CH101 - The Third Century

The Expansion of the Church, 202 - 303 A.D.

Outline: The Severan Persecution Clement of Alexandria Origen of Alexandria The Decian Persecution Cyprian, Bishops and Pope New Testament Canon, Part 5 The Issue of the Trinity The Church Prospers

Key People: Clement-Alexandria Origen-Alexandria Cyprian-Carthage Sabellius-Libya Paul-Samosata Emperor Diocletian

Key Documents: Protrepticus-The Exhortation Paidagogus-The Tutor Stromateis-Miscellanies On First Principles Contra Celsum On the Lapsed On the Unity of the Church

The Empire Reorganized - The Church Prospers
In 257/258 AD Emporer Valerian issued edicts against the Christians. This series of persecution was not a general attack as had come from Decius. This was targeted at the bishops and the upper class Christians.

In the 260's the borders of the empire were being breached by barbarian tribes. The peace and security of the Roman Empire was threatened on every side. Emperor Gallienus sought to keep things in order - he could not protect the outer regions, so regional legions did their best. Territory was lost around the edges, but the empire was held intact.

In 261 Valerian was taken prisoner by the Persians and Gallienus became the sole emperor. Weary of the violence against Christians, Gallienus issued an edict of toleration which basically stated that Christians should be free to assemble without fear and their properties should be returned to them and protected from confiscation.

In 284 Diocletian became the emperor, and to push back the encroachments of the barbarians, Diocletian brings Maximian into his confidence. The two men rule the empire as a team, Diocletian ruling in the east and Maximian in the west. In addition, both men took on a prince so that, in effect, there were now 4 emperors, each waging war against the barbarian hordes in a different region of the empire. The important fact to know here is that Maximian selected Constantius to be his prince. He ruled over Gaul and Britain and would have a famous son, known as Constantine the Great.

After the borders of the empire were basically restored, Diocletian went about rebuilding the financial status of the empire. Standard coinage and regulated pricing was established; taxes were increased which brought in record revenues, but the military also had grown, needing more of this new funding. To secure his legacy, Diocletian started several building programs.

The Church Prospers
By the year 300 AD, according to Eusebius, there were 40 churches in Rome. The third Christian century was coming to a good close - everything was good - the church was growing, church buildings were getting larger, and the Church was financially prosperous. The peace of Rome was good and the Christian Church was enjoying being a legitimate part of that peace.

For the 40 years after Gallienus issued his edict of toleration the church prospered. Christians were to be found at every level of society and serving in every level of government, even serving in the military with many becoming officers. With a wink and a nod Christians serving as governmental officials and military leaders were allowed to avoid making the normal loyalty sacrifices to Rome.

If the third century ended well, the fourth century would begin with equal trauma. Possibly one of the worst of the Roman persecutions was coming and it was completely unexpected.

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Third Century Church History 3rd Century Church Heresies Severe Roman Persecution of Christians Third Century Christian Baptism Third Century Bishops Third Century Church Fathers 3rd Century Christianity Clement of Alexandria and Heresy Clement of Alexandria and The Instructor

3rd Century Fathers - Christianity Clement of Alexandria Origen of Alexandria Decian Persecutions Cyprian on The Lapsed Bishop Cyprian - Novatians Cyprian - Lapsed Christians Clement of Alexandria and Prayer Clement of Alexandria and Prayer

Third Century Christian History The Trinity in the 3rd Century Paidagogus - Stromateis - Miscellanies Origen - De Principii - Principles Paul of Samosata - Trinity New Testament Canon, Canonized Questions regarding Christian Issues Clement of Alexandria and The Trinity Clement of Alexandria and Contemplation

Third Century Christian Issues Diocletian Persecution of Christians Diocletian Persecutes Early Church Novatian Baptism - Cyprian of Carthage Early Christianity New Testament Early Christianity Constantine and War Important Issues in Early Christianity Clement of Alexandria and Stromateis Stromata, Miscellanies or Stromateis