The world prepared for the Christian Church

Transcription

1 The world prepared for the Christian Church VII. The world prepared for the gospel then and now A. There was very little progress after this s printing developed to set the stage for the protestant reformation so there would be a climate for God's truth 2. Industrial Revolution s a) b) Steam engine made production and travel increase enormously World never to be the same 3. Marconi invented radio 4. World shrunk in size 5. TV, mass communications, and computers all happened in the last 150 years 6. Without these the gospel could not go out as effectively as it has. 7. The world has been prepared for God's work, and Christ's coming, today, just as it was for His first coming 1

2 The world prepared for the Christian Church VIII. Zenith of Roman Power - 46 B.C.- A.D.180 A. Caesars of Rome 1. Julius Caesar (46-44 B.C.) 2. Augustus Caesar (31 B.C- A.D.12) prepared empire most for Christianity; birth of Jesus Christ c. 4 B.C. 3. Tiberius (12-37 A.D.) crucifixion of Jesus A.D Caligula (37-41 A.D.) 5. Claudius (41-54 A.D.) 6. Nero (54-68 A.D.) persecuted Christians; executed Paul 7. Galba (68-69 A.D.) 8. Otho, Vitelus (69 A.D.) 9. Vespasian (69-79 A.D.) destroyed Jerusalem 10. Titus (79-81 A.D.) 11. Domitian (81-96 A.D.) persecuted Christians 12. Hadrian ( A.D.) 13. Marcus Aurelius ( A.D.) 14. Antonius Pius ( A.D.) 1 Decline and fall of the Roman Empire ( A.D.)

3 VIII. Zenith of Roman Power - 46 B.C.- A.D.180 A. Caesars of Rome (continued) Commodus Barrack Emperors Appointed by Army. Civil War Septimius Severus Persecution severe but not general Caracalla Tolerated Christianity Alexander Severus Favorable to Christianity Maximin Persecuted Christians Phillips Very Favorable to Christianity Decius Determined to exterminate Christianity Valerian Persecution more severe than Decius Galienus Favored Christianity Aurelian Persecuted Christianity Diocletian Last persecution, most severe Constantine Became a Christian Julian Sought to restore Paganism Jovian Restored Christianity Theodosius Made Christianity state religion Empire divided in East and West in 395 A.D. Western Empire fell in 476 A.D.; Justinian restored empire 554 A.D. 1 Eastern empire fell in 1453 A.D.

4 The growth of the Christian Church I. Five reasons for growth (Gibbon) A. Zeal 1. Judaism had an inflexible and intolerant zeal 2. They had few convert because of their many do's and don'ts 3. Christianity seemed to be more flexible a) b) Circumcision not required No sacrifices or rituals 4. Did not have to adopt Jewish culture, but did adopt holiness B. Had a doctrine of future life 1. Culture of the time thought man important and had questions of what man's purpose was 2. Christianity had answers to the questions 3. The teaching of the Kingdom of God had wide appeal 4. This evolved to the doctrine of the immortal soul 1

5 The growth of the Christian Church I. Five reasons for growth (Gibbon) C. Had a record of miracles performed 1. Tongues; 2. Dead raised; 3. Healings; 4. Prophecy D. Had a high standard of morality 1. Gentile world immoral 2. Many in society suffered from this and saw the ultimate fall that would result 3. This was a strong attraction to Gentiles especially women 4. The doctrine of forgiveness of sin was important 5. People liked and needed a way to remove guilt that came from sin E. Had unity in the church government 1. (This is where Gibbon goes astray) 2. The Church developed a government that took over the world 3. The government could and did wield great power [Gibbon The Decline and Fall1 of the Roman Empire]

6 Broad Outline of the History Since Christ 2

7 Broad Outline of the History Since Christ A. Ancient Period (approx. 30 to 600 AD) 1. The Infant Church Era (30-325) Pentecost (30) Constantine (325) 2. The Adolescent Church Era ( ) Constantine (325) Gregory the Great (600) B. Medieval Period (approx. 600 to 1550) 1. The Roman Church Era ( ) Gregory the Great (600) Renaissance (1300) 2. The Reformation Church Era ( ) Renaissance (1300) Council of Trent (1550) 2

8 Broad Outline of the History Since Christ C. Modern (Reformed) Period (approx to present) 1. The Denominational Church Era ( ) Council of Trent (1550) French Revolution (1789) 2. The Global Church Era (1789-present) Missionary movements (1800-present) Decline of the Western Church; rise of the Third-World Church (present) 2

