Exploring Church History

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“The Apostolic Fathers are characterized by edification as they sought to build up or strengthen believers in the faith, the Apologists by defense against attacks on Christianity, the Polemicists by attacks against heresy within the church, and the Scientific Theologians by a scientific study of theology in an effort to apply to theological investigation philosophical modes of thought then current.” (source)

“On the day of Pentecost (fifty days after the crucifixion and ten days after the ascension), they were rewarded” (source)

“Admittedly however, the Apostolic Fathers do in some instances assign a rather significant place to baptism as a medium of forgiveness of sin. Martyrdom and celibacy are also thought to have special sin-atoning power. On the whole the Apostolic Fathers picture a church still throbbing with missionary zeal, a church in which individual responsibility is still everywhere recognized, and a church in which hierarchal organization is at a minimum.” (source)

“It is significant that in refuting error the Polemicists appealed extensively to New Testament books as the source of true doctrine.” (source)

“He expanded the concept of purgatory and converted the Eucharist from a sacrament into a sacrifice for redemption, having value for the living and the dead. He officially approved the invocation of saints and martyrs and the use of relics and amulets to reduce temporal punishments.” (source)