The Bible Unpacked
Concise Edition
Key Bible teachings for new believers
paul mallison
The Bible Unpacked™
Concise Edition
Key Bible teachings for new believers
paul mallison
The Bible Unpacked™ Copyright © 1994–2012 by Paul Ian Mallison. All rights reserved.
This book may be freely reproduced for use for non-profit Christian purposes. Free electronic copies may be downloaded at: www.thebibleunpacked.net. In return, users are asked to increase their support of persecuted Christians – in prayer and if possible financially. (See www.thebibleunpacked.net/persecuted_Christians.htm for a list of organizations that help persecuted Christians.)
Scripture quotations marked “CEV” are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
Scripture quotations marked “GNT” are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
Scripture quotations marked “ISV” are taken from the Holy Bible: International Standard Version®, Release 1.44. Copyright © 1996-2007 by The ISV Foundation of Fullerton, California USA. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC. All rights reserved internationally.
Scripture quotations marked “NCV™” are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Quotations designated “NET” are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/ All rights reserved. Scripture quoted by permission.
Concise Edition iii
A Quick Word
The aim of this booklet is to give a brief overview of the Bible’s teachings. The first half (What to Know) teaches about God and his relationship with us. The second half (What to Do) teaches about how to relate to God and to other people.
The booklet is mainly made up of Bible verses. Before the verses are headings, which reflect what the verses say – in particular the parts of the verses in italics. The verses are sometimes followed by a comment.
To help readers have a grasp of the context of the verses, often a brief introduction is included, in square brackets. These introductions usually state who is speaking and often who they are speaking to. Note that apart from God and Jesus Christ, the main speakers are:
Moses – who taught the Israelite people God’s laws;
David – who wrote many psalms, most of which are prayers;
Paul, Peter, John and other leaders of the early church – who spoke to various groups and wrote letters to believers.
This booklet is the third shortest of the seven editions of The Bible Unpacked. For more information and free downloads go to: www.thebibleunpacked.net.
Paul Mallison
iv The Bible Unpacked
Contents
Section I. What to Know Part A. God and Spiritual Powers...................................... 3
God’s Being
God’s Character
Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit
Angels, Satan and Demons Part B. God and the World: Basics .................................. 7
God’s Creation
God’s Sovereignty
God’s Word
The Problem of Sin
God’s Judgment Part C. God and the World: Jesus Christ .................... 11
God’s Promised Messiah
Jesus Christ’s Mission
Salvation through Jesus Christ
The New Order
‘The Last Things’ Part D. God and His Own People ................................... 15
The Standing of God’s People
Keys to God’s Interaction with His People
God’s Transformation of His People
God’s Care of His People
God’s Plans for His People
Concise Edition v
Section II. What to Do Part E. Relating to God ..................................................... 21
Being Right with God
Having Faith in God
Loving, Fearing and Obeying God
Connecting with God
Exalting God Part F. Church Life .............................................................. 25
Being One Body
Worshiping God
Serving God
Significant Practices
Church Leadership Part G. Relating to People ................................................ 29
Love
Justice
Wisdom
Common Relationships
Spreading the Gospel Part H. Persevering ............................................................. 33
Standing Firm
Rejecting Sin
Major Pitfalls
Hard Times
Persecution
Section I. What to Know
3
A. God and Spiritual Powers Part A. God and Spiritual Powers
God’s Being ............................................................... 4
God’s Character........................................................ 4
Jesus Christ ................................................................ 5
The Holy Spirit .......................................................... 5
Angels, Satan and Demons .................................. 6
To grow in a relationship with God, it is essential that we learn what he is like. Similarly, it is important to understand what the Bible teaches about Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, who are very closely related to God. It is also very helpful to know about the other spiritual forces that impact our lives – both the good ones and the bad ones.
4 Section I. What to Know
God’s Being
God is spirit
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. JOHN 4:24 NCV™
God’s nature is spirit; he is a spiritual being. So God is not a physical being, in contrast to people and particularly to idols.
God is everywhere
[GOD:] I am everywhere— both near and far, 24in heaven and on earth. There are no secret places where you can hide from me. JEREMIAH 23:23–24 CEV
God has limitless power
Nothing is impossible for God! LUKE 1:37 CEV
God knows everything
God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 1 JOHN 3:20B CEV
God’s Character
God is holy and acts justly
[PEOPLE PRAISING GOD:] You alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship you, because your just actions are seen by all. REVELATION 15:4B GNT
God is holy – perfect in all he is and does. As a result, God always acts justly and does not put up with wrongdoing.
God is merciful and loving
[GOD:] I am the LORD God. I am merciful and very patient with my people. I show great love, and I can be trusted. EXODUS 34:6B CEV
Note that “LORD” is the personal name of God.
Part A. God and Spiritual Powers 5
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God
We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. HEBREWS 4:14A CEV
Jesus Christ has the nature of God
For it was by God’s own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. COLOSSIANS 1:19 GNT
Jesus Christ is greater than all things
Christ is exactly like God, who cannot be seen. He is the first-born Son, superior to all creation. COLOSSIANS 1:15 CEV
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God … EPHESIANS 4:30A NET
This is speaking of the Holy Spirit as God’s spirit. Bear in mind that when the Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit, it is in effect speaking of God himself.
The Holy Spirit is linked with God’s presence
[JOHN, TO BELIEVERS:] We know that God lives in us because of the Spirit God gave us. 1 JOHN 3:24B NCV™
Those who have God’s Spirit (the Holy Spirit) have God living in them.
God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are very closely associated
[JESUS, TO HIS DISCIPLES:] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, … MATTHEW 28:19 NET
The phrase “the name of” denotes a single name. Here it is applied to all three of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. As such it points to a very close relationship between the three of them.
6 Section I. What to Know
Angels, Satan and Demons
Angels are very powerful beings who serve God
Praise the LORD, you angels of his, you powerful warriors who carry out his decrees and obey his orders! PSALMS 103:20 NET
Satan is evil
Then the evil one [Satan] comes and snatches the message from their hearts. MATTHEW 13:19B CEV
Satan has been condemned
God has already judged the ruler of this world. JOHN 16:11B CEV
Demons are evil and powerful spiritual beings
[PAUL, TO BELIEVERS:] For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. EPHESIANS 6:12 GNT
Demons fear God
[JAMES, EXHORTING HIS READERS:] You believe there is one God. Good! But the demons believe that, too, and they tremble with fear. JAMES 2:19 NCV™
7
B. God and the World: Basics Part B. God and the World: Basics
God’s Creation .......................................................... 8
God’s Sovereignty ................................................... 8
God’s Word................................................................ 9
The Problem of Sin ................................................. 9
God’s Judgment .................................................... 10
Having a grasp of the topics in this chapter is fundamental to understanding God’s relationship with the world. Furthermore, knowing about these things is necessary for appreciating the significance of Jesus Christ.