9 The Big Picture Pentecost to Persecution Roman Dominance Reformation Modern Times 1910-? Apostles Church Fathers Persecutions Roman Ascendancy Dark Ages & Monasticism Medieval Period & Roman Corruption German European English Liberals Fundamentalism (Post)Modernism Evangelicalism Ignatius Polycarp Constantine Gregory the Great Jerome Augustine John Wycliffe John Hus Erasmus Martin Luther John Calvin John Knox John Bunyan Gresham Machen C.S. Lewis Billy Graham Martyrs Heresies Legal Status Canon and Creeds Split with the Eastern Church Crusades 95 Theses 5 Solas Missions Revivals Revolutions Secularism Abortion Shift of Evangelical Activity

10 The Big Picture

11 The Big Picture

12 The Big Picture

13 The Big Seven Stages of Church History (Historicist view) Church Church History Typified Picture Ephesus The Apostolic Church Dates A.D Smyrna The Church of the Roman Persecution (The Persecuted Church) A.D Pergamum The Church of the Age of Constantine (The Church in Compromise) A.D Thyatira The Church of the Dark Ages A.D Sardis The Church of the Reformation A.D The Church of the Great Missionary Philadelphia Movement Laodicea The Church of the Apostasy A.D A.D present

14 The Big Picture

15 Blend of Historical (Historicist) and Concurrent views The Big Picture

16 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 1. Why Christians were persecuted (Rev.12:17) Social isolation, avoidance of sports and theatre, and suspicion of criminal behaviour: incest, cannibalism (1 Pet. 4:1-4), secret meetings Economic reasons: bad for the idol business (Acts 19) Religio-political non-compliance (Rev.13): heathen/idol/emperor worship Church was flourishing 2

17 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 2. Claudius banishes Jews from Rome (50 AD Acts 18:2). At first the Church flourished as a Jewish sect, but did not experience much anti-semitism. Claudius reigned in Rome during most of the early Church. Nero s mother got Claudius to kill his wife and marry her, and then to adopt Nero as heir to throne. Following this, Nero's mother poisoned Claudius, and Nero ascended to the throne at age 16-17, about A.D. By 59 A.D. Nero had his mother and step-brother killed. Tradition says that the day Paul landed in Rome was the day that Nero killed his mother. Paul was in Caesarea in 2 year imprisonment now, and Nero the teen-age paranoid was the Caesar Paul asked to appear before. 2

18 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 3. Nero s persecution of Christians (AD 64-68) NERO'S CHARACTER. Frank C Bourne's, A History Of The Romans, reveals Nero's character: "The crimes of Nero's reign were infamous and patent. They were the more dreadful because Nero himself was a physical and moral coward. His adoptive brother Britannicus was poisoned early in the reign because he might prove a rival. His mother's ambition and her disapproval of his unstatesman-like devotion to the arts and to his mistresses caused him to have her murdered in 59 A.D." (p. 393) ROME NOT HOSTILE TO CHRISTIANS YET. Acts 28:30-31 Paul free to work and teach 2 years in his hired house. Paul probably faced Nero in a minor ceremony since he appealed to see him 2

19 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 4. AD 64 was a monumental year for the Church: Rome caught on fire. Nero was miles away when it started. Ten of Rome s 14 precincts burned this was a terrible tragedy. Weigall writes in the book Nero: "For six days the city blazed; and then, when the catastrophe was thought to be over, the flames broke out again and continued their destruction for three days more...during the blaze panic took hold of the citizens, and during the first days of the blaze the confusion was appalling. The screams of the women and children, the cries and shouts of the men were incessant; and the noise and smoke, the crashing of buildings, and the heat and glare of the leaping flames, bereft the people of their senses 2

20 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 4. AD 64 was a monumental year for the Church: Weigall writes in the book Nero: Distractedly they ran to and fro, often finding themselves hemmed in when they had waited too long in helping the aged or infirm to escape, or in salvaging their goods. In the sudden panics and rushes which occurred as street after street was attacked, scores of people were trampled underfoot or suffocated; scores more were burnt to death as they attempted to rescue their friends or relations or to save their belongings; and it is said that many went mad and flung themselves into the flames which had destroyed all they loved or possessed, or they stood dumb and motionless while their retreat was cut off. To add to this confusion, thieves were soon at work, assaulting and robbing the householders who were carrying their treasures into the streets." (p. 280) 2

