Church History
[](https://bible.exchange/uploads/images/gallery/2021-09/image001.png)PERSECUTED CHURCH - TAKE HOME TEST.
1. Which events start and end the persecuted church period? (Give the corresponding dates)
2. Which church in Asia corresponds to this period and what is the meaning of the church name?
3. List seven causes of Imperial Persecution with an explanation of each cause.
4. How many different times of intense persecution did the church suffer during this period, and what scripture prophesies of these persecutions?
5. What is the last of these persecution called and which Emperor led this attack?
6. List four leaders of this period, with a brief summary of each one.
7. Who was the successor of James as head of the Jerusalem Church?
8. What is the meaning of the word "canon"? (In relation to Scripture)
9. Give an approximate date for the completion of the New Testament canon.
10. Who were the Gnostics?
11. What did persecution do to the church? (Give a complete answer)
# History of the Christian Church in Tanzania # History of the Christian Church in Tanzania * 1844 German missionary Johannes Ludwig Krapf arrived in Zanzibar as a worker of the British Church Missionaries Society [^3] * 1871 David Livingston explores Tanganika * 1887 German Lutheran missionaries open mission station in Dar es Salaam * 1897 Catholic and Anglican missionaries planted churches in Sukumaland in the northwest on their way to Uganda * 1909 the African Inland Church (AICT) took over 150 churches started by the Anglicans [^1] * 1927 Pentecostals from the Holiness movement reached Mbeya * 1927 East African revival and Charismatic form of Pentecostalism spread from Rwanda in the Balokole Movement * 1932 the Swedish Free Mission arrived in the Tabora region * 1938 Australian missionary Paul White starts hospital in Myumi Mission [^4] (the students say that this should be Mvumi) * 1938 the seven existing Lutheran churches in Tanganika formed the Federation of Lutheran Churches in Tanganyika * 1946 Elim Pentecostal Church arrived in Morogoro * 1949 the field of the Mbeya region that had been reached by the Holiness movement was taken over by the Assemblies of God. * 1953 Members of the Balokole Movement who felt that the mission churches were not radical enough in their approach, separated from the Evangelical Lutheran Church and started the Church of the Holy Spirit [^6] * 1955 The Swedish Free Mission was incorporated as a Mission Society under the Laws of Tanganyika. * 1959 Assemblies of God starts a Bible school in Mbeya * 1961 After Tanganyika’s political independence, the Swedish Free Mission volunteered to hand over the portfolio and did establish a Trust and executed a transfer of the Mission properties and those of individual missionaries, to the Trustees of the Pentecostal Churches Social Association in Tanzania (PCSAT) [^5] * 1962 by this time half of the members of the Church of the Holy Spirit returned to the official Lutheran church * 1963 the seven Lutheran Churches, merged to become a single Church, known as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanganyika [^7] * 1986 the first of the yearly big 'power crusades' was held in Dar es Salaam as a collaboration between Assemblies of God, the Anglican Church, the Lutheran Church, and other churches [^2] [^1]: Global Renewal Christianity vol. 3 pg. 167 [^2]: Questioning the Secular State: The Worldwide Resurgence of Religion in Politics pg. 223 [^3]: http://users.aims.ac.za/~angelina/Mypage/Philosophy_of%20ed.pdf [^4]: http://www.auspostalhistory.com/articles/1630.php [^5]: http://fpct.or.tz/the-church/ [^6]: https://books.google.co.tz/books?id=BO5G5BimsXIC&pg=PA182&lpg=PA182&dq=swedish+pentecostals+tanzania&source=bl&ots=l1mw3-xuO5&sig=VIf6HM_eG_huEdTbktF0z9DQKtg&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=swedish%20pentecostals%20tanzania&f=false [^7]: http://www.elct.org/ Leads to follow: * Emil and Marie Sywalka of AICT * Rurldluck (students mentioned him) * Bruce Olson # Archived Textbook # Introduction to Church History This class will help the student to become familiar with the history of the church. The goal of this class is to give you a practical understanding of events that occurred throughout the history of the church. The church of Jesus Christ is alive. We will study the lives of some of the people who have been used of God as pillars in the church. ## Definition of Church History ### Church The Greek word for _church_ is _ekklesia_ which means "those called together or those called out." This class will study the church of Jesus Christ. The word _church_ is used today to refer to the buildings that the saints gather in to worship, but it more accurately refers to the people. The Scripture uses the word _church_ to refer to an assembly in a certain house or city (Romans 16:5, I Cor. 16:19, Col. 4:15). The church is more than a house or building, but it is the saints who are the body of Christ. #### The Lord added to the church > Acts 2:47…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. After experiencing the great baptism of the Holy Ghost in the upper room, the disciples were powerfully influential in witnessing of Christ. In one day, 3,000 souls were saved and added to the local assembly. Every day, more and more were added! There is only one church of God, and only God can add members to it. Humans have religious organizations and they can control the membership of them, but no human can say who is or is not a member of the church of God. #### Jesus is the head of the church > Ephesians 1:22–23—And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body… The church is referred to in this Scripture as the body of Christ. Jesus is the head of His body. In a physical body the head gives commands to the body to function and work. In the body of Christ, Jesus is the commander who gives instructions to His church to do the work of God. The church was birthed by the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost. This class will include the study of the early church of Acts up to our current church period. ### History The word _history_ comes from a word that means "learning by inquiry." The Webster's dictionary defines history as "that branch of knowledge which deals with events that have taken place in the world's existence; the study or investigation of the past." One writer said that "The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there." [1] ### Christian We are studying the history of the Christian church. The term _Christian_, meaning "to be like Christ or one who follows Christ," was first used in Antioch around AD 40 (Acts 11:25). The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ are the central events of the history of the world. History is recorded around Christ. Dates are listed as BC (before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) which is Latin that means in the year of our Lord. All of history centers on Christ. [1] L. P. Hartley, The Go-Between (1953) ## Why study church history? ### Church history helps us understand what we believe If you enter a Protestant church anywhere in the world, you will be greeted with a service that is similar to any other one you have previously attended. There will be differences of style, but you could expect an opening prayer, a time of singing, an offering, and preaching. Often times these will be in a similar order. Nowhere in the Bible is given a list of how to hold a church service, so how have we universally adopted a similar form? It is because much of what we do and believe as Christians has been shaped by over two-thousand years of tradition, though often we don't recognize it. "Tradition" is often considered a bad thing in Protestant churches. We like to believe we are doing things exactly like Paul and the other apostles did in the New Testament, but nowhere in the Bible do we see that Paul wore a suit and tie to church on Sundays (in fact, Sunday being designated as the official day of Christian worship comes from tradition and not the Bible). The tradition of the church can be a good thing. Many people have studied the Bible, prayed, and discussed many doctrines and ideas about how the church should live. We do not have to "recreate the wheel," and study all these subjects ourselves, but we can learn from what these people have passed down to us through tradition. We do not believe that tradition is better than Scripture, but we believe that tradition can help us understand the Bible. If we study the history of the church, we will understand much about how this tradition came to be. Whether we study history or not, we will be influenced by history. The influence will come from the culture around us, conclusions we subconsciously arrive at, and the stories that are told to us. The danger is that without making a conscious study of how we came to be, we can easily arrive at the wrong conclusions. #### To build up our faith The study of church history gives us an appreciation of our heritage. Many men and woman have paid the price of their lives to carry this Gospel message. The Gospel has been preached through much difficulty and hardship. ##### Learn of the mighty revivals of the church There have been some great manifestations of God's power throughout the course of the history of the Church. The same Holy Ghost that moved in those revivals is the same Holy Ghost that will move today. ##### You can see that God's hand has always been on His church ### The repeat of history The writer of Ecclesiastes said "there is no new thing under the sun" (Ecc. 1:9). History comes in cycles. By studying the past we can learn about the present. We can learn from the mistakes and successes of others. God is no respecter of persons. What God has performed for past generations He can do for our generation if we obey Him as they did. > Romans 2:11—For there is no respect of persons with God. We can learn from the successes and mistakes of those that have lived before us. #### God does not change God deals with all men equally in all ages and at all times. How God dealt with men in times past is how He will still deal with men today. God has always required that men live a holy life and he has not changed that standard today. #### God uses ordinary people The God that used Peter, and James, and John is the same God that will use you. God uses ordinary people just like you. #### To enrich the knowledge of the minister A minister of the Gospel should not be ignorant of the rich history of the Church. ## Seven periods of church history ### THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH START: From the Day of Pentecost (AD 30) END: To the completion of the New Testament (about AD 100) ### THE PERSECUTED CHURCH START: From the completion of the New Testament about (AD 100) END: To the Edict of Constantine (AD 313) This is a period of tremendous persecution of the church. The church was crushed beneath the iron heal of the Roman Empire. ### THE IMPERIAL CHURCH START: From the Edict of Constantine (AD 313) END: To the Fall of Rome (AD 476) The word _Imperial_ refers to a king or ruler. This was a period in the history of the church that an emperor had much influence on the church. ### THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH START: From the Fall of Rome (AD 476) END: To the Fall of Constantinople (AD 1453) The Catholic church dominated Europe during this time. ### THE REFORMED CHURCH START: From the Fall of Constantinople (AD 1453) END: To the End of the Thirty Year War (AD 1678) This was a period when God used men like Martin Luther to stand up against the tide of Catholicism and preach the just shall live by faith. God raised up men throughout Europe to restore the Word to the church. ### THE MODERN CHURCH START: From the end of the Thirty Year War (AD 1678) END: To the Twentieth Century AD (1950's) This was a period of great revivals and missionary outreach. Up until this time there was never a concentrated effort to reach the world with the Gospel. It takes a great love of souls to travel to a foreign land and preach the Gospel. It was during this time that David Livingstone set up many missionary stations on the continent of Africa. ### THE POSTMODERN CHURCH START: From the Twentieth Century AD (1950's) END: To the present day We will study each of these periods individually. This chapter was only an overview of what this course will cover. # One: The Apostolic Church (AD 30–100) From the Day of Pentecost to the completion of the New Testament ## Details of the early church ### The church's enduement They received power, after the Holy Ghost came upon them (Acts 1:8) ### The church's original location The church began in the city of Jerusalem, but persecution would soon scatter them abroad (Acts 8:1). ### The church's membership The original members were all Jews. They didn't yet understand that the Gospel was also for the Gentiles. ### The church's government The twelve Apostles as a body governed the Church. ### The church's doctrines #### Jesus was the Messiah (Acts 2:36) #### The resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:30–32) #### The return of Christ (I Thess. 4:15–17) ## The leaders of the Church ### The Apostle Peter The Apostle Peter was the spokesman among the Apostles. He assisted James at the Jerusalem Church. History records Peter was martyred in Rome about AD 67. ### Stephen He was one of the seven chosen to care for the needs of the church (Acts 6:8). He is described as a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost. He was used by God to do great wonders and miracles among the people. Stephen was the first Christian Martyr (Acts 7:55–60). ### Philip He established a church in Samaria. This church was recognized by the Apostles. This was the first church outside of Judaism. He also founded churches in Gaza, Joppa, and Caesarea (Acts 8:40). ### The Apostle Paul #### Saul's persecution Saul was a leader in persecuting the Christians (Acts 8:3). He was the one that consented to Stephen's death. The persecution helped to expand the church (Acts 8:4). #### Saul's conversion Jesus confronted Saul on the road to Damascus. He became a powerful preacher to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 9:19–22). Saul's name was changed to Paul. Paul became the mighty apostle to the Gentiles. #### Paul's missionary journeys Paul took several missionary journeys to spread the Gospel. Paul established churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth. He formed the seven churches of Asia either directly or indirectly (Acts 19:10). The churches were established though much suffering (II Cor. 11:23–28). He taught in the synagogues and received from the Holy Ghost much of the N.T. While a prisoner at Rome he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. History records Paul was martyred around AD 67. ### James James was the younger brother of the Lord. He is not to be confused with the Apostle James who was killed by Herod in Acts 12. "And he killed James the brother of John with the sword" (Acts 12:2). James was the presiding elder or pastor of the Jerusalem church. He recognized the Gentiles as part of the body of Christ. History records James was martyred around AD 62. ### The Apostle John John was the youngest of the Apostles. He arose as a leader after the death of the other original Apostles. John taught Ignatius and Polycarp who would become leaders of the Church. ## The Church among the Gentiles ### Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10) Peter preached the Gospel in Cornelius' house. The Gentiles received the Holy Ghost while Peter was preaching (Acts 10:44–48). ### Peter's report to the elders (Acts 11:1–18) ### The Council at Jerusalem AD 48 (Acts 15:5–20) The Apostles called a council of elders together to settle the question of whether the Gentiles should keep the ceremonial Law of Moses. Some of the people were insisting that the Gentiles be circumcised (vs. 5). The council decided that Gentiles do not need to follow the Jewish ceremonial law. ### Paul rebukes Peter (Gal. 2:11–14) ## The fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 ### The Jews broke out in rebellion against Roman rule in AD 66 ### The Roman general Titus destroyed the city of Jerusalem The city caught on fire, which caused the gold to melt between the bricks. Soldiers took apart the temple brick by brick to retrieve the gold. This event fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus concerning the temple. > Mark 13:2—And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. ### The animal sacrifices ceased when the temple was destroyed ### God was done with Judaism # Two: The Persecuted Church (AD 100—313) From the completion of the New Testament to the Edict of Constantine. This sets forth the period when the church was crushed beneath the iron heel of pagan Rome, yet it never gave out such sweet fragrance to God as in those two centuries of almost constant martyrdom. The Edict of Constantine was an official decree that ended the killing of Christians in the Roman Empire. Constantine will be further discussed in the Imperial Church Period. We have record of events of the first church period from the Bible, which we believe is inspired. We do not have biblical record for any other church period. This means that not all accounts that we will read are necessarily true. Two people can witness the same event and yet give completely different accounts of it. History is complicated because the sources may or may not be true. There is a saying, "history is written by the victors." This is because those that lost the battle were gone, and they were not able to write their own account of what happened. ## Persecution This was an intense period of persecution of the church. Those who weren't killed were forced into hiding and endured poverty and hardship. Jesus foretold of the suffering of this period. Jesus encourages the saints not to fear. This is a prophecy of the suffering that was to come to the church. Many were imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel during this period. It became against the Roman law to be a Christian. In AD 303 the Emperor Diocletian began the tenth and fiercest persecution of Christians that is called "The Great Persecution." This was an attempt to remove Christianity from the face of the earth. It is said that Diocletian erected a pillar inscribed, "In honor of the extirpation of the Christian superstition." Many Christians were burned alive for their testimony. Christians were eaten by wild beasts in the arena. ## Causes of imperial persecutions ### Heathen worship was hospitable to new gods while Christianity was exclusive to the worship of the one true God New gods were accepted by the heathen culture of Rome. Christians could not condone worship of false gods and would not accept the way of the heathen. ### Idol worship was interwoven with life Images stood in many houses to receive adoration. Sacrifices were made to gods at festivals. Images were worshiped at civil ceremonies. Christians did not practice this offering, so they did not fit in with society. Because Christians did not participate in the public pagan worship ceremonies, many people did not think that they worshiped at all and that they were atheists. ### Emperor worship Christians would not worship the emperor. Christians spoke of another "king." Christians were looked upon as being disloyal and plotters of a revolution. ### Judaism had been an allowed religion in the Roman Empire In the first century Christians had been considered a sect of Judaism, an allowed religion. After the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, Christianity stood alone with no laws to protect them. ### Secret meetings The Christians started to meet in secret to protect themselves from persecution. The secret meetings of Christians aroused suspicion. They were accused of meeting in secret to plan an overthrow of the Empire. Because of the Lord's Supper and talk about eating the body of Christ, some people thought that they were cannibals. ### Equality in the church Christians looked upon all men as equal, thus destroying the social order of the nobles. This went