CHT | S2E21: Going to Church in 100 AD

May 1, 2025

Explore the intimate gatherings of early Christians around 100 AD as they met in homes before dawn and after work. Discover how worship was seen as a sacrificial act of praise and community service. Uncover the challenges of aligning Jewish worship with the Roman calendar, alongside a look at evolving practices like prayer, singing, and the Eucharist. Learn about the dynamics of community meals and charismatic gifts amid a context of persecution, shedding light on how these foundations shaped modern church practices.

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INSIGHT

First Day of Week Concept

Early Christians considered the first day of the week starting at sundown, unlike modern Sunday conceptions.
Services often met at night or before dawn to commemorate Christ's resurrection and fit work schedules.

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INSIGHT

Home Churches, Not Buildings

Early Christian gatherings were held in homes, not dedicated buildings.
Meetings typically included a few dozen people, reflecting a closely-knit community setup.

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INSIGHT

Worship as Sacrifice

Early Christian worship centered on the concept of sacrifice, encompassing praise, almsgiving, and service.
Worship was a holistic act extending from daily life into communal gatherings.

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Sacrificial Worship in Early Christian Gatherings

24:39 • 6min

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The Nature and Practices of Early Christian Gatherings

30:17 • 21min

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Church Dynamics and Persecution in 100 AD

51:28 • 6min

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The Evolution of Church Practices and Faithfulness Across Centuries

57:08 • 4min

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This book is part of The Smart Guide to the Bible series and offers a detailed and practical study of the Book of Genesis. It includes relevant helps and insights on each page to enhance Bible study and understanding of the first book of the Bible.

The Book of Romans

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C.S. Lewis

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Philippians

An Expositional Commentary

James Montgomery Boice

In this commentary, James Montgomery Boice provides a thorough and insightful analysis of the Book of Philippians. The book helps readers understand the biblical text and apply its practical message, emphasizing the themes of joy, unity, and the Christian life. Boice's commentary is designed to help both pastors and laypeople experience the exuberant joy of a well-lived Christian life as described in Philippians.

Colossians

Ralph P. Martin

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The Book of Acts

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Luke the Evangelist

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Kirsopp Lake

CrossReach Publications

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Herein we explore what church gatherings looked like in 50–150 AD—early believers met before dawn (and sometimes after work) in private homes rather than dedicated buildings. We'll look at how worship was understood as a "sacrifice" of praise, alms, and service, and why the Roman eight-day week made keeping the Jewish first day of the week a logistical puzzle. Finally, we'll correct common misconceptions and show why no modern church needs to replicate this exact model. Title: Going to Church in 100 AD Date: 50 - 150 AD Place: Random place in the Roman Empire Key Figures and Events: Everyday Christians Contact: churchhistoryandtheology@proton.me License: Church History and Theology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For full license details, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Under this license, you are free to download, copy, share, remix, and translate episodes. You must credit Church History and Theology, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes.

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