It may aid us in making these epistles of Paul seem like real and living messages to recall, in general, some of the peculiar conditions and problems which called them forth.
The Problems of the Early Church as Reflected in Paul’s Epistles
The Apostle Paul before His Conversion
We approach the apostle of the Gentiles who decided the victory of Christianity as a universal religion, who labored more, both in word and deed, than all his colleagues, and who stands out, in lonely grandeur, as the most remarkable and influential character in history.
The Character of the Apostle Peter
Simon, as he was originally called, or, as he was afterward named, Peter, was the son of the fisherman Jonas. He was a native of Bethsaida in Galilee, and a resident of Capernaum, where he followed his father’s occupation.
EARLY CHRISTIANITY: The Church at Antioch, Origin of the Christian Name
Antioch of Syria is located along the Orontes River in modern-day Turkey. At one time, this Hellenistic city was one of the largest in the Roman world. Antioch of Syria played an important role in the book of Acts.
THE APOSTLE PETER: A Fisher of Men
It was quite befitting, therefore, that our Lord should explain to his fisher friend the momentous and glorious ministry that awaited him, through the calling in which he had been engaged from boyhood, and which had so many points of resemblance with the work of winning souls.
EARLY CHRISTIANITY: Internal Problems: Controversies and Heresies
The church faced internal problems, which began at least as early as A.D. 49.
EARLY CHRISTIANITY: External Problems: Persecutions
In its early days, as throughout most of its history, the church faced both external and internal problems. The external problems mostly took the form of persecutions. Before A.D. 250, persecutions were local, sporadic, and often the result of mob action rather than of civil policy.
EARLY CHRISTIANITY: The Apostolic Fathers
Between A.D. 95 and about 150, a number of works were written by men who had known the apostles and the apostolic doctrine; they are known as the Apostolic Fathers.
EARLY CHRISTIANITY: The Spread of the Church
The church began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1–2) and spread rather quickly throughout the Roman Empire.
EARLY CHRISTIANITY: First Century Christians
Christian was the term used to designate Christ’s early followers, as groups or as individuals. In the earliest years of the Christian era, when the church was unified, no denominational names (such as Baptist or Roman Catholic) existed. Local churches did not have names but were known by their locations (such as “the church at Ephesus”). Nor was there a single official name for the new Christian movement. Many designations were used for the followers of Christ, and these changed as the historical situation changed.