The Early Structure and Practice of Pre-Nicene Christianity: A Historical Overview

This paper explores the early structure and practices of Pre-Nicene Christianity, focusing on its core elements: the singular gospel, the presbyter, and the house church. It contrasts this simpler, more decentralized form of Christianity with the later institutionalized religion that emerged after the Nicene Council and the rise of Roman imperial Christianity. The study examines the role of early Christian liturgies, the significance of house churches in circumventing persecution, and the presbyter’s central role in the spiritual life of the community. This paper also investigates how the Marcionite Church, a prominent early Christian sect, preserved these traditions and continues to practice them today.