Remember that the first followers of Jesus were rooted in the Jewish faith and practice

The Temple in Jerusalem, and the synagogue, and the home were the three foundations of Jewish worship – the Temple for sacrifice, the synagogue for reading/hearing scripture, and home for meal ceremonies such as the Passover.

Acts 2, 43 shows that the first followers of the ‘Way’ continued to attend the Temple worship

Acts 2, 37 shows that the apostles teaching, fellowship, and the breaking of bread accompanied the old Jewish customs

Paul and Peter disagree about how to be set free to be followers of the ‘Way’. Acts 15 show the parting of the ways, with Peter still ‘Jewish bound’ and Paul opening the gospel to gentiles

Paul’s letters show that there are primitive Christian communities in Greece, Asia Minor, and in Italy. These must have been established by Palestinian Jews who had travelled, and included both Jews and Greeks (and Latins). The word about the ‘Way’ must have been delivered by word of mouth, as there were no texts as such to promote this new faith.

1 Cor 10, and especially 1 Cor 11, 23 show early evidence that the Christian eucharist was being celebrated in some way by the early communities.

Speaking to early Jewish converts, Paul is able to pick up themes from Jewish ‘home’ worship such as the Passover. ‘Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us…’

Paul offers a blueprint for the relationships that the Church should exhibit. He has many teachings on Christ’s headship of the Body – ministry derives from this model. See 1Cor 12,12 following; Ephesians 4,11

Baptism plays an important role in the primitive church – baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ. This is the Easter (Paschal) mystery, see Romans 6.

The ordering of the church begins to emerge along the lines of responsiblities as well, such as Acts 6 with the appointment of 6 deacons.

Later letters such as Timothy and Titus (not thought to be of Pauline authorship) show us the development at an early stage of bishops, deacons, and presbyters (what we now call priests), as well as how the oikia (household) should be ordered. The household = the church. So as the household needs to be ordered so does the church of God.

For Paul the Holy Spirit is crucial – especially for inspiration and guidance. It is the Holy Spirit that distributes the ‘gifts’ of the church. See 1 Cor 12 + 14