against the order of Roman society. ### Business interests Christianity meant an end to the profitable business of making idols. The craftsmen supported the persecution of the Christians (Acts 19:23—28). ## Prominent Martyrs and leaders of the Persecuted Church ### Ignatius Ignatius was bishop of Antioch in Syria. He had been a pupil of the Apostle John. Ignatius was thrown to the wild beasts in the Coliseum. Standing in the arena as the lions approached him, Ignatius prayed, "I thank Thee O Lord, that Thou hast vouchsafed thus to honor me. I am God's grain, to be Ground between the teeth of wild beasts, so that I may become a holy loaf for the Lord." ### Justin Martyr Justin Martyr was a philosopher who became a Christian after meeting an elderly man who explained how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. He was one of the first apologists, which is someone who uses reason and logic to defend his faith. He wrote several books which are still in existence that give us much information about this period. One of his prominent works is _Dialogue with Trypho_, a treatise refuting the Ebionites (Rev. 2:9). He once wrote, "You can kill us, but cannot do us any real harm." He was beheaded in Rome in AD 165. His last words were, "I am a Christian, having been freed by Christ, and by the grace of Christ, I partake of the same hope." ### Polycarp Polycarp was bishop of Smyrna at Asia Minor. He was taught as a youth by the Apostle John. When the police came to arrest him, he treated them as guests. He fed them and asked for an hour to pray, but he took two hours. They brought Polycarp to the proconsul, who threatened to burn him alive with fire if he would not deny Christ. Polycarp answered, "Eighty and six years have I served Christ, and He has done me no wrong; how then can I blaspheme my King who has saved me? You threaten the fire that burns for an hour and then is quenched; but you know not of the fire of the judgment to come, and not of the fire of the eternal punishment. Bring what you will." The proconsul pleaded with him to say, "Away with the atheists!" (meaning the Christians), so that they could let him go free. Polycarp turned to the crowd that was watching and motioned to them while saying, "Away with the atheists!" Because he would not recant his Christian beliefs, he was burned alive in Smyrna in AD 155. Polycarp was the last link to the Apostolic Church. ### Ireneus Ireneus was a student of Polycarp. He became bishop of Lyons (in Gaul) in AD 177. He stressed the fundamental Christian doctrines which were facing opposition from the Gnostics. The Gnostics believed in "secret knowledge" that only some believers would receive, but Ireneus reminded them that the Apostles taught in the open and not in secret. Some of his writings still survive today. ### Origen (AD 185—254) Origen was a humanist, which means that he read from secular sources, such as the Greek philosophers, and applied their ideas to religious thinking. He believed that there were three levels of biblical meaning: literal, moral, and allegorical. ### Tertullian (AD 150—229) Tertullian said "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" He was saying that the ideas of the philosophers (Athens) could not add anything to the doctrine of Christianity (Jerusalem). This was an attack against the humanists. He believed that persecution came from God. He thought it was a tool used to separate the true believers from the false ones. ### Simeon Simeon was James' successor as head of the Jerusalem church. He was crucified by order of the Roman governor of Palestine in AD 107 during Trajan's reign. ### Blandina Blandina was a Christian slave girl who was tortured from morning until night declared, "I am a Christian, and no evil is committed among us." ### Perpetua and Felicitas A noble lady in Carthage, Perpetua, and her slave, Felicitas, were killed by wild beasts in AD 203. ## Formation of the New Testament Canon The word _canon_ means "a rod, rule or measuring device." Refers to the Biblical books that were judged to be of divine origin (_inspired_ means "God breathed") and included as part of the Bible. No precise date can be given for the full recognition of the New Testament Canon, but it cannot be placed earlier than AD 300. ## False teaching arose during this period ### Gnostics Gnostics taught that people could be saved by secret knowledge. They get their name from _Gnosisis_, which is a Greek word for "knowledge." They believed that salvation was not freedom from sin, but it was freedom from ignorance. They believed that Jehovah was an evil god who created this world to trap the souls of humans. To them, the natural world was evil, and so the souls of humans must escape it by this secret knowledge. This knowledge could not come from this world, but they way to receive it was through asceticism (denying the self). They would not share this knowledge with people outside their group. ### Ebionites Ebionites continued in the ceremonial Law of Moses, and were trying to influence others to do the same. They were Jews who thought that Gentiles should convert to Judaism. They rejected Paul as an apostle. They did not believe that Jesus was divine. The only writings that they used from the New Testament was chapters 3—28 of the Gospel of Matthew. They did not use the first two chapters of the Gospel, because they show Jesus as the Son of God. ### Marcionism They were followers of Marcion. This group was like the opposite of the Ebionites. They wanted Christians to completely separate from anything pertaining to the Jews. Marcion created a canon of the Bible that had only the Gospel of Luke (who was a Gentile) and ten of Paul's letters (which were edited to remove references to Judaism). He did not like the God of the Old Testament. ### Montanism They were followers of Montanus (AD 150—170s). This was a prophetic group that believed that the Holy Spirit spoke new things to the church. They believed that the members of the Trinity operated in different times: - The Father worked in Old Testament times - The Son worked in New Testament times - The Holy Spirit works today ### Sabellianism (also known as Modalism) This group believed that there was one God who had three positions (or forms): Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. # Three: The Imperial Church (AD 313–476) From the Edict of Constantine to the Fall of Rome. ## Constantine ### Constantine's Cross He battled Maxentius for the throne at the Battle of Milvian Bridge (AD 312). Constantine was outnumbered by the army of Maxentius who also wanted the throne. The winner of this battle would be the next Emperor of Rome. Constantine claimed to have a vision of a cross, inscribed with the words, "In this sign conquer." The cross was the Greek letters _chi_ (Χ) and _rho_ (Ρ), which are the first two letters of the Greek word _Christos_ (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ), which is were we get our word "Christ." Constantine made this cross the symbol of his army, and had it placed on the shields of his men. Constantine won the battle and became the Emperor of Rome. ### Constantine made a profession of faith and converted to Christianity Many Christian historians have doubted the sincerity of his profession. ### Edict of Toleration (Edict of Constantine) (AD 313) An _edict_ is an official decree or document. This edict granted freedom to all religions in the empire ending the Roman persecution of Christianity. It restored to Christians property that had been seized during Diocletian's reign. ## Results of Toleration of the Church ### The persecution of Christians ended Christianity that flourished under persecution became worldly under government acceptance. ### Churches seized during persecution were restored New churches were built. The Roman basilica became the pattern for elegant church buildings. The basilica was a courtroom in the shape of a rectangle divided into isles by rows of pillars with a semi-circular platform at one end with seats for the officials. This is still the pattern today in the Roman Catholic Church. An example of this style of architecture is St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. ### The official sacrifices ceased The Roman citizens were no longer required to make sacrifices to pagan gods. ### Churches were supported by the state The temples of the gods had been supported by the public treasury. This money was now given to the churches and the clergy. ### Clergy received special privileges The clergy became a wealthy class. Men desired these positions for the monetary gain and power associated with the position. ### Some parts of pagan worship were adopted by the church Over time, there were some practices from the pagan Roman culture that became a part of the church. Some of the Roman gods are similar to the saints that the Catholic church prays to. Some people see similarity between the images and statues of Mary holding baby Jesus the Roman statues depicting Fortuna and Jupiter. There are some Christians who do not like to celebrate Christmas because the holiday has its roots in the pagan Roman holiday of Saturnalia. Some people will say that Constantine started the Roman Catholic Church, but it must be remembered that traditions and beliefs of what the Catholic Church is in our day evolved over many years from what the church was in Constantine's time. ## Fall of the Western Roman Empire ### Constantine chose the Greek city of Byzantium for the new Capital and renamed it Constantinople (AD 330) This increased the influence of the Roman bishop. The capital was now far away from Rome and the Empire was already in collapse. ### The division of the Empire soon followed the building of the new capital One Emperor could no longer protect his vast domain. The Adriatic Sea formed a natural barrier between the two divisions of the Empire. In AD 395 The Empire was split into the Eastern and Western Empires. ### The Western Empire with Rome as its Capital survived until AD 476 ### The Eastern Empire with Constantinople as its Capital survived until AD 1453 This would become the Holy Roman Empire of the Middle Ages (AD 500–1500). ## Christian leaders of the period ### Athanius (AD 296–373) He was a defender of the faith in the Arian controversy. Arius the leader of this false teaching did not believe in the Biblical doctrine of the Trinity. He became bishop of Alexandria in AD 325. In AD 367 he wrote a letter recognizing the New Testament cannon that we use today. He was exiled five times for his doctrine. ### John Chrysostom (AD 345–407) He was referred to as "the golden mouth," because of his eloquence as a speaker. He was a bold preacher, a statesman, and an able expositor of the Bible. He became bishop of Constantinople in AD 398. He was banished for his stand for truth, and he died in exile. ### Augustine (AD 354–430) Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless until they find rest in you." He became bishop of Hippo in North Africa in AD 395. He was a Chief defender of the faith in the Pelagian Controversy. This false teaching was promoted by Pelegius who did not believe in original sin. Augustine developed a reputation as a preacher, teacher, and writer. ### Ambrose Ambrose was governor of Milan. When the bishop of Milan died in AD 374, a riot broke out over who should be the next bishop. Ambrose stepped in to try to calm things down, and people in the crowd cried out that he should be bishop, even though he hadn't yet been baptized. He protested, but eventual became bishop. When the emperor Theodosius had a stadium of people killed, Ambrose excommunicated him. Theodosius did repentance by putting on sackcloth and kneeling before Ambrose seeking forgiveness. This was a beginning of the government being submissive to the church. We see a progression of the church's relationship to the state: 1. Church < State 2. Church = State 3. Church > State ### Jerome Jerome (also known as Eusebius) translated the Bible into Latin in AD 405. This translation became known as the _Vulgate_ from the Latin word _vulgus_, which means "common." ### Patrick (AD 390) Patrick was a missionary from England to Ireland. He brought Christianity to Ireland, and the church in Ireland developed outside the hierarchical system of Rome. Ireland did not become Catholic until the 1100s. ## Key events of the period ### The Donatist Controversy (AD 312) During the persecution of Diocletian, some of the church leaders surrendered copies of the Scripture to the government authorities. These church leaders became known as _traditors_ because they betrayed the church. In AD 311 a man named Caecillian was elected bishop of Carthage. Caecillian had been consecrated by a bishop who was a traditor. A North-African man named Donatus separated from the church in AD 312 because he did not believe that Caecillian should be allowed to be a bishop, since he was consecrated by a traditor. Later Donatists rebaptized Christians who had denied their faith because of persecution. ### The Council of Nicea (AD 325–460) In the New Testament, especially the Gospel of John, we see that Jesus is equal with the Father, but there are not exact details given about the relationship between them. The question was, how could a person worship both Jesus and the Father and still be a monotheist (a person who believes in and worships only one god)? Arius, who was an elder in Alexandria, began preaching in AD 318 that Jesus was not God at all, but that He was a celestial servant of God. This was his answer to the question about monotheism. Alexander, Arius' bishop, countered that if God cannot change, and if He has always been a Father, then that means He must have always had a Son. This religious debate got the attention of Constantine, because riots had started because of it. In AD 325 Constantine called a council in Nicea to solve the debate started by Arius. More than 300 bishops attended. The bishops created a statement of faith, which, after some additions made during another council in Constantinople in 381, became known as the Nicene Creed. All but two bishops signed the statement of faith, and they were exiled along with Arius. Following is the complete text of the creed: > I believe in one God, > the Father almighty, > maker of heaven and earth, > of all things visible and invisible. > I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, > the Only Begotten Son of God, > born of the Father before all ages. > God from God, Light from Light, > true God from true God, > begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; > through him all things were made. > For us men and for our salvation > he came down from heaven, > and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, > and became man. > For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, > he suffered death and was buried, > and rose again on the third day > in accordance with the Scriptures. > He ascended into heaven > and is seated at the right hand of the Father. > He will come again in glory > to judge the living and the dead > and his kingdom will have no end. > I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, > who proceeds from the Father and the Son, > who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, > who has spoken through the prophets. > I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. > I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins > and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead > and the life of the world to come. Amen. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nicene-Creed accessed on 2018/08/23) The creed says that Jesus is "light from light." How could you separate light from the sun? In the same way, how could you separate God (the Father) from God (the Son)? The council did not "create" the idea of the Trinity, since the Trinity was a part of church worship since the beginning (for example, it was used in the baptism rite). In Nicea they formed the vocabulary to describe what they already believed about God. ### The First Council at Ephesus (AD 431) The Council of Nicea resolved that Jesus was both God and man, but there were still questions about the nature of Jesus. How much of Him was God and how much was man? Did He have two minds? Could Jesus have sinned because of the human side? Two church leaders gave answers to these types of questions. They were Nestorius and Cyril. #### Nestorius Nestorius was the bishop of Constantinople. He was a heresy hunter who tried to stop doctrines like Arianism from spreading. Nestorius received the attention of other church leaders when he refused to use the word _Theotokos_, which means "Mother of God." He believed if the Son of God always existed, then He could not be born. He preferred the word _Christotokos_, which means "Mother of Christ." Nestorius also disliked _Theotokos_ because of the emphasis that Apollinarianism placed on this word. Apollinarianism taught that Jesus had no human soul, but was divine God wrapped in human flesh. He believed that Christ possessed two natures, but was still one person. He emphasized a distinction between these two natures, especially in the suffering of Christ. He said that it was only the human nature that suffered when Christ suffered, and not the divine nature. #### Cyril Cyril was the bishop of Alexandria. While Nestorius emphasized more of the human nature of Christ, Cyril emphasized more of His divine nature. He believed that Nestorius' emphasis of the two natures of Christ was harming the idea of the unity of Christ. If only the human nature of Christ suffered, then Christ was not an effective high priest, since it was only through divine suffering that Christ could atone for the sins of humanity. #### The decision of the council Because Nestorius did not want to use the name _Mother of God_ for Mary, he was falsely accused by Cyril that he did not believe that Jesus was God. After some heated letters between them, a council of bishops was called to settle the debate. The council was largely motivated by political factors. The Second Ecumenical Council of 381 declared that the bishop of Constantinople would be second only to the Roman bishop (the pope). This angered some of the other bishops, including Cyril, because it limited their power as bishops. So even though there were some legitimate questions about the doctrines of Nestorius, the council was also called because of jealousy of his position. The council decided against Nestorius and he was exiled as a heretic. Even though he was exiled, people continued to believe his doctrine and Nestorianism still exists today as a branch of Christianity. While their were some differences of doctrine between Cyril and Nestorius, much of their disagreement lay in how they emphasized certain parts of the doctrine of Christ and also from how they defined and used different words and phrases. They both were concerned with defending the faith against heresy. While it is impossible to know, we can't but wonder what agreement they might have come to if they had talked together about their ideas. Though Nestorius was always considered a heretic, the Council of Chalcedon made decisions about the doctrine of Christ that closer to the ideas of Nestorius. Nestorius was also correct about how the name _Mother of God_ would exalt Mary to a position that was more than she deserved. Over many years, we see the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church move Mary into the place where she is almost considered divine. ### The Council of Constantinople (AD 381) Some people did not believe that the Holy Spirit was God, because He did not speak for Himself. They said that He was not a person, but a spiritual force. This council was called to prove the divinity of the Spirit. ### The Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) This council was the final ecumenical council dealing with the dual-nature of Jesus. Its purpose was to finish the debate on the Trinity. In it, it was declared that Christ is "acknowledged in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation... the characteristic property of each nature being preserved, and coming together to form one