The Apostolic period of the Church lasted from around 29 AD to 100 AD. This period is called Apostolic because the original Apostles were alive and preaching during this time. Some key events included the birth of the Church at Pentecost, Paul's missionary journeys spreading Christianity throughout the Mediterranean, and the martyrdom of many early Christians including Stephen, Peter, and Paul. The last Apostle, John, died around 100 AD, marking the end of the Apostolic period.

1. THE
APOSTOLIC PERIOD
OF THE CHURCH
c. 29 to 100 AD

2. c. 29 AD – the death, resurrection and ascension of
Jesus
c. 100 AD – The death of the last Apostle, John (at
Ephesus)
 This period is called Apostolic because the Apostles
were alive and preaching during this time
The primary source for information about this
period is Acts of the Apostles, considered to be a
continuation of Luke’s account.

3. The birth of the Church at Pentecost
Peter is the first leader of the Church – the first
Pope
Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles
During this time, he wrote Epistles (letters) to teach
different groups about Jesus

4. St. Stephen became the first martyr
- Stephen was one of the first deacons,
administering to the needs of the community
- His words angered the Sanhedrin, the Jewish
counsel
- He was stoned to death for his faith
- Acts 6:8-15 and 7:51-60
- St. Stephen’s feast day is
December 26

5. Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee who persecuted
Christians until his conversion.
- He became Paul, and his writings and travel
were key to spreading the Church

6. The early Christians were considered a Jewish
sect (branch)
- They followed Jewish laws and traditions
- They did not mix with Gentiles (non-Jews)
Peter had a vision that let him understand that
baptism was for all people, not only those born into
Judaism
Peter formed a church at Antioch, where the
disciples are first called Christians
Paul journeyed to Cyprus, Asia Minor, and all
around the Mediterranean Sea

7. The Council of Jerusalem:
- c. 50 AD – some Jewish Christians thought that Gentile
Christians should adhere to Jewish traditions. This was
supported by Barnabus, an early Church leader; Paul
disagreed.
- They met with Peter, James, and
others to discuss the issue
- At the Council of Jerusalem, it was decided that to be a
Christian a person needed faith in Jesus and baptism;
they did not have to adhere to Jewish traditions

8. In 70 AD, Roman soldiers destroyed the Temple
at Jerusalem, causing the Christians of Jerusalem
to flee
The went to Christian communities in Antioch,
Corinth and Rome
During this time,
Rome became the
center of Christianity

9. By 64 AD, the Roman Emperor Nero was
persecuting Christians
- Nero turned people against Christians
- Under Nero, both Peter and Paul were martyred

10. During the Apostolic period, all of the Apostles
were martyred, except John
John preached in Ephesus and wrote
He was banished to the
Greek island of Patmos,
where he died at an old age
The death of John (c. 100AD) marks the end of the
Apostolic period