The history of the church.

[Carbon]

I thought it might be fun and rewarding to go over the history of the church. I know there are different views and understandings. But, the facts of history cannot be changed.

We all know that Jesus decided that there should be a society of his disciples to give to mankind his gospel and minister to mankind in his Spirit, to labor as he did for the increase of the kingdom of God.

Jesus didn't appoint any officers to have authority in it over other members. He didn't prescribe any creeds, he opposed on it no code of rules. He commanded no forms or orders for worship and gave his disciples only the simplest religious rights. They were baptism and the Lord's supper.

Jesus promised to continue to the end of the world to impart his life to the church. His great gift to his church, we may say, was himself. In him, the church was to find its principles, its aims, its power. He left it free to make for itself forms of organizations and of worship, and statements of belief, and methods of work. His purpose evidently was that the life of his church, that is, his life abiding in his followers, should express itself in any outward ways that might seem to them best for the great end in view.

The growth of the Christian church.
Nichols.

There are a variety of Christian historical books that much will be taken from. So instead of quoting the Historic authors on all pages, I will give some now. There are others.

The growth of the Christian church - Nichols.

History of the Christian Church - Schaff

The history of the great reformation - J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, D.D.


One thing to keep in mind is what Jesus said to the church.
. . . . and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt 28:20.

You can be sure he did not give the church over to any human; religious leader or pope.

{Edit}For those interested in where the Catholic Church comes on the scene, that starts on page #45.

https://christcentered.community.forum/threads/the-history-of-the-church.2056/post-88801

 

[Carbon]

The Apostolic church.
The beginning.

In one sense the Christian church came into being when Jesus made disciples. It's commonly said the history of the Christian church began on the day of Pentecost following the resurrection. But then began the active life of the church.

 

[Alive]

Jesus promised to continue to the end of the world to impart his life to the church. His great gift to his church, we may say, was himself. In him, the church was to find its principles, its aims, its power. He left it free to make for itself forms of organizations and of worship, and statements of belief, and methods of work. His purpose evidently was that the life of his church, that is, his life abiding in his followers, should express itself in any outward ways that might seem to them best for the great end in view.

Yup…this is my understsnding and experience. A local expression of Christ is meant to be organic. If a church is planted of just a few and they are but taught to look and trust Christ as their Head and the planter does not return.
Over time as they gather in His Nature, deacons, teachers, and helps, etc. will emerge and be obvious to members organically. We can see indicators of this in Acts and the epistles as well as places all over the world.
As I have before, I suggest Kennedy’s ‘Torch of the Testimony’.

 

[Carbon]

History shows that the first preaching of the gospel, at Pentecost, was addressed to the Jews only. Probably for the first couple of years, Christian missions were confined to the Jews, beginning in Jerusalem and then extending to Palestine. The earliest Christians did not at once see the full breadth of Jesus' purpose of saving the world. Being themselves Jews, and knowing that he was the Messiah expected of their people, they at first considered him Saviour solely or chiefly of Jews, in spite of much in life and words which should have taught them better.

It was persecution that caused the infant church to come to a truer understanding of the gospel which Jesus had given it to preach, and a broader vision of the work which Jesus purposed for it.

The Jewish religious authorities, who had first hindered the Christian preaching were aroused by the bold defense of Stephen's speech to make a systematic campaign against Christianity. By this attack the Christian community in Jerusalem, numbering now some thousands, was broken up. Its members sought safety here and there in Palestine. Through fleeing for their lives because of their faith, they carried the gospel wherever they went.

 

[Alive]

And Paul’s commission and Peter’s great four cornered sheet…Jesus made sure they got the message.

 

[Carbon]

In Antioch in Syria is where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. And living in the midst of a Greek population, these exiles made Jesus known to Greeks as well as to Jews.

Later, this church at Antioch sent out Barnabas and Paul, the first men to go under express appointment to preach Christ to the Gentiles. Paul it was who, under God, finished the work of tearing Christianity loose from the Jewish fetters. He made it actually what it always had been in God's purpose, a religion for all men. Henceforth it was preached to all men on equal terms.

 

[Carbon]

Christianity spread so that by A. D. 100 there were churches in many cities of Asia Minor, in a number of places in Palestine, Syria, Macedonia, and Greece, in Rome and Puteoli in Italy, in Alexandria, and probably in Spain. The greatest worker in bringing this about was, of course, Paul. The names of some other missionaries, for example, Pricilla and Aquila, are recorded in the New Testament. The traditions about the preaching of the original apostles lead us to think that all of them were fearless witnesses, carrying the gospel far, though we know certainly their work only in the cases of Peter and John. But many of the heroic service that spread Christianity so widely was given by nameless disciples. Many a Christian was a missionary, eager to give the joy which he had in Christ to the people he met in his daily work and in other associations. By their zeal in speaking of him, and yet more by lives faithful to him and showing his power to save, these unknown Christians were most effective missionaries of their religion.

