Historical Highlights 64AD-325AD
Reformed Church
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64: |
Rome burns and Emperor Nero blames Christians and unleashes persecution; Peter is martyred around this time. |
c.67: |
Paul martyred |
70: |
Emperor Titus destroys Jerusalem and levels the temple |
77: |
Josephus (Jewish historian) writes Jewish War |
81: |
Domitian becomes Roman emperor, the imperial cult develops, persecution of Christians living in Asia begins |
c.90: |
Apostle John dies |
91: |
Clement becomes bishop of Rome |
93: |
Josephus writes Antiquities of the Jews |
95: |
Domitian declares Christianity atheistic |
105: |
Ignatius of Antioch—the term "Catholic" is used for first time |
120: |
Bishops of cities on the main imperial route are in communication with each other— a single bishop over each Christian community gradually becomes normative, Didache written around this time (an early manual of church life) |
135: |
Date given as the beginning of the Patristic Period (135AD-325AD)—theology of Christianity begins to formalize, key figures during this 200 year period are Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Cyprian |
155: |
Polycarp martyred, Christian persecution grows as Christians refuse to worship the emperor/Caesar |
180: |
Gnosticism develops (matter is bad, spirit is good, secret knowledge (this heresy flares up throughout church history including today) |
225: |
Christological and Trinitarian controversies grow (just who was Jesus? God? Man? What about the Holy Spirit?, One but Three?, etc.) |
303: |
Diocletian Persecution (Great Persecution) begins, churches and Scripture are burned, church leaders are forced to sacrifice to Roman gods |
312: |
Donatist Controversy (a heresy that claimed the validity of the sacraments depends on the character of the minister), the church answers that validity of the Sacraments rests solely on the merits of Christ—not on the worthiness of the minister |
312: |
Constantine becomes ruler of the Western Roman Empire and is converted (?) |
313: |
The Edict of Milan gives equal toleration for all religions (Christianity included) |
320: |
Athanasius (Christ is same nature as the Father) vs. Arius (Christ is first being of created order) |
321: |
Sunday becomes an official holy day |
324: |
Constantine reunites the Roman Empire by defeating Licinius (who was emperor of the Eastern Empire and persecutor of Christians) |
325: |
Council of Nicea defines the doctrine of who Jesus is (one substance with the Father, coequal and coeternal) |