Guided path

Meet the first Christians

Three short, easy readings: a letter explaining Christian life to an outsider, a bishop's pastoral letter, and the death of that bishop. About 50 minutes of reading in total.

1. Epistle to DiognetusAbout AD 130 to 200 (debated) · 21-minute read Easy

   Start with an outsider's question: who are these Christians? This short letter gives one of the most famous answers.

   Look for: Read chapter 5 slowly. It is one of the most quoted descriptions of everyday Christian life in the early church.

2. Polycarp to the PhilippiansProbably early to mid 2nd century (debated) · 11-minute read Easy

   Then hear from a bishop writing to a church he cares about.

   Look for: Notice how often Polycarp quotes or echoes the apostles' letters without naming them, as if his readers knew them well.

3. The Martyrdom of PolycarpAbout AD 155 to 160 (traditional) · 18-minute read Easy

   End with what faith could cost: the same bishop in old age faces the arena.

   Look for: Watch how the writers deliberately compare Polycarp's arrest and death to the Gospel account of Jesus.

Other paths: Faith under fire, Unity and leadership in the early church, Read it in order.