Bible Study Series: Driving through Church History

Transcription

1 Bible Study Series: Driving through Church History Dr. Paul D. Brown April/May 204

2 Recap summary Overview of the study Orientation of history Definition of the Church History and origins of the Church: OT and NT Beginning of the Apostolic age What happened to the 2 apostles? Nature of Church history

3 Aspects of Church History. History of missions, or of the spread of Christianity among unconverted nations, whether barbarous or civilized. This work must continue, till "the fullness of the Gentiles shall come in, and "Israel shall be saved. 2. History of Persecution by hostile powers This apparent repression of the church proves a purifying process, brings out the moral heroism of martyrdom, and thus works in the end for the spread and establishment of Christianity. "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.

4 Aspects of Church History 3. History of Church Government and Discipline. The church is not only an invisible communion of saints, but at the same time a visible body, needing organs, laws, and forms, to regulate its activity 4. History of Worship, or divine service, by which the church celebrates, revives, and strengthens her fellowship with her divine head. History of preaching, of catechisms, of liturgy, of rites and ceremonies, and of religious art, particularly sacred poetry and music.

5 Aspects of Church History 5. History of Christian Life, or practical morality and religion: The exhibition of the distinguishing virtues and vices of different ages, of the development of Christian philanthropy, the regeneration of domestic life, the gradual abatement and abolition of slavery and other social evils, the mitigation and diminution of the horrors of war, the reform of civil law and of government, the spread of civil and religious liberty, and the whole progress of civilization, under the influence of Christianity.

6 Aspects of Church History 6. History of Theology, or of Christian learning and literature. Each branch of theology exegetical, doctrinal, ethical, historical, and practical has a history of its own. Its object is to show how the church has gradually apprehended and unfolded the divine truths of revelation, how the teachings of scripture have been formulated and shaped into dogmas, and grown into creeds and confessions of faith, or systems of doctrine stamped with public authority. This growth of the church in the knowledge of the infallible word of God is a constant struggle against error, misbelief, and unbelief; and the history of heresies is an essential part of the history of doctrines.

7 Benefits of study of Church History A perspective informed by a sense of continuity The whole family in heaven and earth (Eph.3:4) Connecting the canonical history with our own time (Acts 28ff) Escape from theological and ecclesiastical provincialism ( Cor.4:36). The encouragement of a Godly Heritage The great cloud of witnesses (Heb.; 2:) Perspective on persecution (James 5:0-) Learning from the mistakes of others Cor.0:6-0 A wise man learns from others mistakes, a fool must make his own. Those who will not study history are doomed to repeat it.

8 Characteristics of the original movement The family (defined by spiritual birth) of the Father (John :2-3) No bosses: The head of every man is Christ ( Cor.:3; Matt.20:25ff) Freedom of conscience in the Spirit (2 Cor.3:7; Rom.4:-6) Structural flexibility (Luke 9:49-50)

9 Characteristics of the Institutional Church The organization: containing (or embalming) the move of God Church politics: the carnal institutionalization of spiritual leadership bishops) The creeds: exchanging reality-ascentral for words about reality -ascentral Doing business: buildings, management, finances, marketing, public relations

10 The world prepared for the Christian Church I. Galatians 4:4 The fullness of times A. God had a schedule B. World had to be prepared for God to send His Son C. Why send Christ at the time He did?. Why not in Adam's day? 2. Why not Noah's time? 3. Why not have Him succeed David? 4. Why wait? II. Daniel's dream begins to explain A. God shows four world ruling empires. Babylon 2. Persia 3. Greece 4. Rome

11 The world prepared for the Christian Church III. God began to prepare by a single world ruling empire A.Atmosphere of World Ruling Empires created by God B.C. B.Babylon = head of gold C.This was the first real Civilization IV. The next empire was Persia A.Persians - very warlike and crude. B.They spread world rule C.They were the first to institute a real mail system to keep control of the empire

12 The world prepared for the Christian Church IV. The next empire was Persia D. They had a different approach to government. Cultural pluralism 2. They thought that if they let each culture keep it's particular forms of worship that all the gods would be pleased and they would be that much more of a greater empire for it 3. Cyrus made a decree that the Jews could return to their homeland and worship as they wanted 4. This started the Diaspora a.many Jews did not return but went to other areas b.they spread to major commercial centres c.created a need for Jews to preserve their culture d.built synagogues that led to the dispersion of God's law among the Gentiles e.these in place for Paul to travel to with gospel

13 The world prepared for the Christian Church V. The Greek Empire A. Greeks B.C.. Brought in culture, civilization, art, educational system, and language. 2. Infused world with desire to learn. 3. Greek education system basis for ours today a) Greek became the language of education b) Greek was the language gospel preserved in 4. Greek philosophy gave civilization a sense of the importance of man and a humanitarian approach 5. They allowed the Jews to live and prosper 6. Antioch - second greatest city. a) used by NT church, along with Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus. 7. Fell about 60 B.C. to Romans led by Pompey.

14 The world prepared for the Christian Church VI. Romans A. No new cultural developments - carried on with Greek ideas. B. Began to rise 00 years before Christ, solidified by 3 B.C. when brought the eastern part into empire. C. Empire extended from Britain through France over to India. D. In building the empire they did, they contributed by vast technological improvements.. They built roads to carry war machines and armies 2. They also improved the mail system greatly so Paul's epistles could travel fast 3. They developed a great seaway system for trade and troops that would later be used by God's apostles

15 The Roman Empire at the time of Constantine - AD 324

16 The Early Church

17 The world prepared for the Christian Church VI. Romans A. Government. Rome ruled "Laissez-faire" - People ruled themselves; not dictatorial. 2. They let kings rule under Roman authority. 3. Local governments - permitted as long as allegiance to Rome was maintained. 4. One third of the world population under Roman rule. B. Herodian family ruling. Herod the Great ruled in Palestine around 40 B.C. C. Religions. Permitted all, though new religions not allowed under Roman government. 2. Christianity viewed as sect of Judaism a) Sabbath not changed. b) Passover and food laws observed. c) Had peace with Pontifex Maximus (Augustus Caesar). d) Church could take its message.