2.  The first Christian understood the church as the community of
Christ. Through the Eucharist, they strengthened their union with
God and men and generously gave themselves for others by
proclaiming the faith and by providing material help.
 The early Christians communities centered in Jerusalem, around
the twelve. “They spent their time in learning from the apostles,
taking part in the fellowship and sharing in the fellowship meals
and the prayers. Many miracles and wonders were being done
through the apostles, and everyone was filled with love. All the
believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their
belongings with one another. They would sell their property and
possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to
what each one needed. Day after day, they met as a group in the
temple, they had their meals together in their homes, eating with
glad and humble hearts, praising God, and enjoying the goodwill
of all the people. And everyday, the lord added to their group
those who were being saved”(Acts 2, 42-47).

3.  the first Christians, however, had to face certain difficulties. The
question of the law became a controversy. For Christians who came
from paganism, freedom regarding the Jewish law was natural. But for
the Judeo-Christian, the question was not that simple. This first
controversy ended with the triumph for Christian freedom: the law is
not what saves, but rather faith in Jesus.
 Once again, under the roman empire, the Christian communities were
tested. The Christians did not actually have an indiscriminate
opposition against the state. In fact, there were many cultural elements
involved. For example, Christians refused to do military service because
of the precept "You shall not kill”. On account of idolatry, Christians
refused to participate in the cult to the emperor, too. These eventually
led to the persecution of the Christians. This was initiated by Nerom in
the year 64. persecutions, however, were not obstacles for the church
showed no fear against the temporal powers of the word. Rather, she
saw in these persecutions the confirmation of her own faith, the
mystery of god’s plan and that the presence of Christ was being
realized in her. Instead of decreasing the number of the Christians, the
persecutions intensified all the more the diffusion of Christianity.

4.  During these first three centuries, it was evident that the
Christians were much aware of the spiritual link they have
to one another. They were conscious that their community
was a continuation of the mission of Jesus. Hence, they
truly reflected in their lives the image of the church as the
body of Christ: by trying to have a true solidarity of all
men, both on earth and eternally.
 During this period, other images of the church were
developed, too. Like, the church as the new people of God,
the church as the body of Christ(fed in the Eucharist), the
church as the temple of god, the church as the spouse of
Christ, and the church as holy and sinner at the same time.

5.  The leaders of the early Christian communities
were known as bishops, sometimes as presbyters or
elders. These administered their community under
the supervision of the founding apostle. While the
bishops were recognized as the successors of the
apostle. the bishop of Rome was recognized as one
having authority and jurisdiction as head of the
church: the successor of peter.