What Did the Earliest Christians Believe?

What were some of the notable features of the earliest Christian sermons? What sort of things did they have in common, and how do they compare with the messages we’re likely to hear in Christian circles today? Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Dr. Dennis Johnson, author of The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption, and Let’s Study Acts.

SHOW NOTES• Recommended books by Dennis Johnson: Journeys with Jesus, The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption, Let’s Study Acts, Walking With Jesus Through His Word, and Him We Proclaim.

• Related articles by Shane Rosenthal: “Can We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement?”, “The Story of Us”, “On Faith & History”, “Why Should We Believe The Bible?”, “What is Faith?”, and “How to Detect Deception?”

• Related episodes: “Authenticating the Book of Acts”, “Faith & Certainty”, “Faith & Proof”, “Proof of the Gospel”, “The Gospel Creed”, and “The Jesus of History.”

• The image above featuring the Jerusalem Temple from the vantage point of Solomon’s Portico is a production of Archaeology Illustrated (used by permission). According to John 10:23, Acts 3:11, and 5:12, Jesus and his followers frequently met in this area.

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