Where do I even start?

[Littlek]

I really want to research early Christianity. I know the first place to start is the Bible. I have read soo many different stores, and quite honestly the information overwhelms me. What would be a few good books to start with? I mean you have various authors that can write about the same period, but get different information.

Before Jesus came, there were many who followed false Gods ( and still do) I have read a little bit about about Zeus, nimrod, the sun god, and a few other ones. I get a little nervous about these gods because people say that we are really following one of these. I’m not sure if satan is trying to trick us, or HAS he tricked us, because I tend to think about the verse that says, he will deceive all, even the most elite if possible?

Were the apostles from the Roman church? I do not agree, or want to follow the Roman Catholic Church, and I think that is when Martin Luther started changing away from Roman beliefs? Why were the apostles called saints?

Is is impossible to sift through thousands of years, and the influence of paganism, and the Roman church on our beliefs today?

Sorry so many questions, haha i have a lot. I believe in the living God of Moses, Abraham, and I believe he sent his son to die for our sins. I just want to know after that, what has been altered. For instance, when Jesus was resurrected, there were graves that were open and many people from the grave went back to the Holy Land, and walked around. This is a huge event to me, something that i think would have been mentioned in history...even the apostles didn’t mention it. Maybe it was a long enough period to where people wouldn’t recognize them? I wouldn’t recognize even my own family 3 or 4 generations back lol

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Dave G.]

You know, the intent of the bible is to point to the person of Jesus Christ . It's to be read and to help build your faith in Him. We should always keep that in mind as Christians. So study away but don't lose the true focus is my suggestion. If it's overwhelming, don't let it derail you from the focal point. I hope I don't sound bossy, just I've done that myself regarding the topic concerning doctrine. Jesus was very quick and powerful in letting me know it's all about Him.

 

[A Realist]

This is a good book to start with:
https://www.amazon.com/Bible-as-History-Werner-Keller/dp/0553279432

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I really want to research early Christianity. I know the first place to start is the Bible. I have read soo many different stores, and quite honestly the information overwhelms me. What would be a few good books to start with? I mean you have various authors that can write about the same period, but get different information.

Before Jesus came, there were many who followed false Gods ( and still do) I have read a little bit about about Zeus, nimrod, the sun god, and a few other ones. I get a little nervous about these gods because people say that we are really following one of these. I’m not sure if satan is trying to trick us, or HAS he tricked us, because I tend to think about the verse that says, he will deceive all, even the most elite if possible?

Were the apostles from the Roman church? I do not agree, or want to follow the Roman Catholic Church, and I think that is when Martin Luther started changing away from Roman beliefs? Why were the apostles called saints?

Is is impossible to sift through thousands of years, and the influence of paganism, and the Roman church on our beliefs today?

Sorry so many questions, haha i have a lot. I believe in the living God of Moses, Abraham, and I believe he sent his son to die for our sins. I just want to know after that, what has been altered. For instance, when Jesus was resurrected, there were graves that were open and many people from the grave went back to the Holy Land, and walked around. This is a huge event to me, something that i think would have been mentioned in history...even the apostles didn’t mention it. Maybe it was a long enough period to where people wouldn’t recognize them? I wouldn’t recognize even my own family 3 or 4 generations back lol

Thanks for the advice!

All of the credible historical accounts will come from scripture especially if you are seeking information on individual Christians in the first century. The second form of credible historical accounts can be found in the writings of a few ancient fathers who had a connection with one of the Apostles. That is about it other than secular historical writings by Josephus and a few others but the writings are superficial.
What you need to be careful of is not to get caught up in "Gnostic" writings where you can find many books attributed to the writings of Apostles but they are false. If you start reading these as truth you will get erroneous information.
Blessings

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Before Jesus came, there were many who followed false Gods ( and still do) I have read a little bit about about Zeus, nimrod, the sun god, and a few other ones. I get a little nervous about these gods because people say that we are really following one of these. I’m not sure if satan is trying to trick us, or HAS he tricked us, because I tend to think about the verse that says, he will deceive all, even the most elite if possible?