8 Section I. What to Know
God’s Creation
God has made all things
For you created all things, and by your will they were given existence and life. REVELATION 4:11 GNT
All things belong to God, because he made everything
The heavens and the earth belong to you. And so does the world with all its people because you created them 12and everything else. PSALMS 89:11–12A CEV
What God has made shows us things about him
God’s eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. ROMANS 1:19 CEV
Every creature’s life is dependent on God
Every living creature is in the hands of God. JOB 12:10 CEV
God’s Sovereignty
God is the ruler of all things
[DAVID, TO GOD:] You are the source of wealth and honor; you rule over all. 1 CHRONICLES 29:12A NET
No one can effectively oppose God
No one can oppose him or stop him from doing what he wants to do. JOB 23:13B GNT
God has control over people’s lives
[DANIEL, TO KING BELSHAZZAR:] But you didn’t honor God, who holds in his power your very life and all your ways. DANIEL 5:23B ISV
Part B. God and the World: Basics 9
God’s Word
The Bible is God’s word
Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16A CEV
The Scriptures are the writings contained in the Bible – God’s word.
God’s word has laws for our relationship with God
[GOD:] Do not worship any god except me. … 5Don’t bow down and worship idols. … 7Do not misuse my name. … 8Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. … 10… No one is to work on that day… EXODUS 20:3, 5A, 7–8, 10B CEV
God’s word has laws for our relationships with people
Respect your father and your mother … 13Do not murder. 14Be faithful in marriage. 15Do not steal. 16Do not tell lies about others. 17Do not want anything that belongs to someone else. EXODUS 20:12–17A CEV
The Problem of Sin
Sin is breaking God’s law
Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God’s law, because sin is a breaking of the law. 1 JOHN 3:4B GNT
All people have sinned
All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. ROMANS 3:23 CEV
The last phrase speaks of failing to live up to a standard that fits in with God’s glory. This is basically due to sin.
Sin leads to the punishment of eternal death
For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ROMANS 6:23 NET
God’s holiness and justice mean that unforgiven sin must be punished with everlasting death. It involves everlasting separation from God, in hell.
10 Section I. What to Know
God’s Judgment
God repays people according to what they have done
[PAUL, SPEAKING OF GOD’S FINAL JUDGMENT:] On that day everyone will see God’s right judgments. 6God will reward or punish every person for what that person has done. ROMANS 2:5B–6 NCV™
God’s judgment is inescapable
[PAUL, TO HIS READERS:] When you judge people for doing these things but then do them yourself, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? ROMANS 2:3 NET
God warns people of judgment, allowing it to be avoided
[GOD:] There are times, Jeremiah, when I threaten to uproot, tear down, and destroy a nation or kingdom. 8But if that nation I threatened stops doing wrong, I will cancel the destruction I intended to do to it. JEREMIAH 18:7–8 NET
What God says here regarding nations is also applicable to individuals.
11
C. God and the World: Jesus Christ Part C. God and the World: Jesus Christ
God’s Promised Messiah ................................... 12
Jesus Christ’s Mission .......................................... 12
Salvation through Jesus Christ ........................ 13
The New Order ...................................................... 13
‘The Last Things’ ................................................... 14
Jesus Christ is at the center of God’s relationship with the world. This is largely due to what he accomplished when he came into the world, which has great significance for each person’s relationship with God.
12 Section I. What to Know
God’s Promised Messiah
God spoke of someone who would bring salvation
[GOD, AS SPEAKING TO THE MESSIAH:] I will make you a light for all nations to show people all over the world the way to be saved. ISAIAH 49:6B NCV™
This Messiah would die for people’s sins, but then be raised
But it was the LORD who decided to crush him and make him suffer. The LORD made his life a penalty offering … [God, the LORD:] 11“After his soul suffers many things, he will see life and be satisfied. My good servant will make many people right with God; he will carry away their sins. ISAIAH 53:10A, 11 NCV™
The Scriptures show that Jesus is the Messiah
For with his strong arguments he [Apollos] defeated the Jews in public debates by proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah. ACTS 18:28 GNT
The “Messiah” (Hebrew) and the “Christ” (Greek) mean the “anointed” or the “Anointed One”.
Jesus Christ’s Mission
God sent Jesus Christ to take away sins
You know that Christ came to take away sins. 1 JOHN 3:5A CEV
The Jewish leaders compelled the Romans to kill Jesus
Pilate [the Roman governor] wanted to set Jesus free, so he spoke again to the crowds. 21But they kept shouting, “Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!” … 24Finally, Pilate gave in. LUKE 23:20–21, 24 CEV
The crowd was led by the Jewish religious authorities.
But God raised Jesus from the dead
But God raised him from death … ACTS 2:24A GNT
Part C. God and the World: Jesus Christ 13
Salvation through Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ died for us
But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. ROMANS 5:8 CEV
Jesus died for us. He gave his life in place of our lives to pay the penalty for our sin. He did this so that we would not have to pay it ourselves with eternal death. Instead we can have eternal life. This is spiritual life which extends beyond physical death.
By Jesus’ death our sins can be forgiven
For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. EPHESIANS 1:7B GNT
The “blood of Christ” is a reference to his death for us.
So, through Jesus’ death we can be at peace with God
[PAUL, TO THE BELIEVERS AT COLOSSE:] You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. 22But his Son became a human and died. So God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent. COLOSSIANS 1:21–22 CEV
The New Order
We are not made right by obeying the law – but by faith in Christ
For no one is put right in God’s sight by doing what the Law requires; what the Law does is to make people know that they have sinned. … 22God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. ROMANS 3:20, 22A GNT
We are unable to be made right with God through obeying the law, as we are not capable of obeying it all the time. But now because of what Jesus Christ has accomplished, we can be made right with God by faith in Christ and what he has done.
14 Section I. What to Know
So, we are made right by God’s kindness, not by the law
[PAUL:] I don’t turn my back on God’s undeserved kindness. If we can be acceptable to God by obeying the Law, it was useless for Christ to die. GALATIANS 2:21 CEV
Paul was determined to acknowledge God’s undeserved kindness – in what he has done for us through Christ’s death – as being the means by which we are made acceptable to God.
We can only be saved through Jesus Christ
Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us. ACTS 4:12 GNT
God has made Jesus Christ Lord of all
Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others. … 11And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, “Jesus Christ is Lord!” PHILIPPIANS 2:9, 11 CEV
The kingdom of God has come, through Christ’s mission
He [Jesus] said, “The right time has come. The kingdom of God is near. MARK 1:15A NCV™
In Jesus’ mission a more far-reaching, spiritual dimension of God’s reign was established. It exists primarily in the hearts and minds of God’s people. At the end of the age God’s kingdom and authority will be imposed over all things.
‘The Last Things’
Jesus Christ will return and judge all people
For the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] will come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. MATTHEW 16:27 NET
Those who believe in Jesus Christ will have eternal life
The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him. JOHN 3:36 NET
15
D. God and His Own People Part D. God and His Own People
The Standing of God’s People ......................... 16
Keys to God’s Interaction with His People ..... 16
God’s Transformation of His People ............. 17
God’s Care of His People ................................... 17
God’s Plans for His People ................................ 18
The Bible reveals a lot about how God relates to his own people – those who seek to follow him. The following includes teaching on key issues in God’s relationship with each of his people, including what he does for them. Some of the verses in this topic are among the best-loved verses in the Bible.
16 Section I. What to Know
The Standing of God’s People
God’s people belong to him
[PAUL, TO BELIEVERS:] You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show that you belong to God. EPHESIANS 1:13 CEV
God’s people are his children
But to all who did accept him [Jesus] and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God. JOHN 1:12 NCV™
God’s people are his children. For they are born of God (cf. v. 13) into spiritual life.