person." Following is the full text of the definition made at Chalcedon: > Therefore, following the holy fathers, we all with one accord teach men to acknowledge one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man, consisting also of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance with the Father as regards his Godhead, and at the same time of one substance with us as regards his manhood; like us in all respects, apart from sin; as regards his Godhead, begotten of the Father before the ages, but yet as regards his manhood begotten, for us men and for our salvation, of Mary the Virgin, the God-bearer; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, recognized in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation; the distinction of natures being in no way annulled by the union, but rather the characteristics of each nature being preserved and coming together to form one person and subsistence, not as parted or separated into two persons, but one and the same Son and Only-begotten God the Word, Lord Jesus Christ; even as the prophets from earliest times spoke of him, and our Lord Jesus Christ himself taught us, and the creed of the fathers has handed down to us. (https://www.monergism.com/definition-council-chalcedon-451-ad accessed on 2018/09/03) Since Nicea, the church emphasized that Jesus shared nature with the Father, but now they added to this how Jesus also shared nature with man. It was the first council in which the pope played a major role, and the last that both East and West would regard as official. # Four: The Medieval Church (AD 476–1453) From the fall of Rome to the fall of Constantinople. ## The Medieval Church was covered by darkness > Isaiah 9:19—Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, Roughly, the period from the 5th to 15th century is referred to as the "Dark Ages." ### Civilization and civility came to a halt #### There was little or no advancement in literature, art, and science There was much poverty and superstition filled the land. Other countries raided Europe and killed many people. There were many people killed by the bubonic plague that swept the entire continent. **Discussion**: Does God still use judgment to punish people? #### The Bible was withheld from the people The church taught that only the priests could interpret the Bible. The common people were forbidden to read the Bible. The Bible was either in the original languages or in Latin which few people could understand even if they had wanted to read it for themselves. #### The people were kept in darkness The mass was said in Latin which no one could understand. Truth and science were suppressed by the Catholic Church. Galileo, the man who invented the telescope, was almost killed because what he observed through his telescope went against the official position of the pope who was supposed to be infallible. ### The leaders of the church were immoral ## Ideas of the church in this period ### Communion Communion was the center of Christian worship in this time. The Mass was said in Latin, and in many rural villages the priest was uneducated, so he was not able to give sermons. The clergy were allowed to sing, but the congregation was not allowed to sing. ### Asceticism Some people did not like how the church was growing in wealth and power. These people separated themselves from the world and lived in communities by themselves. They prayed seven times during the day and memorized large portions of Scripture. The men were called monks and the women were called nuns. The monks and nuns lived in separate communities. ### Purgatory The church knew that righteous people went to heaven and that wicked people went to hell, but what happened to people who were neither entirely wicked nor extremely righteous? Purgatory was developed over time as an answer to where average people go when they die. It is said to be a place where the average person is purged from what little sins they had. ### Indulgences These were documents that could be bought from the church to remove the punishment for sin. ### Christendom In this time, there was no distinction between the religious and the secular. The governments and the church shared (and sometimes fought each other for) power. All people born in a Christian country were automatically considered Christian. ## The rise of the papacy In the early church, the bishop of Rome (later to be known as the pope) was just one of many bishops. All bishops were equal in power. But by the end of this period, the pope was the most powerful person in the church. How did this happen? It happened over many years and it was because of the ideas of some of the popes. ### Leo the Great (c. AD 400–461) Leo was pope from AD 440–461. He said that papal power was given to Peter by Christ and that power was passed down from Peter to his successors. [1] He was the first pope to claim this power from Peter. He convinced both the Huns (who were from Central Asia) and the Vandals (who were from East Germany) not to attack Rome. ### Gregory the Great (c. AD 540–604) Gregory came from a religious family—his great-great grandfather was a pope. He was well educated and was a government leader. He was unwillingly made pope in AD 590, and he continued as pope until he died in AD 604. He called himself the "servant of the servants of God." There were many problems in Rome, and he contacted the Emperor in the East for help. The Emperor had his own problems to handle, so he did not send help to Rome. Gregory decided to fix these problems himself. He took money from the treasury of the church to buy food for the people and to fix the aqueducts. The Lombards (who were a Germanic people) were conquering much of Europe. Gregory made diplomatic relations with them and convinced them not to attack Rome. By acting in these matters of government, Gregory was one of the first popes to emphasize the "temporal power" of the papacy. He said that the succession of Peter gave him power to make decisions about moral problems. ### Donation of Pippin (AD 754) The Lombards were again attacking the area around Rome, and Pope Stephen II could not depend on help from the Byzantine (Eastern) Empire. He wanted to find a new government leader to help him with this problem. He asked for help from Pippin the Short, who was king of the Franks (which would later be called France). Pippin promised that he would fight the Lombards and return the land that they had taken. ### Donation of Constantine This was a false document that said that Constantine gave the land around Rome to Pope Sylvester. It is believed that Stephen II used this document to convince Pippin to help him. ### Charlemagne Charlemagne took the throne in AD 771. On Christmas Day 800, the pope named him emperor. There was again a Christian emperor. There was still a question of whether the church or the government should be the highest leader. ### The Investiture Controversy (AD 1076) This was a power struggle between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV. The government had power to appoint clergy, including the pope. Henry became emperor when he was only six years old, and so other leaders in the government helped make decisions while he was growing up. The church took advantage of this time to take back the power to appoint clergy. They knew Henry was too young to stop them. In AD 1059 they held a council that declared that nobility would have no part in selecting church leaders. In AD 1075 Pope Gregory VII composed a document that said that the pope had sole power to rename an emperor. So the church now not only had power to appoint its own leaders, but also leaders of the government. By this time, Henry was an adult and he responded by saying that Gregory was no longer pope and called for an election for a new pope. Gregory then excommunicated Henry. This back-and-forth fighting continued between these two for a long time. ### Innocent III (AD 1160–1216) Innocent fought with the government leaders for power. ### Concordat of Worms (AD 1122) This was the end of the Investiture Controversy. The government and the church made an agreement that the church could appoint clergy. Only if the church had a dispute among themselves would the government solve the dispute. ## The Inquisition The Inquisition was a special court set up in the 1200's to deal with the heretics. Anyone who disagreed with the church was deemed a heretic. The heretics were hunted down and brought to trial by the church leaders. ## The Holy Wars which are also called the Crusades lasted from AD 1095–1291 ### These wars were an attempt by the church to retake the Holy Land from the Muslims The church convinced political rulers of Europe to lead the Crusades. The Muslims were gaining power in Europe. The church wanted to drive the Muslims out of Jerusalem and reclaim the city for the pope. ### The crusaders failed to free the Holy Land from the control of Islam ## The East-West Schism (AD 1054) The following chart shows some of the differences between the Eastern and Western churches: | East | West | | ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | | Used Greek | Used Latin | | Priests could marry | Priests could **not** marry | | Priests wore beards | Priests were clean-shaven | | Nicene Creed says the Spirit comes "from the Father" | Adds "and the Son" (Called the _Filioque Clause_) | | Different ceremonies for mass | | | Doctrinal differences | | Pope Leo IX wanted Michael, the patriarch of Constantinople, to submit to him. The pope sent representatives to Constantinople, but Michael refused to meet with them. The representatives excommunicated Michael, and he in turn excommunicated them. ## Some people separated from the Catholic Church There were remnant groups in this period that were not part of the Catholic Church. ### The Albigenes were located in Albi, France They believed the New Testament provided the authority of their faith. They opposed the pope and the Roman Church. The Albigenes were persecuted by Pope Innocent III in 1208. ### The Waldensians were located in France, Italy, and Switzerland They were named after their leader Peter Waldo who had the Bible translated into the people's language. Waldo taught that Scripture is the authority of Christians. Their slogan was, "The Word of God speaks, and we ought to obey it." ## Prominent leaders of the period ### Boniface Boniface was born in 680 AD. His birth name was _Winfred_. He trained as a Benedictine monk, and he spent most of his life as a missionary to the Germans. Legend says that when he took an ax to the tree that stood as a tribute to the god of thunder, that lightning struck the tree and it fell to the ground. ### Anselm Anselm was born around AD 1033. In 1903 William II, the son of William the Conqueror, made Anselm the archbishop of Canterbury, but he wanted to keep the power to appoint clergy. Anselm refused to let William have this power, and as a result, he spent time in exile. Henry I, the brother of William II, took over after his brother died, and he asked Anselm to return. Anselm did not get along with this ruler, either, and he was soon in exile again. He did a lot of writing in his times of exile. ### Thomas Aquinas Thomas Aquinas was born in AD 1225. He is possibly the greatest theologian of the Middle Ages. He introduced reason (based on ancient philosophers) into his theology. ### John Wycliffe John Wycliffe (1330–1384) was the first to translate the Bible into English. He is referred to as _the Morning Star of the Reformation_. He had followers, which were called _lollards_, which means "poor preachers." He stood against the Catholic Church. Following are some of the things he questioned about the church: - The church's right to temporal power and wealth - The sale of indulgences - The worship of saints and relics - The pope's authority - Transubstantiation He would have been killed by the Catholics had it not been for the protection of the English nobles. Wycliffe's preaching and Bible translation prepared the way for the Reformation. The Catholics hated him so much his body was dug up and desecrated years after his death. ### John Huss John Huss (1369–1415) had been a reader of Wycliffe's writings, and he strongly opposed the authority of the pope. He insisted that Christ alone was the head of the church and that only God could forgive sins. When brought before a council to be questioned about his beliefs, he said, "I would not for a chapel full gold recede from the truth." He was condemned as a heretic and burned at the stake by a council of the Roman Catholic Church. ### Peter Abelard [1] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Leo-I accessed on 5/14/2019. # Five: The Reformed Church (AD 1453–1678) From the fall Constantinople to the end of the Thirty Year War. There was still a remnant standing against false doctrine. This was a period when God raised up people to shine the light against the darkness of false doctrine. ## The Renaissance ### The light of learning The Renaissance is a term that refers to the awakening of Europe to an interest in literature, art, and science. These are things associated with civilization. ### The light of God's Word The Word of God brought Europe out of the dark ages. It is not a coincidence that civilization was restored when the light of God's Word was also restored to the people. The printing press was invented by Gutenberg in 1456 and the Bible was the first book printed (200 copies of the Latin Vulgate). Bibles could now be massed produced and placed in the hands of the common people because of this invention. **Discussion**: Can normal people understand the Bible? ### The light of truth The movable type printing press became a powerful tool of the Reformation. The reformers printed books and pamphlets teaching against the doctrine of the Catholic Church and the doctrine of justification by faith. These new pamphlets gained in popularity and were circulated throughout Europe. Books had to be hand copied by scribes before the printing press was invented, but now books could be circulated quickly. People could read for themselves and make decisions based on fact and not only what a priest told them. ## The Reformation _Reform_ means "to amend, change or improve." Reformers were trying to bring change to the church. Some of these reformers did not realize that the Roman Catholic Church was not going to change. They stood against what they saw as false doctrine. They were restoring the Bible into the languages of the people. The Catholic Church opposed laymen reading the Bible. Those who stood for truth were persecuted and began to realize the Catholic Church was not going to change. _Protestant_ is the name given to those who protested the Catholic Church. ### The Reformation in Europe #### Martin Luther (1483–1546) in Germany Martin Luther is considered to be _the father of the Reformation_. He nailed 95 theses to the oak door of the Wittenberg Cathedral on Oct. 31, 1517. The theses stated his position against the Roman Church. He refuted what he saw as false doctrine of the church and denied the infallibility of the pope. Printed copies quickly flooded Europe and helped to spark the light of the Reformation. He burned the papal bull. Bull is derived from the Latin _bula_ which means "a seal." The name being applied to any document stamped with an official seal. In 1520, the pope sent Luther a bull accusing him of heresy. Luther burned the bull in the yard of the University of Wittenberg. Luther was called to the Diet at Worms. A _Diet_ is a council of rulers. In June of 1521, Luther was called before an imperial diet at Worms in Germany. Luther had been guaranteed safe passage by the German nobles to and from the council. He was commanded to recant by the Catholic Church leaders. Luther replied, "Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen." A friend of Luther, who was a government leader, "captured" Luther and kept him in Wartburg Castle for one year. He did this to protect Luther from the church. During that year, Luther translated the New Testament and part of the Old Testament into the German language of his people. #### Ulrich Zwingli (1484–1531) in Switzerland Zwingli became pastor of the main church in Zurich on January 1, 1519. He said he would preach through the Gospel of Matthew instead of using the lectionary. In 1522 some of his church members ate meat during lent, and he supported them by preaching on freedom. Under him priests got married, images were removed from the church, and the Mass was replaced by a simple service that emphasized preaching. He published works against the Catholics. Besides being a pastor, he was also a sort of civil leader. He was killed in civil war and John Calvin carried on the work. #### John Calvin (1509–1564) in France and Switzerland Around AD 1533 John Calvin broke from Catholicism, left his homeland of France, and settled in Switzerland as an exile. In 1536 he published the first edition of _The Institutes of the Christian Religion_. Calvin was an outspoken preacher and author who preached salvation by faith. He stressed the authority of Scripture. Calvin taught the predestination of the elect. He said, "You cannot manipulate God or put him in your debt. He saves you; you cannot do it for yourself." Calvin's doctrine of predestination is contrasted by Arminianism, which is based on the belief that any man can be saved if they believe. | Calvinism | Arminianism | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | | **Total depravity**Historia Ya Kanisa
Somo hili litamwezesha mwana funzi kuifahamu vizuri historia ya kanisa. Zipo tarehe zitakazotolewa kuhusu matukio ya Historia ya Kanisa. Hutalazimika kukariri matukio wala tarehe nyingi. Lengo la somo hili ni kumpatia mwanafunzi uelewa wa matukio yaliyojiri katika kipindi kizima cha Historia ya Kanisa. Kanisa la Yesu Kristo liko hai. Tutajifunza kuhusu maisha ya baadhi ya watu waliotumiwa na Mungu kama nguzo kuu katika Kanisa.
Neno la Kigiriki la kanisa ni ekklesia lenye maana "wale walioitwa pamoja au wale walioitwa mbele."
Darasa hili litasoma kuhusu kanisa la Yesu Kristo. Neno kanisa kama linavyotumika siku hizi humaanisha majengo ambamo watakatifu walikusanyika ndani yake kwa ajili ya kuabudu lakini nisahihi zaidi kuhusisha watu. Maandiko hutumia neno kanisa kumaanisha kusanyiko katika nyumba mahali au mji fulani (Warumi 16:5; 1 Kor. 16:19; Kol. 4:15). Kanisa ni zaidi ya nyumba au jengo ila ni watakatifu ambao ndio mwili wa Kristo.
Matendo 2:47…Bwana akalizidisha kanisa kila siku kwa walewaliokuwa wakiokolewa.
Baada ya kupata ubatizo mkuu wa Roho Mtakatifu katika chumbacha ghorofani, wanafunzi wake walikuwa na ushawishi mkubwa katika kumshuhudia Kristo. Siku ile roho 3,000 ziliokolewa na kuongezwa katika kusanyiko la mahalipale. Kila siku wengi zaidi walizidi kuongezwa!
Kuna kanisa moja tu la Mungu, na Mungu peke yake anaweza kuongeza wanachama kwa hilo. Wanadamu wana mashirika ya kidini na wanaweza kudhibiti wanachama wao, lakini hakuna mwanadamu anayeweza kusema nani au si mwanachama wa kanisa la Mungu.
Waefeso 1:22–23—akavitia vitu vyote chini ya miguu yake, akamweka awe kichwa juu ya vitu vyote kwa ajili ya kanisa; ambalo ndilo mwili wake…
Kanisa katika andiko hili linaelezwa kama mwili wa Kristo. Yesu ni kichwa cha Mwili wake. Katika hali ya kawaida kichwa huuagiza mwili kufanya mambo inayotakiwa na kazi nyinginezo. Katika mwili wa Kristo, Yesu ni Kamanda anayeamrisha Kanisa lake kufanya kazi ya Mungu.
Kanisa lilizaliwa na Roho Mtakatifu siku ya Pentekoste. Darasa hili litajumlisha somo la kanisa la mwanzo la Matendo hadi Kanisa letu la kipindi hiki cha sasa.
Neno hili historia linatokana na neno "linalomaanisha kujifunza kwa kufanya uchunguzi."
Kamusi ya Webster inafafanua historia kama "lile tawi la elimu linalohusu matukio fulani katika hii dunia yetu. Somo au uchunguzi wa mambo ya wakati uliokwishapita."
Mwandishi mmoja alisema kwamba "Zamani ni nchi ya kigeni: wanafanya mambo tofauti huko." [1]
Tunajifunza historia ya kanisa la Kikristo. Neno Mkristo lina maana "ya kuwa kama Kristo au mmoja wa Wafuasi" wa Kristo ambapo lilitumika kwa mara ya kwanza huko Antiokia kwenye mwaka wa 40 BK (Matendo 11:26).