Some mythological stories have their basis in bible history. For example the story of Icarus is clearly based on the fall of Lucifer. I believe that many of these myths actually represent some of the intrigues of the true spirit world; the battles for primacy; turning men into beasts, for example.

 

[Littlek]

You know, the intent of the bible is to point to the person of Jesus Christ . It's to be read and to help build your faith in Him. We should always keep that in mind as Christians. So study away but don't lose the true focus is my suggestion. If it's overwhelming, don't let it derail you from the focal point. I hope I don't sound bossy, just I've done that myself regarding the topic concerning doctrine. Jesus was very quick and powerful in letting me know it's all about Him.

I do agree. No, you don’t sound bossy at all lol. I’m sure many people have thought the same, and tried to study history. I always have that verse pop in my head about not putting your trust in man too. Lol So...ya know..history was written by man. I’m sure God slaps his forehead about things i think about and say ahaha. Sorry, just trying to swim through the waters of information.

 

[Littlek]

All of the credible historical accounts will come from scripture especially if you are seeking information on individual Christians in the first century. The second form of credible historical accounts can be found in the writings of a few ancient fathers who had a connection with one of the Apostles. That is about it other than secular historical writings by Josephus and a few others but the writings are superficial.
What you need to be careful of is not to get caught up in "Gnostic" writings where you can find many books attributed to the writings of Apostles but they are false. If you start reading these as truth you will get erroneous information.
Blessings

wow, makes a lot sense. Thanks for alerting me of that! Do you know of any specific books that I should a look at in regards to the ones who had connections with the apostles. I just put in another post, the verse about not putting your trust in man. History is written by man, lol. So makes ya think should you even trust what was written years ago. I mean some of it is true, don’t get me wrong..but a lot I do question. Like landing on the moon, I really don’t believe that. Columbus discovering America lol. Umm my Bible tells me that God scattered men all over the world. Plus there were people already here anyway when he found a “new” world. (That was jr high stuff many years ago, that I have a vague memory off lol)

 

[paul1149]

The best history of the early church that I've found is The Church and the Ministry in the Early Centuries, by Lindsay, Thomas Martin (1843-1914). It's available free at CCEL.org.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

wow, makes a lot sense. Thanks for alerting me of that! Do you know of any specific books that I should a look at in regards to the ones who had connections with the apostles. I just put in another post, the verse about not putting your trust in man. History is written by man, lol. So makes ya think should you even trust what was written years ago. I mean some of it is true, don’t get me wrong..but a lot I do question. Like landing on the moon, I really don’t believe that. Columbus discovering America lol. Umm my Bible tells me that God scattered men all over the world. Plus there were people already here anyway when he found a “new” world. (That was jr high stuff many years ago, that I have a vague memory off lol)

These would be the writings of Ignatius, Polycarp and Clement. For secular that would be Josephus.

 

[Jonaitis]

I really want to research early Christianity. I know the first place to start is the Bible. I have read soo many different stores, and quite honestly the information overwhelms me. What would be a few good books to start with? I mean you have various authors that can write about the same period, but get different information.

Before Jesus came, there were many who followed false Gods ( and still do) I have read a little bit about about Zeus, nimrod, the sun god, and a few other ones. I get a little nervous about these gods because people say that we are really following one of these. I’m not sure if satan is trying to trick us, or HAS he tricked us, because I tend to think about the verse that says, he will deceive all, even the most elite if possible?

Were the apostles from the Roman church? I do not agree, or want to follow the Roman Catholic Church, and I think that is when Martin Luther started changing away from Roman beliefs? Why were the apostles called saints?

Is is impossible to sift through thousands of years, and the influence of paganism, and the Roman church on our beliefs today?

Sorry so many questions, haha i have a lot. I believe in the living God of Moses, Abraham, and I believe he sent his son to die for our sins. I just want to know after that, what has been altered. For instance, when Jesus was resurrected, there were graves that were open and many people from the grave went back to the Holy Land, and walked around. This is a huge event to me, something that i think would have been mentioned in history...even the apostles didn’t mention it. Maybe it was a long enough period to where people wouldn’t recognize them? I wouldn’t recognize even my own family 3 or 4 generations back lol

Thanks for the advice!