God’s people have him as their God
[ABIJAH, A KING AND LEADER OF GOD’S PEOPLE:] But as for us, the LORD is our God and we have not rejected him. 2 CHRONICLES 13:10A NET
Keys to God’s Interaction with His People
God is always with his people
[GOD:] I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will always be with you; I will never abandon you. JOSHUA 1:5B GNT
God knows his people
[GOD, TO MOSES:] I know you by name. EXODUS 33:17B ISV
God loves his people and is faithful to them
His love for us is strong and his faithfulness is eternal. Praise the LORD! PSALMS 117:2 GNT
God’s Holy Spirit lives in and helps his people
[PAUL, SPEAKING TO TIMOTHY ABOUT THE GOSPEL MESSAGE:] You have been trusted with a wonderful treasure. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within you. 2 TIMOTHY 1:14 CEV
Part D. God and His Own People 17
God’s Transformation of His People
God’s people are given spiritual life
[JESUS:] The Spirit is the one who gives life; human nature is of no help! The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. JOHN 6:63 NET
Together with the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ words bring life. This spiritual life involves being “alive to God” (Romans 6:11). With the Holy Spirit living in them, believers have a spiritual awareness that enables them to live in relationship with God. As such they are “alive to God”.
God’s people are being changed to be like Jesus Christ
They show the bright glory of the Lord, as the Lord’s Spirit makes us more and more like our glorious Lord. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18B CEV
God fills his people with joy and peace
May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him … ROMANS 15:13A GNT
God’s Care of His People
God cares for his people
Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you. 1 PETER 5:6 GNT
God helps his people in times of trouble
God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. PSALMS 46:1 GNT
God provides for all their needs
[PAUL, TO BELIEVERS WHO HAD SUPPORTED HIM:] And my God will fully supply your every need according to his glorious riches in the Messiah Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:19 ISV
18 Section I. What to Know
God’s Plans for His People
God has plans for his people
[DAVID, TO GOD:] You have made many wonderful plans for us. I could never speak of them all—their number is so great! PSALMS 40:5B GNT
These plans include things for his people to do
God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do. EPHESIANS 2:10 GNT
In spite of their troubles, God will fulfill his plans for them
[DAVID, TO GOD:] When I am surrounded by troubles, you keep me safe. You oppose my angry enemies and save me by your power. 8You will do everything you have promised … PSALMS 138:7–8A GNT
Section II. What to Do
21
E. Relating to God Part E. Relating to God
Being Right with God .......................................... 22
Having Faith in God ............................................. 23
Loving, Fearing and Obeying God ................. 23
Connecting with God .......................................... 24
Exalting God ........................................................... 24
The Bible has much to say about our relationship with God. As well as saying what is required to begin this relationship, the Bible contains vital and practical instructions about how we should relate to God.
22 Section II. What to Do
Being Right with God
Believe in God and seek him
We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him. HEBREWS 11:6B CEV
Turn from sin to God and believe in Jesus Christ
[PAUL:] To Jews and Gentiles alike I gave solemn warning that they should turn from their sins to God and believe in our Lord Jesus. ACTS 20:21 GNT
We need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God – the Christ (or Messiah) promised by God earlier in the Bible. We also need to believe that he is the means of forgiveness of sins, with what he accomplished by his death. As such, we are to trust in him for God’s forgiveness of our own sins. In doing so we are considered righteous by God, and granted eternal life.
Believing in Jesus Christ brings forgiveness of sins
All the prophets spoke about him [Jesus], saying that all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of his name. ACTS 10:43 GNT
Believing in Jesus Christ brings eternal life
For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. JOHN 3:16 NET
We can be sure of being forgiven
But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away. 1 JOHN 1:9 CEV
We can be sure of life
[JOHN, TO FELLOW BELIEVERS:] We know that we have left death and come over into life; we know it because we love our brothers and sisters. 1 JOHN 3:14A GNT
Loving fellow Christians is a sign of having spiritual life.
Part E. Relating to God 23
Having Faith in God
Do not fear – trust in God
[DAVID:] When I am afraid, I will trust you. 4I praise God for his word. I trust God, so I am not afraid. What can human beings do to me? PSALMS 56:3–4 NCV™
Do not worry
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. 7And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:6–7 NCV™
Loving, Fearing and Obeying God
Love God with all your heart
Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38This is the first and most important commandment. MATTHEW 22:37–38 CEV
Fear God and nothing else
[GOD, TO ISAIAH:] Don’t be afraid of what they [other people] fear; do not dread those things. 13But remember that the LORD All-Powerful is holy. He is the one you should fear; he is the one you should dread. ISAIAH 8:12B–13 NCV™
Persistently read God’s word and obey it
He is to keep this book [of God’s teachings] near him and read from it all his life, so that he will learn to honor the LORD and to obey faithfully everything that is commanded in it. DEUTERONOMY 17:19 GNT
The instruction to read from God’s teachings “all his life” is given for the king, but is very relevant to each of God’s people.
Make Jesus Christ your Lord
Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. 1 PETER 3:15A CEV
24 Section II. What to Do
Connecting with God
Keep on seeking God, with all your heart
Now seek the LORD your God wholeheartedly and with your entire being! 1 CHRONICLES 22:19A NET
Come before God, meeting with him
[MOSES, TO LEADERS OF ISRAEL:] … when all of Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place that he’ll choose, read this Law aloud to them. DEUTERONOMY 31:11 ISV
Like the Israelites, believers can come before God, in awareness of his presence. As such, we can meet with him. Individual Christians typically set aside some time everyday to do this, focusing fully on God. Generally this involves reading the Bible, prayer and even meditation.
Pray to God, as a caring father
So pray this way: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, … MATTHEW 6:9 NET
Exalting God
Praise God constantly
Our sacrifice is to keep offering praise to God in the name of Jesus. HEBREWS 13:15 CEV
Always be thankful
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father. EPHESIANS 5:20 GNT
25
F. Church Life Part F. Church Life
Being One Body .................................................... 26
Worshiping God .................................................... 26
Serving God ............................................................ 27
Significant Practices ............................................. 27
Church Leadership ............................................... 28
It is in their church life that believers have some of their most significant relationships. And it is through these relationships that they make many of their most significant contributions to God’s kingdom. So not surprisingly, the Bible has much to teach us about how we should relate to fellow Christians.
26 Section II. What to Do
Being One Body
Meet together with other believers
Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. HEBREWS 10:25A GNT
Be united
[PAUL, TO THE CHURCH IN CORINTH:] My dear friends, as a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg you to get along with each other. Don’t take sides. Always try to agree in what you think. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10 CEV
Love each other as Jesus Christ loved us
[JESUS:] My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you. JOHN 15:12 GNT
Help each other
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. GALATIANS 6:2 NET
By helping each other in need, we effectively obey Jesus’ teachings.
Worshiping God
Worship God together
Ezra [a priest] praised the great LORD God, and the people shouted, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped the LORD. NEHEMIAH 8:6 CEV
Worship God in spirit
[JESUS:] God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. JOHN 4:24 CEV
To worship “in spirit” is primarily an inward activity, rather than being centered on the performing of ceremonial acts. It involves our spirit – and thus our mind and will.
Part F. Church Life 27
Serving God
Do God’s work together
[PAUL, TO SYZYGUS:] And, my true partner, I ask you to help them. These women have worked together with me and with Clement and with the others in spreading the good news. PHILIPPIANS 4:3A CEV
Be devoted to God’s work
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:58B NCV™
Pray to God for help in the work
[THE BELIEVERS, PRAYING:] Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. 30Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus. ACTS 4:29–30 CEV
Significant Practices
Baptism, in the name of Jesus Christ
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ACTS 19:5 ISV
By being baptized in or into the “name” of Jesus Christ, a person declares their identification and relationship with Jesus Christ and also their commitment to him.