21 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 5. NERO BLAMED CHRISTIANS FOR THE FIRE A. Christians may have thought this was the end of the world B. God's church probably knew Rome was the 4th Beast C. The church teaching was that the world was to end by fire D. Rome knew the Christian teaching about the end E. They also knew that Christians taught against the Roman gods F. The fact that Christians did not help put out the fire helped move public sentiment against them. 2

22 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 6. Weigall relates the Christian sentiment over the fire on pages in his book, Nero: "Also, it was reported that during the blaze, when asked by their distracted fellowmen if, then they were glad to see Rome burn, they had replied that this was heaven's fiery vengeance for which they were waiting, nor would they raise a hand to extinguish the flames. The Lord's immediate return, in actual fact, was the main spring of their faith, the Second Coming being the supreme event which the elect were hourly expecting; 2

23 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 6. Weigall relates the Christian sentiment over the fire on pages in his book, Nero: and so great a disaster could not have been thought to be anything but the beginning of this tremendous advent. They thought Jesus was coming! 'The heavens would open now at any moment, and they would see Him riding upon the fiery clouds'" [Point of discussion: Christians have been long accused of apathy and non-involvement in the affairs of their fellow man. Nothing much as changed in 2000 years.2 Is this a good position for the Church to be in?]

24 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) Matthew 10:17 "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; Matthew 10:19 "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. Matthew 24:9 "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake." 2

25 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) Hebrews 11:35-12:4 11:35 "Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 11:36 "And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 11:37 "They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 11:38 "(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 11:39 "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 2

26 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) Hebrews 11:35-12:4 11:40 "God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 12:3 "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 12:4 "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood (to the point 2 of shedding blood, NASB), striving against sin."

27 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 7. NERO BEGAN A PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH AS A RESULT Tacitus' account of the persecution is as follows: "First were arraigned those who confessed, then on their information a vast multitude were convicted, not so much on the charge of arson as for their hatred of the human race. Their deaths were made more cruel by the mockery that accompanied them. 2

28 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 7. NERO BEGAN A PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH AS A RESULT Tacitus' account of the persecution is as follows: Some were covered with the skins of wild beasts and torn to pieces by dogs; others perished on the cross (by crucifixion) or (others were burned) in the flames; and (yet) others again were (covered with tar and) were burnt after sunset as torches to light up the darkness... Nero himself granted his gardens for the show, and gave an exhibition in the circus, and dressed as a charioteer,... drove his chariot himself" (Annals XV, 44, 6) 2

29 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 7. NERO BEGAN A PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH AS A RESULT The persecution was so bad that even the Romans felt pity Tacitus continues: 'Thus, guilty and deserving the severest punishment as they were, they were yet pitied, as they seemed to be put to death, not for the benefit of the State, but to gratify the cruelty of an individual." (Annals XV, 44, 7) Ramsey writes in The Church in the Roman Empire: "...As Tacitus emphatically says, and as Pliny afterwards attests, the judgment of the mob on the origin of the fire was not permanently blinded: Nero was the real culprit and not these miserable victims." (p. 235) 2

30 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) Ecclesiastical developments of the period Divisions in the churches Unity retained by strengthening the role of the bishops The rise of the mono-episcopate (one bishop per city) The monarchial nature of the bishop The rising primacy of the Roman church 2

31 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) Categories of the Fathers: Apostolic Fathers (2nd century; A.D ) Successors of the Apostles edified the Church Ante-Nicene Fathers (2nd & 3rd centuries) Apologists A.D defended the Church against Roman persecution Polemicists A.D led the Church against internal heresy Nicene Fathers (4th century) Theologians A.D attempted to harmonize Christianity with popular philosophy Post-Nicene Fathers (5th & 6th centuries) 2

32 The Post-Apostolic Infant Church ( A.D.) 100 A.D. 150 A.D. Trajan Hadrian 200 A.D. Marcus Aurelius Polycarp Ignatius Justin Origen Tertullian Christian Persecution Tolerance Local Persecutions Intense Persecution 250 A.D. 300 A.D. Decius Gallus Valerian Diocletian Cyprian St. Anthony

33 Spread of the Gospel

34 Spread of the Gospel Churches in 100 A.D.

35 Spread of the Gospel Churches in 200 A.D.

36 Spread of the Gospel Churches in 300 A.D.

37 Early Church Leaders Ignatius (~55 A.D. 115 A.D.) - Bishop of Antioch Possibly a disciple of one John Polycarp (~ A.D.) - Bishop of Smyrna Disciple of John Justin Martyr (~150 A.D.) Philosopher; First of the apologists Wrote Apology to the Emperor Antonius Pius Irenaeus (~177 A.D.) - Bishop of Lyons Disciple of Polycarp Wrote Against Heresies to combat Gnosticism Tertullian (~196 A.D.) powerful thinker, philosopher in Carthage; helped formalize the Trinity Origen (185 A.D. 254 A.D.) - perhaps the greatest scholar of early church Cyprian (~250 A.D.) - wrote The Unity of the Church St. Anthony (~270) started monastic living

