How would it have been possible for second century Christians?

Question

to practice Our Lord's religion, if private interpretation of an unavailable and only partial account of Christ's teaching were indispensable?

Answer 1

The lack of scriptures undoubtedly contributed to apostasy after the death of the apostles. Paul complained that the Galatians were following different teachings. They were being taught by men of learning and not by the power of revelation.

Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

How would it have been possible for second century Christians to practice Our Lord's religion, if private interpretation of an unavailable and only partial account of Christ's teaching were indispensable?
Answer:2 Peter 1:19-21 (King James Version)
19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.


If I understand your point You are asking how Christians could have practiced Our Lord's religion
if the Holy Bible was not available to them. They would have been receiving direct witness and testimony from people by word of mouth. The Holy Ghost would have been confirming the Truth of their words and moving the hearers to be Believe and be Saved. Praise God.

Answer 3

At this time there were circulating among various Christian communities literally hudreds of "gospels" and "epistles" of which we have only 100 or so today. And many disagreed with each another! Most wereread to the various assembles Christian sects since most people were illeterate.
The main reason why the "Roman Catholic and Eastern Churches prevailed was the Roman Empire eventually making Christianity the "official" religion and the emperor at the time-eventhough he wasnot apracticingchristian at the time,,called the first counsel of the "Roman" Church.

Answer 4

News was spread orally before we had modern media and the ancient world was more connected than we imagine it to be. As a side example, the Incas could get a letter from one end of the Andes to the other in about three days that's how long it takes modern postal carriers.

Answer 5

Well, didn't Paul and Barnabas and John-Mark run around the Mediterranean Basin with nice new leather-bound King James Bibles (Red Letter Edition, of course!) in their knapsacks??

Answer 6

What are you talking about??? Private interpretation is the sort of thing that gave jim jones his power.

Answer 7

It would have been quite easy since Jesus was a profoundly devout Jew.