The Lord’s Supper, in memory of his death
[PAUL, TO BELIEVERS:] For I received from the Lord the teaching that I passed on to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a piece of bread, 24gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me.” 25In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, “This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me.” 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23–25 GNT
28 Section II. What to Do
Church Leadership
Leaders should be an example for others to follow
[PAUL, TO CHURCH MEMBERS:] We had the right to ask you to help us, but we worked to take care of ourselves so we would be an example for you to follow. 2 THESSALONIANS 3:9 NCV™
Leaders should strengthen members in the faith
[PAUL, TO CHURCH MEMBERS:] You are our dear friends, and everything we do is to make you stronger. 2 CORINTHIANS 12:19B NCV™
Church members should obey their leaders
[PAUL, TO CHURCH MEMBERS:] We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 2 THESSALONIANS 3:4 ISV
Watch out for false teachers
Be careful of false prophets. They come to you looking gentle like sheep, but they are really dangerous like wolves. MATTHEW 7:15 NCV™
29
G. Relating to People Part G. Relating to People
Love ........................................................................... 30
Justice ....................................................................... 31
Wisdom .................................................................... 31
Common Relationships ...................................... 32
Spreading the Gospel ......................................... 32
Relationships with other people are involved in just about every part of our lives. Note surprisingly then, the Bible has many significant and helpful things to say about how to relate to other people (including people outside of our church).
We need to remember that the better we follow the Bible’s instructions, the better our relationships will work.
30 Section II. What to Do
Love
Love others as you love yourself – which sums up God’s law
But all of these [commands] are summed up in the command that says, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” ROMANS 13:9B CEV
The whole moral law – all that involves our relationships with other people – is summed up by the command to love others as ourselves. In doing so, we fulfill or carry out God’s law.
Act according to what love involves
Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or 5rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. 6Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 7Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4–7 CEV
Note that the following topics involve other actions and personal qualities that are reflective of love.
Show mercy, and God will show you mercy
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. MATTHEW 5:7 NET
Forgive others, and God will forgive you
If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. 15But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. MATTHEW 6:14–15 CEV
Be humble, gentle and patient
Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. EPHESIANS 4:2 GNT
Be selfless
Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:24 NET
Be generous
… be generous and ready to share with others. 1 TIMOTHY 6:18B GNT
Part G. Relating to People 31
Justice
Do what is right
Do what is right and fair; that pleases the LORD more than bringing him sacrifices. PROVERBS 21:3 GNT
Defend the needy
Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. PROVERBS 31:8 GNT
Provide for the needy
John told them, “If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any. If you have food, share it with someone else.” LUKE 3:11 CEV
Wisdom
Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom
The beginning of wisdom is to fear the LORD, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding. PROVERBS 9:10 NET
Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom as it leads us to base our thinking and life on God and his teachings – the source of true wisdom for life.
Ask God for wisdom
[JAMES, TO BELIEVERS:] If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. JAMES 1:5A CEV
Take notice of correction
If you refuse to learn, you are hurting yourself. If you accept correction, you will become wiser. PROVERBS 15:32 GNT
Be quick to listen and slow to speak
[JAMES, TO BELIEVERS:] My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. JAMES 1:19 CEV
32 Section II. What to Do
Common Relationships
Love family members
[PAUL, SPEAKING OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH:] In this way they [older women] will train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, … TITUS 2:4 NET
Respect your parents
Respect your father and your mother … EXODUS 20:12A GNT
Obey the governing authorities
Obey the rulers who have authority over you. ROMANS 13:1A CEV
Serve your employers wholeheartedly
Honor the Lord and serve your masters with your whole heart. COLOSSIANS 3:22B CEV
Spreading the Gospel
Tell others the gospel message about Jesus Christ
Philip began to speak, and starting with this same Scripture, he told the man the Good News about Jesus. ACTS 8:35 NCV™
Tell people the results of Jesus Christ’s death
What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 CEV
We are to tell others that because of Jesus Christ’s death, their sins can be forgiven and they can be at peace with God.
Tell people how they should respond
[PAUL:] I warned both Jews and Greeks to change their lives and turn to God and believe in our Lord Jesus. ACTS 20:21 NCV™
33
H. Persevering Part H. Persevering
Standing Firm ........................................................ 34
Rejecting Sin .......................................................... 34
Major Pitfalls .......................................................... 35
Hard Times .............................................................. 35
Persecution ............................................................. 36
Each believer’s relationship with God will face many different kinds of challenges. In order to overcome these, it is vital to know both what they involve and the Bible’s teaching about how to face them.
34 Section II. What to Do
Standing Firm
Continue following Jesus Christ’s teaching
So Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “If you continue to obey my teaching, you are truly my followers. JOHN 8:31 NCV™
At all times have faith and pray
At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. … 18Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people. EPHESIANS 6:16, 18 GNT
Be ready for Jesus Christ’s sudden return
So you, too, must be ready, because at an hour you are not expecting him the Son of Man will come. MATTHEW 24:44 ISV
Rejecting Sin
Use God’s word to avoid sin
[A PSALMIST, TO GOD:] I treasure your word above all else; it keeps me from sinning against you. PSALMS 119:11 CEV
Live by the Holy Spirit
God did this [sent Jesus to deal with sin] so that the righteous demands of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature. ROMANS 8:4 GNT
Living by the Holy Spirit involves: focusing on what he wants; paying attention to his promptings; and relying on his power.
Ask God for forgiveness of sin
[DAVID, TO GOD:] Wash away all my guilt and make me clean again. PSALMS 51:2 NCV™
Part H. Persevering 35
Major Pitfalls
Do not be proud
Be friendly with everyone. Don’t be proud and feel that you are smarter than others. Make friends with ordinary people. ROMANS 12:16 CEV
Do not love money
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” HEBREWS 13:5 GNT
Turn from sexual sin
Then Jesus told her [a woman who had been caught in bed with a man who was not her husband], “I am not going to accuse you either. You may go now, but don’t sin anymore.” JOHN 8:11B CEV
Hard Times
In hard times, trust in God
[DAVID, TO GOD:] When they plot together against me, they figure out how they can take my life. 14But I trust in you, O LORD! I declare, “You are my God!” 15You determine my destiny! Rescue me from the power of my enemies and those who chase me. PSALMS 31:13B–15 NET
Persist in prayer to God
[A PSALMIST, TO GOD:] LORD, you are the God who saves me. I cry out to you day and night. PSALMS 88:1 NCV™
Take comfort in God’s word
[A PSALMIST, TO GOD:] When I suffer, this comforts me: Your promise gives me life. … 52I remember your laws from long ago, and they comfort me, LORD. PSALMS 119:50, 52 NCV™
In v. 50 the psalmist speaks of God’s promise renewing his life, through the hope that it gives.