38 Early Church Leaders

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40 Clement of Rome Died A.D. 101 Mentioned by Paul in Philippians 4:3. Served as an overseer in the church at Rome Wrote an epistle to the Corinthians about unity. Advised obedience to the leaders and the deacons. The earliest non-canonical Christian work, received almost canonical status near the end of 2nd century.

41 Clement of Rome Died A.D.101 Shameful, beloved, extremely shameful, and unworthy of your training in Christ, is the report that on account of one or two persons the wellestablished and ancient church of the Corinthians is in revolt against the presbyters (Epistle to the Corinthians 47:6).

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43 Justin Martyr A.D On the day which is dedicated to the sun, all those who live in the cities or who dwell in the countryside gather in a common meeting, and for as long as there is time the Memoirs of the Apostles or the writings of the prophets are read. (First Apology 67).

44 Didache (or The Teachings of the Twelve Apostles, late 1st or early 2nd century; ca A.D.) Originating in Alexandria (or possibly Syria), this book is an early manual of church order. Christian ethics are the subject of chapters 1 6; then the matters of baptism, fasting and the Eucharist, chapters 7 10; followed by the ministry and church government, chapters 11-15); and the Second Coming of Christ (ch.15).

45 Didache (or The Teachings of the Twelve Apostles, late 1st or early 2nd century) But on the Lord s day, after you have assembled together, break bread and give thanks, having in addition confessed your sins, that your sacrifice may be pure. (14:1)

46 Didache But concerning baptism, thus baptize: having first recited all these precepts, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water; 7:2 but if you do not have running water, baptize in some other water, and if you cannot baptize in cold, in warm water; 7:3 but if you have neither, pour water three times on the head, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 7:1

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48 Ignatius of Antioch (d. A.D. 110) Sat under the teaching of the Apostle John Bishop of Antioch Most famous of the Apostolic Fathers Wrote letters to seven churches while en route to Rome to be martyred. The closer the sword, the closer the Lord

49 Ignatius of Antioch (d. AD 110) The principal concern of his letters was to maintain unity in the churches. Unity was to be maintained by removal of heretics who denied the divine and human natures of Christ, and by subjection to a monarchial bishop. He held that the church could not baptize, celebrate Eucharist, or perform marriage without the bishop. Though he elevated the office of bishop, and was the first to speak of the Catholic Church, he did not elevate one bishop (e.g., of Rome) above other bishops.

50 Ignatius of Antioch Take care to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place of God and with the presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles, and with the deacons, who are most dear to me, entrusted with the business of Jesus Christ (Magnesians 6:1).

51 Ignatius Bishop of Antioch (Syria) Possibly was a disciple of John Martyred in Rome in ~115A.D. under the Emperor Trajan Wrote 7 letters during his trip from Antioch to Rome to churches at Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna and to Polycarp Strongly argued that each congregation needed a bishop to maintain correct doctrine and prevent splits Fought Docetism (The belief that Christ was a spirit being and only appeared to be a man.) Emphasized the Eucharist since it stressed the reality of Christ s humanity Welcomed his sacrifice for Christ

52 Ignatius Emperor Trajan visited Antioch in 115 A.D. and heard about the Christians there and their Bishop Ignatius. Trajan decided that he wanted to meet him. Trajan: There you are, wicked devil, deceiver of men! Ignatius: Not an evil spirit, but I have Jesus Christ in my heart. Trajan: Jesus Christ within you? Do you mean him who was crucified by Pontius Pilate? Ignatius: Yes, he was crucified for my sins The Emperor immediately sentenced him to be transferred to Rome and to be thrown to the wild beasts.

53 Ignatius Trip to Rome He was martyred in Rome Known route Conjectured route Ignatius was arrested in Antioch where he was bishop

54 Typical Leadership Structure after A.D. 100 Bishop Presbyter Presbyter Deacons Deacons Deacons

55 Polycarp (~70 A.D. 155 or 156) Bishop of Smyrna wrote several works, though only his letter to the church of Philippi has survived to the present. His letter is not concerned about church organization and discipline. He quoted from 13 New Testament books, and refers to a collection of Paul s letters. After serving Christ for 86 years, How shall I deny Polycarp was martyred by burning. Him who has The account of his martyrdom, done me nothing written by his church shortly after but good these 85 his death, is the earliest nonyears? canonical record of Christian martyrdom.

