Overview of Primitive Christianity

Dictionary.com defines primitive to mean: “Not derived from something else; primary or basic”. Concerning Christianity it states: "A monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament". Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that primitive Christianity should have a primary or basic theological source.  

This basic theological foundation is, unsurprisingly, Judaism, the religion Jesus belonged to.  This became evident when he spoke to a non-Jewish woman.  She was a Samaritan, a faith with Semitic ties.  Her religion agreed with the Mosaic Law but disputed the role Jerusalem had in divine worship. When she brought up this issue, Jesus, however, told her point blank: "You [Samaritans] worship what you do not know.  We [Jews] worship what we do know. Salvation is from the Jews." (John 4:22)

Christianity started off as a theological movement based upon the principles of ancient Judaism.  In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated: "Do not think I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets.  I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill (perfect, execute, accomplish).” (Matthew 5:17)  

The statement above shows that the religion Jesus taught could not have been the Christianity that is accepted and practiced today, since it differs so greatly from Hebrew theology at its very foundation; namely, monotheism.

It is of interest to note that any departure from established ancient Jewish theology was thoroughly explained and justified in the Christian writings.  An example of this was the new concept of the non-requirement of circumcision on the part of non-Jews converting to Christianity, as outlined in Acts 15.  This involved not only the question of male circumcision but also whether or not to "command them [the Gentiles] to keep the Law of Moses." (Acts 15:5)  The decision was that it was not. However, there were still aspects of the Jewish Law that Gentiles were obliged to comply to if they wanted to become Christians.  These requirements were broad principles encompassing 1) idolatry, 2) fornication and 3) use of blood.  (Acts 15:19-29)

The question now arises as to why fundamental Jewish and Christian theologies vary so greatly today that even the Deity to which worship is directed by both groups is not the same.  Simply stated: The God of the Jews is not the God of Christians and visa versa.  The theological dispute is not just so much a difference of opinion as to whether or not Jesus was/is the promised Messiah, but the transformation of Jesus into the only Deity that must be worshiped to the exclusion of all others.  This theology held by most modern-day Christians is, in fact, its central unifying doctrine; the Holy Trinity.

Trinity:
A word not found in Scripture, but used to express the doctrine of the unity of God as subsisting in three distinct Persons. This word is derived from the Gr. trias, first used by Theophilus (A.D. 168-183), or from the Lat. trinitas, first used by Tertullian (A.D. 220), to express this doctrine. The propositions involved in the doctrine are these:
1. That God is one, and that there is but one God (Deut. 6:4; 1 Kings 8:60; Isa. 44:6; Mark 12:29, 32; John 10:30).
2. That the Father is a distinct divine Person (hypostasis, subsistentia, persona, suppositum intellectuale), distinct from the Son and the Holy Spirit.
3. That Jesus Christ was truly God, and yet was a Person distinct from the Father and the Holy Spirit.
4. That the Holy Spirit is also a distinct divine Person.
Quoted from: dictionary.com

"Christianity derived from Judaism and Judaism was strictly Unitarian. The road which led from Jerusalem to Nicea was scarcely a straight one. Fourth century Trinitarianism did not reflect accurately early Christian teaching regarding the nature of God; it was, on the contrary, a deviation from this teaching."—The Encyclopedia Americana (1956 edition), Volume 27, page 294 Left Column.


The above are clear examples of departure from ancient Jewish theology, and there is no clear Scripture explanation [as in the case of circumcision] as to why it would have been incorporated into the primitive Christian congregation.  In Acts 15, it is recorded that letters were sent out to all the congregations regarding the new standard of not requiring Gentiles to be circumcised and why.  Changing the whole identity of the Jewish God would have undoubtedly called for more concern and care.  The Christian Scriptures mention "circumcision" about 60 times yet never once refer to a "Holy Trinity".

It is a difficult task to simplify any subject matter for educational purposes. One must cut through mounds of information and establish what is essential, what is basic.  The purpose of Primitive Christianity website is to simplify what Jesus actually taught and expose later additions.

To accomplish this one cannot build upon assumed theologies.  Instead one must begin as an atheist and then establish a theological foundation.  One must first start off believing that no god exists and that this life is all there is.   Although this may be a false assumption, nevertheless it is a neutral one that contains no vestiges of religious prejudice.

No matter what we personally believe, this cannot be imposed on primitive Christianity, for by doing such it no longer remains "primitive".

The objective of primitive Christianity is to orient the mind-frame of individuals to enable them to develop a more accurate understanding of the purpose behind the man named Jesus who claimed to be Christ.

Primitive Christianity is to be stripped completely of "labels".  What this means is that no religion outside the generic terms [Catholic/Protestant/Orthodox], will be mentioned on this website when referring to "Christianity". When labels are placed while discussing theology, people become particular, biased and blinded into looking any further for fear of being converted to some organizational "sect" or "cult".  

Religion, instead of a being a unifying factor, has proven to be divisive. Primitive Christianity will, therefore, refuse to label the religious organizations that are alluded to.

Whatever reference made concerning deities, the condition of the dead, the observance of a particular law or tradition, historical figures, theologians and their influence on corrupting or adhering to primitive Christian principles or doctrines, the person reading must draw his/her own conclusion as to which religious organization may or may not be credited or blamed.

Thank you for reading this overview.