36 Section II. What to Do
Persecution
When facing persecution, trust in God
[PAUL, TO THE BELIEVERS AT CORINTH:] My friends, I want you to know what a hard time we had in Asia. Our sufferings were so horrible and so unbearable that death seemed certain. 9In fact, we felt sure that we were going to die. But this made us stop trusting in ourselves and start trusting God, who raises the dead to life. 10God saved us from the threat of death, and we are sure that he will do it again and again. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:8B–10 CEV
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. 31So do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows. MATTHEW 10:28–31 NET
Remain faithful to God and Jesus Christ
[JESUS CHRIST, TO BELIEVERS:] Don’t be afraid of anything you are about to suffer. Listen! The Devil will put you to the test by having some of you thrown into prison, and your troubles will last ten days. Be faithful to me, even if it means death, and I will give you life as your prize of victory. REVELATION 2:10 GNT
Concise Edition 37
The Seven Editions
There are seven editions of The Bible Unpacked, as shown below. Each one is an abbreviated version of the next longest one. Four of the editions have studies based on them, with the same text and questions added. For more details and free downloads, go to www.thebibleunpacked.net.
Two-Minute Edition – Key Bible teachings for people “on the run”. For giving to non-Christians.
Pocket Edition – Key Bible teachings for seekers of truth. Largely for giving to inquiring non-Christians or young new Christians.
Concise Edition – Key Bible teachings for new believers. For either new or young Christians. Suitable to give to non-Christian friends. Has study series based on it.
Foundations Edition – A compilation of the Bible’s teaching for believers consolidating their faith. For newer Christians. Study series is ideal for studies with newer believers.
Intermediate Edition – A compilation of the Bible’s teaching for believers growing in the faith. For developing a sound understanding of the faith. Studies are excellent for Bible study groups.
Comprehensive Edition – A compilation of the Bible’s teaching for believers established in the faith. For a more comprehensive knowledge of the faith. Studies are ideal for studying topics in detail.
In-Depth Edition – A compilation of the Bible’s teaching for teachers and students of the Bible. For pastors, church leaders, Bible students and all who want a deep understanding of the faith. Available in a single pdf file with over 90,000 hyperlinks.
Studies
Studies
Studies
Studies
38 The Bible Unpacked
Support Persecuted Christians
Over 200 million Christians in at least 60 countries are denied basic human rights solely because of their faith. (Source: World Evangelical Alliance) Every year many Christians are killed because of their faith.
Through prayer, encouragement and practical assistance we can assist and fellowship with persecuted Christians in their suffering. You can play a vital part in this through contacting one of the organizations listed below. Most produce regular news/prayer letters.
Barnabas Fund – www.barnabasfund.org
It provides material and spiritual support based on locally identified needs.
Christian Faith and Freedom – www.cffreedom.org
It advocates on behalf of and aids persecuted Christians.
Christian Solidarity International – www.csi-int.org
CSI works to defend religious liberty and help persecuted Christians.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide – www.csw.org.uk
It advocates for freedom of religion and justice for persecuted believers.
Compass Direct – www.compassdirect.org
This is a Christian news service focusing on persecuted Christians.
Open Doors – sb.od.org; www.opendoors.org.au
It equips believers for persecution and maintaining a witness to the Gospel.
Religious Liberty Commission – www.worldevangelicals.org/commissions/rlc
RLC defends and aids persecuted Christians. See also www.idop.org.
Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin – rlprayerbulletin.blogspot.com.au/
It provides weekly bulletins. Send a blank email to join-rlpb@hub.xc.org.
The Bible League – www.bibleleague.org/persecuted; www.bibleleague.com
It supplies Bibles to persecuted Christians and also provides training.
Voice of the Martyrs – www.persecution.com; www.persecution.com.au
VOM helps persecuted Christians spread the gospel. It also gives material aid.
Then the King will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.’ Matthew 25:40 NCV
Millions of people in the world today believe that the Bible is the word of God. As God’s word, the Bible has many striking insights. It speaks about God, his relationship with us and our relationships with other people.
The aim of this booklet is to give a concise overview of the Bible’s teaching. It is the third shortest of the seven editions of The Bible Unpacked. For free downloads go to: www.thebibleunpacked.net.
Monday 26 May 2014
church history
| Bible School Home Page | Textbook - Framework for Christian Faith .pdf | generationword.com home page |
|---|
| Written | Online Audio or Video | TAKE THE TESTS - |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 mp3 Audio 2009 mp3 Audio: Church History 62-98 AD Church History 64-117 AD Church History 117-200 AD Real Player Video: Church History 62-98 AD Church History 64-117 AD Church History 117-200 AD |
Chapter Tests: Sect F, Ch
Essay Tests:
Sect F, Ch |
|
|
Church History 62-98, Events in the First Century |
Church History 64-117, Early Church Leadership |
Church History 117-200, Easter Conflict, Gnostics |
These Classes audio .mp3:
Church History 62-98 AD, Events in the First Century Church History 64-117, Early Church Leadership Church History 117-200, Easter Conflict, Gnostics, Montanism |
Church History (part one): Background; Overview; Apostles; Nero and Anti-Christian Logic; Polycarp; Ignatius
Periods of Church History
Predicted from the book of Revelation:
30-98 Ephesus Rv. 2:1-7 Loved but drifted
98-313 Smyrna Rv. 2:8-11 Bitter Affliction, Persecuted
313-590 Pergamos Rv. 2:12-17 Mixed with Paganism
590-1517 Thyatira Rv. 2:18-20 Continual Idolatry
1517-1730 Sardis Rv. 3:1-6 Escaping, Remnant
1730-1900 Philadelphia Rv. 3:7-13 Brotherly Love
1900-Rapture Laodicea Rv. 3:14-22 People Ruled
A Recap of historical periods:
30-98 Book of Acts and Apostles – Christianity spreads to the Roman Empire
98-312 Early Christianity
- Christianity struggles for survival in Empire
312-590 The Christian Empire
- Christianity dominates the Roman Empire
590-1516 Christian Middle Ages
- Latin; Church/State Struggle; Supremacy of Pope
1517-1648 The Reformation
- Individuals Protest against Church/State Dominion
1649-1781 Reason, Revival and Denominations
- Individuals Interpret and Respond to Scripture’s Authority
1789-1912 Missions and Modernism
- World Outreach; Science, Industry, Government Advance
1914-2000 Ideologies and Liberalism
- Men Trust in Human Nature and Human Achievement
30-98 Ephesus Rv. 2:1-7 Loved but drifted
98-313 Smyrna Rv. 2:8-11 Bitter Affliction, Persecuted
313-590 Pergamos Rv. 2:12-17 Mixed with Paganism
590-1517 Thyatira Rv. 2:18-20 Continual Idolatry
1517-1730 Sardis Rv. 3:1-6 Escaping, Remnant
1730-1900 Philadelphia Rv. 3:7-13 Brotherly Love
1900-Rapture Laodicea Rv. 3:14-22 People Ruled
A Recap of historical periods:
30-98 Book of Acts and Apostles – Christianity spreads to the Roman Empire
98-312 Early Christianity
- Christianity struggles for survival in Empire
312-590 The Christian Empire
- Christianity dominates the Roman Empire
590-1516 Christian Middle Ages
- Latin; Church/State Struggle; Supremacy of Pope
1517-1648 The Reformation
- Individuals Protest against Church/State Dominion
1649-1781 Reason, Revival and Denominations
- Individuals Interpret and Respond to Scripture’s Authority
1789-1912 Missions and Modernism
- World Outreach; Science, Industry, Government Advance
1914-2000 Ideologies and Liberalism
- Men Trust in Human Nature and Human Achievement
Church History Events
49 Council of Jerusalem
- 1st Church Council
- Issue was circumcision and Jewish Law
- Set a pattern for the ecumenical councils: tradition and authoritative
- Leaders recognized that the Spirit came to Jews and Gentiles in the same way:
- Faith in Jesus
- Not observance of the Law
- The Christian movement became a trans-cultural movemen
54-68 Nero
- Mother, Agippina, poisoned two husbands including Emperior Claudius in 54
- Agrippina had the Praetorian Guard proclaim 16 year old Nero emperor
- In 56 (age 19) he began late night rioting in the streets
- In 59 he killed his mother
- He began to give public performances at the age of 22 (in 59)
- In 62 he killed his wife to marry someone else.