56 Polycarp ~70A.D. - ~156 A.D. Disciple of the Apostle John Bishop of Smyrna Martyred in Smyrna His letter to Philippians has been preserved Story of his martyrdom preserved in The Martyrdom of Polycarp written by Smyrnaean church Burned at the stake for refusing to worship Caesar and deny Christ

57 Polycarp Letter to the Philippians Quoted freely from the gospels, Paul s epistles, and I Peter. While officially the New Testament was not canonized, certain writings were recognized as authentic and authoritative. Not particularly scholarly or original, but held fast to the teachings of the apostles. Also fought with Marcion over Docetism and Gnosticism. Contemporary and friend of Ignatius Visited with him on his trip to Rome for execution.

58 Gnosticism and other heresies Gnosticism the thought and practice of various cults of late pre-christian and early Christian centuries distinguished by the conviction that matter is evil and emancipation comes through gnosis. Gnosis in the Greek = immediate knowledge of spiritual truth attainable by faith alone. This was the basis. Dualism = Reality is two. Usually these realities are antithetical, as spirit and matter, good and evil. Commonly, the antithesis is weighted so that one of the two is considered more important and more enduring than the other. Demiurge = a Gnostic subordinate deity who is the creator of the material world. God too good to have created the world!

59 Gnosticism and other heresies Docetism The thought that Christ entered Jesus. Jesus was not considered God and Christ never really came in the flesh. Christ was thought to have left Jesus when He endured His suffering. Antinomianism the law was done away. To get more grace, we should sin the more. Asceticism The practicing of strict self-denial as a measure of personal and spiritual discipline. Monasticism (monks and nuns)

60 Gnosticism and other heresies Paul warned the churches about these gnostic teachings II Thess 2:7-10, by A.D. the church was 20 yrs old and the "...the mystery of iniquity doth already work... Gal 1:7 by 53 A.D. another teaching at work 1. It was (removing) them from the true gospel 2. A different "Christianity" began to preach a gospel about Christ instead of what Christ taught. The whole book of Colossians was probably devoted to dispelling the teachings this movement.

61 Gnosticism and other heresies Paul warned the churches about these gnostic teachings The whole book of Colossians was probably devoted to dispelling the teachings this movement. 1. Col 1:13-22, repudiates the ideas of the Gnostics that the world created by a lesser, evil deity or an angel 2. Col 2:20-22 ordinances, the commands of men and their philosophy sounded interesting to people 4. This was in the 60's and Paul was in prison at Rome I Tim 6:20-21 "...oppositions of science..." was gnostic

62 Gnosticism and other heresies The general epistles deal with this also: By 62 A.D. Gnosticism was affecting the Church For this reason, most if not all of the N.T. books were written to combat various forms of their teaching 3 John 9-10, Diotrephes had embraced a type of gnosticism I John 4:1-3 Try the spirits, if say Christ not come in flesh then it is not of God Jude 3-4 Certain men crept in unawares who turned the grace of God into lasciviousness

63 Gnosticism and other heresies HOW DID GNOSTICISM EVER ENTER THE CHURCH? Barclay writes in his commentary, Letters Of John and Jude: "By A.D. 100 certain things had almost inevitably happened within the Church,...The thrill of the first days had, to some extent at least, passed away. In the first days of Christianity there was a glory and a splendour, but now Christianity had become a thing of habit... Many were now second or even third generation Christians... the first thrill was gone and the flame of devotion had died to a flicker. Christianity involved an ethical demand. It demanded a new standard of moral purity, a new kindness, a new service, a new forgiveness --and it was difficult. And once the first thrill and enthusiasm were gone it became harder and harder to stand out against the world and to refuse to conform to the generally accepted standards and practices of the age." (p. 3-4)

64 Gnosticism and other heresies These people brought in Gnostic thought ignorantly. Barclay Continues: "The trouble which John (and others) sought to combat did not come from men out to destroy the Christian faith but from men who thought they were improving it. It came from men whose aim was to make Christianity intellectually respectable. They knew the intellectual tendencies and currents of the day and felt that the time had come for Christianity to come to terms with secular philosophy and contemporary thought. What then was this contemporary thought and philosophy with which the false prophets and mistaken teachers wished to align the Christian faith? Throughout the Greek world there was a tendency of thought to which the general name of Gnosticism is given." (p. 5)