Landmark 1 of 9
One gospel, many local churches
Christianity began with the apostles’ witness to Jesus and spread through connected but genuinely local communities.Jesus’ first followers proclaimed his death and resurrection, baptized new believers, gathered for teaching and shared meals, prayed, and cared for one another. Communities formed around the Mediterranean and beyond. The New Testament already shows one faith being lived in places with different languages, leaders, and local questions.
Before legal recognition and long before modern denomination names, Christians read Scripture, confessed Jesus as Lord, and practiced baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. Their patterns were not identical everywhere, and today’s ancient communions describe their continuity with this church in related but distinct ways.
What continued
The apostolic witness to Jesus, Scripture, baptism, shared worship, prayer, and care for the church remained central.
What changed
Rapid growth across cultures made questions about teaching, leadership, worship, and unity harder to settle only through face-to-face relationships.
Pause and notice
Which parts of this shared beginning are still visible across very different churches today?
Nothing is scored or saved.