What Early Christians Were Like
The early Christian writings say the first Christians were a real community marked by faith in Christ, shared life, teaching, prayer, and a different way of living. Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Aristides, Mathetes, Irenaeus, and Clement all describe Christians this way. Acts 11:26 places the name "Christians" in Antioch, where disciples were first called by that name. Some later passages also warn about heretics and false teachers, but the main witness is about the life of the true church.
135 early-church witnesses · 230 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about the Early Christians?
Early Christian writings do teach that the first Christians were a visible community marked by faith in Christ, shared life, public teaching, and a distinct way of living. Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Aristides, Mathetes, Irenaeus, and Clement all give this kind of witness, and Acts 11:26 anchors the name "Christians" at Antioch.
The evidence is strongest for what Christians were like and how they were known, while some cards drift into later disputes about heretics, sects, or unrelated uses of words like "early" and "primitive." A few excerpts also need review because they are only indirect background or are too broad to support the topic cleanly. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Early Christians were known as a distinct people who followed Jesus in public and in daily life.
- They gathered for teaching, prayer, worship, and shared fellowship.
- Several early writers also say true Christians were separated from heresy and false teaching.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Who were the early Christians?
The first Christians were disciples who believed in Christ, followed his teaching, and were known as a distinct people. Acts 11:26 says the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, and Justin, Theophilus, and Aristides speak of people who truly confessed Christ rather than just using the name.
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Acts 11:26 Direct teaching
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
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Theophilus of Antioch, Connection to Acts 11:26 Supporting witness
and since, besides, you call me a Christian, as if this were a damning name to bear, I, for my part, avow that I am a Christian,
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Aristides, The Apology Supporting witness
15. But the Christians, O King, while they went about and made search, have found the truth;
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Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness
All who take their opinions from these men, are, as we before said, called Christians;
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Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians (Long Version) Supporting witness
It is fitting, then, not only to be called Christians, but to be so in reality.
How did early Christians live?
Early Christians were described as a people set apart by their way of life. Mathetes says Christians lived in the world but were not of it, Justin says they had God in their conscience, and Aristides says they were righteous, patient, and compassionate.
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Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness
...ayer to the gods of my country. But, as they did not respond, I called upon those among us known as Christians. Upon investigation, I found a great number and multitude of them and initially acted against them, which was quite inappropriate, as I later understood their power. They began the battle, not with weapons, armor, or bugles, as such preparations are detestable to them because of the God they carry in their conscience. Therefore, it appears that those we think are atheists have God as their guiding force entrenched in their conscience. Throwing themselves on the ground, they prayed not only for me but for the entire army, that we might be saved from the current thirst and hunger. We had been without water for five days because there was none, being deep in Germany, in enemy territory. Simultaneously as they threw themselves on the ground and prayed to God (a God unknown to me), water poured from the sky, refreshingly cool upon us but as withering hail upon Rome's enemies. Immediately we acknowledged the presence of God following their prayer—a God unconquerable and indestructible. Based on this, let us pardon such individuals who are Christians, lest they pray for and ac
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Tertullian, De Spectaculis (On the Shows) Supporting witness
There are some who imagine that Christians, a sort of people ever ready to die, are trained into the abstinence they practise, with no other object than that of making it less difficult to despise life, the fastenings to it being severed as it were.
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Acts 4:13 Background
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
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Mathetes, Epistle to Diognetus Supporting witness
For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe.
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Mathetes, Epistle to Diognetus Background
I see thee, most excellent Diognetus, exceedingly desirous to learn the mode of worshipping God prevalent among the Christians, and inquiring very carefully and earnestly concerning them, what God they trust in, and what form of religion they observe, so as all to look down upon the world itself, and despise death, while they neither esteem those to be gods that are reckoned such by the Greeks, nor hold to the superstition of the Jews;
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Origen, Against Celsus Background
But Christians, who have in so wonderful a manner formed themselves into a community, appear at first to have been more induced by miracles than by exhortations to forsake the institutions of their fathers, and to adopt others which were quite strange to them.
Did early Christians meet together and worship?
Yes. Tertullian says Christians met early in the morning for hymns to Christ and God, and Acts 2:42 describes teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers. Acts 5:21 and 5:42 also show the apostles teaching early and daily in public and from house to house.
