Threat of Gnosticism
The competition with Gnosticism compelled the early Christians to define and defend their faith, and supplied certain of the technical terms of later theology. With the aid of apologists and teachers, the Church worked itself free from Gnosticism.
First Christian Martyr
The death of Stephen launched the first active persecution of believers. The arrest and execution of Christians became so frequent that they fled from the city for safety. Throughout Judea and Samaria they scattered, carrying with them the Gospel of Jesus.
JESUS, THY BLOOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
Count Nicolaus Ludwig Zinzendorf, the founder of the religious community of Herrnhut and the apostle of the United Brethren, was born in Dresden in1700. It is not often that noble blood and worldly wealth are allied with true piety and missionary zeal. Such, however, was the case with Count Zinzendorf. In 1731 Zinzendorf resigned from all public duties and devoted himself to missionary work.