- He began to write poetry, race chariots, play the lyre
- He desired to rebuild Rome into a new, modern city he would call Neropolis
63 James, the brother of the Lord
- James had seen the resurrected Lord
- James was involved in the establishment of the early church in Jerusalem
- James was part of the Jerusalem Council in 48 AD
- James wrote his book called “James” around 45 AD
- James led the Jerusalem church until 63 AD
- In 63 AD, during the reign of the high priest Ananus, James was taken to a high point of the temple by the Sanhedrin and told to announce to the Jewish crowd coming to the Passover not to follow the false teaching concerning Jesus being the Christ. Instead James announced to the crowd that Jesus was the Christ, he sat at God’s right hand and will return in the clouds of heaven. The scribes and Pharisees then pushed James off the temple and proceeded to throw stones at him. As James prayed for the people he was clubbed in the head and died.
63 Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem
- Simeon was the son of Clopas (mentioned in John 19:25 as the husband of Mary). Clopas was the brother of Joseph which means Simeon was Jesus’ cousin.
- After James’ death the living apostles and disciples of Jesus assembled in Jerusalem and chose Simeon to fill James’ place as bishop of the Jerusalem church.
- Simeon resisted the Judaizers
- In 66 AD Simeon led the church out of Jerusalem to Pella as the Roman armies approached
64 Rome Burns
- It began the night of July 18 in the wooden shops in the SE end of the Great Circus
- The fire raged for 7 nights and 6 days
- Then it burst out again and burnt 2 more parts of the city for 3 more days.
- (London’s fire of 1666 lasted 4 days; Chicago’s fire of 1871 lasted 36 hours.)
- 10 of the 14 regions of the city were destroyed. Only 2/7 of the city was left.
- The public blamed Nero.
- Historians blame Nero and his ambitions to rebuild Rome as Neropolis
- To escape responsibility Nero blamed an already suspicious group, Christians
- Tacitus: “a vast multitude” were put to death in the most shameful manner:
- Christians were crucified
- Christians were sewed up in skins of wild beast and exposed to dogs in arena
- Christians were covered with pitch or oil, nailed to post to be lit for street lights
- Within a year Peter was arrested and crucified upside down along w/ his wife
- In the spring of 68 Paul was led out on the Ostian Way and beheaded.
- On June 9, 68 Nero committed suicide by stabbing himself in the throat.
Anti-Christian Logic of Roman Empire
The Christians were despised and persecuted by the Romans for what the Roman Empire considered very logical reasons:
|
90-117 Asian and Roman Persecution
- Apostle was sent to Patmos during this persecution
- Emperor Domitian persecuted Jews for refusing to pay a poll tax for pagan temple
- Since Christians were considered part of Jewish faith they also were persecuted.
- During this time the governor of Bithynia (Asia Minor) wrote Emperor Trajan asking for advice concerning treatment of Christians. He says: “This superstition (Christianity) had spread in the villages and rural areas as well as in the larger cities to such an extent that the temples had been almost deserted and the sellers of sacrificial animals impoverished.” Trajan responsed to him by saying that if a person denies being a Christian to let them go. If they confess to being a Christian after being asked three times they were to be killed, unless they recanted and worshipped the Roman gods.
The Ten Major Periods of Roman Persecution
|
|||
Years
|
Emperor
|
Details: Why? Where? How?
|
Martyrs
|
64-
68 |
Nero
|
Persecuted only around Rome. Nero blamed Christians for burning Rome. Killed in Coliseum by animals; covered with pitch and burnt in Nero’s courtyard; crucified |
Peter crucified Paul decapitated |
90-
96 |
Domitian
|
Christian’s exiled as political enemies & for not offering emperor worship Scattered in Rome and Asia |
John exiled Clement drown |
98-
117 |
Trajan
|
“Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. If accused the Christian could renounce Jesus, if they refused after three times, execute them In Asia income at temples suffered because so many had become Christians. |
Ignatius taken to Rome to be eaten by beasts |
117-138
|
Hadrian
|
Hadrian’s policy continued. Christians needed to prove loyalty to state by their action of offering a pinch of incense to the Emperor and calling him ‘Lord’. False accusers were punished more severely. Hadrian put down a Jewish revolt in Israel (132-135) |
|
165 - 177
|
Marcus
Aurelius |
Christians were seen as being responsible for the natural disasters. Marcus Aurelius, the great Stoic philosopher, personally disliked the Christian faith. Christians were not sought out Justin Martyr lived in Rome & wrote a book, Apology, to Marcus Aurelius. In 165, Justin & six students beaten & beheaded In 177, persecution was sever in Lyons, Gaul (France) |
Justin Martyr Students Pothinus, disciple of Polycarp, 92 year old bishop, in Lyons Blandina, a slave girl tortured & crucified, Lyons Sanctus, a deacon, Lyons |
202-211
|
Septimus
Severus |
Offering a pinch of incense to the emperor was a patriotic gesture like saluting the flag. In Carthage, North Africa, two young mothers, Perpetua & Felicitas refused to offer the incense. They died in the arena. (200) In Alexandria, Egypt (202) Origen’s father, Leonides, was martyred. Septimus Severus visited Britain in 208. Alban, Roman soldier helped a priest escaped and was martyred by the emperor |
Perpetua Felicitas Leonides Alban Amphibalus |
235-236
|
Maximinus
|
Executed the church leaders Christians were persecuted because they had supported the previous Emperor who had been assassinated by Maximinus |
Hippolytus Pontianus Ursula |
250-251
|
Decius
|
This was the first persecution that covered the entire Roman Empire. Rome was trying to return to their ancient gods and Christianity needed to be wiped out. Fabian, the bishop of Rome, was the first to die in this persecution in January of 250. |
Fabian |
257-258
|
Valerian
|
Church meetings forbidden Christian property seized by the state Saturninus was dragged to death by a bull in Toulouse, Gaul (France) Valerian ordered the death of all Rome’s church leaders. Sixtus and Lawrence were two deacons who died. |
Origen Cyprian Saturninus Sixtus II Lawrence |
303-311
|
Diocletian
(303-305) And Galerius (305-311) |
The most severe of the ten persecutions. Christians seen as a threat to imperial unity Church leaders suffered torture and death by the rack, the scourge, roasting in fire, crucifixion and more. In 311 the dying emperor issued the edict of tolerance. |
Theodotus Timothy |
30-100 Clement of Rome
- Knew and worked with Paul. Mentioned in Philippians 4:3
- According to Origen he was a disciple of the apostles.
- Irenaeus writes: “He had the preaching of the apostles still echoing in his ears and their doctrine in front of his eyes.”
- Learned to use Septuagint from Paul and Luke
- He wrote a letter from Rome to the Corinthians called “First Clement. It had been referred to by other writers but was not discovered until the 1600’s
- Clement writes after Domitian persecution about 98
- Clement writes the Corinthians because the church had overthrown the church’s leadership.
