Early Christian beliefs, while diverse, centered on a few core tenets based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. Here's a summary of some of the central beliefs of early Christians:
* Jesus is the Messiah: They believed Jesus was the promised Messiah, the savior prophesied in the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament).
* Jesus is Divine: Early Christians believed Jesus was the Son of God and shared in God's divine nature. This belief developed and was articulated more fully over time.
* The Trinity: The concept of the Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) wasn't fully formulated in the earliest days, but the seeds of this doctrine were present in their understanding of God's nature.
* Jesus' Death and Resurrection: A central belief was that Jesus was crucified, died, and was resurrected from the dead. They saw this as proof of his divinity and the means of salvation.
* Salvation Through Faith: They believed that through faith in Jesus Christ, people could be saved from sin and death and receive eternal life.
* The Holy Spirit: They believed in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, which empowered believers and guided the Church.
* The Authority of Scripture: Early Christians revered the Hebrew scriptures and began to develop their own New Testament writings as authoritative sources of teaching.
* The Importance of Love and Service: They emphasized love for God and neighbor, and the importance of serving others, especially the poor and marginalized.
* The Church as the Body of Christ: They saw the Church as a community of believers united in Christ, with a mission to spread the gospel and live out Jesus' teachings.
* Eschatology: They believed in a future return of Christ, a final judgment, and the establishment of God's kingdom.
It's important to note that there was a diversity of beliefs and practices within early Christianity. Different groups held varying interpretations of Jesus' teachings and the scriptures. Over time, certain beliefs became more standardized through councils and theological debates, leading to the development of Christian doctrine as we know it today.