MC500: Summer Intensive, Day 3 - Reflection

The early church features some overlap with its preceding form (during the time of Jesus' ministry). But the nature of the church is that of house-synagogues (from the Greek συνάγω), taking more structure; the baptism of the holy spirit is introduced in its liturgy and sacraments; the aspect of sharing and renunciation of personal property is a marked feature of its sense of community and service; apostles play a salient part in the mission and witness; and organization and leadership is represented by prominent men and women of the area with resources and funding, not to mention installation of episcopes or "overseers," that begins prior to the martyrdom of the apostles.