Kuzaliwa, maisha, kifo, na ufufuko wake Kristo ndio kiini cha historia ya dunia. Historia imeandikwa kumzunguka Kristo; tarehe huandikwa katika KK (Kabla ya Kristo) na BK (Baada ya Kristo). Historia yote imemweka Kristo katikati yake.
[1] L. P. Hartley, The Go-Between (1953)
Ukiingia kanisa la Kiprotestanti popote ulimwenguni, utasalimiwa na huduma inayofanana na nyingine yeyote uliyowahi kuhudhuria. Kutakuwa na tofauti za mtindo, lakini utatarajia sala ya ufunguzi, wakati wa kuimba, sadaka, na kuhubiri Mara nyingi hizi zitakuwa katika utaratibu sawa. Hakuna mahali popote katika Biblia hutolewa orodha ya jinsi ya kuongoza huduma ya kanisa, sasa imekuwaje wote tumekuwa na mfumo sawa?
Ni kwa sababu mengi ya yale tunayofanya na kuamini kama Wakristo yameumbwa na zaidi ya miaka elfu mbili ya mila, ingawa mara nyingi hatujagundua. Mila mara nyingi huonekana kuwa jambo baya katika makanisa ya Kiprotestanti. Tunapenda kuamini tunafanya mambo sawasawa na Paulo na mitume wengine walifanya katika Agano Jipya, lakini hakuna mahali pa Biblia tunaona kwamba Paulo alikuwa amevaa suti na tai siku ya Jumapili (kwa kweli, Jumapili kufanywa kama siku rasmi kwa wakristo kuabudu imetokana na mila na sio katika Biblia).
Mila ya kanisa inaweza kuwa jambo jema. Watu wengi wamejifunza Biblia, kuomba, na kujadili mafundisho na mawazo mengi kuhusu jinsi kanisa linapaswa kuishi. Hatupaswi "kurejesha gurudumu," na kujifunza masomo haya yote, lakini tunaweza kujifunza kutokana na kile ambacho watu hawa wamepitisha kwa njia ya mila. Hatuamini kwamba mila ni bora zaidi kuliko Maandiko, lakini tunaamini kwamba mila hutusaidia kuelewa Biblia.
Tukisoma historia ya kanisa, tutaelewa mengi kuhusu namna hii mila ilivyoingia. Tujifunze historia au la, tutaathiriwa na historia. Ushawishi utatoka kwenye utamaduni unaotuzunguka sisi, hitimisho tunayofikiria kwa siri, na hadithi ambazo tulisimuliwa. Hatari ni kwamba bila kujifunza kwa ufahamu wa jinsi tulivyokuwa, tunaweza kufikia hitimisho baya.
Somo la historia ya kanisa linatuwezesha kuutambua urithi wetu. Wanaume wengi na wanawake walikwishajitoa mhanga maisha yao katika jitihada zaokueneza ujumbe wa neno la Mungu. Neno la Mungu limehubiriwa katika mazingira magumu sana na wakati mwingine yanayoogopesha.
Uwepo wa nguvu za Mungu umeonekana waziwazi katika historia yote ya Kanisa. Ni Roho Mtakatifu aliyewezesha uamsho ule uliopita na ndiye yeye anayefanya mambo yatendeke vizuri leo.
Mwandishi wa Mhubiri alisema "wala jambo jipya hakuna chini ya jua" (Mhubiri 1:9). Historia huja kwa mizunguko. Kwakuyasoma matukio yaliyokwishapita tunaweza kuelewa vizuri mambo yanayotokeahivi sasa. Tunaweza kujifunza kutokana na makosa yaliyofanywa na watu wengine. Mungu hachambui watu kwa ajili ya kuwaheshimu. Kila kitu alichokitendea kizazi kilichopita anaweza pia akatufanyia sisi iwapo tutamtii kama kizazi hicho cha zamani.
Warumi 2:11—Kwa maana kwa Mungu hakuna upendeleo.
Tunaweza kujifunza kutokana na mafanikio na makosa ya wale ambao wameishi mbele yetu.
Mungu huwataka watu wake watende kazi kwa usawa katika vipindi vyote. Mungu alivyowafanyia watu wa kale ni hivyo hivyo atawatendea watu wake leo. Mungu anataka watu waishi maisha matakatifu na hatabadilisha msimamo wake kabisa.
Mungu yule aliyewatumia akina Petro, Yakobo, na Yohane ni huyo atakayekutumia pia wewe. Mungu katika utendaji wake huwatumia watu wa kawaida tu kama wewe au mimi.
Mchungaji wa Injili anapaswa asiwe mjinga, awe mjuzi kwa utajiri wa historia ya kanisa.
MWANZO: Tangu siku ya Pentekoste (30 BK)
MWISHO: Hadi kukamilishwa kwa Agano Jipya kwenye (100 BK)
MWANZO: Kuanzia kukamilishwa Agano Jipya kwenye (100 BK)
MWISHO: Hadi kutolewakwa Hati ya Konstantino (313 BK)
Hiki ni kipindi cha mateso makuu kwa kanisa. Kanisa liligandamizwa mno chini ya Ufalme wa Kirumi.
MWANZO: Kuanzia kutolewa kwa Hati ya Konstantino (313 BK)
MWISHO: Hadi anguko la Roma (476 BK)
Neno la Ufalme linahusiana na mfalme au mtawala. Hiki ni kipindi ambacho mfalme alikuwa na ushawishi mkubwa sana ndani ya kanisa.
MWANZO: Tangu anguko la Roma (476 BK)
MWISHO: Hadi anguko la Konstatinopo (1453 BK)
Wakati huu kanisa Katoliki lilikuwa na mamlaka makubwa katika bara la Ulaya.
MWANZO: Tangu anguko la Konstantinipo (1453 BK)
MWISHO: Hadi mwisho wa vita vya miaka 30 (1678 BK)
Huu ni wakati ambao Mungu aliwatumia watu kama Martin Luther kusimamia nakupigana na wimbi la ukatoliki na walihubiri kwamba wenye haki wataishi kwa imani yao. Mungu aliamsha wanaume katika eneo lote la Ulaya ili walirudishe Neno la Mungu kanisani.
MWANZO: Kuanzia mwisho wa vita ya miaka 30 (1678 BK)
MWISHO: Hadi katika karne ya ishirini (Miaka ya 1950 BK)
Hiki ni kipindi cha uamsho wa hali ya juu na umisionari ulienea sehemu nyingi. Hadi kufikia kipindi hiki kulikuwa hakuna jitihada mahususi zilizofanyika za kuieneza Injili duniani kote. Wakati huu ndio David Livingstone alianzisha vituo vingi vya umisionari katika bara la Afrika.
MWANZO: Kwanzia karne ya ishirini (Miaka ya 1950 BK)
MWISHO: Hadi siku yaleo
Tutasoma kila kipindi katika vipindi hivi 7 peke yake. Sura hii ilikuwa ni muhtasari tu wamafunzo yatakayo fundishwa.
Kutoka siku ya Penstekoste hadi kukamilishwa Agano Jipya
Walipokea nguvu siku Roho Mtakatifu alipowashukia (Mdo. 1:8)
Kanisa lilianzia katika mji wa Yerusalemu lakini mateso yalilitawanyia nchi nyingine (Matendo 8:1).
Wanachama wa mwanzo katika Kanisa walikuwa wote ni Wayahudi. Walikuwa hawajafahamu kwamba injili ni kwa ajiliya mataifa pia.
Wale Mitume kumi nawawili waliongoza kanisa.
Katika kanisa la Yerusalemu Mtume alikuwa ndiye msemaji wa mitume wote na msaidizi wake alikuwa ni Yakobo. Historia inasema kwamba Petro alikufa shahidi huko Roma mwaka wa 67 BK.
Alikuwa nimmoja kati ya watu saba walioteuliwa kwa ajili ya kutunza mahitaji ya kanisa (Mdo. 6:8) Anasimuliwa kama mtu aliyejaa imani na Roho Mtakatifu. Alitumiwa na Mungu kufanya mambo makubwa ya ajabu na miujiza katikati ya watu. Stefano alikufa shahidi wa kwanza (Mdo. 7:55–60).
Alianzisha kanisa katika Samaria. Kanisa hili lilitambuliwa na Mitume. Hili lilikuwa kanisa la kwanza nje ya dhehebu la Yuda. Alianzisha pia makanisa huko Gaza, Joppa na Kaesaria (Mdo. 8:40).
Sauli aliongoza askari waliowatesa sana Wakristo (Mdo. 8:3). Sauli ndiyea liyeidhinisha Stefano auawe. Mateso hayo yalisaidia kulieneza kwa upana zaidi kanisa (Mdo. 8:4).
Yesu alikutana na Sauli katika barabara iendayo Dameski. Akiwa njiani alianguka na akageuka mara akawa mhubiri shupavu kwa Wayahudi na Mataifa mengine (Mdo. 9:19–22). Jina la Sauli lilibadilishwa likawa Paulo. Huyu Paulo akawa mtume mmoja mkakamavu sana kwa mataifa.
Paulo alifanya safari nyingi za kueneza injili na alianzisha makanisa huko Filipi, Tesaloniki, Berea, Athene, na Korinto. Aliyaunda yale makanisa saba ya Asia moja kwa moja au kwa njia iliokuwa rasmi (Mdo. 19:10). Makanisa hayo yalianzishwa katika mateso makubwa (2 Kor. 11:23–28).
Alifundisha katika masinagogi na alipokea toka kwa Roho Mtakatifu ujumbe mwingi wa Agano Jipya. Alipokuwa kifungoni Roma aliandika waraka kwa Waefeso, Wafilipi, Wakolosai na kwa Filemoni. Historia inaonesha kwamba Paulo alikufa shahidi mwaka 67 BK.
Yakobo alikuwa mdogo wake Yesu. Huyu anatakiwa asichanganywe na mtume Yakobo ambaye aliuawa na Herode katika Matendo 12. "Na akamuua Yakobo nduguye Yohana kwa upanga" (Mdo. 12:2). Yakobo alikuwa mzee kiongozi au mchungaji wa kanisa la Yerusalemu. Yeye alitambua mataifa mengine kama sehemu ya mwili wa Kristo. Historia inaonesha kwamba Yakobo alikufa shahidi mwaka 62 BK.
Huyu mtume Yohana alikuwa ndiye kijana mdogo kuliko mitume wengine wote. Alinyanyuka baada ya mitume wengine kufa. Alimfundisha injili Inyasi na Polikarpi ambao baadaye waliliongoza kanisa.
Petro alihubiri injili katika nyumba ya Kornelio na hapo ndipo Mataifa mengine yalipompokea Roho Mtakatifu (Mdo. 10:44–48).
Mitume waliitisha baraza la wakuu wa watu wakae pamoja kuamua iwapo mataifa mengine walipaswa kufuata sheria ya itifaki ya Musa. Baadhi yao walikuwa wakisisitiza kwamba ni lazima watu wa mataifa watahiriwe (mst. 5). Baraza iliamua kwamba Mataifa hawana haja ya kufuata sheria ya ibada ya Kiyahudi.
Mji huo uliwaka moto mkubwa uliosababisha dhahabu iyeyukie katikati ya matofali yaliyoujenga. Askari walilivunja hekalu vipandevipande, tofali kwa tofali kwa lengo la kuondoa ile dhahabu iliyokuwa imeyeyukia katikati. Hili lilitimiza utabiri wa Yesu kuhusu hekalu hilo.
Marko 13:2—Yesu akajibu, akamwambia, Wayaona majengo haya makubwa? Halitasalia hapa jiwe juu ya jiwe ambalo halitabomolewa.
Kuanzia kukamilishwa Agano Jipya hadi kutolewa Hati ya Konstantino.
Hii inazindua kipindi ambacho kanisa liligandamizwa chini ya utawala wa kipagani wa Roma. Kinyume na mategemeo hayakutokeza marashi matamu kwa Mungu kwa kuwa katika karne hizo mbili kulikuwa na mashahidi kuuliwa mfululizo. Kutolewa kwa Hati ya Kostantino kutajadiliwa zaidi katika kipindi cha Kanisa la Kifalme.
Tuna kumbukumbu za matukio ya kipindi cha kanisa la kwanza kutoka kwa Biblia, ambayo tunaamini yametutia moyo. Hatuna kumbukumbu za kibiblia za wakati wowote wa kanisa. Hii ina maana kwamba si kila tunachokisoma ni kweli. Watu wawili wanaweza kushuhudia tukio moja na bado wakatoa taarifa tofauti kabisa kuhusu jambo hilo. Historia ni ngumu kwa sababu vyanzo vinaweza kuwa kweli au visiwe kweli. Kuna msemo unasema, "historia imeandikwa na washindi." Hii ni kwa sababu wale walioshindwa vita walishakufa, na hawakuweza kuandika ukweli wao wenyewe wa kile kilichotokea.
Huu ulikuwa ni wakati wa mateso makali kwa kanisa. Watu ambao hawakuawa walilazimika kwenda mafichoni na huko walivumilia umaskini na maisha ya taabu.
Yesu aliwaeleza mapema kuhusu kipindi hicho cha mateso. Yesu aliwatia moyo wafuasi wake ili wasikiogope. Huo ulikuwa ni utabiri wa mateso ambayo kanisa lingeyapata kwa kipindi fulani.
Wengi walifungwa kwa sababu za kuhubiri injili katika kipindi hiki. Kuwa Mkristo ilifanywa kuwa ni kosa chini ya sheria ya Kirumi.
Katika mwaka wa 303 BK Mfalme Diocletiani alianzisha kipindi cha mateso makali sana kwa wakristo yaliyojulikana kama "Mateso Makuu." Hili lilikuwa ni jaribio la kuuondoa Ukristo katika uso wa dunia hii. Inasemekana Diocletiani alijenga mnara ulioandikwa: Kwa kumbukumbu ya kufukuzwa ushirikiano unaoitwa Ukristo. Wakristo wengi walichomwa moto wakiwa hai kwa sababu ya ushuhuda wao. Wakristo walitupiwa wanyama wakali ambao waliwararua na kuwala katika viwanja vya michezo.
Miungu wapya walikubalika chini ya utawala uliotukuza utamaduni wa kuabudu miungu wengi wa Roma. Wakristo walishindwa kuvumilia kuabudiwa kwa miungu wa uongo na walizikataa njia za kipagani.
Sanamu zilijengwa katika nyumba nyingi na kutukuzwa. Mapicha yaliabudiwa kama miungu katika sherehe rasmi na shughuli nyingine za jamii. Wakristo ambao hawakukubali kushirikishwa katika ibada hizo za kipagani hawakuishi kwa amani na jamii hiyo ya watu wasioamini Mungu. Kwa sababu Wakristo hawakushiriki katika sherehe ya ibada ya kipagani, watu wengi hawakufikiri kwamba waliabudu wakati wote na kwamba hawakuamini Mungu.
Wakristo hawakubali wazo la kuabudu mfalme. Wakristo walimzungumzia Mfalme mwingine. Wakristo walitazamwa kama waliokosa utii kwa mfalme na wanapanga mapinduzi ya kumwondoa mfalme.
Ukristo ulihesabiwa kama sehemu ya dini hiyo ya Yuda ambayo ilikuwa imeruhusiwa. Baada ya Yerusalemu kuharibiwa mwaka wa 70 BK, Ukristo ulisimama peke yake bila kulindwa na sheria.
Wakristo walianza kufanya mikutano yao kwa siri ili kujilinda wasikamatwe. Mikutano hiyo ya siri iliwatia wasiwasi sana watawala. Wakristo walishutumiwa kwamba mikutano yao ya siri ilikuwa ni ya kupanga kuuangusha Ufalme wa Kirumi uliokuwa madarakani. Kwa sababu ya Mlo wa Bwana na kuzungumza juu ya kula mwili wa Kristo, watu wengine walidhani kuwa walikuwa wachanga.
