nd and 3rd centuries.
Christianity made inroads into Africa as well. Christians in Egypt, especially in Alexandria, shaped much of Christian doctrine, including the Nicene Creed, and St. Anthony of Egypt, one of the earliest monks, helped develop the monastic tradition that was so important in Christian history.
By the time of the Reformation, Europeans had begun the exploration of the rest of the world. Christopher Columbus and many other explorers hoped to spread Christianity, and when Europe divided into Roman Catholic and Protestant camps this desire became greater. The early explorers of the New World were joined by missionaries and priests who spread the faith.
Christianity 2016. Britannica School.
