Oral Tradition: Early Christianity relied heavily on oral traditions. The sayings of Jesus and accounts of his life were initially transmitted orally. This was crucial in the early Christian communities before the New Testament texts were widely circulated and canonized.
Living by Jesus' Teachings: Central to early Christianity was the emphasis on living according to Jesus' teachings. Early Christians sought to embody the principles and values taught by Jesus in their daily lives.
Scriptures and Memorization: While oral tradition was significant, the early Christian communities also valued written texts. The letters of Paul and other apostles, along with the Gospels, began to be written and circulated relatively soon after Jesus' death. Memorizing and reflecting on these texts became important practices.
Role of the Bible: The complete canon of the New Testament was not established until several centuries after Jesus' death. Written scriptures (including the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament) were always important. The New Testament writings were used in teaching, worship, and for doctrinal guidance as they became available.
True Christian Life: You do not even need a Bible to be a true Christian. Historically, the Bible (both Old and New Testament) has been a central component of Christian faith and practice since the early days of the church, but the essence of Christianity is about following Jesus' teachings.
(Portions worded by ChatGPT)
