Apostolical Records Of Early Christianity

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 edition. Excerpt: ... in the same volume occur passages from Ambrose, bishop of Milan, who was contemporary with Eucherius. It might then be thought needless to dwell on an anonymous production of so late a date, for the purpose of investigating the age and authenticity of the Apostolical Records. But it is not desirable that weight shonld be attached to evidence which is weak and worthless for determining such an issue. The Canon of Muratori is cited in proof that the New Testament existed, almost as we have it now, in the latter part of the second century. Few critics hesitate to admit this without a doubt. But the Canon of Muratori is insufficient, if standing alone, to prove even this: for there are certain points in it to be remarked, which seem to indicate that it furnishes no evidence at all on the subject, beyond the fact that our New Testament existed in the eighth century, and possibly earlier up to the fourth century of our era, or even higher still. In the first place the fragment is written in Latin, and we have no other Christian writings remaining from the middle or end of the second century, in any other language than the Greek. But there are two words in the fragment which are of the utmost importance: the author speaks of St Paul's setting out to Spain, "profectionem Fauli ab urbe ad Spaniam proficiscentis." The expression "ab urbe says DrTregelles indicates the Roman character of the document;" and this, whilst it brings down the age of the writer to a later date, renders his testimony less valuable for all the transactions of the earliest period of Christianity. Another objection to the use of this fragment may fairly be made from the tendency of the writer to record improbable legends such as that which will hereafter be related in...

This thorough, well-sourced history of the early Christian church follows its origins in the Apostolic Age, through its growth during and after the collapse of the Roman Empire. The author treats the death of Christ as the starting point for his examination of Christianity's initial rise to prominence via the work of the apostles. Originally commanding only a small following in what is today Israel and its immediate surroundings, the movement grew rapidly despite being banned as heresy by the Roman authorities. Through disparate and spread over a wide area, early Christians were organized; the teachings of Jesus were spread by devoted, literate believers who commonly held copies of the New Testament and other lore. Great milestones in the history of Christianity, such as the Emperor Constantine's adoption of the faith, as well as the conflicts between different groups of believers, are examined. The emergence of the Catholic church, and the formal papal office of the Bishop of Rome, is detailed.

This thorough, well-sourced history of the early Christian church follows its origins in the Apostolic Age, through its growth during and after the collapse of the Roman Empire. The author treats the death of Christ as the starting point for his examination of Christianity's initial rise to prominence via the work of the apostles. Originally commanding only a small following in what is today Israel and its immediate surroundings, the movement grew rapidly despite being banned as heresy by the Roman authorities. Through disparate and spread over a wide area, early Christians were organized; the teachings of Jesus were spread by devoted, literate believers who commonly held copies of the New Testament and other lore. Great milestones in the history of Christianity, such as the Emperor Constantine's adoption of the faith, as well as the conflicts between different groups of believers, are examined. The emergence of the Catholic church, and the formal papal office of the Bishop of Rome, is detailed.

This thorough, well-sourced history of the early Christian church follows its origins in the Apostolic Age, through its growth during and after the collapse of the Roman Empire. The author treats the death of Christ as the starting point for his examination of Christianity's initial rise to prominence via the work of the apostles. Originally commanding only a small following in what is today Israel and its immediate surroundings, the movement grew rapidly despite being banned as heresy by the Roman authorities. Through disparate and spread over a wide area, early Christians were organized; the teachings of Jesus were spread by devoted, literate believers who commonly held copies of the New Testament and other lore. Great milestones in the history of Christianity, such as the Emperor Constantine's adoption of the faith, as well as the conflicts between different groups of believers, are examined. The emergence of the Catholic church, and the formal papal office of the Bishop of Rome, is detailed. How Christians lived in the centuries after the collapse of Roman rule, and the ensuant disorder, is hereafter told. Finally, we hear about how the now-organized and hierarchical church changed with the approach of the Middle Ages and the rise of a new religion: Islam. Joseph Cullen Ayer was a Biblical scholar and minister in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His extensive life experience in teaching Christianity, and his formal study of the ancient histories and texts, lent much authority to the few, high quality works he published in his lifetime.