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Tertullian, Apology Direct teaching
...an obstinate refusal to offer sacrifices, he found in their religious services nothing but meetings early in the morning for singing hymns to Christ and God, and sealing their way of life by a united pledge to remain faithful to their religion, forbidding murder, adultery, dishonesty, and other crimes. In reply, Trajan wrote back that Christians were by no means to be sought out. But if they were brought before him, they should be punished. O miserable deliverance. Under the necessities of the case, it is a self-contradiction. It forbids them to be sought out, as innocent, and it commands them to be punished, as guilty. It is at once merciful and cruel. It passes by, and it punishes. Why do you play this game of evasion with yourself, O Judgment? If you condemn, why do you not also inquire? If you do not inquire, why do you not also absolve? Military stations are set throughout all the provinces for tracking robbers. Against traitors and public enemies every man is a soldier. Search is made even for their confederates and accessories. The Christian alone must not be sought, though he may be brought and accused before the judge, as if a search had any other end than that! And so
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Acts 2:42 Direct teaching
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
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Acts 5:21 Supporting witness
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
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Acts 5:42 Supporting witness
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Were the early Christians hated or persecuted?
Early Christian writers often say believers were hated, accused, or persecuted. Aristides says Christians bore persecution and prayed for their enemies, Mathetes says the world hated them, and Justin and Tertullian describe believers being questioned and punished because they were Christians.
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Aristides, The Apology Direct teaching
...ractice shameful acts with males, and with a mother and a sister and a daughter, in turn accuse the Christians of their monstrous impurity. But the Christians are righteous and good, and the truth is set before their eyes, and their spirit is patient. Therefore, although they know the error of these people, the Greeks, and are persecuted by them, they bear it and endure it. And for the most part they have compassion on them, as people who are without knowledge. For their part, they offer prayers that these people may repent of their error. And when it happens that one of them has repented, he is ashamed before the Christians of the works he has done. And he confesses to God, saying, "I did these things in ignorance." And he purifies his heart, and his sins are forgiven him, because he committed them in ignorance in former times, when he used to blaspheme and speak evil of the true knowledge of the Christians. And certainly the race of the Christians is more blessed than all the people who are on the face of the earth.
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Mathetes, Epistle to Diognetus Supporting witness
To sum up everything in one word—what the soul is in the body, that Christians are in the world. The soul is spread throughout all the members of the body, and Christians are scattered through all the cities of the world. The soul dwells in the body, yet is not of the body; and Christians live in the world, yet are not of the world. The invisible soul is protected by the visible body, and Christians are known to be in the world, but their godliness remains invisible. The flesh hates the soul and wars against it, though it suffers no harm, because it is prevented from enjoying pleasures; the world also hates Christians, though it is not harmed, because they reject pleasures. The soul loves the flesh that hates it, and loves the members; Christians likewise love those that hate them. The soul is imprisoned in the body, yet preserves that very body; and Christians are confined in the world as if in a prison, and yet they are the preservers of the world. The immortal soul lives in a mortal body; and Christians dwell as travelers in corruptible bodies, looking for an incorruptible dwelling in the heavens. The soul, when poorly provided with food and drink, becomes better; similarly, the
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Justin Martyr, The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr Supporting witness
Then the prefect Rusticus said to Chariton, “Tell me more, Chariton, are you also a Christian?” Chariton replied, “I am a Christian by the command of God.” Rusticus the prefect asked the woman Charito, “What do you say, Charito?” Charito answered, “I am a Christian by the grace of God.” Rusticus asked Euelpistus, “And what about you?” Euelpistus, a servant of Caesar, responded, “I too am a Christian, having been freed by Christ; and by the grace of Christ, I share the same hope.” Rusticus the prefect asked Hierax, “And you, are you a Christian?” Hierax answered, “Yes, I am a Christian, for I revere and worship the same God.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Did Justin make you Christians?” Hierax replied, “I was a Christian, and will be a Christian.” Then Pæon stood up and said, “I too am a Christian.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Who taught you?” Pæon replied, “From our parents, we received this good confession.” Euelpistus said, “I willingly heard the words of Justin. But I also learned to be a Christian from my parents.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Where are your parents?” Euelpistus replied, “In Cappadocia.” Rusticus asked Hierax, “Where are your parents?” And he answered, “Christ
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Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Supporting witness
