The Apostasy

As the early christian church was not only facing heavy persecution, but also great separation one from another, the members of the church began to be confused on certain doctrines. The young movement had scarcely come into existence before things began to change. The Apostles were having a difficult time holding everything together, and the new members of the movement were more or less on their own to figure things out.
After the ascension of Christ, the Apostles were charged with the responsibility to go out and preach the gospel to all nations "the Jew first and then to the Greek." As they did so, they faced major opposition from established Jewish leaders as well as the Roman empire, as these new teachings were fairly radical departures from their general customs. Ideas such as equality among men and women, Jew and Gentile, and (in some cases) bond and free were quite different from current beliefs as well as the Law of Moses. As various Apostles began to spread and baptize, they had a difficult time maintaining doctrinal clarity amongst themselves as their previous held beliefs (such as circumcision laws) were maintained. Although apostles, such as Paul wrote epistles and letters, and tried to visit, it seemed as though the moment they clarified a situation, something else would come up. Not only were Apostles charged with clarifying and correcting, but they were also out to preach the gospel and baptize new members. Needless to say, it was quite a stressful time.
Paul began to notice these changes amongst areas of the church during his lifetime. In Acts 20:29-31 Paul warns of false doctrines arising and how the members of the church must keep their guard and be careful not to let these incorrect teachings creep into their beliefs. He says, "For I know this, that after my departing shall agrievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking aperverse things, to bdraw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to awarn every one night and day with tears." Paul cared for the well being of these people. They were his friends and allies. How passionately he must have preached to them and how much love he must have felt for them to preach as he did.
The apostasy did not happen over night, but by the 2nd century the church had pretty much fallen to pieces. The foundation of faith and baptism were still present, but various sects were left to pick up the pieces the best they could. Doctrines had been altered and sacred rites had been changed. Fortunately, faith in Jesus Christ remained the basis for the vast majority of these churches and Christianity survived.