Christianity in the Apostolic Age by: George T. Purves (1900)

This book is a masterful exploration of the first generation of the Christian Church – from the resurrection of Christ to the close of the New Testament period. Written at the turn of the 20th century by the Princeton theologian and professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis, this work provides a deeply historical yet faithful examination of how the earliest Christian communities formed, grew, and defined their faith amid persecution, cultural diversity, and doctrinal uncertainty.

Purves approaches the Apostolic era not as myth or legend but as living history grounded in Scripture. He traces the development of Christian teaching as it spread outward from Jerusalem through Paul’s missionary journeys, the writings of Peter, John, and James, and the gradual organization of the Church. His analysis of early ecclesiastical structures, apostolic authority, and the tension between Jewish and Gentile believers provides valuable insight into the theological unity that would later define orthodox Christianity.

Unlike later speculative historians, Purves defends the supernatural foundation of the Church while maintaining scholarly rigor. His work stands as both a theological defense and a historical synthesis – balancing reverence for divine revelation with a clear-eyed look at the human challenges that shaped the Apostolic movement.

In short, Christianity in the Apostolic Age is both devotional and historical – a cornerstone study that helps readers understand how the faith of the Apostles became the faith of the Church. It remains a classic reference for anyone seeking to grasp the original context, struggles, and triumphs of the first Christians.

About the Author:
George Tybout Purves (1852–1901) was an American Presbyterian theologian, scholar, and pastor whose brief life produced a legacy of enduring biblical scholarship. Educated at Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, Purves went on to become one of the leading voices of 19th-century American Reformed theology. He served as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh and later as Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he trained a generation of ministers in sound doctrine and careful scriptural study.

Purves was known for combining deep reverence for the authority of Scripture with the intellectual discipline of a historian. His writings bridged the gap between theological orthodoxy and critical scholarship, presenting faith not as blind belief but as reason enlightened by revelation. His clear, reasoned style and pastoral tone reflected his conviction that Christian truth could withstand the full light of inquiry.

Among his best-known works are Christianity in the Apostolic Age (1900), The Testimony of Jesus to the Old Testament (1896), and The Life and Letters of Saint Paul (1897). Each reveals Purves’ lifelong aim: to show that Christianity’s earliest age was both historically verifiable and divinely guided.

Respected by his peers and students alike for his humility and devotion, Purves’ career was cut short by illness in 1901, yet his scholarship continues to serve as a model of faith grounded in learning and reason shaped by grace.