In today's episode, we take a deep dive into the essence of early Christianity—before it became intertwined with the Roman Empire and cult of Messianic Judaism. We’re stripping away the grandeur, the pageantry, and the complex theology of later traditions to explore a simpler, more intimate form of the faith. This is a time when Christianity was defined not by cathedrals or massive religious institutions, but by small house churches, humble leaders, and a singular gospel.
Join us as we discuss the Pre-Nicene Christians, who were not bound by the later, Judaized versions of Christianity but held firm to a faith centered on Paul’s singular gospel, written in 34 A.D., long before the four anonymous gospel accounts we know today. This early Christian movement was focused on the teachings of Jesus, with an emphasis on the concept of God as "Our Father" and a direct connection between Christ's earthly life and his divine nature.
We'll also take a closer look at the first Christian Bible, as transcribed by Saint Marcion in 144 A.D.—an early canon free from the Old Testament's Torah scriptures. The Pre-Nicene Christian way of life was one of simplicity, with house churches and presbyters at the forefront. These early believers lived in relative anonymity, using their home gatherings to avoid persecution from the Roman Empire, which sought to stamp out the faith. In fact, we'll explore the fascinating history of the Dura-Europos house church, the oldest Christian house church in the world, and the artifacts that reveal how these early communities worshipped in secrecy.
Finally, we'll reflect on the role of the presbyter—how these leaders, unlike today’s priests, were grounded solely in Christian teachings, never distracted by the merging of Judeo-Christian traditions that would come centuries later.
This episode takes you back to a time when Christianity was not a state religion but a humble, resilient movement that survived through simplicity and faith. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the early days of Christianity—before it became what we know today.
The first Christian Bible of 144 A.D.
https://www.theveryfirstbible.org/
https://www.marcionitechurch.org/Presbyter-Training.html
Mass, Baptism, and Prayers of the First Christians (2020)
https://payhip.com/b/7ZQq
Journal of Pre-Nicene Christian Studies ISSN: 3068-8469
https://journal.pre-nicene.org/
https://www.marcionitechurch.org/
https://www.pre-nicene.org/
https://www.youtube.com/@EgliseMarcionite
Williams, R. "House Churches and the Architecture of Early Christianity." Studies in Church History, 10, 2010.
Le Bas, Philippe, & Waddington, William Henry. Greek Inscriptions Collected in Asia Minor, Volume 3. 1870.
The Very First Bible (2020). Edited and translated by the Marcionite Church. ISBN: 0578641593.
Trevett, Christine. The Presbyters: A Study of Early Church Leadership. Cambridge University Press, 1996.
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