Well, you don't really get much from Scriptures when it comes to Church History
I will recommend the following:
1) Read the Early Church Fathers. They are best source to learn how the Early Church (1st-8th Century) was run and what they believed in communion. Many wrote commentaries or preached homilies on various book of the Holy Bible (Saint John Chrysostom's Homilies on various books of the Bible is a must for every student of the Bible). They will make you understand Scriptures better. You may learn that many of the Fathers held to personal opinions, but they held to many beliefs in communion. Read the Apostolic Fathers (those who were disciples of one or more of the Holy Apostles) such Saint Polycarp, Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Saint Clement of Rome, Saint Papias. Read the Didache, one of the Earliest Christian Document ("A Early Catechism") outside the Bible, that can be dated from the late 1st Century. It is one of the valuable source outside the Bible. It was consider by some in the Early Church as Scripture.
Eusebius, a third century Christian Historian, wrote a excellent work entitled "Ecclesiastical History" (search via Amazon). It covers the History from the Apostolic time through right before the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea held in 325AD. It has been a long time favorite when it comes to Church History.
A famous translation of some of the works of the Early Church Fathers was done by Protestant Scholar Philip Schaff: "Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers Series". Individual volumes can be purchased via Amazon.
2) Philip Schaff also wrote a excellent scholarly work entitled "History of the Christian Church", a 8 volume set that covers everything from the Apostolic Time through the Reformation in the 16th Century.
You can purchase the whole set for $69.99 at
http://www.christianbook.com/Christ...d=124623&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers
3) Renowned Protestant Scholar/Historian J.N.D Kelly wrote two excellent works entitled "Early Christian Doctrines", which covers a lot of history of the Early Church and "Early Christian Creeds". For a Protestant to admit so many points of Orthodox teaching in the history of the Early Church is truly remarkable, not to mention useful for Orthodox Christians who want to defend their faith from history. His works is what actually lead me to the Orthodox Church.
4) Renowned Scholar/Historian Jaroslav Pelikan wrote a excellent work entitled "Early Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine", a five volume set that covers history from the Apostolic time through the 18th century.
That is all the books I can recommend personally. I pray that you will be blessed in your study of the History of the Early Church.
In IC.XC,
Ramon