Wakristo waliwaona watu wote kuwa sawa, kwa hiyo waliharibu utaratibu wa jamii wa kutukuza sanamu za miungu. Jambo hili lilikuwa ni kinyume na mila za jamii ya Kirumi.
Kustawi kwa Ukristo kulisababisha biashara iliyokuwa na faida kubwa ya kutengeneza na kuuza sanamu na picha za ibada za kipagani kufa.Watengenezaji wakubwa wa vitu hivyo waliunga mkono kuteswa kwa wakristo (Mdo. 19:23—28).
Inyasi alikuwa asikofu wa Antiokia huko Syria. Huyu alikuwa ni mwanafunzi wa mtume Yohana.
Inyasi alitupiwa wanyama wakali wamrarue katika kiwanja cha Coliseum. Akisimama katika uwanja huo wakati wanyama wakali wanamsogelea, Inyasi alisali ifuatavyo, "Nakushukuru ee Bwana kwa kuwa wewe umenitoa mimi ilinitukuke. Mimi ni punje ya Mungu ambaye nitasagiwa katikati ya meno ya wanyama wakali ili niwe mkate mtakatifu wa Bwana."
Shahidi Yustini alikuwa mwana falsafa aliyekuwa Mkristo baada ya kukutana na mtu mzee ambaye alielezea jinsi Yesu alivyotimiza unabii wa Agano la Kale. Alikuwa mmoja wa watetezi wa kwanza, ambaye ni mtu aliyetumia sababu na mantiki ili kulinda imani yake. Aliandika vitabu vingi ambavyo vipo hadi leo na vinatupatia taarifa nyingi za kipindi hicho. Mojawapo ya kazi zake muhimu ni Mazungumzo na Trypho maandishi ambayo hufundisha dhidi ya Waebionaiti (Ufunuo 2:9).
Aliandika mara moja, "Unaweza kutuua, lakini huwezi kutudhuru." Yustini shahidi alikatwa kichwa huko Roma mwaka 165 BK. Maneno yake ya mwisho yalikuwa, "Mimi ni Mkristo, nimewekwa huru na Kristo na kwa wema wake Kristo nina pokea pigo hili kwa tumaini moja."
Polikarpi alikuwa asikofu wa Smirna katika Asia ndogo. Alifundishwa akiwa kijana na Mtume Yohana. Alikuwa mhudumu shupavu katika kizazi chake. Wakati polisi walipokuja kumkamata, aliwapokea kama wageni. Aliwapa chakula na kuomba muda wa lisaa wa kuomba, lakini alitumia masaa mawili.
Walimleta Polycarp kwa mtawala, ambaye alitishia kumchoma akiwa hai kwa moto kama hatamkana Kristo. Polikarpi akajibu, "Miaka themanini na sita nimemtumikia Kristo na hajanitendea kosa lolote; ni kwa nini basi nimkufuru mfalme wangu na ambaye ameniokoa? Unanitishia kwa moto unaowaka kwa saa moja na kuacha; lakini hujui moto wa hukumu ujao, na pia hufahamu moto wa adhabu ya milele. Leta chochote kama utakavyo."
Mtawala huyo alimsihi akisema, "Akae mbali na wasioamini Mungu!" (akimaanisha Wakristo), ili waweze kumruhusu awe huru. Polycarp aliugeukia umati uliokuwa unatazama huku akisema, "Akae mbali na wasioamini Mungu!" Kwa sababu hakuweza kupingana na imani yake ya Kikristo, aliteketezwa akiwa hai huko Smyrna mwaka wa 155 BK. Polycarpi alikuwa kiungo cha mwisho kwa Kanisa la Mitume.
Ireneusi alikuwa mwanafunzi wa Polikarpi. Baadaye alikuwa askofu wa Lionsi (huko Gaul) mwaka 177 BK. Alisisitiza kanuni za msingi za Ukristo ambazo zilipingwa na Waagnosti. Wagnostiki waliamini "maarifa ya siri" ambayo waamini wachache tu wangepokea, lakini Ireneusi aliwakumbusha kwamba Mitume walifundishwa waziwazi na si kwa siri. Baadhi ya maandiko yake bado yanakuja leo.
Origen alikuwa mwanadolijia, ambayo ina maana kwamba alisoma kutoka kwenye vyanzo vya kidunia, kama vile falsafa ya Kigiriki, na kutumia mawazo yao kwa kufikiria kidini.
Aliamini kwamba kulikuwa na viwango vitatu vya maana ya Kibiblia: halisi, maadili, na ishara.
Tertullian alisema "Je, Athene inafanya nini na Yerusalemu?" Alikuwa akisema kuwa mawazo ya falsafa (Athene) hawakuweza kuongeza chochote kwenye mafundisho ya Ukristo (Yerusalemu). Hii ilikuwa shambulio dhidi ya mwanadolijia.
Aliamini kwamba mateso yalitoka kwa Mungu. Alidhani ilikuwa chombo kilichotenganisha waumini wa kweli kutoka kwa waongo.
Simeoni alikuwa kiongozi wa kanisa la Yerusalemu baada ya Yakobo. Alisulubiwa msalabani kwa amri ya Gavana wa Kirumi wa Palestina mwaka 107 BK wakati wa utawala wa Trajani.
Blandina alikuwa msichana Mkristo aliyekuwa mtumwa ambaye aliteswa tangu asubuhi hadi usiku kisha akatamka, "mimi ni Mkristo na kat iyetu hakuna uovu unaotendwa."
Alikuwa ni mwanamke mwadilifu wa Kartago, Perpetua na mtumwa wake Felisita waliuawa na wanyama wakali mwaka 203 BK.
Neno kanuni lina maana "ya fimbo, sheria, au kifaa cha kupimia."
Inahusu vitabu vya Biblia ambavyo vinatambuliwa kama vifaa vya utukufu wa Mungu kwa asili yake (vilivyopumuliw ana Mungu) na vikajumlishwa katika Biblia kama sehemu yake.
Hakuna tarehe maalumu ambazo zinatambuliwa kama rasmi ambazo rasimu ya Agano Jipya ilipatikana lakini haiwezi ikawekwa mapema zaidi ya mwaka wa 300 BK.
Wagnosti walifundisha kwamba watu wanaweza kuokolewa kwa ujuzi wa siri. Wanapata jina lao kutoka Gnosis, ambayo ni neno la Kigriki limaanishalo "ujuzi." Waliamini kwamba wokovu haukuwa uhuru kutoka dhambini, lakini ilikuwa uhuru kutoka kwa ujinga.
Waliamini kwamba Yehova alikuwa mungu mwovu aliyeumba ulimwengu huu kama gereza kwa roho za wanadamu. Kwao, ulimwengu wa asili ulikuwa uovu, na hivyo roho za wanadamu zinapaswa kuepuka hilo kwa ujuzi huu wa siri. Ujuzi huu hauwezi kuja kutoka ulimwenguni, lakini njia yao ya kupokea ni kwa njia ya kukataa mwenyewe. Hawatashiriki ujuzi huu na watu nje ya kikundi chao.
Waebionaiti waliendeleza mila na sheria za Musa na walijaribu kushawishi wengine wafanye vile vile pia. Walikuwa Wayahudi ambao walidhani kwamba Mataifa wanapaswa kubadilika kwa Uyahudi. Wakamkataa Paulo kama mtume. Hawakuamini kwamba Yesu ni uungu. Maandiko pekee ambayo walitumia kutoka Agano Jipya ni sura ya 3-28 ya Injili ya Mathayo. Hawakutumia sura mbili za kwanza za Injili, kwa sababu zinaonyesha Yesu kama Mwana wa Mungu.
Walikuwa wafuasi wa Marcioni. Kikundi hiki kilikuwa kinyume cha Waebionaiti. Wao walitaka Wakristo kujitenga kabisa na chochote kinachohusiana na Wayahudi. Marcioni aliunda kanuni ya Biblia ambayo ilikuwa na injili tu ya Luka (ambaye alikuwa mtu wa Mataifa) na nyaraka kumi za Paulo (zilizobadilishwa ili kuondoa kumbukumbu za Uyahudi). Hakupenda Mungu wa Agano la Kale.
Walikuwa wafuasi wa Montanusi (150-170 BK). Hii ilikuwa kundi la kinabii ambalo liliamini kwamba Roho Mtakatifu alizungumza mambo mapya kwa kanisa. Waliamini kwamba wanachama wa Utatu walifanya kazi kwa nyakati tofauti:
Kundi hili liliamini kwamba kulikuwa na Mungu mmoja ambaye alikuwa na nafasi tatu (au muundo): Baba, Mwana, na Roho Mtakatifu.
Tangu kutolewa Hati ya Konstantino mpaka angukola Roma.
Alipigana vita na Maksentiusi kugombea ufalme katika mapigano ya Daraja la Milviani na mwaka 312 BK. Jeshi lake lilizidiwa nguvu na askari wa Maksentiusi ambaye aliutaka pia ufalme. Mshindi wa vita hii angekuwa mfalme ajaye wa Roma. Konsitantino alidai kuwa na maono ya msalaba ulioandikwa maneno, "katika alama hii shinda vita." Msalaba ulikuwa barua za Kigiriki chi (Χ) na rho (Ρ), ambazo ni barua mbili za kwanza za neno la Kigiriki Christos (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ), ambalo tulipata neno letu "Kristo." Konstantino alifanya alama hii ya msalaba kuwa alama ya jeshi lake, na akaiweka katika ngao za askari wake. Konstantino alishinda vita ile na akawa Mfalme wa Warumi.
Wanahistoria wengi wa kikristo walitilia shaka uaminifu wake.
Hati ni amri rasmi au waraka maalumu. Hati hii ilitoa uhuru kwa dini zote katika Ufalme wa Kirumi na ikasimamisha mateso yote ya Warumi kwa Wakristo. Mali zote zilizokamatwa wakati wa utawala wa Mfalme Diokletiani zilirudishiwa wenyewe.
Ukristo uliostawi katika kipindi cha mateso uligeuka wa kidunia chini ya maelewano na serikali
Majengo mapya ya kanisa yalijengwa. Kanisa la Roma liitwalo Basilika likawa ndio jengo la mfano wa majengo ya kuvutia ya makanisa. Jengo la Basilika lilikuwa ni mahakama iliyokuwa na umbo la mstatili uliyogawanywa katika safu yanguzo zenye jukwaa lililokuwa nusu mviringo upande mmoja na viti vya maofisa vikiwepo mwishoni mwa upande mmoja. Huu ndio mfumo uliopo bado mpaka leo katika kanisa Katoliki. Mfano wa usanifu wa majengo wa namna hii ni Basilika ya Mtakatifu Petro huko Roma.
Raia wa Roma waliacha kutoa matoleo za sadaka kwa miungu wa kipagani.
Mahekalu ya miungu pia yalikuwa yakipata misaada kutoka katika hazina ya umma. Makanisa na wachungaji wake walipokea fedha kutoka serikalini.
Makuhani akawa darasa tajiri. Wanaume walipenda nafasi hizi kwa faida ya fedha na nguvu zinazohusiana na nafasi hiyo.
Kwa kipindi kirefu, kulikuwa na matendo fulani ya mila za kipagani za Kirumi ambazo zikawa sehemu ya kanisa. Baadhi ya miungu ya kirumi inafanana na watakatifu ambao wakatoliki wanawaomba. Baada ya watu huona ufanano kati ya sanamu ya Maria ikimshikilia mtoto Yesu sanamu za kirumi hufafanua Fortuna na Jupita. Kuna baadhi ya wakristo ambao hawapendi kusherehekea Krismas kwasababu sikukuu hii ina mizizi katika sikukuu za kipagani za kirumi za Satunalia.
Baadhi ya watu watasema Konstantino alianzisha Kanisa la Kikatoliki, lakini lazima ikumbukwe kwamba mapokeo na imani za kile ambacho Kanisa la Kikatoliki liko kwa siku zetu za leo imehusishwa kwa zaidi ya miaka mingi kutoka ile hali ambayo kanisa lilikuwa nayo wakati wa Konstantino.
Hali hii ilimwongezea ushawishi askofu wa Roma. Sasa mji mkuu ukawa ukombali sana na Roma na ile Himaya ikiwa imeshaporomoka.
Mfalme mmoja peke yake hakuweza tena kulitawala eneo lote kwani lilikuwa kubwa mno. Bahari ya Adriati ikawa ndio mpaka wa asili kati ya sehemu mbili za himaya hiyo. Mwaka wa 395 baada ya Kristo himaya ya Kirumi iligawanyika rasmi kuwa Himaya ya Mashariki na Himaya Magharibi.
Hii ndio baadaye ikageuzwa kuwa Himaya Takatifu ya Roma ya Nyakati za Kati kuanzia mwaka 500 hadi mwaka wa 1500 BK.
Alikuwa mlinzi wa imani katika ubishani wa Ariani. Aria ambaye aliongoza mafundisho ya uongo hakuamini kanuni ya Biblia ya Utatu. Alikuwa Askofu wa Alexandria tangu mwaka 325 BK. Mnamo 367 BK yeye aliandika barua kutambua kanuni za Agano Jipya ambazo tunatumia leo. Alipelekwa uhamishoni mara tano kwa sababu ya mafundisho yake.
Huyu anajulikana kama "mdomo wa dhahabu" kwa sababu aliweza kuongea kwa ufasaha wa ajabu. Alikuwa mhubiri shupavu, kiongozi watu na mwenye uwezo mzuri wa kuifafanua Biblia. Alikuwa askofu wa Konstantinopo mwaka 398 BK. Alifukuzwa nchini kutokana na msimamo wake wa kusema ukweli na alifia uhamishoni.
Augustino alisema, "Mioyo yetu haina pumziko hadi imekupata wewe." Alikuwa Askofu wa Hippo huko Afrika Kaskazini mwaka 395 BK. Yeye ndiye mtetezi Mkuu wa ubishani wa Pelagia. Mafundisho haya ya uongo yalipambwa na Pelagio ambaye hakuamini dhambi ya asili. Augustino alijenga jina lake kama mhubiri, mwalimu na mwandishi. Yeye alijihusisha katika changamoto nyingi za siku zake (mfano wa Udonatismu na Upelagiasmu).
Ambrosi alikuwa mtawala wa Milani. Wakati askofu wa Milani alipokufa mnamo mwaka BK 374, kutuliza ghasia juu ya nani angekuwa Askofu baadaye. Ambrosi alipiga hatua katika kujaribu kushusha vitu chini, na watu katika kusanyiko walipiga kelele kwamba yeye angekuwa askofu, hata ingawa yeye alikuwa bado haja batizwa yeye alilalamika lakinni mwishowe akaja kuwa askofu.
Wakati mtawala Theodosi kwenye uwanja wa watu waliouawa, Ambrosi aliwasiliana naye. Theodosi alifanya toba kwa kuvaa mavazi ya magunia na kupiga magoti mbele ya askofu akiomba msamaha. Huu ulikuwa mwanzo wa serikali kunyenyekea mbele ya kanisa.
Tunaona maendeleo ya uhusiano wa kanisa na serikali:
Yeromi (aliyejulikana kama Eusebio) alitafasiri Biblia kwenda Kilatini mnamo mwaka 405 BK. Na tafasiri hii ikawa inajulikana kama Vulgate kutoka neno la kilatini vulgus, ambalo humaanisha "kawaida."
Patriki alikuwa mmishenari kutoka Uingereza kwenda Ireland. Aliuleta ukristo huko Ireland, na kanisa huko Ireland liliendelea kwa nje ya Utaratibu wa kirumi. Ireland haikuwa wakatoliki hadi 1100s.
Wakati wa mateso ya Diocletiani, baadhi ya viongozi wa kanisa walitoa nakala ya Maandiko kwa mamlaka ya serikali. Viongozi hawa wa kanisa walijulikana kama wasaliti kwa sababu walisalitiwa kanisa.
Katika 311 BK mtu mmoja aitwaye Caecilliani alichaguliwa askofu wa Carthage. Caecilliani alikuwa amewekwa wakfu na askofu ambaye alikuwa msaliti. Mtu wa Kaskazini mwa Afrika aliyeitwa Donatusi alijitenga na kanisa mwaka 312 BK kwa sababu hakuamini kuwa Caecilliani lazima kuruhusiwa kuwa askofu, tangu alipaswa kuteuliwa na msaliti.
