FIRST
CHRISTIANS
Pentecost and the
Spread of Christianity
Hardback book with Dust Jacket
In Words and Pictures by Paul L. Maier
Copyright © 1976 by Paul L. Maier
" The explosion of Christianity across the Mediterranean world was due to its extraordinary ignition in
Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. Now Paul L. Maier, in the "you-are-there" style that has made perennial
favorites of his First Christmas and First Easter, recreates the world, the mood, the people, and the
events of the exciting first years of Christianity.
First Christians fills in the little-known background details of Pentecost, and gives a vivid account of the festival that
drew people of all nationalities to the "upper room" in Jerusalem that day.
Correlating ancient history and the latest archaeological findings with the New Testament Book of Acts, Dr, Maier offers fresh
and persuasive evidence for the mass conversion claims following Pentecost. The meteoric rise of the young church through
Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome despite persecution is documented and rendered contemporary in the author's skillful narrative.
Individuals too stand out boldly in First Christians.
Here is the intrepid leadership of Peter and the fiery zeal of Paul.
The reader accompanies the apostles on their crucial missionary journeys, follows Paul on the road to Damascus, is shipwrecked
with him on Malta, stands beside him at his final trial before the notorious emperor, Nero.
The probable fates of Peter, Paul, Mark, James, and John after the Book of Acts closes are also described.
Increasing the sense of actual presence at Christianity's first great adventure is a host of magnificent photographs
(some in full color) that transport the reader to such sites as the Philippi prison where Paul was incarcerated, the tribunal
at Corinth where he was judged, and the stone inscription that brought about his final arrest at Jerusalem.
The controversies of early Christianity are not ignored, but detailed for their lesson value in today's church.
More important than the disagreements themselves, argues Maier, was the spirit of love, openness, and ultimate unity in
which even the most vehement clashes were resolved.
An adventure story nonpareil about the workings of God in the world, First Christians breathes the spirit of
courageous men and women who went about building a church in a hostile empire. "
Contents includes:
" List of Illustrations
Preface
FIRST CHRISTIANS - Pentecost and the Spread of Christianity
1. To Apostles: The Commission
2. To Jerusalem: The Day of Pentecost
3. To Jews: The Opposition
4. To Samaria: The Dispersion
5. To Gentiles: Peter the Rock
6. To Syria: Saul the Fanatic
7. To Galatia: Paul's First Journey
8. To Christians: Quarrels and Controversy
9. To Greece: Paul's Second Journey
10. To Asia: Paul's Third Journey
11. To Magistrates: Jeopardy in Jerusalem
12. To Italy: Rome and Nero
Notes "
This book has minor wear including some light aging spots on the side edges of the pages.
The dust jacket has some minor edgewear and aging spots/yellowing mostly on the inside.
No torn or ripped pages.
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