- Clement appeals to the Word of God as final authority and refers to 1 Cor. 1:10
- Clement gives testimony to: Trinity, divinity of Christ, salvation only by Christ, necessity of repentance, necessity of faith, justification by grace, sanctification by Holy Spirit, unity of the church, fruit of the Spirit.
- Clement is the pastor of Rome and knows no higher office
- He writes his book in the name of the church not in the name of his office
- Clement writes to a church of apostolic foundation with a tone of authority and thus reveals how easily and innocent the papacy began.
- 100 years after his death this same position in the same church will take authority and will excommunicate whole churches for much smaller differences
The Roman Emperors
|
||
| 27 BC-14 AD-Augustus 14-37-Tiberius 37-41 -Gaius (Caligula) 41-54 -Claudius 54-68-Nero 68-69-Galba 69-Otho 69-Vitellius 69-79-Vespasian 79-81 -Titus 81-96-Domitian 96-98-Nerva 98-117-Trajan 117-138 -Hadrian 138-161 -Antoninus Pius 161-180-Marcus Aurelius 161-169-Lucius Verus 180-192-Commodus 193-Pertinax 193-Didius Julianus 193-211-Septimius Severus 193-195-Pescennius Niger 195-197-Clodius Albinus 211-217-Caracalla 211-Geta 217-218-Macrinus 218-222-Elagabalus 222-235-Severus Alexander 235-238-Maximus I Thrax |
238-Gordian I 238-Gordian II 238-Balbinus 238-Pupienus 238-244-Gordian III 244-249-Philip I (the Arab) 249-251-Trajanus Decius 251-253-Trebonianus Gallus 253-Aemilian 253-260-Valerian 253-268 -Gallienus 260-268-Postumus 269-Laelianus 269-Marius 269-271-Victorinus 271-274-Tetricus 268-270-Claudius II Gothicus 270-Quintillus 270-275-Aurelian 275-276-Tacitus 276-Florianus 276-282-Probus 282-283-Carus 283-285-Carinus 283-284-Numerianus 284-305-Diocletian 286-305, 307 -308-Maximianus 286-293-Carausius 293-297-Allectus 305-306-Constantius I Chlorus |
305-311-Galerius 306-307-Severus II 306-312-Maxentius 306-337-Constantine I The Great 308-324-Licinius 337-340-Constantine II 337-361-Constantius II 337-350-Constans I 350-353-Magnentius 361-363-Julian I the Apostate 363-364-Jovian 364-375-Valentinian I 367-383-Gratian 375-392-Valentinian II 379-395-Theodosius I The Great 383-388-Magnus Maximus 392-394-Eugenius 395-423-Honorius 423-425-Johannes 425-455-Valentinian III 455-Petronius Maximus 455-456-Avitus 457-461-Majorian 461-465-Libius Severus 467-472-Anthemius 472-Olybrius 473-474-Glycerius 474-475, 477-480-Julius Nepos 475-476-Romulus Augustulus |
63-107 Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem
- Simeon, son of Clophas (Joseph’s brother), was chosen in 63 to be the new bishop of Jerusalem by the surviving apostles and disciples of Jesus
- As Roman armies approached Jerusalem in 66 Simeon led the Jerusalem church across the Jordan into Pella in the Decapolis to save them.
- After the fall of Jerusalem, Simeon led the Christians back across the Jordan to the defeated city of Jerusalem, built a church and won many Jewish converts.
- In order to prevent another revolt after the fall of Jerusalem Emperor Vespasian ordered the death of anyone who was a descendant of David. Simeon escaped
- Emperor Domitian (81-96) followed up on the order to execute the line of David and was informed that there were grandsons of Jesus’ brother Jude. They were ordered to appear before Domitian. When Domitian saw how simple and poor they were he allowed them to live and considered them to be no threat.
- Simeon was later killed in 107 at the age of about 120 when Trajan gave a similar order to execute the line of David.
117 Ignatius
- Pastor of church in Antioch
- Contemporary pastor with Clement in Rome, Simeon in Jerusalem, Polycarp in Smyrna
- Antioch was a doorway to Gentile world and so became a seat of heretical tendencies which forced Antioch to develop sound doctrine and organize quickly
- Ignatius was tried in Antioch before Emperor Trajan and sent to Rome in chains for martyrdom in the Coliseum by being thrown to the lions.
- On his way to Rome he wrote seven letters that we still have: Ephesians, Magnesians, Trallians, Romans, Philadelphians, Smyrneans, and one to Polycarp, the Pastor in Smyrna.
- These are some quotes from those letters:
“I would rather die for Christ than rule the whole earth.”
“It is glorious to go down in the world, in order to go up into God.”
“Leave me to the beasts, that I may by them be made partaker of God. Rather fawn upon the beasts, that they may be to me a grave, and leave nothing of my body, that, when I sleep, I may not be burdensome to anyone. Then will I truly be a disciple of Christ, when the world can no longer even see my body.”
“It is glorious to go down in the world, in order to go up into God.”
“Leave me to the beasts, that I may by them be made partaker of God. Rather fawn upon the beasts, that they may be to me a grave, and leave nothing of my body, that, when I sleep, I may not be burdensome to anyone. Then will I truly be a disciple of Christ, when the world can no longer even see my body.”
- His remains were brought back to Antioch.
- Ignatius’ attitude toward martyrdom exceeds the genuine apostolic resignation which is equal willing to depart or remain. He degenerates into morbid fanaticism. This is an age when martyrdom was sought and glorified.
70-155 Polycarp
- Knew the apostles and was one of John’s disciples
- John placed his as the bishop of Smyrna.
- He had trained Irenaeus and was friends with Ignatius and Papias.
- He was captured as an 86 year old man and burnt at the stake in Smyrna.
- His last days, capture, and death are recorded in the letter “The martyrdom of Polycarp”
Disciples of the Apostles and Early Bishops
|
|||
In Ephesus
|
In Jerusalem
|
In Antioch
|
In Rome
|
|
|
|
|
150 Gnosticism
- Its roots go back to the days of Paul and John. Both seem to deal with the false concepts in Colossians and 1 John.
- Christian tradition connects the founding of it to Simon Magus, who Peter rebukes in Acts
- Gnosticism sprang from the natural desire of humans to explain the origin of evil.
- Since evil can be associated with matter and flesh, the Gnostics tried to develop a philosophical system to disassociate God, who is spirit, from evil, matter and flesh.
- The second question it sought to answer was the origin of man. They did this by combining Greek philosophy and Christian theology. The Corinthians did this and were rebuked in First Corinthians 1 and 2.
- If the Gnostics had succeeded Christianity would have been reduced to a philosophical system.
- Dualism was one of their main statements of faith. The Gnostics insisted on a clear distinction between material and spiritual and a distinction between evil and good. Their conclusion: God could not have created the world.
- The gap between the world and God was bridged by a series of emanations that formed a hierarchy.
- One of these, known as Jehovah of the Old Testament, had rebelled and created the world. The Gnostics did not like the God of the Old Testament.
- To explain Jesus Christ they embraced a doctrine known as Docetism. Docetism teaches that since matter is evil Jesus did not have a human body. Either he was a phantom or the spirit of Christ came on the man Jesus between his baptism but left before his death.
- Salvation might begin with faith, but is only for the soul.
