For the first 250 years of its history, the church was a persecuted minority in the Roman Empire. Many suffered martyrdom for their faith. Yet through their countercultural witness of love for each other, service to the weakest of society, bravery in the face of persecution, and the compelling gospel message they preached, the Christian movement spread. Historian Robert Wilken estimates that in the year 150, there were about 50,000 Christians alive, and by 300, there were 5-7 million Christians.[1] Arguably, the church was healthiest in this period when it had no worldly power or wealth.

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-16

People: Polycarp of Smyrna (69-155), Perpetua (c. 182-203), Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 125-c. 202), Ignatius of Antioch (died c. 140)

“For eighty-six years I have served him, and he has done me no evil. How could I curse my king, who saved me?” – Polycarp of Smyrna, when asked to deny his faith in Jesus and offer a sacrifice to the Roman Emperor

“I am unable to call myself other than what I am, a Christian.”[2] – Perpetua, when awaiting execution and pressed by her father to recant her faith.

“Now do I begin to be a disciple of Christ, and care for nothing in this world, that so I may find Jesus. Let fire, or the cross, or wild beasts, or the breaking of my bones, or the cutting of me to pieces, or the shattering of my whole body, yea, all the tortures of the devil - let them all come upon me, only let me enjoy my God.”[3] – Ignatius of Antioch

“…slaves, women and little children…wool workers, cobblers, laundry workers, and the most illiterate country bumpkins, who would not venture to voice their opinions in front of their intellectual betters.”[4] – Celsus, a 2nd century Roman writer, mocking Christians for teaching the lower classes

Application:

How does following Jesus make you “salt and light” in your circles of influence? Have you experienced insults or persecution for being a Christian?

[1] Class notes from Scott Manetch at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, September 2009.

[2] Passion of Perpetua and Felicity III.1-2. Available at <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0324.htm> Accessed 5/27/25.

[3] Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Romans, V. Available at <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0107.htm> Accessed 5/27/25.

[4] Celsus, On The True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians. Translated with a General Introduction by R. Joseph Hoffmann. Oxford University Press. New York, 1987. pp.72-73

“One generation commends your works to

another; They tell of your mighty acts.”

– Psalm 145:4

“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,

the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

– Psalm 33:11

“Therefore, every teacher of the law who has

become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven

is like the owner of a house who brings out of

his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

– Jesus, Matthew 13:52

“There is nothing that the modern church

enjoys that is not a gift from previous

generations of God’s people.” – Mark Noll

Introduction

In this 9-part sermon series we traced our spiritual genealogy through church history. We focused on key events, figures, and turning points that got us to where we are today as Protestants, Baptists, and heirs of the Modern Evangelical movement.

Hopefully, learning about our Christian history has produced:

· A greater sense of our connection to the broader Christian family and our particular place in it

· More appreciation for our own Christian tradition and more openness to others

· Gratitude for the faithfulness of previous generations

· Wisdom to learn from the errors of the past

· Humility about our own errors and blind spots that future generations will see more clearly

In this series, I chose to focus more on the positive aspects of our Christian history. But church history is complicated and messy. There is much to celebrate and much to lament. There aren’t always clear “good guys” and “bad guys.” Sometimes our heroes disappoint us and the villains surprise us. The many branches of the Christian family tree represent both a beautiful fullness (“catholicity”) of the church through the ages, and they also represent unnecessary division in the body of Christ.

In each section I summarize the main theme of the sermon and reference the accompanying Scripture passage. Then, I include important people and/or events referenced in the sermon (and a few extras to look up on your own!). Finally, there are quotes from people in this time period, and an application to consider.

A big thank-you to Lindsey Johnson for her wonderful artwork on the cover. She based it on a rough sketch that I gave her, which is by no means a complete picture of Christian denominations, nor is it totally to scale. But hopefully it will help you see the big picture of the growth of Christianity through the ages, and make sense of where some of the Protestant denominations came from. Any inaccuracies or errors are mine.

We covered only a tiny fraction of the story of Christianity. I encourage you to continue learning on your own, perhaps starting with a time period or person that piqued your interest. At the end of this booklet are recommended resources for further study.

Above all, let us trust, worship and serve Jesus, the Lord of the Church, who has remained faithful to his people for 2,000 years.

-Pastor Tyler

June 1st, 2025

Table of contents:

1. Brave Misfits: The Early Church (AD 70 – 300)

2. Athanasius Against the World (300s)

3. Lights in the Middle Ages: The Monastic Movement (500 – 1300)

4. The Word of God for the People of God: Bible Translation Efforts in the Pre-Reformation (1300 – 1540)

5. Recovering the Gospel: Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation (1500s)

6. Champions of Freedom: The Baptist Movement (1600 – 1800)

7. A Surprising Work of God: The Great Awakenings (1730s – 1830s)

8. Gospel People: The Modern Evangelical Movement (1925 – present)

9. Ten Generations: The Story of Georgia Plain Baptist Church (1793-present)

10. Resources for Further Study

Family Tree 1. “Brave Misfits” (AD 70 – 300)

Family Tree: Church History Sermon Series 2025