...rvants and indulging in drunkenness and vice and wanting him to do the same, accused her of being a Christian when she left without his consent. She presented a request to the Emperor, asking for permission to settle her affairs before defending against the accusation, which was granted. Unable to prosecute her, her husband targeted a man named Ptolemaeus, her teacher in Christian doctrines, with the help of a centurion who was friendly to him. The centurion took Ptolemaeus, interrogating him only on whether he was a Christian. Ptolemaeus, being truthful, confessed, was imprisoned, and later, when questioned by Urbicus, again affirmed his belief truthfully and was sentenced. Lucius, another Christian, witnessing this unjust judgment, questioned Urbicus: “What cause is there for this judgment? Why punish a man not guilty of adultery, immorality, murder, theft, or any crime, but only for being called a Christian? This judgment does not reflect well on Emperor Pius, nor the philosopher, son of Caesar, nor the sacred senate.” Urbicus responded, “You seem to be like this man,” to which Lucius replied, “Most certainly I am,” and was ordered to be executed. Lucius gave thanks, knowing
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Tertullian, Scorpiace Supporting witness
...hild; and children will rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death," He has clearly announced, with reference to the others, this kind of unrighteous conduct, which we do not find shown in the case of the apostles. For none of them experienced a father or a brother as a betrayer, which very many of us have. Then He returns to the apostles: "And you will be hated by all men for my name's sake." How much more will this be true of us, for whom there is the necessity of being handed over even by parents. Thus, by assigning this very betrayal now to the apostles, now to all, He pours out the same destruction on all the possessors of the name, on whom the name will rest together with the condition that it is an object of hatred. "But he who will endure to the end, this man will be saved." By enduring what, if not persecution, betrayal, and death? For to endure to the end is nothing else than to suffer the end. And therefore there immediately follow the words, "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his own lord." Because, since the Master and Lord Himself stood firm in suffering persecution, betrayal, and death, much more it will be the duty
Did early Christians see themselves as one church?
Clement says the true Church is one, and Tertullian says the many churches make up the one primitive church founded by the apostles. Irenaeus also links the churches to the apostolic foundation. This is a strong theme, though some nearby cards drift into later anti-heresy arguments rather than the main question.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching
From what has been said, then, it is my opinion that the true Church, that which is really ancient, is one, and that in it those who according to God's purpose are just, are enrolled.
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Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Supporting witness
...lassification. Therefore, although the churches are so many and so great, they make up only the one primitive church, founded by the apostles, from which they all spring. In this way all are primitive, and all are apostolic, while all are proved to be one, in unbroken unity, by their peaceful communion, and title of brotherhood, and bond of hospitality — privileges directed by no other rule than the one tradition of the selfsame mystery.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness
For when certain men had come down from Judea to Antioch—where also, first of all, the Lord’s disciples were called Christians, because of their faith in Christ—and sought to persuade those who had believed on the Lord to be circumcised, and to perform other things after the observance of the law;
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Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness
But since he is clearly guilty of falsehood in the statements that follow, let us examine his claim when he says, "If all men wanted to become Christians, Christians would not want that." Now it is clear that this statement is false, because Christians do not fail, as far as it depends on them, to spread their teaching throughout the whole world. Some of them have therefore made it their work to travel not only through cities, but even through villages and country houses, so that they might convert people to God. And no one could say that they did this for the sake of profit, since sometimes they would not even accept the food they needed. Or if they were at any time forced by such necessity, they were content with only what they needed, although many were willing to share their abundance with them and give them help far beyond their need. Indeed, at the present time, because of the large number of Christian believers, not only rich men but also people of rank, and refined and high-born ladies, receive the teachers of Christianity. Some perhaps may dare to say that certain people take on the role of Christian teachers for the sake of a little glory. However, it is impossible to hol
Common Questions
Where were the disciples first called Christians?
Acts 11:26 says the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
Did early Christians see themselves as different from the world?
Yes. Mathetes says Christians were in the world but not of it, and that the world hated them because they rejected pleasures.
Did early Christians meet together regularly?
Yes. Tertullian says they met early in the morning for hymns to Christ and God, and Acts 2:42 describes teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers.
Source Index for the Early Christians
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 230 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 135
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 80 shown of 95
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.