Baadaye Wadonatusi walibatiza tena Wakristo waliokuwa alikanusha imani yao kwa sababu ya mateso.
Katika Agano Jipya hasa hasa injili ya Yohana, tunaona kuwa Yesu yuko sawa na Baba, lakini hakuna habari za moja kwa moja kuhusu uhusiano wao. Swali lilikuwa kwamba vipi mtu aweza kuabudu wote Yesu na Baba hata sasa bado kuna swali hili kwa (mtu wanaoamini kwa mungu moja na kumwabudu)?
Ario, aliyekuwa ni mzee katika Alexandria, alianza kuhubiri mnamo mwaka 318 BK kwamba Yesu hakuwa Mungu wakati wote, bali alikuwa ni mtumishi mdogo wa Mungu. Hili lilikuwa jibu lake kwa wana monotheism. Alexanda Askofu wa Ario alisema ikiwa Mungu habadiliki, na yeye siku zote amekuwa Baba basi hiyo humaanisha kuwa lazima siku zote awe na Mwana.
Mjadala huu wa kidini ulimpata Konstantino, kwa sababu vurugu zilianza kwa sababu hiyo. Mnamo mwaka 325 BK Konstantino aliita baraza katika Nikia kutatua mjadala ulioibuliwa na Ario. Maasikofu zaidi ya 300 walihudhuria.
Maaskofu walitengeneza maelezo ya imani, ambayo, baada ya nyogeza zingine zilizofanywa kipindi cha Konstantinopo mnamo mwaka 381, ikajulikana kama shahada ya Nikia. Wote walitolewa pamoja na Ario ispokuwa Maaskofu wawili tuu walikataa saini maelezo ya imani. Kifwatacho ni kifungu kamili cha shahada:
Nasadiki kwa Mungu mmoja,
Baba mwenyezi,
Muumba wa mbingu na dunia
na vitu vyote vinavyoonekana na visivyoonekana.
Nasadiki kwa Bwana mmoja, Yesu Kristo,
Mwanae pekee wa Mungu,
aliyezaliwa kwa Baba tangu milele yote.
Mungu aliyetoka kwa Mungu, mwanga kwa mwanga,
Mungu kweli kwa Mungu kweli,
aliyezaliwa, bila kuumbwa, mwenye uungu mmoja na Baba:
ambaye vitu vyote vimeumbwa naye.
Alishuka kutoka mbinguni,
kwa ajili yetu sisi wanadamu, na kwa ajili ya wokovu wetu.
Akatwaa mwili kwa uwezo wa Roho Mtakatifu kwake yeye Bikira Maria,
akawa mwanadamu.
Akasulubiwa kwa ajili yetu sisi, kwa mamlaka ya Ponsyo Pilato;
akateswa, akafa, akazikwa,
siku ya tatu akafufuka,
kadiri ya Maandiko,
akapaa mbinguni,
amekaa kuume kwa Baba.
Atakuja tena kwa utukufu,
kuwahukumu walio hai na wafu,
nao ufalme wake hautakuwa na mwisho.
Nasadiki kwa Roho Mtakatifu, Bwana mleta uzima:
atokaye kwa Baba na Mwana.
Anayeabudiwa na kutukuzwa, pamoja na Baba na Mwana:
aliyenena kwa vinywa vya manabii.
Nasadiki kwa Kanisa moja, takatifu, katoliki, la Mitume.
Naungama ubatizo mmoja kwa maondoleo ya dhambi.
Nangojea na ufufuko wa wafu,
na uzima wa milele ijayo. Amina.
(https://sw.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanuni_ya_Imani_ya_Nisea-Konstantinopoli accessed 2018/08/23)
Shahada inasema Yesu ni "Nuru kutoka Nuru." Je unawezaje kutenga nuru na jua? Kwa mfano huo huo je unawezaje kumtenga Mungu (Baba) kutoka Mungu (Mwana)?
Baraza haikujenga wazo la Utatu, tangu Utatu ilikuwa sehemu ya ibada ya kanisa tangu mwanzo (kwa mfano, ilitumika katika ibada ya ubatizo). Kwa Nicea waliunda msamiati kuelezea yale waliyoamini tayari kuhusu Mungu.
Baraza la Nikia liliamua kwamba Yesu alikuwa Mungu pia mwanadamu lakini kulibakia maswali kuhusu asili ya Yesu. Yeye ni Mungu kwa kiasi gani? Je, Yesu aliwahi kufanya dhambi kwa upande kibinadamu? Je, yeye ana akili mbili? Yesu angeweza kutenda dhambi kwa kuwa alikuwa mwanadamu? Viongozi wa wawili wa kanisa walitoa majibu kuhusu aina hizi za maswali. Walikuwa ni Nestorius na Cyril.
Nestorius alikuwa Asikofu wa Konstantinopo. Ni mwindaji aliye jaribu kuzuia kuenea kwa mafundisho kama Arianism kutoka kueneza.
Nestorius alipokea mawazo ya viongozi wengine wa kanisa wakati alikataa kutumia neno Theotokos, ambalo linamaanisha "Mama wa Mungu." Aliamini kama Mwana wa Mungu alikuwapo kila wakati, basi hakuweza kuzaliwa. Alipenda neno Christotokos, ambalo linamaanisha "Mama wa Kristo." Nestorius pia hakupenda Theotokos kwa sababu ya msisitizo kwamba Apollinarianism kuwekwa juu ya neno hili. Apollinarianism ilifundisha kwamba Yesu hakuwa na roho ya mwanadamu, lakini alikuwa Mungu amevaa katika mwili wa kibinadamu.
Aliamini kwamba Kristo alikuwa na nafsi mbili, lakini alikuwa bado mtu mmoja. Alisisitiza tofauti kati ya nafsi hizi mbili, hasa katika mateso ya Kristo. Alisema kwamba ilikuwa tu nafsi ya kibinadamu ulioteseka wakati Kristo aliteseka, na sio nafsi ya kimungu.
Cyril alikuwa askofu wa Alexandria. Wakati Nestorius alisisitiza zaidi nafsi wa mwanadamu wa Kristo, Cyril alisisitiza zaidi ya nafsi yake kwa Mungu. Aliamini kwamba msisitizo wa Nestorius wa nafsi mbili za Kristo ulikuwa unaharibu wazo la umoja wa Kristo. Ikiwa tu mwili wa Kristo unasumbuliwa, basi Kristo hakuwa kuhani mkuu wa wakika, kwani ilikuwa tu kwa mateso ya kimungu ambayo Kristo angeweza kulipa kwa ajili ya dhambi za ubinadamu.
Kwa sababu Nestorius hakutaka kutumia jina Mama wa Mungu kwa Maria, alitunguliwa mashtaka na Cyril kwamba hakuamini kwamba Yesu alikuwa Mungu. Baada ya barua zenye hasira kati yao, baraza la maaskofu liliitwa kutatua mjadala huo.
Baraza lilivutia kwa kiasi kikubwa kwa sababu za kisiasa. Baraza la Pamoja la 381 liltangaza kwamba Askofu wa Konstantinopo atakuwa askofu wa pili pekee wa Roma (papa). Hasira za baadhi za maaskofu wengine, akiwemo Cyril, kwa sababu ilizuia nguvuu wao kama maaskofu. Pamoja na hivyo kulikuwa na maswali kuhusu mafundisho ya Nestorius, baraza pia liliitwa kwasababu ya wivu wa madaraka yake.
Baraza liliamua kinyume cha Nestorius na alikuwa uhamishoni kama mrithi. Pamojana hivyo alihamishwa, watu waliendelea kuamini mafundisho yake na Unestoria bado upo leo kama tawi la Ukristo.
Japokuwa kulikuwa na baadhi ya tofauti ya mafundisho kati ya Cyril na Nestorius, kwa kiasi kidogo hawakukubaliana kw jinsi ya uhamasishaji wa baadhi ya sehemu ya mafundisho ya Kristo na maajabu ya makubaliano yangeweza kuwepo kama wangekaa kuongea pamoja kuhusu mawazo yao. Wote wawili walikuwa na wasiwasi wa kulinda imani dhidi ya mafundisho ya uwongo. Wakati haiwezekani kujua, hatuwezi kushangaa makubaliano gani ambayo wangeweza kuja nao ikiwa walisema pamoja kuhusu mawazo yao.
Ingawa Nestorius mara zote alihusishwa mhamiaji, baraza la Kalsedoni lilifanya maamuzi kuhusu mafundisho ya Kristo ambayo yalikuwa karibu na mawazo ya Nestorius. Nestorius pia alikuwa sahihi kuhusu ni namna gani Mama wa Mungu walimtukuza Maria katika nafasi ambayo ilikuwa ni zaidi ya madai. Kwa miaka mingi, tumeona mila ya Kanisa la Katoliki la Kirumi likimtoa Maria katika nafasi aliyokuwa zaidi wamejihusisha kwa kimungu.
Watu wengine hawakuamini kwamba Roho Mtakatifu alikuwa Mungu, kwa sababu Yeye hakuzungumza yeye Mwenyewe. Walisema kwamba hakuwa nafsi, bali nguvu ya kiroho. Baraza hii iliitwa ili kuthibitisha uungu wa Roho.
Hili ndio baraza la mwisho la makanisa yote yaliyokuwa kuhusu asili-mbili za Yesu. Kusudi lake lilikuwa kumaliza mjadala juu ya Utatu. Ndani yake, ilitangazwa kuwa Kristo ni "atambuliwe katika asili mbili, bila kuchanganyikiwa, kugeuzwa, kugawanywa, kutengwa... bali hulka ya kila asili ikihifadhiwa na kukubaliana katika mmoja na katika dutu moja, si kugawanywa au kutengwa kuwa wawili, bali mwana huyo mmoja." Dutu maana "vifaa." Kufuatia ni maandishi kamili ya imani iliyotolewa kwa Chalcedon:
Sisi, basi, tukiwafuata baba zetu watakatifu, sote kwa ridhaa moja, twafunza watu kukiri Mwana yule mmoja, Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, yeye mkamilifu katika utatu na pia katika ubinadamu; Mungu kweli na binadamu kweli, mwenye roho na mwili zote kamili kawaida; hususan na Baba kulingana na utatu, hususan kama sisi kibinadamu; katika vyote kama sisi, bila dhambi, wa pekee wa Baba kabla ya nyakati kulingana na utatu, na siku hizi za baadaye, kwa ajili yetu na wokovu wetu, mzaliwa wa bikira Maria, mama [wa] Mungu, kibinadamu; Kristo mmoja yule, Mwana, Bwana, wa pekee, atambuliwe katika asili mbili, bila kuchanganyikiwa, kugeuzwa, kugawanywa, kutengwa; tofauti katika asili isiwe nafasi ya kubatilisha hali ya umoja, bali hulka ya kila asili ikihifadhiwa na kukubaliana katika mmoja na katika dutu moja, si kugawanywa au kutengwa kuwa wawili, bali mwana huyo mmoja, pekee, Mungu Neno, Bwana Yesu Kristo; vile manabii tokea mwanzo (wamefunza) kumhusu, na Bwana Yesu Kristo ametufunza, na imani ya baba watakatifu tuliyoachiwa.
(http://www.cprf.co.uk/languages/chalcedon_swahili.html#.W4zxCegzbb1 accessed on 2018/09/03)
Tangu Nikia, kanisa lilikazia kwamba Yesu alishiriki asili na Baba, lakini sasa waliongeza kwa hili jinsi Yesu pia alishiriki asili na mtu.
Ilikuwa ni baraza la kwanza ambalo papa alicheza jukumu kubwa, na ilikuwa baraza la mwisho ambalo Mashariki na Magharibi wote watatambua rasmi.
Toka anguko la Roma hadi anguko la Konstatinopo.
Isaya 9:19—Kwa sababu ya hasira ya BWANA nchi hii inateketea.
Kipindi cha karne ya 5 mpaka ya 15 huitwa kipindi cha zama za Giza.
Kulikuwa na umaskini na ushirikina ulioijaza nchi. Nchi nyingine walivamia Ulaya na kuua watu wengi. Palitokea pia vifo vilivyotokana na ugonjwa wa mtoki ambao ulienea katika bara lote.
Mazungumzo: Je, Mungu bado hutumia hukumu ili kuwaadhibu watu?
Kanisa lilifundisha kwamba ni wachungaji tu ndio wanaoweza kuitafsiri Biblia. Watu wa kawaida walikatazwa kusoma Biblia, Biblia ilikuwa katika lugha yake ya mwanzo au katika lugha ya Kilatini ambayo ni watu wachache waliokuwa wanaielewa hata kama walitaka kujisomea wenyewe.
Misa ilifanywa kwa Kilatini ambacho hakukuwepo wengi waliokifahamu. Ukweli na sayansi viligandamizwa na kanisa Katoliki. Galileo, yule mtu aliyegundua darubini alikaribia kuuawa kwa sababu kile alichoona kwa kutumia darubini kilikuwa kinyume na msimamo wa Papa ambaye alifikiriwa kwamba hawezi kukosea.
Ushirika ulikuwa kitovu ni kitovu cha wakristo kuabudu kwa kipindi hiki. Ibada ilizungumzwa kwa Kilatini, na makuhani wengi wa vijijini walikuwa hawaja elimika, hivyo hawakuweza kutoa hotuba. Viongozi ndio waliruhusiwa kuimba, lakini watu wote hawakuruhusiwa kuimba.
Baadhi ya watu hawakupenda jinsi kanisa lilivyo kua katika utajiri na nguvu. Hawa watu walijitenga wenyewe kutoka ulimwenguni na kuishi katika jamii zao. Walisali mara saba wakati wa mchana na kukaririsha sehemu kubwa ya Maandiko. Wanaume waliitwa watauwa na Wanawake waliitwa masista. Watauwa na masista waliishi katika jamii zilizo jitenga.
Kanisa lilijua kwamba wenye haki walienda mbinguni na wasiohaki walienda Jehanamu,lakini nini ilitokea kwa watu ambao hawakuwa na haki wala wale wenye haki zaidi? Kuhamishwa kwa wenye dhambi (pagatori) kulikuwa endelevu kwa kipindi kile kama jibu kwa wale watu wa kawaida walipokuwa wakienda baada ya kufa.Inasemekana kuwa mahali ambapo mtu kawaida hutolewa kutokana na dhambi gani ambazo walikuwa nazo.
Hizi zilikuwa ni hati ambazo zilitolewa na kanisa kuondoa adhabu kwa wenye dhambi.
Katika kipndi hiki, hapakuwa na tofauti kati ya dini na kidunia. serikali na kanisa walishirikiana (na mara nyingine walipigana kwa ajili ya) mamlaka. Watu wote waliozaliwa katika nchi za Kikristo walifanywa kuwa Wakristo.
Katika kanisa la kwanza, Askofu wa Roma (aliyejulikana baadaye kama papa) alikuwa ni askofu wa maaskofu. Maaskofu wote walikuwa na nguvu sawa. Lakini mwishoni mwa kipindi hiki, Papa alikuja kuwa ni mtu mwenye nguvu zaidi katika kanisa. Hii ilitokeaje? Ilitokea kwa miaka mingi na ilikuwa kwa sababu ya mawazo ya baadhi ya mapapa.
Leo alikuwa Papa kutoka mwaka 440–461 BK.Alisema kwamba nguvu ya upapa alipewa na Petro kutoka kwa Kristo na ile nguvu ilipitishwa kutoka kwa petro hadi kwa warithi wake. [1] Yeye alikuwa papa wa kwanza kutegemea nguvu kutoka kwa petro.Yeye aliwashawishi Wahani (wale ambao walitokea katikati mwa Asia) na Wavandali(wale ambao walitokea Mashariki mwa Ujerumani) sio kuvamia Roma.
Gregori alitokea katika familia ya kidini-Babu wa Baba yake alikuwa Papa. Alikuwa na elimu nzuri na alikuwa kiongozi wa serikali. Hakutegemea kufanywa papa mwaka590 BK,na aliendelea kuwa papa hadi kifo chake mwaka 604BK. Alijiita mwenyewe ni "mtumishi wa watumishi wa Mungu."
