CHAPTER ONE:

GENERAL INTRODUCTION
A) WHAT IS HISTORY?
History is the study of life in society in the past, in all its aspect, in relation to present
developments and future hopes. It is the story of man in time, an inquiry into the past
based on evidence. Indeed, evidence is the raw material of history teaching and learning.
It is an inquiry into what happened in the past, when it happened, and how it
happened. It is an inquiry into the inevitable changes in human affairs in the past and the
ways these changes affect, influence or determine the patterns of life in the society.
History is, or should be an attempt to re-think the past.
History is the analysis and interpretation of the human past enabling us to study
continuity and changes that are taking place over time. It is an act of both investigation
and imagination that seeks to explain how people have changed over time. Historians use
all forms of evidence to examine, interpret, revisit, and reinterpret the past. These
include not just written documents, but also oral communication and objects such as
buildings, artefacts, photographs, and paintings. Historians are trained in the methods of
discovering and evaluating these sources and the challenging task of making historical
sense out of them.
It is important to study history because it is a means to understand the present through
past. The different interpretations of the past allow us to see the present differently and
therefore imagine—and work towards—different futures.
B) What is the Church?
The English word “church” comes from the Greek word “ekklesia,” which means “a
gathering” or “an assembly” or literally “called-out-ones.” It was a word used of any
gathering or congregation—not only a religious one. In Matthew 16:18, Christ used it
when describing a future congregation of people he would gather. He said, “And I tell
you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades
will not overpower it.” This church would be full of people who God “called out” from
the world to be Christ’s disciples cf John 6:37-39
C) What is Church History
Already we have considered the meaning(s) of “history” and “church” separately. From
our explanations and definitions of history and church so far, one would readily agree
with Mayer’s definition of church history as the “story of those who have been followers
of Jesus of Nazareth” during the past more than two thousand years 1. This includes the
1
Robertson, O.P. Understanding the Land of the Bible, Biblical Theological Guiding New Jessey, 1996

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interpretation of records and facts based on organized information gathered from written
materials as well as non- material sources. A further insight to church history is given by
Schaff in his book the “History of the church”. According to him, the history of the
church is the rise and progress of the kingdom of heaven upon earth for the glory of God
and the salvation of mankind.
i. Church history links the past factual data of the Christian gospel with the future
proclamation and application of that gospel in a present synthesis that creates
understanding of our great heritage and inspiration for its further proclamation and
application.
ii. Church History is an Aid to Understanding the Present.
1. Why are there so many different groups of believers?
2. Why are there so many different liturgical practices?
3. What developed and survived as doctrine?
iii. Church History as a Guide.
1. The present is often the product of the past and the seed of the future. 1 Cor 10:6,11;
Rom 15:4

2. One can come to see old heresies in their new guise.

iv. Church History as a Motivating Force.
1. It edifies, inspires, and stimulates a higher spiritual life.
2. It is as important to know one's spiritual ancestry so as to become a better heavenly
citizen as it is to know the history of one's land to become a better earthly citizen.
3. This leads to a greater appreciation of one's place and role within the Body of Christ.
v. Church History as a Practical Tool:
1. A student of the Word will have a greater appreciation of Basic Doctrines as he sees
their historical development throughout church history.
2. The Church at some time in its history has probably served to illustrate every biblical
point.
vi. Church History as a Stabilizing Force:
1. Man's history will never be complete without including in it his beliefs. Tyrants
throughout history have tried to remove the beliefs of the church to install a false
religion.
C) The Scope of Church History

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The scope of the study of church history is very broad. It includes:
1. The History of the Political Environment of the Church
This aspect of church history attempts to define the inter-play between the church and
the state. It creates the awareness of the social, economic, political structures and other
forces that have exerted influences on the church or that are essential factors which the
historian needs to take cognizance of in the interpretation or reconstruction of the history
of the church at a particular time or place.
2. The History of the Propagation of the Church
One of the major concerns of church history is the pattern of growth and spread of the
Christian faith. This is the aspect of church history that helps to describe the various
mission, methods of spreading the gospel, the men and martyrs involved in the
propagation of the gospel and in the planting of churches.
3. The History of the Persecution of the Church
Persecution is an inseparable element of the history of the church in all ages. ‘Yea, and
that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution’ 2Tim. 3:12). The history of
the persecution of the church therefore is the branch of church history that spells the
advance of the church amidst oppositions, persecution and unfavourable terrains for the
church. Persecution of the church dates back to the political-ecclesiastical hostilities
towards the Christians in the early church. It later included the anti-Christian imperial
edicts by Decius and Diocletian and Muslim’s anti-Christian policies. In modern times, it
is often coined or reflected in secular totalitarianism.
4. The History of Church Polity
This is the branch of church history that deals with government of the church. The
pattern of church government may include:
i. Episcopacy (government by bishops).
ii. Presbytery (government by elected elders).
iii. Congregationalism (Congregation rather than representation democracy).
In Church Polity (whatever the system of government may be), the historian wants to
define and distinguish the position of the Clergy and the Laity; the forms of discipline
and liturgy of the church. This aspect of church history therefore, is interested in the
description of the organizational structures and operational activities of the church at
different times.
5. History of Church Polemics

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This is the branch of church history that studies the emergence of heresies and the
consequent formation of creeds and dogma to refute heretical teachings. This kind of
history exists in the trace description of the tenet of faith and or dogma spelt out by the
various Christian polemists and apologists (church father who helped to define Christian
orthodoxy) in their defense of faith. Sources for church polemics include the works of
Church Fathers like Origen, Tertullian, Augustine of Hippo, and Cyprian of Carthage.
6. History of Church Praxis
This aspect of church history concerned with the practical contributions of Christianity
through life style and activities of the church to the society. It attempts to describe the
socio-economic contributions of the church to enhance some palpable the development
of the society.
7. History of Church’s Presentation of Truth
This has to do with the historical development of the dogma, theology, catechistical
teachings, discipleship programme, the general educational system of the church, the
liturgy, hymnology and the like.

