Church History
Theology/OLM/2010
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EARLY CHURCH
NAME:
PERIOD:
I. Catechumenate: compare the length of time one spent in the catechumenate (conversion process).
Church Time Period
Length of Catechumenate (Conversion Process)
Early Church (first few hundred years)
Middle Ages
10 weeks
Since Vatican II (1965)
1 year
FOUR STAGES OF THE CATECHUMENATE OF THE EARLY CHURCH:
1.
EVANGELIZATION: a time to hear the good news of Jesus (usually lasted around 2 years). To proceed
to the catechumenate, one must show: sorrow for sins, faith in the Church, and transformation of life.
2.
CATECHUMENATE: A time to learn about Christ and learn how to live a Christian life. Lasted a
minimum of three years! (Only 1/3 to ½ of the congregation was baptized!) Experience the Liturgy of the
Word 3 or 4 times a week. One COULD NOT witness the Eucharist or baptism until AFTER being
baptized; after the sermon, they were dismissed and the doors were locked.
3.
LENT: A time of intense training the 40 days before Easter. Those chosen by the bishop entered a period
of asceticism, which included fasting (no meat, no eating, and no drinking 5 days a week during daylight),
no bathing, and no sex. The catechumens also prayed fervently and gave alms to the poor. Baptisms took
place during the Easter Vigil (at first light). Catechumens went outside with the bishops, presbyters, and
deacons, where they were stripped, baptized, and anointed. The newly baptized then received the Eucharist
for the first time.
4. MYSTAGOGY: A period of 7 days for the newly baptized to learn of the mysteries they just encountered.
II. Parts of Mass: name the five parts of Mass already in place in the Early Church. (see page 65)
1.
3.
5.
2.
4.
III. Symbols of the Early Church:
The ichthus, the Greek word for fish, was a secret acrostic meaning Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
Name three other symbols used in the Early Church. (see page 70)
1.
2.
3.
Church History
Theology/OLM/2010
IV. Martyrs of the Early Church: Tertullian wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
Martyrs inspired others to convert or to complete their conversion process. Three Christian martyrs are named in
the New Testament. Name them and how they died.
1. Acts 7: 54-60
2. Acts 12: 1-3
3. Revelation 2: 13
Martyr:
Martyr:
Martyr:
Died by:
Died by:
Died by:
V. Hierarchy of the Early Church: the hierarchy of the Church was first established by Jesus and carried
out by the Apostles. Read the following passages from the New Testament. As you read, identify the top four
levels of the hierarchy of the Church and what the job duties were for the people within each group.
Matthew 16: 17-19
Titus 1: 5-16
Acts of the Apostles 6: 1-6
James 5: 14
1 Timothy 3: 1-13
1 Peter 5: 1-4
1
2
3
4
5. LAY PEOPLE
Name of the group
AND
Duties of the people
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Lay People-The people of the Church whose job it is to worship and spread the good news.
VI. Ethics of the Early Church: how the Early Church affected the morality of the people. (start on page 75)
Before Christianity
Topic
Christianity
Slavery
Use of Violence
State
Money
Abortion
Contraception
Role of Women
Family
Church History
Theology/OLM/2010