 

[Alive]

Christianity spread so that by A. D. 100 there were churches in many cities of Asia Minor, in a number of places in Palestine, Syria, Macedonia, and Greece, in Rome and Puteoli in Italy, in Alexandria, and probably in Spain. The greatest worker in bringing this about was, of course, Paul. The names of some other missionaries, for example, Pricilla and Aquila, are recorded in the New Testament. The traditions about the preaching of the original apostles lead us to think that all of them were fearless witnesses, carrying the gospel far, though we know certainly their work only in the cases of Peter and John. But many of the heroic service that spread Christianity so widely was given by nameless disciples. Many a Christian was a missionary, eager to give the joy which he had in Christ to the people he met in his daily work and in other associations. By their zeal in speaking of him, and yet more by lives faithful to him and showing his power to save, these unknown Christians were most effective missionaries of their religion.

There were many thousands from all over the world in Jerusalem during Pentecost, who were saved. Those folks went back home carrying Christ with them. There is a great deal more to Church history than commonly read!

 

[Carbon]

There were many thousands from all over the world in Jerusalem during Pentecost, who were saved. Those folks went back home carrying Christ with them. There is a great deal more to Church history than commonly read!

So true. Amen!

 

[Alive]

In the Roman world and its many cities, much of the culture and peoples lives were saturated with pagan temples and prostitutes and rampant immorality. Christ offered a far better option that was a welcome one for many families.
Father’s and mothers were able to raise their children in a far more wholesome manner and shield them as the Lord allowed.

 

[Carbon]

A Christian church in these times was usually a small company of believers living in a large heathen town. Almost all of them were poor people, and some were slaves, although there were some Christians of higher social rank, especially in the Roman church. Everywhere certain things distinguished the Christians from their pagan neighbors. They called each other brethren in Christ and really acted like brethren. The poor, the sick, widows, and orphans were lovenly cared for. The collection and administration of charitable funds formed one of the most important parts of the life of these early churches. Within the church, social distinctions were abolished. Master and slave stood on one level. Women held a much more honorable and influential position than they did in the world outside. The Christians were marked also be a moral earnestness and a purity unknown elsewhere.

 

[Carbon]

In the Roman world and its many cities, much of the culture and peoples lives were saturated with pagan temples and prostitutes and rampant immorality. Christ offered a far better option that was a welcome one for many families.
Father’s and mothers were able to raise their children in a far more wholesome manner and shield them as the Lord allowed.

Yes, and Christians were constantly exposed to suffering for their faith. Sometimes harassed by the Jewish enemies of Christianity. Sometimes unorganized popular anger vented itself on them. The Christians were hated by many because their lives were standing condemnations of prevalent religious customs and moral conduct.

 

[Carbon]

From the time of emperor Nero A. D. 54-68, the Roman government was hostile to Christianity and tried to suppress it, with vigor and cruelty which varied with different rules. Many Christians, like Paul and many unknown, won a martyr's crown.

 

[Alive]

A Christian church in these times was usually a small company of believers living in a large heathen town. Almost all of them were poor people, and some were slaves, although there were some Christians of higher social rank, especially in the Roman church. Everywhere certain things distinguished the Christians from their pagan neighbors. They called each other brethren in Christ and really acted like brethren. The poor, the sick, widows, and orphans were lovenly cared for. The collection and administration of charitable funds formed one of the most important parts of the life of these early churches. Within the church, social distinctions were abolished. Master and slave stood on one level. Women held a much more honorable and influential position than they did in the world outside. The Christians were marked also be a moral earnestness and a purity unknown elsewhere.

Amen! After listening to Colossians and Thessalonians this morning these are the things I discussed with my wife, the similarities of how it was in those cities and how folks in our country and elsewhere, especially in recent years, are tired of the gross sinfulness and how the Lord will use it. We pray for many more to come in and hasten the Lord’s Return.

 

[Carbon]

The Christians were hated by many because their lives were standing condemnations of prevalent religious customs and moral conduct.

Can you imagine this? Being a standing condemnation to the many religious cults?

 

[Alive]

Can you imagine this? Being a standing condemnation to the many religious cults?

We are seeing that now…a real uptick in the antichrist from every corner. In one way or another, a turning on Christians.

 

[Carbon]

We are seeing that now…a real uptick in the antichrist from every corner. In one way or another, a turning on Christians.

Now that you mentioned that, I think your right. China comes to mind. Our Chinese brothers and sisters in the Lord are persecuted and murdered for their beliefs.

 

[Alive]

Now that you mentioned that, I think your right. China comes to mind. Our Chinese brothers and sisters in the Lord are persecuted and murdered for their beliefs.

Yup..that started back in the 40’s when for some time the saints there enjoyed a vibrant home church movement of the Lord. It still exists, but more and more dangerous.

 

[Alive]

And right now, the Lord is pulling many elect from Islam in Iran. This is encouraging.

 

[Carbon]

Yup..that started back in the 40’s when for some time the saints there enjoyed a vibrant home church movement of the Lord. It still exists, but more and more dangerous.

In China, the Christian church is underground from what I heard.