D) Importance for Church History

The place for church history in the appreciation of our modern civilization cannot be
over stressed. Church history stands to benefit Christians of all ages and all
denominations. Apostle Paul definitely underscores the value of church history when
through divine inspiration, he
noted that “…whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning
that we through patience and comfort of the scripture might have hope” – (Romans
15:4).
Thus, there abound pragmatic, didactic and moral values of church history for every
human society: both the ancient and the modern.
1. Church History helps in the Appreciation and Understanding of the state of the
Present Church.
The fact of life is that, what we are; what we experience; and what we see today as a
group or individual are often times traceable to our yesterday or our past. In other words,
some knowledge of our yesterday (past) is needful for us to successfully unravel,
understand and interpret our present.
Our differences in doctrines, liturgy and church administration often make more sense
when they are examined in the light of our past history. The implication is that, the

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emerging varied religious phenomenal did not evolve from a vacuum but are definitely
the products of their historical backgrounds. This will explain the phenomena differences
among the Christianity introduced by the Mission Churches; the Classical
Pentecostalism and that of African Independent Churches.
2. Church History serves as a Bridge between the Past and Present Church.
The facts about the past activities and experiences of the church including the lifestyles;
preaching; teachings; miracles, doctrines and persecutions are the connecting nodes that
clearly show the heritage through which one can better understand the present church.
3. Church History Can Save the Church from Error and Falsehood.
The seeds of most theological errors were sown either in ignorance of the scripture or in
the complete negligence and detachment from history of the church. So then, next to the
study of the Bible is the study of the history of the church.
Christianity was founded by definite historical figure: Jesus Christ. Hence, the tenets,
theology and practical life style that could be defined as orthodox are those that are
traceable to the ‘Faith of our Fathers’. When church history is thrown to the mud, people
believe and teach anything they like and are consequently prone to error and falsehood.
It is not surprising that one of the standards used by the early church to identify heretics
in the face of severe heretical sects that emerged and posed a serious threat to the infant
church were apostolic tradition and succession. The term Apostolic Tradition here
simply means an appeal to historical evidences and legacies of the Apostles.
4. Church History Inspires
The knowledge of the legacies left behind by our spiritual ancestors often times motivate
the younger generations for a greater height. Just as everyone wants to know and take
pride in associating with his genealogy, so do the Christian in the awareness of his
spiritual ancestors. In addition, church history will help to create hope in the Christians
and in the church that is passing through persecutions, even in the face of martyrdom.
The awareness of the boldness of Christian martyrs, motivation and inspirational
testimonies of the great reformers, revivalists in all ages show that they had benefited
from the history of heroes of faith. All through ages of Christianity, church history had
provided the stabilizing influence in the face of secularism, persecution, heresies and
moral decadence. As already noted church history is very essential in the process of
reshaping or redefining our beliefs, doctrines, philosophy of life in the contextual
framework of the activities of the saints of God, past and or present.
5. Church History is a Liberating force.

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Ignorance of Christian history oftentimes makes people vulnerable to seditions, appeals
of false teachers; false prophets and all forms of heretical groups. Adequate knowledge
of the history of the church, gives one a solid foundation for defence of one’s faith and
theological conviction. Church history provides a broad context for one’s involvement in
ministry.

E. Periodization
Periodization is the division of the continuum history into significant manageable
segments that can foster easy remembrance of facts. Such divisions help the historian to
achieve the organization of history in chronological order.
Church Historians Description of Time (The Dating System) BC and AD Dates
BC: These stand for “before Christ.” These BC numbers get bigger the further back in
time we go.
AD: These stand for “Anno Domini (Latin for “in the year of our Lord”).
Unlike the BC numbers, these get bigger the further forward in time we go.
Note: In this course, all dates mentioned are AD, therefore the letters “AD” will not be
included in date references from this point forward.
• Centuries
= Division: Another important feature in this time-system is the division of years into
centuries. A century is one hundred years. So when we refer to the 1st Century AD, we
mean the first hundred years after the birth of Christ-that is, from 1 AD to the year 100.
= Greater: The number of the century is always 1 greater than the number of the years
which it contains:
▪ 3rd Century AD: 201, 202, 203, etc.
▪ 4th Century AD: 301, 302, 303, etc.
▪ 5th Century AD: 401, 402, 403, etc.
Generally, recorded history whether secular or sacred is divided into three broad major
segments as follows: (i) Ancient History; (ii) Medieval History and (iii) Modern History
Based on these generally agreed three phases of history, we can also cage-in church
history as follows: (Let us remember that history is a continuous stream of events
within the framework of time and space-thus this system is artificial)
A. Early Church History (5BC – 500AD)

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a. The Spread of Christianity to 100.
b. The Struggle of the Old Catholic Imperial Church for survival. 100-313
c. The Supremacy of the Old Catholic Imperial Church. 313-590

B. Medieval Church History (500 – 1517)

a. The Rise of the Empire and Latin-Teutonic Christianity. 590-800
b. Changes in Relationships between the church and the state. 800-1054
c. The Supremacy of the Papacy. 1054--1305
d. Medieval Sunset and Modern Sunrise. 1305-1517

C. Modern Church History (1517 – Date)

a. Reformation and Counter Reformation. 1517-1648 (Lutheran, Anglican, Calvinist,
Anabaptist)
b. Rationalism, Revivalism and Denominationalism. 1648-1789
c. Revivalism, Missions, and Modernism. 1789-1914
d. Tension. 1914-