church history - 1st 50 people

the second (or possibly third) bishop of Antioch and a very well-known
Christian

He loved to debate, but wanted nothing to do with divisions in the church, calling them “the beginning of evil.” Wrote critically about the
Ebionites who demanded the keeping of Jewish regulation. Also wrote against the Docetists, who believed that Christ only appeared to be human

Arrested for being a Christian (or “atheist” – because he denied the Roman gods) he was taken to Rome, not fearing, but welcoming martyrdom in 107
AD, thus imitating Christ in His death

Seven of his letters survive providing insight into early church government development

he was also the first to use the word “catholic” to represent the larger,
universal, Church

Born Titus Flavius Clemens to pagan parents in Athens. Was schooled under a variety of teachers

In AD 190, he opened his own school of “new theology,” where he taught a new philosophy that addressed the cultural and philosophical concerns of the day from a Christian point of view

He authored 3 books. In Instructor he outlined the specific duties and ethics taught by Christ, in Exhortation to the Greeks he attempted to show the reasonableness of the Christian faith, while Miscellanies is a collection of teachings in advanced philosophy, ethics and disciplined
instruction for Christian Gnostics to lead them into esoteric knowledge. He also wrote a famous sermon about Christians and wealth

Origen was one of his students. He advocated the using of visual arts in worship

He fled persecution in AD 202 and went to Cappadocia. He died in 215

Born in Flavia Neapolis, a Roman city, he was raised by pagan parents. He studied under many teachers, each of whom presented a different philosophy (example, Stoicism, Platonism)

He converted to Christian philosophy in AD 130 after a conversation with an old man.

Attempted to reconcile faith with reason. His work Dialogue with Trypho flowed from a dispute he had with a man in Ephesus. In it he teaches that the Old Testament is passing away to make place for the New. Also he shows here that Logos is the God of Old Testament and that the Gentiles are the new Israel.

Later works include First Apology written to Emperor Antoninus Pius (AD 155) and Second
Apology written to Marcus Aurelius (AD 161).

he was beheaded for his faith in 165 along with his disciples. Later given the name “Martyr.”

he was the son of a bishop in
Pontus. Moved to Rome in AD 140

He rejected the harsh God he found in the Old Testament, claiming this God was incompatible with the loving Jesus. He rejected the real incarnation of Christ, claiming that he was a
manifestation of the Father. He embraced Gnostic teaching. Was ex-communicated in AD 144.

Marcionism emphasized asceticism and influenced the development of Manichaenism into which it was later absorbed.

At the time of his death in AD 160, a large number of “Marcionites” churches could be found throughout the Mediterranean world.

As a response to Marcionism, orthodox Christianity came out with the canonical New Testament. Clearly promulgated that the Old Law was in the New Law fulfilled.

She was a noblewoman from the city of Carthage, taken prisoner during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Septimus Severius. The persecution
spread throughout Northern Africa.

Along with her slave girl, Felicitas, and her infant child, she was brought before the proconsul and sentenced to death. Her father begged her to reconsider, but she would not pay homage to the emperor.

She was brought to the arena and a leopard killed her.

Church tradition records that he was a disciple of the Apostle John. He was bishop of Smyrna

He helped to settle disputes about the proper time to celebrate Easter. He was known to have confronted Marcion

Polycarp called him “the first born of Satan.”

Instrumental in the conversion of many Gnostic believers and for writing a pastoral letter to the church at Philippi.

Upon his arrest, he was interrogated in front of a
large crowd. After a heated discussion with the official questioning him, he would not deny Christ or swear allegiance to the emperor, for which he was sentenced to death by burning. He opted not to be nailed to the stake, claiming that Christ’s strength would sustain him to stand in the fire. Onlookers recalled a sweet aroma, like baking bread, after his burning; and his death was topic of conversation even among pagan citizens.

he was born Theodore into an affluent family in
Neocaesarea

Studied in Caesarea in Palestine to Origen’s school
where he and his brother were converted to Christianity. He returned to Pontus and was elected bishop of a church with only seventeen members.

He practically applied his theological training
so well that his parishioners soon began attributing miracles to him, amazed at his wisdom. Earned two nicknames, “The Wonder Worker” and also “Another Moses”. Participated in several church
councils and fully supported Trinitarianism.

His major work is entitled The Exposition of Faith. Though nearly the whole town of Pontus had converted to Christianity, most of the converts scattered during Emperor Decius’ persecution in AD250. By the time of his death, his congregation again numbered seventeen.

his name means man of steel. he was born near Alexandria. His father was beheaded for being a Christian in AD202. At age 18, he opened his own grammar school.

He was the first to describe the Trinity as
hierarchical and he rejected the goodness of material creation. He self mutilated as an application of Matt 19:12. He believed that even Satan will be saved in the end.

His greatest work was the Hexapla—six different version in parallel columns. His other works include, De Principiis (On First Principles) - the firstsystematic theology ever written, and Contra Celsum – a defense of Christianity.

he is known for his allegorical interpretation of the Bible.

The Council of Constantinople declared him to
be a heretic in AD 555. In AD250 he was imprisoned and tortured for his teachings.

he was born into the Roman family of
Aurelius. Became governor of Milan before he was thirty. When the bishop of Milan died, Ambrose was elected to replace him. He was known as one of the most talented bishops of the early church.

He opposed Arianism, writing several works
against them: On the Faith, The Mystery of the Lord’s Incarnation, and On the Holy Spirit.

He introduced congregational singing into
church practice. On the subject of church-state relations, he affirmed the church’s ultimate authority in political matters.

Augustine was one of his students.

Inherited much wealth at the age 20 upon the
death of his parents. But Antony heard Jesus’ parable of the rich young ruler and gave away all that he had to the poor.

Most of what is known about him comes from his biography written by Athanasius. He lived for 20 years in an abandoned Roman fort on a mountain in the desert taking up strenuous spiritual exercises: sleepless nights spent in prayer, fasting every other day and eating only bread and water. He traveled, in AD 303, to Alexandria to minister to Christians facing persecution.

Some of his writing appears in Apophthegmata, a collection of writings from the Desert Fathers and Mothers.

He came out only once from his solitude to help Athanasius in the teaching of the orthodoxy, when Arius devastated the church with his ideas. Known as the greatest desert father

Was bishop of Alexandria for 17 years and was known, because of his appearance, as the “Black Dwarf.”

His strong opposition of Arianism earned him
the title of “the noble champion of Christ” and also led to his being exiled 5 times by 4 Roman Emperors. In fact, Emperor Constantine, in an
attempt to keep peace and unity in his empire, ordered him to return Arius to fellowship. When he refused, he was exiled.

While in exile, Athanasius wrote On the Incarnation and Life of St. Antony. The latter was
influential in the conversion of Augustine.

In a letter written by him he mentions a
list of 27 books that he thought should be included in the New Testament canon. The list was eventually accepted by the Church.