Kulikuwa na matatizo mengi Roma,na waliwasiliana na mtawala wa mashariki kwa ajili ya kuomba msaada. Mtawala alikuwa na matatizo yake ya kushughulikia,kwahiyo hakupeleka msaada Roma.Gregori aliamua kuyatatua hayo matatizo mwenyewe. Alichukua fedha kwa mhasibu wa kanisa kununua chakula kwa ajili ya watu na kushughulikia mifereji wa maji. Walambadi (ambao walikuwa wajerumani) walitawala sana Ulaya. Gregori alifanya mahusiano ya kidiplomasia na wao na kuwashawishi wasiivamie Roma. Kwa kutenda mambo haya ya serikali, Gregori alikuwa ni moja ya mapapa wa kwanza kuhamasisha nguvu ya kidunia ya upapa.Alisema urithi wa Petro ulimpa yeye nguvu ya kufanya maamuzi ya matatizo ya kimaadili.
Walambadi walikuwa wakivamia tena eneo linalo zunguka Roma, na Papa stephano II hakutegemea msaada kutoka Byzantine (Mashariki) Himaya. Alitaka kutafuta kiongozi mpya wa kumsaidia matatizo haya. Aliomba msaada kutoka kwa Pippini mfupi, ambaye alikuwa mfalme wa Wafrenki (ambapo baadae iliitwa Ufaransa). Pippini alimuahidi kuwa atapigana na Walambadi na kurudisha ardhi ambayo waliichukua.
Hii ilikuwa hati ya uongo ambayo ilisemekana kuwa Costantino alimpa Papa Sylivesta aridhi iliyo izunguka Roma. Iliaminika kuwa Papa stephano wa II alitumia hati hii kumshawishi Pippini ili kumsaidia.
Charlemagne alichukua kiti cha enzi 771 BK. Siku ya Christmas miaka 800, papa alimwita yeye mtawala. Tena alikuwa mtawala wa Wakristo. Bado maswali yalikuwepo juu ya kanisa au serikali ndiyo itakayekuwa na kiongozi mkuu.
Huu ulikuwa ni ushindani wa kiutawala kati ya Papa Gregori VII na Mtawala Henry IV. Serikali ilikuwa na mamlaka ya kuteua kiongozi wa Dini, hususani Papa. Henry alipaswa kuwa kiongozi alipokuwa na miaka sita tu, na viongozi wengine katika serikali walimsaidia kufanya maamuzi wakati anakua. Kanisa lilitumia faida kwa wakati huu kurudisha nyuma nguvu ya kuteua vingozi wa dini. Walijua Henry alikuwa mdogo kuwakataza wao. Katika mwaka 1059 waliunda baraza ambalo lilitangaza kuwa sifa hazitakuwa na sehemu katika kuchagua viongozi wa kanisa.
Katika mwaka wa 1075 BK Papa Gregori VII alijumuisha hati ambayo ilisema kuwa papa ana nguvu ya pekee ya kumtaja mtawala. Hivyo kanisa sasa halina nguvu tu ya kuwateua vingozi wao, lakini pia viongozi wa serikali. Kwa wakati huo Henry alikuwa mkubwa na alijibu kwa kusema kuwa Gregori sio papa tena na walifanya uchaguzi kwa ajili ya papa mpya. Gregori kisha alimtenga Henry. Mapigano haya ya nyuma na ya mbele yaliendelea kati hawa wawili kwa kipindi kirefu.
Innosenti alipigana na viongozi wa serikali kwa ajili ya madaraka.
Huu ulikuwa mwisho wa ugomvi wa uwekezaji. Serikali na kanisa zilifanya makubaliano kuwa kanisa liteue viongozi wa dini. Kama tu kanisa litakuwa na migogoro kati yao serikali itasaidia kutatua huo mgogoro.
Mahakama maalumu iliundwa mwaka 1200 kushughulikia waasi. Yoyote aliyepingana na kanisa alihesabiwa kama muasi waasi. Waasi waliwindwa na kufikishwa mahakamani na Viongozi wa viongozi wa kanisa.
Kanisa iliweza kuwashauri watawala wa Ulaya kuongoza vita hivyo vya kidini. Kanisa walikuwa wanataka kuwafukuza Waislam kutoka Yerusalemu na kumpatia Papa mji huo kuumiliki.
Orodha zifuatazo zinaonyesha baadhi ya tofauti kati ya makanisa ya mashariki na magharibi:
| Mashariki | Magharibi |
|---|---|
| Walizungumza Kigiriki | Walizungumza Kilatini |
| Makuhani wao waliweza kuoa | Makuhani wao hawakuweza kuolewa |
| Makuhani wao walikuwa na ndevu | Makuhani wao hawakuwa na ndevu |
| Imani ya Nikia inasema Roho anakuja "kutoka kwa Baba" | Ya kuongeza "na Mwana" (Inaitwa "Maneno ya Filioque") |
| Walikuwa na sherehe tofauti za Misa | |
| Walikuwa na tofauti za Mafundisho | |
Papa Leo IX alimtaka Michaeli, Askofu Mkuu wa Konstantinopo, kutengana naye. Papa alituma wa wakilishi kwa Konstantinopo, lakini Mikaeli alikataa kukutana naye. Wawakilishi walimkataa Mikaeli kuongea naye na yeye kukataa kuongea nao.
Kulikuwapo na mabaki ya vikundi ambavyo havikuwa sehemu ya Kanisa Katoliki.
Walimpinga Papa na kanisa Katoliki. Waalbigeni walipewa mateso makali na Papa Innocent III mwaka 1208 baada ya Kristo.
Walipata jina lao kumuenzi kiongozi wao aliyeitwa Perto Waldo ambaye alitafsiri Biblia kwa lugha ya watu hao. Waldo alifundisha kwamba maandiko matakatifu ndiyo mamlaka kuu kwa wakristo. Neno lao la wito lilikuwa, "Neno la Mungu linaongea na, ni busara tukitii."
Bonifasi alizaliwa katika 680 BK. Jina lake alilozaliwa nayo lilikuwa Winfred. Alifundishwa kama mtauwa wa Benedicto, na alitumia maisha yake mengi kama mmishenari kwa Wajerumani.
Wahenga walisema kwamba ukichukua shoka kuuendea mti uliyesimama kuusulubu kwa ngurumo ya mungu, ile radi itaupiga mti na utaanguka chini.
Anselm alizaliwa kati ya 1033 BK. Mwaka 1903 William II, mwana wa William mshindi, alimfanya Anselm kuwa Mkuu wa maaskofu wa Canterbury, lakini alitaka kuweka nguvu kwa kumtaja Clergy. Anselm alikataa kumwachia William mamlaka haya, na yaliyotokea, yeye alitumia muda wake uhamishoni.
Henry I, kaka wa William wa II, alichukua nafasi baada ya kaka yake kufa, na alimwomba Anselm kurudi. Anselm hakuwa kiongozi kwa muda mrefu, angalau, na alienda kuishi uhamishoni tena. Aliweza kuandika mengi kwa kipindi hiki huko uhamishoni.
Thomasi Aquinas alizailwa 1225 BK. Yawezekana alikuwa mwanatheolojia mkuu wa zama za kati. Yeye alisema sababu (zilizohusu wana falsafa wa zaman) katika theolojia yake.
Yohane Wykliffe (1330—1384) alikuwa mtu wa kwanza kutafsiri Biblia kwa kiingereza. Anakumbukwa kama nyota ya asubuhi wa mageuzi. Alikuwa na wafuasi, waliyekuwa wanaitwa lollards, ikiwa na maana ya "wahubiri maskini." Alipingana sana na Kanisa Katoliki. Zifuatazo ni baadhi ya mambo aliyoyauliza juu ya kanisa:
Huyu angeuawa na kanisa katoliki kama mabwenyenye wa Uingereza hawakumpatia ulinzi. Mahubiri ya Wykliffe na tafsiri ya Biblia iliandalia njia ya mageuzi. Wakatoliki walimchukia sana Wyklif kiasi kwamba alipokufa waliutoa mwili wake kaburini miaka mingi baada ya kuzikwa na kuudhihaki.
Yohane Huss (1369—1415 BK) alikuwa msomi wa maandiko ya Wykliffe, na alikataa kabisa mamlaka ya papa. Alisisitiza kwamba Kristo pekee ndiye alikuwa kichwa cha kanisa na Mungu pekee ndiye asameheaye dhambi. Alipopelekwa mbele ya baraza kwenda kuulizwa maswali kuhusu imani yake, alisema, "Mimi sikuwa mhudumu mkuu, dhahabu hujionyesha kutokana na ukweli." Alihukumiwa kama muasi na alichomwa katika mchi kwa amri ya Baraza la Kanisa Kikatoliki.
Tangu anguko la Konstantino mpaka mwishoni mwa Vita vya miaka Thelathini.
Hawa ni wale waliokuwa wamebaki wakilipinga kwa ushupavu mafundisho ya uwongo. Hiki kilikuwa ni kipindi ambacho Mungu aliinua wanaume wakang'ara na kufunika lile giza la mafundisho ya uwongo.
Mvurumko nineno linaloeleza kuamka kwa Ulaya katika fani za elimu sanaa na sayansi. Haya ni mambo yanayohusiana na ustaarabu.
Neno la Mungu liliiondoa Ulaya kutoka enzi ya giza. Siyo jambo la kushangaza kwamba ustaarabu ulirudi wakati neno la Mungu liliporudishwa kwa wanadamu.
Mashine ya uchapishaji ulivumbuliwa huko Gutenberg mwaka 1456 na kitabu cha kwanza kilichochapishwa ni Biblia (nakala 200 ya Vulgate Kilatini). Kuanzia hapo Biblia ziliweza kuchapishwa kwa wingi na kufikia mikono ya watu wa kawaida kwasababu ya uvumbuzi huu.
Majadiliano: Je, watu wa kawaida wanaweza kuelewa Biblia?
Mashine inayohamishika ya kuchapisha iligeuka chombo muhimu sana katika mageuzo ya kanisa. Wanamageuzi walichapisha vitabu na vitini vya kufundisha kupinga mafandisho ya Kanisa la Katoliki na uukweli kuhusu kuhesabiwa haki kwa imani. Vitini hivi vipya vilipata umaarufu na kusambazwa bara lote la Ulaya. Ilibid ivitabu vinakiliwe kwa mikono na waandishi kabla ya uvumbuzi wa mashine ya uchapishaji na sasa vitabu viliweza kusambazwa kwa haraka. Watu waliweza kusoma na kufanya uamuzi wao wenyewe kwa msingi wa ukweli si tu kwa kile alichosema kuhani.
Mageuzo maana "yake ni rekebisha, geuza au ongeza ubora." Wanamageuzi walikuwa wakijaribu kuleta mabadiliko katika kanisa. Baadhi ya hao wanamageuzi hawakutambua kwamba Kanisa Katoliki la Katoliki lisingekubali mabadiliko. Walisimama imara na kupinga yale waliyofikiri walikuwa mafundisho ya uongo. Wanamageuzi walikuwa wakiwarudishia watu neno la Mungu kama lilivyo katika Biblia kwa lugha yao. Kanisa la Katoliki lilipinga usomaji wa Bibilia kwa mtu wa kawaida. Watu waliotetea ukweli waliteswa na ndipo wakaanza kufahamu kwamba Kanisa la Katoliki lisingebadilika kamwe. Waprotestanti ni jina walilopewa watu waliokataa mambo ya Kanisa Katoliki.
Martini Luther anachukuliwa kuwa ndiye Baba wa mageuzo.
Aliweka tangazo lenye Hoja 95 katika lango kuu la kanisa la Askofu wa Wittenberg tarehe 31 Oktoba 1517. Hoja hizo zilionesha jinsi anavyopinga kanuni za Kanisa Katoliki. Alikana kile alichokiona kama mafundisho ya kanisa la uwongo na kukataa mamlaka ya papa. Nakala nyingi za tangazo lake hilo zilizochapishwa na zilienea haraka Ulaya na zikasaidia kuwasha moto mkali wa mageuzo.
Aliichoma nembo ya Papa. Nembo ya papa ni lakiri iliyoitwa kwa kilatini Bula. Neno hili la kilatini bula ambalo kwa kiingeraza ni bull linatokanana neno la kilatini lilitumiwa katika hati zote rasmi zilizokuwa na muhuri au lakiri yaani nembo ya papa. Mwaka 1520 papa alimtumia Martini Luther Bula (hati rasmi) ya kumtuhumu kwamba ameasi.
Martini Luther aliitwa kuhudhuria Diete huko mjini Worms. Diete ni baraza la utawala. Mnamo mwezi Juni 1521 Luther aliitwa mbele ya Diete la Mfalme huko Worms nchini Ujerumani. Alihakikishiwa na viongozi wa serikali wa Ujerumani kwamba atasafiri kwa usalama kwenda na kurudi Worms kuhudhuria baraza hilo. Aliamriwa na viongozi wakanisa Katoliki atubu. Luther alijibu ifuatavyo, "Hadi nitakaposhaurika kwa kuona ushahidi katika maandiko matakatifu au kwa sababu zilizo wazi, sitaweza kubadilisha msimamo wangu, kwa kuwa siyo salama au busara kufany akitu chochote kinyume na dhamira. Mungu anisadie. Amina."
Rafiki wa Luther, ambaye alikuwa kiongozi wa serikali, "alimkamata" Luther na kumtia katika Ngome la Wartburg kwa mwaka mmoja. Alifanya hili kulinda Luther kutoka kanisa. Katika mwaka huo, Luther alitafsiri Agano Jipya na sehemu ya Agano la Kale kwa Kijerumani ambayo ni lugha ya watu wake.
Zwingli akawa mchungaji wa kanisa kuu katika Zurich tarehe 1/1/1519. Alisema atahubiri kupitia Injili ya Mathayo badala ya kutumia mtaala. Mwaka 1522 baadhi ya washirika wake wa kanisa walikula nyama wakati wa kwaresima, na aliwaunga mkono kwa kuhubiri juu ya uhuru. Makuhani waliweza kuoa chini yake, sanamu ziliondolewa kanisani, na ibada ilifanywa kwa huduma rahisi ambazo zilihamasiha mahubiri. Alichapisha kitabu kupinga Wakatoliki. Badala ya kuwa mchungaji, pia yeye alichaguliwa kuwa kiongozi wa jamii. Aliuawa katika vita ya wenyewe kwa wenyewe kisha Yohane Kalvini akaendelea na kazi hiyo ya kuhubiri injli.
Kuzunguka miaka ya 1533 BK Yohana Kalvini alijitoa kutoka Ukatoliki, aliiacha nchi yake ya Ufaransa, na kuishi Uswisi kama mhamiaji. Mwaka 1536 alichapa toleo la kwanza la Katiba ya Dini ya Kikristo.
Yohane Kalvini alikuwa ni mhubiri aliyekuwaa mwazi na mwandishi ambaye alihubiri ukombozi kwa imani akisisitiza mamlaka ya Injili. Kalivini akafundisha kwamba kufanikiwa ni kwa wateule tu. Alisema, "huwezi kumtenga Mungu au kumweka yeye katika deni lako. Yeye alikuokoa; usingeweza kufanya hinyo mwenyewe." Mafundisho ya Calvin ya Mungu kutujua tangu mwanzo ni ni kuimarika kwa Arminianism, ambaye walijikita juu ya imani ambayo mtu yeyote anaweza kuokolewa kama ataamini.
| Kalvinism | Arminianism |
|---|---|
| Kumnyima kamili Watu wote ni wenye dhambi sana hata hawawezi kumwamini Mungu |
Utashi huru Wanadamu wanaweza kuchagua mema au mabaya |
| Masharti ya kutochaguliwa (wateule) | Masharti kuchagua (kuteuliwa) |
| Ukombozi kwa wateule | Ukombozi kwa wote |
| Pingamizi kwa neema | Roho Mtakatifu anaweza kukuzuia |
| Huwezi kupoteza wokovu (utakatifu) | Waweza kupoteza wokovo |
Aliandika kitabu kiitwacho Kustahili kwa sababu ya Imani mwaka 1512 na akahubiri ukombozi kwa imani. Alitafsiri Biblia nzima katika Kifaransa. Yeye kamwe hakujitenga rasmi na Kanisa Katoliki.
