Presentation on Polycarp and Early (Ante-Nicene) Church Fathers

OVERARCHING AD 30-100 - Apostolic Age

-       Period of 12 apostles from the crucifixion and great commission in Jerusalem to the death of John.

-        Special significance as age of direct apostles of Jesus Christ. Primary source is books of Acts.

AD 48: Council of Jerusalem

-       It is considered by Catholics and Orthodox to be a prototype and forerunner of the later Ecumenical Councils. The council decided that Gentile converts to Christianity were not obligated to keep most of the Mosaic law, including the rules concerning circumcision of males, however, the Council did retain the prohibitions against eating blood, or eating meat containing blood, or meat of animals not properly slain, and against fornication and idolatry.

AD 51: Jewish Persecution of Christians in Rome

-       Becomes so disruptive that Jews are expelled from the city.

AD 57:Paul’s letter to the Romans

AD 64-68: Nero blames the fire in Rome on Christians; persecutes ruthlessly.

-       Peter and Paul were executed during this persecution

AD 69: Polycarp born in Smyrna

AD 81: Domitian persecutes Christians

AD 98: Trajan reigns:

-       Institutes a policy toward Christians not to seek Christians out, but if they were brought before the authorities they were to be punished, usually executed, for being Christians. 

AD 120-140: Polycarp wrote letter to the Philippians.

AD 144: Marcion excommunicated

-       Heretic, creator of widespread heresy Marcionism. Rejects the Old Testament, rejects most of the New Testament, and teaches that Christ only appeared to be human. His challenge helps the church realize the necessity of formally recognizing the canon

AD 155: Polycarp was martyred

OVERARCHING AD 100-325: Ante-Nicene Era

-       Ante-Nicene Era lasted from the death of Christ’s direct Apostles through the First Council of Nicaea

-       Council of Nicea: Christian bishops convened in Nicaea, Turkey. The Council was the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom.

-       Its main accomplishments were settlement of the Christological issue of the relationship of Jesus to God the Father; the construction of the first part of the Nicene Creed; settling the calculation of the date of Easter; and promulgation of early canon law.