Well, the book of Acts is the earliest recorded history you will ever find of the Church after Jesus ascended to heaven, and great news it is in your bible! Have you read the New Testament at all?

 

[Littlek]

Well, the book of Acts is the earliest recorded history you will ever find of the Church after Jesus ascended to heaven, and great news it is in your bible! Have you read the New Testament at all?

Lol...yes! I have. BUT one thing that's hard for me personally is..my memory is awful from my fibro/lyme...brainfog is a hard thing to deal with when reading and studying. It's been a while since I read the books of Acts, so i don't remember. I now have to take it slow..snail.slow. lol. You just wouldnt believe how much a syndrome would affect your thinking. Very frustrating to say the least.

 

[paul1149]

Lol...yes! I have. BUT one thing that's hard for me personally is..my memory is awful from my fibro/lyme...brainfog is a hard thing to deal with when reading and studying. It's been a while since I read the books of Acts, so i don't remember. I now have to take it slow..snail.slow. lol. You just wouldnt believe how much a syndrome would affect your thinking. Very frustrating to say the least.

Are you on anything for lyme?

 

[Littlek]

Are you on anything for lyme?

Well the thing is..I had it around 1995. I felt sick and had the bulls eye ring..I even pulled the tick off. I was put on 2 weeks of antibiotics..so skip ahead to 2010 I developed fibromyalgia. Now with doing a little research I have read that 2 weeks worth of antibiotics is not enough against lyme. I dont know. I've been tested 3 times and negative..but lyme hides. Anyway, it's probably end stage lyme..I am guessing. I don't have to money to keep testing..I know there is a place on the west coast that have more accurate results plus confection tests..but it expensive and I dont have the money for it. Cipro is another antibiotic that's dangerous too. I've had that off and on for several years and it may be the cause of my problems too. Who knows lol.

 

[paul1149]

Well the thing is..I had it around 1995. I felt sick and had the bulls eye ring..I even pulled the tick off. I was put on 2 weeks of antibiotics..so skip ahead to 2010 I developed fibromyalgia. Now with doing a little research I have read that 2 weeks worth of antibiotics is not enough against lyme. I dont know. I've been tested 3 times and negative..but lyme hides. Anyway, it's probably end stage lyme..I am guessing. I don't have to money to keep testing..I know there is a place on the west coast that have more accurate results plus confection tests..but it expensive and I dont have the money for it. Cipro is another antibiotic that's dangerous too. I've had that off and on for several years and it may be the cause of my problems too. Who knows lol.

When lyme goes chronic, the best way to deal with it is herbal-based, IMO. I've been doing so, then found I also have babesia. Now that I've got the dosing better I think I'm seeing changes, slowly.

 

[Littlek]

When lyme goes chronic, the best way to deal with it is herbal-based, IMO. I've been doing so, then found I also have babesia. Now that I've got the dosing better I think I'm seeing changes, slowly.

I really need to look into herbal treatments...but not knowing what 100% is causing my problems if a factor. They saybits fibro..but I just don't know. All I know is pain everyday.

 

[Littlek]

I really need to look into herbal treatments...but not knowing what 100% is causing my problems if a factor. They saybits fibro..but I just don't know. All I know is pain everyday.

*is

 

[paul1149]

I really need to look into herbal treatments...but not knowing what 100% is causing my problems if a factor. They saybits fibro..but I just don't know. All I know is pain everyday.

The herbalist I've gotten the most from is Stephan Buhner. For a good convention doc who also uses herbs, Marty Ross.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

Read a book that gives a broad overview of Church history and then select the period you would like to study.

My favourite periods are the ante nicene and, crusades era. This when you can have a narrow focus. It's impossible to know all of the Church's history exactly.

 

[Tra Phull]

Phillip Schaff has a history of the Christian Church, and I don't know that it's online, but I think it is.

 

[Tra Phull]

Philip

Schaff' s 8 volume history of the Christian Church is online - just Google - I can't copy and paste on this Kindle

But yes, read ACTS first