Historical Theology · Patristic Database

The Christian
Belief Map

What the first five centuries believed — and who still believes it today.

217
Belief Records
46
Figures
500
Years
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Traditions
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4
1st
3
2nd
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3rd
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5th
How to read the tradition strip
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Ort
Lut
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Eva
Identical Convergent Partial Divergent Opposed Unknown
Apostolic Era · AD 30–100
4 records
ECCLESIOLOGY c. AD 49
Council of Jerusalem
The Council of Jerusalem decided doctrinal questions by the assembly of apostles and elders together
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Eva
ECCLESIOLOGY c. AD 90
Didache
Christians fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, not on the days the hypocrites fast
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Lut
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Eva
ECCLESIOLOGY c. AD 90
Didache
The Lord's Prayer is to be prayed three times each day
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Ort
Lut
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Bap
Eva
ECCLESIOLOGY c. AD 96
Clement of Rome
Bishops hold authority by apostolic succession from the apostles
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Lut
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Eva
Ante-Nicene · AD 100–200
3 records
ECCLESIOLOGY c. AD 107
Ignatius of Antioch
The monarchical episcopate — one bishop per city — is the apostolic structure
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Ort
Lut
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Eva
ECCLESIOLOGY c. AD 107
Ignatius of Antioch
Deacons serve the bishop and presbyters in the hierarchical order of the Church
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Ort
Lut
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Bap
Eva
ECCLESIOLOGY c. AD 107
Ignatius of Antioch
Each local church gathered around its bishop embodies the fullness of the Catholic Church
Cat
Ort
Lut
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Eva
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History has always been on her side.

Explore 71 verified claims across seven centuries of Church history.

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