Church history
Apostolic & Sub-Apostolic Era Quiz
This quiz covers the church in the time of the apostles and the generation that followed them: early leaders, writings and communities of the first and early second centuries.
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According to Acts 2:42, what four things did the early church devote themselves to?
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Answer: B. The apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer
Acts 2:42 describes the core practices of the earliest Christian community in Jerusalem
Acts 2:42 -
Which apostle replaced Judas Iscariot?
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Answer: A. Matthias
Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas among the twelve apostles (Acts 1:26)
Acts 1:26 -
Where were followers of Jesus first called Christians?
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Answer: A. Antioch
Followers of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch, as mentioned in Acts 11:26.
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What significant event is described in Acts 2?
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Answer: B. Pentecost
Acts 2 describes the event of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles.
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Who is traditionally considered the first Christian martyr?
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Answer: D. Stephen
Stephen was stoned to death for his faith, as recorded in Acts 7
Acts 7 -
Who was the first Gentile convert to Christianity?
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Answer: D. Cornelius
Cornelius, a Roman centurion, is considered the first Gentile convert to Christianity as described in Acts 10.
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Which New Testament book describes the early church spreading after Pentecost?
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Answer: C. Acts
Acts describes Pentecost, the apostles' witness, and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem outward.
Acts 2 -
What major issue was decided at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15)?
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Answer: A. Whether Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses
This was the first major church council, addressing whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law
Acts 15 -
Where were the seven churches addressed in Revelation located?
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Answer: C. Asia Minor (modern Turkey)
These letters were addressed to actual churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey)
Revelation 2-3 -
What is the Didache best known as?
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Answer: A. An early Christian teaching document
The Didache is an early Christian teaching document associated with church instruction, ethics, baptism, fasting, prayer, and the Eucharist.
Didache
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What role did deacons play in the early church?
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Answer: C. They served the practical needs of the church, especially caring for the poor
Deacons were appointed to serve the practical needs of the church, especially caring for widows and the poor (Acts 6)
Acts 6 -
What was the main issue addressed at the Council of Jerusalem?
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Answer: A. Circumcision for Gentiles
The Council of Jerusalem addressed whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law, specifically circumcision.
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What was the primary language of the New Testament?
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Answer: A. Greek
The New Testament was primarily written in Koine Greek, which was the common language of the Eastern Mediterranean during the Roman Empire.
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Which early Christian writer is considered the first to use the term 'Trinity'?
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Answer: B. Tertullian
Tertullian is credited with being the first to use the term 'Trinity' in Christian theology.
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What was the primary method of spreading Christianity in the first century?
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Answer: D. Personal witness and traveling missionaries
Christianity spread primarily through personal witness and the preaching of traveling missionaries
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Who was the Roman governor who sentenced Jesus to crucifixion?
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Answer: D. Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor who presided over the trial of Jesus and sentenced him to crucifixion.
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Which apostolic father is known for the epistle to the Philippians?
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Answer: D. Polycarp
Polycarp, an early Christian bishop, is known for his epistle to the Philippians.
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What was the main issue discussed at the Council of Jerusalem?
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Answer: C. Circumcision and Jewish Law
The Council of Jerusalem focused on whether Gentile Christians needed to follow Jewish law.
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Who was the bishop of Antioch who was martyred in Rome around 107 AD?
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Answer: A. Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius of Antioch was an early Church leader known for his letters to various Christian communities.
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What was unique about Marcion's canon?
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Answer: C. It rejected the Old Testament and included only Luke and Paul's letters
Marcion (c. 144 AD) rejected the Old Testament and accepted only edited versions of Luke and Paul's letters
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Answer key
- B. The apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer
- A. Matthias
- A. Antioch
- B. Pentecost
- D. Stephen
- D. Cornelius
- C. Acts
- A. Whether Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses
- C. Asia Minor (modern Turkey)
- A. An early Christian teaching document
- C. They served the practical needs of the church, especially caring for the poor
- A. Circumcision for Gentiles
- A. Greek
- B. Tertullian
- D. Personal witness and traveling missionaries
- D. Pontius Pilate
- D. Polycarp
- C. Circumcision and Jewish Law
- A. Ignatius of Antioch
- C. It rejected the Old Testament and included only Luke and Paul's letters
Using this quiz with a group
These questions work well for Sunday school, youth group, small groups and family devotions. Read each question aloud, let everyone answer, then read the explanation together. Use the print button for a worksheet with an answer key at the end.