Christians/Christianity before the Reformation
Christians before the Reformation period?
Yes. Catholicism and Orthodox religions are not Christianity. They're a apostate sect that came out of Christianity.
From early Christianity in Bible times thru 324 AD in the Roman Empire there was a biblical Christianity. Some among them started to add unbiblical beliefs, but there always was various Christian churches in Christianity there and spreading to other regions and nations. Christian churches also existed outside the Roman Empire, from early on within the Apostles lifetime. The religion of Catholicism's beginnings and timeline details can be found here and here.
As noted, Pre reformation Christianity existed.
They weren't controlled by Catholicism.
Here is a example of even later Christians too.
The Waldensians were a Christian movement that emerged in the late 12th century, founded by Peter Waldo, a wealthy merchant from Lyon, France. The movement began around 1170 when Waldo experienced a spiritual awakening and decided to live a life of poverty and preaching. He and his followers, known as the "Poor of Lyon," sought to return to a more authentic form of Christianity, emphasizing the authority of the Bible, personal piety, and a simple lifestyle.
Key characteristics of the Waldensians before the Reformation include:
1. **Scriptural Emphasis**: The Waldensians believed in the importance of the Bible and sought to translate it into the vernacular so that laypeople could read and understand it. This was a significant departure from the Catholic Church's practice of keeping the Scriptures in Latin.
2. **Critique of the Church**: They criticized the wealth and corruption of the Catholic Church, advocating for a return to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. They rejected the authority of the Pope and the institutional church, which they saw as having strayed from true Christian teachings.
3. **Lifestyle and Practices**: Waldensians lived a life of poverty, often traveling as itinerant preachers. They emphasized communal living, charity, and a commitment to helping the poor. Their practices included simple worship services and a focus on moral living.
4. **Persecution**: The Waldensians faced significant persecution from the Catholic Church, which viewed them as heretics. They were often subjected to violence, excommunication, and forced conversions. The Church condemned their teachings and sought to suppress their movement.
5. **Spread and Influence**: Despite persecution, the Waldensians spread throughout Europe, particularly in the regions of the Alps, including parts of modern-day Italy, France, and Switzerland. Their emphasis on Scripture and reform would later influence other reform movements, including the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
The Waldensians are often considered precursors to the Reformation, as their ideas about scripture, faith, and church authority laid the groundwork for later reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin. Their legacy continues today, as they are recognized as one of the earliest movements advocating for religious reform and the rights of believers.
You can learn about early Church History below for free. Its important to know these things so you don't get decieved by RCC/Orthodox religion lies about Church history.
God bless
Church history 69 free lessons
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