The Origins of Christianity: When Did Early Christian Writings Begin?

The emergence of Christianity and the writing of the Bible are subjects deeply rooted in historical and religious studies. While the life of Jesus is well-documented in historical and religious contexts, the precise dates and circumstances surrounding the early writings of Christianity are open to interpretation. This article explores when the apostolic writings began and provides a timeline of the significant works that followed.

The Apostle Paul and Early Writings

The Apostle Paul, a key figure in the early Christian church, is often credited with the first written passages of the New Testament (N.T.). However, the exact dates of his writings remain uncertain. Paul's letters are believed to have been written after the death of Jesus, who is often referred to as the Risen Christ. According to most scholars, the majority of Paul's works were completed after Jesus' death, as he was shaping the early Christian church through his teachings and letters.

Other New Testament works, such as the Gospel of Mark, began to be written many decades after Jesus had passed. Mark, one of the foundational Gospels, may have been started shortly before the year 70 C.E. but was completed after this date. No New Testament writer, including Paul, had any direct personal contact with the historical figure Jesus upon whom their works were based.

Expectations and Reality

Initially, the apostles expected the Second Coming of Christ to occur in their lifetimes. When they realized that this was not going to happen immediately, they turned to writing to preserve their teachings and establish the framework of early Christian beliefs. The writing of the New Testament thus evolved out of necessity, as a response to the passage of time and the changing dynamics of the early Christian communities.

The Beginnings of the Christian Congregation

The foundation of the Christian congregation is often traced back to the event of Pentecost in the year 33 C.E. This event, as described in the book of Acts chapter 2, marked a pivotal moment. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon 120 followers of Jesus, enabling them to speak in different languages and spread the message of God's love. It is estimated that around 3,000 people became new disciples and were baptized on this day, signifying a significant turning point in the early Christian history.

Timeline of Early Christian Writings

The following is a timeline of the major New Testament writings, which span from around 40 to 65 C.E.:

John: Estimated between 40-50 C.E. Matthew: Estimated between 40-50 C.E. Mark: Estimated between 62-64 C.E. Luke: Estimated between 60-63 C.E. Acts: Estimated between 63-64 C.E. 1 John: Estimated between 40-50 C.E. James: Estimated between 45-50 C.E. Hebrews: Estimated between 54-64 C.E. Letters of Paul: 1 Thessalonians: 51 C.E. 2 Thessalonians: 51-52 C.E. 1 Corinthians: 53 C.E. Romans: 54-55 C.E. 1 Timothy: 55-57 C.E. 2 Corinthians: 55 C.E. Titus: 55-63 C.E. Galatians: 56-57 C.E. Philemon: 57 C.E. Colossians: 57-59 C.E. 2 Timothy: 57-58 C.E. Ephesians: 57-58 C.E. Philippians: 58 C.E. Late General Letters: 2 John: 60-61 C.E. 3 John: 60-61 C.E. Jude: 61-2 C.E. 2 Peter: 61-62 C.E. 1 Peter: 63-64 C.E. Revelation: 64-66 C.E.

The Emergence of Organized Christianity

During the period between 40 and 65 C.E., Christianity was not yet an organized religion. Early Christians were primarily worshipers of Yahweh, who believed that Jesus was the Messiah. They followed Jesus' interpretations of the Torah and the prophets as their spiritual leaders. However, significant events such as the First Revolt in 66-73 C.E. led to a divergence between traditional Judaism and early Christianity. This resulted in the rabbis taking over leadership and expelling Jesus' students from their synagogues.

By the first third of the 2nd Century, many Judeans were eager to reclaim their land from Roman rule and began organizing a second revolt. This led to a widening rift between Judeans and Jesus' students. By 140 C.E., these groups had become entirely separate, and Christianity evolved into a set of organized local groups with diverse schools of thought.

Understanding the timeline of these events provides valuable insights into the early development of Christianity and the writing of the Bible. This period was marked by both spiritual and political transformations that shaped the beliefs and practices of early Christians.