Waprotestanti ulikua nchini Ufaransa ingawa kulikuwa na upinzani kutoka kwa serikali. Waprotestanti wa Ufaransa waliitwa Wahuguenote. Wahuguenote ziliongozwa na admiral Coligny, na walitaka uhuru wa kidini. Wakatoliki wa Ufaransa waliongozwa na familia ya Guise, ambao waliamini mila ya Kifaransa ya "mfalme moja,imani moja, sheria moja." Katika miaka kumi inayoongoza kwenye mauaji, Ufaransa ilikuwa na vita vitatu vya kidini. Vikundi vyote viwili vilitumia vurugu kujaribu kupata kile walitaka.
Mnamo Agosti 18, 1572, mkuu wa Kiprotestanti, Henri wa Navarre, aliolewa Margaret Mkatoliki wa Valois. Mfalme alitumaini kuwa ndoa italeta amani.
Mnamo Agosti 22 mtu alijaribu na kushindwa kumwua kiongozi wa Huguenot, Coligny. Wahuguenote walikasirika na shambulio hili.
Mnamo Agosti 23 mfalme aliamua kuwa Wahuguenote wote wanapaswa kuuawa, na mnamo Agosti 24 mauaji yalianza kabla ya 4 asubuhi.
Waprotestanti elfu ishirini waliuawa kwa siku hiyo, and hiyo ambayo inakumbukwa kama "Uuaji wa Siku ya Bartholomew Mtakatifu." Viongozi wengi wa Waprostanti waliuawa katika mauaji hayo na Waprotestanti wengine mengi waliikimbia nchi kwa usalama wao.
Kujaribu kuzuia mgawanyo, Wajerumani walijigawanya katika nchi za kidini. Baadhi ya nchi zilikuwa Katoliki na zingine zilikuwa Lutherani. Hii ilikuwa ni kwasababu kwa wakati huu, watu walilichukulia kanisa na serikali kama ulikuwa muungano.
Hii pia ilikuwa kweli katika sehemu zingine za Ulaya. Huuko Uswis, kundi la Wakristo hawakuwa na furaha kuwa mamlaka ya Rumi yalichukuliwa na mtawala mwingine wa kidini wa serikali (akiitwa kiongozi wa Zurich). Walitaka udugu badala ya nguvu ya umma. Walizoea demokrasia ya mkusanyiko. Kila moja anaweza kuzungumza kwa Mungu, siyo maaskofu pekee na wanabaraza.
Kundi hili pia lililenga juu ya wokovu binafsi. Januari 21, 1525, kundi hili lilikutana na kubatizana. Hii ilikuwa kinyume cha mafundisho maalum ya kanisa la Zurich, ambayo walisisitiza ubatizo wa watoto. Hawa watu walikuja kujulikana kama Waanabaptisti, wakimaanisha "kubatizwa tena," kwasababu tayari walishabatizwa kama watoto.
Mnamo mwaka wa 1521 Henry alishambulia maoni ya Luther juu ya sakramenti, na hivyo papa akampa jina "Mlinzi wa Imani." Ni karibu na kupendeza kwamba papa alimpa jina hili, kwa sababu kwa muda mfupi tu, Henry angeondoka kabisa na shirika ambalo lilimpa jina hilo.
Baada ya kifo cha ndugu yake, Henry alioa shemeji wa kike, Catherine wa Aragon. Hawakuwa na mtoto wa kiume pamoja, na hivyo Henry alitaka kufuta ndoa yake na kuoa Anne Boleyn. Alitumia Mambo ya Walawi 20:21 ili kupatikana kesi yake kwa talaka.
Papa hakumpa talaka, na hivyo Henry alimteua Askofu Mkuu wa Canterbury Thomas Cramner. Askofu Mkuu mpya alimpa talaka aliyokuwa anaitaka. Henry alitangaza kwamba mfalme wa Uingereza alikuwa kichwa cha kanisa.
Henry alikuwa na binti wawili. Maria alikuwa Mkatoliki, na Elizabeth alikuwa Kiprotestanti.
Mfalme Henri wa VIII (1491–1547) iliondoa Kanisa Katoliki huko Uingereza na kuanzisha kanisa la Anglikana. Waliolikataa kanisa hilo la dola waliitwa waasi. Wengi wa waasi hao hasa wachungaji waliofanya kazi yao bila leseni walitupwa magerezani. Kulikuwepo na vikundi viwili vya waasi: Watakasaji na Watawanyishi. Watawanyishi walikuwa ni wale waliotaka kujitenga na kanisa la Anglikana. Watakasaji walikuwa ni wale waliotaka kanisa la Anglikana litakaswe.
Yohane Bunyani alikuwa mhubiri shupavu kati ya waasi. Alihubiri ukombozi kwa neema kwa njia ya imani ndani ya Yesu. Bunyani alifundisha bila idhini ya Serikali na alifungwa kwa miaka 12 kwa sababu ya kuhubiri injili. Aliandika kitabu kiitwacho Safari ya Msafiri ambacho kinaendelea kuchapishwa hadi leo.
Sala yake Knoksi iligeuka kuwa "Nipatie Uskochi au la nife." Alikuwa mwanafunzi wa Kalvini. Alimpinga Malkia Maria wa Uskochi ambaye alikuwa mkatoliki. Vita vya kimwili halisi vilipiganwa kati ya wanaume wa malkia na Waprotestanti. Aliliongoza Bunge kuharamisha misa ya katoliki mwaka 1560. Kanisa la kiprotestanti la Uskochi liitwalo kanisa la Presbaiteriani liligeuzwa kuwa kanisa la dola mnamo mwaka 1567.
Wasafiri wale waliofika katika Dunia mpya walikuwa ni watawanyishi kutoka Uingereza. Walitia nanga katika Dunia Mpya mwaka 1620. Walifuata uhuru wa kuabudu na kuachana na unyanyasaji wa Kanisa la Anglikana. Walizindua HATI YA MAYFLOWER ambayo ilikuja kuwa ndio hati ya kwanza ya serikali ya ndani ya Dunia Mpya.
Kusudi kuu la baraza lilikuwa kushughulikia masuala na maswali yaliyotolewa na wafuasi wa Kiprotestanti. Matendo ya wafuasi walilazimika Kanisa Katoliki kutambua kwamba kulikuwa na masuala katika kanisa ambalo lilihitaji kushughulikiwa. Baraza ya Trent ilifanyika katika hatua tatu kati ya 1545 na 1563. Kufuatia ni baadhi ya maamuzi na matokeo kutoka kwa baraza:
Wayesuiti ambao mwanzoni walijulikanakama "wachungaji waliobadilishwa" walisafiri na kiongozi wao mkuu Inyasi wa Loyola aliyepatikana kwa uchaguzi hadi Roma ambapo walitoa huduma yao kwa Papa mwezi Oktoba 1534.
Kabla ya kutawanywa sehemu mbalimbali alizowatuma Papa Paulo III aliandika amri yake (Bula) iliyojulikana kama Regimini militalis Ecclesiae (Kwa kilatini maana yake; kwa serikali ya kijeshi ya kanisa) ikiwa ni tangazo lake kwamba amewakubali Wayesuiti ambao wanaendelea na shirika lao hilo hadi leo. Wayesuiti waliongoza mapambano dhidi ya wanamageuzi kuwapinga Waprostestanti.
Majadiliano: Je, lini kuwatenganisha nani na wengine ambao wanaamini tofauti na wewe? Je, tunapaswa kushirikiana na watu ambao wanaamini tofauti kuliko sisi?
Kuanzia mwisho wa vita ya miaka thelathini ya mwaka 1678 hadi miaka ya 1950.
Uamsho mkubwa unahusishwa nakuanzishwa upya jitihada za kuieneza injili Uingereza na Marekani.
Bwana Whitefield ambaye alikuwa mhubiri shupavu wa injili iliyokuwa katika lugha rahisi tangu akiwa naumri wa miaka 24, alipingwa marufuku kuhubiri katika kanisa la Anglikana. Aliamua kufundisha mitaani na kufanya viwanja vya wazi kuwa mahali pake pa salana akahubiria maelfu ya watu. Huu ulikuwa mwanzo wa uamsho katika maeneo ya Magharibi ya Uingereza. Alihubiri Uingereza na Marekani.
Dunia ilikuwa ndio parokia yake. Aliwahubiria watu kwa maelfu katika maeneo ya wazi. Alihubiri kote Uingereza na Marekani akianzia katika makanisa kadhaa. Yeye ndiye mwanzilishi wa Kanisa la Methodisti.
Alikuwa mchungaji eneo la Northampton, Massachusetts akiwa na umri wa miaka 17. Mwaka 1741 alisoma hotuba yake maarufu yenye kichwa cha habari "Watenda dhambi wakiwa mikononi mwa Mungu aliyekasirika" mbele ya waumini wake. Imani ya ajabu iliwapata waumini wake kiasi kwamba walihubiri na kuongoza uamsho ulioenea Uingereza yote mpya.
Huu ulikuwa ni muondoko mwingine wa Mungu wa kuwasha moto wa matumaini uliosambaa hadi Uingereza.
Katika miaka ya mwanzoni ya 1820 Finney alihubiri katika mikutano ya injili huko New York ambayo iliwasha moto wa uamsho kwa mara ya pili. Finney alikuwa ni mtu wa imani kali na mwinjilishaji shupavu wa neno la Mungu. Finney ameelezewa mara nyingi kama mwinjili anayeongoza wengine wote wa kutoka Amerika.
Moody aliitetemesha Marekani na Uingereza kwa ajili ya Mungu. Alihubiri Injili vizuri kwa Lugha ya watu wakawaida. Inakadiriwa kwamba roho za watu milioni moja ziliokolewa katika huduma yake. Alianzisha chuo cha Biblia cha Moody ambacho kinaendelea kuwepo hadi leo.
Spargeoni alikuwa ni Mwana wa mfalme wa wahubiri na alikuwa mchungaji wa Kanisa la Kibaptisti tubernakulo mjini Londoni. Aliwahubiria zaidi ya watu 5000 kwa saa 40 kila wiki.
Hiki ni kipindi cha uamsho mkubwa na jitihada nzito za kimisionari. Dunia ilikuwa ni mlango uliokuwa wazi kwa wamisionari.
Marko 16:15—Naye akawambia enendeni ulimwenguni mwote mkaihubiri injili kwa kila kiumbe. (Mathayo 28:19–20)
William Carey (1761–1834) ni baba wa Umisionari wa kisasa. Alikuwa Mwingereza maskini. Kipindi fulani, alitembea kilomita 13 kila Jumapili kuhubiri kanisani. Alijaribu kuwashawishi watu kwenda kuhubiri katika nchi nyingine, lakini wakasema, "Ikiwa Mungu anataka kuokoa wapagani, atafanya hivyo, bila msaada wako au wangu."
Alikwenda kwa Uhindi 1793. Huyu ndiye misionari wa kisasa kwanza aliwasili nchini Uhindi. Huko, hakuona waongofu kwa miaka saba. Hakuwa na muda mwingi akilaani dini ya Hindu, lakini badala yake alitumia wakati wake akizungumza juu ya Yesu, kifo chake, na Ufufuo Wake. Huyu ndiye mmisionari wa kwanza kufika nchini Uhindi. Maneno mazuri yake ni, "Anatarajia mambo makuu kutoka kwa Mungu, jaribu mambo makuu kwa Mungu."
Aliowa 5 Februari, 1812, na ndani ya wiki mbili walikuwa katika mashua kuelekea Uhindi kutoka Marekani. Walianza safari ya kufanya kazi kwa Kanisa la Congregational, lakini kwa sababu Adoniram alifikiri kuwa Kanisa la Congregational lilikuwa baya kuhusu ubatizo, alimshawishi mkewe na mshirika mwingine aliyekuwa pamoja nao kuwa Wabatisti. Alipeleka barua ya kujiuzulu walipofika Uhindi. Mshirika huyo alichukua barua hiyo, na akajaribu kuongeza fedha kutoka kwa Wabatisti.
Serikali ya Uhindi haikuwaacha wapate kukaa huko, na William Carey alipendekeza kuwa wanapaswa kwenda Burma. Walipofika Burma, walianza kujifunza lugha, walifungua shule kwa wasichana, na walitafsiri Agano Jipya. Ilikuwa miaka sita kabla ya kuwa na Mkristo wao wa kwanza kubadilisha. Adoniram alitumia miaka miwili jela. Ann, mke wa Adoniram alikufa akiwa na umri wa miaka 36. Judson alianzisha makanisa 63, hasa kati ya kabila la Karen.
Anaelezwa kama mtafuta njia barani Afrika. Alijitolea kusafiri hadi ndani kabisa ya bara la Afrika ambako hakukuwa na mzungu yeyote aliyekwisha fika huko kabla yake. Alitumikia miongoni mwa watu wa Tswana kwa miaka kumi, lakini aliona mtu mmoja tu aliyebadilishwa. Alifungua vituo vya misheni na alifanya mengi kuinadi injili barani Afrika.
Alianzisha kituo cha Misioni ndani ya Uchina na kikundi chake kilihubiri injili hadi katikati ya nchi hiyo. Alikua na ndevu, alikua na nywele zake kwa muda mrefu, na yeye alisuka nywele zake, ambao ulikuwa mtindo wa wanaume nchini China wakati huo. Yeye alisema, "Sio kuuhamisha utaifa wao, bali tunataka wao kuwa Wakristo." Aliwaweka wamisionari 849 vituoni, kuanzisha vituo vya wamisionari 205, na jamii yake ya umishonari ilikuwa na waongofu 125,000 kwa Ukristo.
Majadiliano: Je, wamishonari husaidia au kuumiza watu wa ndani?
Kuanza kwa karne ya 20 kulishuhudia mbubujiko wa Roho Mtakatifu huko Los Angeles katika California, Marekani. Mungu alikuwa analirudishia Kanisa Pentekoste upya.
Billy Sunday alisimama imara kupinga ulevi na alikuwa ni mhubiri shupavu wa injili.
Smith Wigglesworth alikuwa Mtume wa Imani ambaye alikuwa na huduma kubwa ya uponyaji.
Oral Roberts, A. A. Alan, Jack Coe, na William Branham walizunguka Amerika na mahema makubwa na wakahubiri. Jack Coe alikuwa mtu wa imani kali. Aliweza kuvunja magongo ya walemavu na kutupa mbali mikongojo wakati alipoombea wagonjwa.
Kuanzia mwaka wa 1950 wa Kristo hadi leo
Laodeshia maana yake utawala wa watu wenyewe. Makanisa mengi ya leo yanaendeshwa na watu wenyewe. Jina la kipindi hiki linaelezea serikali ya kisasa. Kanisa haliongozwi tena na Mungu ila linaendeshwa na watu ambao wanafanya mambo kwa njia zao binafsi watakavyo.
Yesu alikwishaonya kwamba watatokea waongo watakaojiita Kristo katika siku za mwisho. Neno Kristo maana yake mpakwa mafuta. Siku hizi wapo wapakwa mafuta wengi wa uongo wasiokuwa na uhusiano wowote na Mungu.
Yesu alisema watakuwepo manabii wa uongo ambao watadanganya wengi. Kati ya wanakarismatiki wa siku hizi kuna manabii wengi wa uongo. Wanaondoa tendo la upako wa mafuta unaofanywa na Roho Mtakatifu.
Wahubiri wengi wa injili wa kisasa wanafundisha mambo ya mafanikio wa kupata fedha na faida nyingine. Watu wanashauriwa kwa maneno kama, "Otesha mbegu yako kwa mategemeo ya kujipatia mavuno makubwa." Wanaambiwa wakitoa watabarikiwa mara mia. Wanaambiwa watamke watakavyo wabarikiwe.