The contributors to this volume address the key institutions of the emerging Church, considering the development of rituals and sacraments, and the development of Church leadership, and of the Church itself.
The first part of the book deals with 'models' of the Church, that is, how the Church may be conceived of and described. Particularly, the Church as the 'People of God' and as the 'Body of Christ' are examined in depth. The second part of the book looks at the offices of the Church: the Apostolate, the notion of Apostolic Tradition, and the development of religious authorities. Finally, part three looks at the sacraments, with in-depth consideration of the Eucharist, and of Baptistmal texts from the early Church. As a whole the book will be of interest to scholars researching the development of the early Church and of Church rituals and practices.
