Check Your Understanding

What does Dr. Fairbairn note about the significance of Jesus’ statement that “the gates of Hades will not overcome [the church]”?

When is the first time the Christian church is mentioned in the Bible?

According to Dr. Fairbairn, which two images of the church bookend the New Testament’s depiction of the church?

Which of the following is true of challenges that have faced the church?

They began more recently (relatively speaking), long after the New Testament was written.
Similar categories of challenges have been faced in different times and different places since New Testament times.
Challenges began in New Testament times but were adequately resolved to the point that we no longer face them.
Challenges have primarily centered around the church in Rome.

True/False: Most societies in which the church has found itself have been opposed to Christianity.

Which of the following Christians suffered intense persecution for their faith?

Early Christians during New Testament times
Persian Christians during the middle of the fourth century
Twentieth- and twenty-first-century Christians living in the Middle East and Africa
All of the above

What does Dr. Fairbairn highlight as the importance of the decision described in Acts to allow Gentiles to become Christians?

Which of the following is True about disagreements within the church throughout church history?

All disagreements have led to a unified agreement by the whole church to condemn a heresy.
All disagreements have led to lasting splits within the Christian church; there has never been unified agreement to condemn something as heresy.
Some disagreements have led to unified agreement to condemn a heresy, while others have led to lasting splits within the church.
Nothing positive has ever come from disagreements within the church.

Foundations of Global Church History