The Early Church went through some drastic changes from the first century A.D. to the fourth century and beyond. In fact, the Church of the fourth century looked nothing like the Church of the first century.
The birth of the early first century Church was brought about within the womb of Judaism. In fact, for almost 100 years, the Messianic Community (the Church) was viewed as a sect of Judaism. But early in the second century A.D., it began its evolution into a Gentile interpretation of a Jewish Faith. In the early beginnings of the second century, some of the Church leaders began to advocate and practice a separation from its Jewish roots and expressions of faith.
This separation from its Jewish roots and background was instigated by the events that occurred after the second Jewish revolt (A.D. 132-135). Upon squashing this rebellion, the Roman Emperor Hadrian, for all practical purposes, made Judaism an illegal religion. How so? Below is a summary of the outcome of the Second Jewish Revolt:
Hadrian attempted to root out Judaism, which he saw as the cause of continuous rebellions. He prohibited the Torah law, the Hebrew calendar and executed Judaic scholars. The sacred scroll was ceremoniously burned on the Temple Mount. At the former Temple sanctuary, he installed two statues, one of Jupiter, another of himself. In an attempt to erase any memory of Judea, he wiped the name off the map and replaced it with Syria Palaestina, after the Philistines, the ancient enemies of the Jews; previously similar terms had been used to describe only the (smaller) former Philistine homeland to the west of Judaea. Since then, the land has been referred to as "Palestine," which supplanted earlier terms such as "Iudaea" (Judaea) and the antiquated "Canaan." Similarly, he re-established Jerusalem as the Roman pagan polis of Aelia Capitolina, and Jews were forbidden from entering it. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_Kokhba's_revolt]
In my lastest book, newly updated and expanded, Redigging The Wells Of Our Fathers, 2nd ed., I investigate these changes that occurred in the early Church and why. I also dig back into what would be considered the original background for the faith of the Church as it was delivered by the apostles of Jesus the Messiah.
This book is the result of over 25 years of study and research. When attempting to study the Jewish roots, we must remain true to the fundamentals of the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah. There is however, so much information one must dig and wade through, it can be a tedious task. I have done much of the work for you.
Inside This Powerful and Insightful Book, you will find these chapters:
In The Only Sign Given, Larry Wishon unravels the true chronology of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, revealing that according to the Biblical account, Jesus did not rise from the dead on Sunday morning, but at the end of the weekly Sabbath, as the first day of the week was commencing. He shows how according to the Jewish calendar of the first century, the Friday to Sunday scenario is completely out of sinc with the truth revealed in the Holy Bible.
Carefully and painstakingly studied and documented, The Only Sign Given takes you on journey through important issues. Chapter titles are . . .