Church History and Theology 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.
01:01:38
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.
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.
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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Intro
00:00 • 25min
Sacrificial Worship in Early Christian Gatherings
24:39 • 6min
The Nature and Practices of Early Christian Gatherings
30:17 • 21min
Church Dynamics and Persecution in 100 AD
51:28 • 6min
The Evolution of Church Practices and Faithfulness Across Centuries
57:08 • 4min
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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.