- The special knowledge (gnosis) that Christ exposed while here was of far greater benefit.
- Irenaeus refutes gnosticism in “Against Heresies”
- In 140 Marcion went to Rome and embraced gnosticism and developed it. Marcion was the first to develop a New Testament canon that he could use to match his Gnostic doctrine. This caused the church to begin to recognize certain books as scripture and others as less than God-breathed.
Marcion and the Gnostic Canon of Scripture
|
|
| Marcion, the Gnostic, rejected the entire Old Testament and considered Matthew, John, Luke, I & II Timothy and Titus to be false and heretical. He accepted the following Christian books to support his Gnostic doctrine but only after changes had been made to each of them: | |
|
|
126-203 Irenaeus
- Native of Asia Minor
- As a youth he had seen and heard Polycarp in Smyrna.
- He mentions Papias frequently and must have known him
- Became bishop of Lyons, Gaul (Spain) when the bishop died in persecution
- Lyons was a missionary church of Asia Minor
- Lived in Lyons during the persecution of 177
- Took a letter to the Roman bishop Eleutherus from the confessors
- Roman Bishop Victor was complelling the Asian churches to celebrate Easter on a different date.
- Irenaeus tried to protect Asian churches from Roman Bishops pretensions and aggression
- Roman Bishop Victor cut them off from communion.
- Irenaus says earlier Roman bishops didn’t demand agreement on this issue.
- Irenaus appeals to other bishops for support.
- Irenaus was martyred under Emperor Septimius Severus
190-194 Easter Conflict
- 150-155, Smyrna Bishop Polycarp visits Rome Bishop Anicetus. The issue comes up, is not resolved, Polycarp departs in peace saying this is how he celebrated Easter with John
- 170, the same controversy develops in Laodicea but is dealt with in peace
- 190-194, Rome Bishop Victor requires the Asian churches to abandon their Easter practices. The new Ephesian Bishop Polycrates appeals with a letter which is still in existence today. Victor wouldn’t listen, calls them heretics, excommunicates them and would not send them communion elements. Irenaeus interecedw by quoting Colossians 2:16: “The apostles have ordered that we should, ‘Judge no one in meat or in drink, or in respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabath day.’ ”
- The time of the Jewish Passover and the Easter fast created a violent controversy
- The issue becomes complicated and is not yet cleared up
- The issue was purely ritualistic and involved no doctrine
- Too much stress was laid on external uniformity
- Asia Minor’s views:
- Followed Jewish chronology
- Followed John and Philip’s example
- They celebrated the Christian for of the Passover on Nisan 14 and at the end of the day they broke their Easter fast with communion and the Love Feast
- Roman Church view:
- Appealed to early custom of celebrating Jesus death on a Friday
- Celebrated Easter always on a Sunday after the March full moon
- Nearly all the churches did it this way
- The Roman practice created an entire holy week of fasting to recall Lord’s suffering
- The Problem to the Roman Church: Part of the universal church was celebrating and feasting the Lord’s resurrection while another part of the world church was still fasting his death.
- The Nicean Council of 325 established as a law for the whole church by saying:
“Easter should be celebrated on the first Sunday
after the first full moon succeeding the vernal equinox (March 21).
If the full moon occurs on a Sunday, Easter-day is the Sunday after.
Easter can be anywhere from
March 22 to April 25.” -Nicean Council of 325
March 22 to April 25.” -Nicean Council of 325
- The last trace of the “heretics” from Asia was seen in the 500’s AD
Popes
|
|||
| First Century St. Peter (c.33-67AD) Linus (67-76) Anacletus (76-88) Clement I (88-97) Evaristus (97-105) Second Century Alexander I (105-15) Sixtus I (115-25) Telesphorus (125-36) Hyginus (136-40) Pius I (140-55) Anicetus (155-66) Soter (166-75) Eleutherius (175-89) Victor I (189-99) Zephyrinus (199-217) Third Century Calixtus 1 (217-22) Urban I (222-30)  Hippolytus (222-35)Pontian (230-35) Anterus (235-36) Fabian (236-50) Cornelius (251-53)  Novatian (251-58)Lucius I (253-54) Stephen I (254-57) Sixtus II (257-58) Dionysius (259-68) Felix I (269-74) Eutychian (275-83) Caius (283-96) Marcellinus (296-304) Fourth Century Marcellus I (308-09) Eusebius (309-10) Miltiades (311-14) Sylvester I (314-35) Marcus (336-36) Julius I (337-52) Liberius (352-66)  Felix II (353-65)Damasus I (366-84)  Ursinus (366-67)Siricius (384-99) Anastasius I (399-401) Fifth Century Innocent I (401-17) Zozimus (417-18) Boniface I (418-22)  Eulalius ((418-19)Celestine I (422-32) Sixtus III (432-40) Leo I (440-61) Hilarius (461-68) Simplicius (468-83) Felux III (II) (483-92) Gelasius I (492-96) Anastasius II (496-98) Symmachus (498-514)  Laurentius (498-505)Sixth Century Hormisdas (514-23) John I (523-26) Felix IV (III) (526-30) Boniface II (530-32)  Dioscurus (530)John II (533-35) Agapetus I (535-36) Silverius (536-37) Vigilius (537-55) Pelagius I (556-61) John III (561-74) Benedict I (575-79) Pelagius II (579-90) Gregory I (590-604) Seventh Century Sabinian (604-6) Boniface III (607-7) Boniface IV (608-15) Deusdedit (Adeodatus) (615-18) Boniface V (619-25) Hononus I (625-38) Severinus (640-40) John IV (640-42) Theodore I (642-49) Martin I (649-55) Eugene I (654-57) Vitalian (657-72) Adeodatus II (672-76) Donus (676-78) Agatho (678-81) Leo II (682-83) Benedict II (684-85) John V (685-86) Conon (686-87)  Theodore II (687) Paschal I (687-92)Sergius I (687-701) Eighth Century John Vl (701-5) John Vll (705-7) Sisinnius (708-8) Constantine (708-15) Gregory II (715-31) Gregory III (731-41) Zacharias (741-52) Stephen II (752-52) Paul I (757-67)  Constantine (767) Philip (767)Stephen III (768-72) Adrian I (772-95) Leo III (795-816) |
Ninth Century Stephen IV (816-17) Paschal I (817-24) Eugene II (824-27) Valentine (827) Gregory IV (827-44)  John VIII (844)Sergius II (844-47) Leo IV (847-55) Benedict III (855-58) Anastasius III (855) Nicholas I (858-67) Adrian II (867-72) John Vlll (872-82) Marinus I (882-84) Adrian III (884-85) Stephen V (Vl) (885-91) Formosus (891-96) Boniface Vl (896-96) Stephen Vl (Vll) (896-97) Romanus (897-97) Theodore II (897-97) John IX (898-900) Tenth Century Benedict IV (900-3) Leo V (903) Christopher (903-4) Sergius III (904-11) Anastasius III (911-13) Lando (913-14) John X (914-28) Leo Vl (928) Stephen Vll (928-31) John Xl (931-35) Leo Vll (936-39) Stephen VIII (IX) (939-42) Marinus II (942-46) Agapetus II (946-55) John Xll (955-64) Leo Vlll (963-65) Benedict V (964-66) John Xlll (965-72) Benedict Vl (973-74) Benedict Vll (974-83) John XIV (983-84) Boniface VII (984-5) John XV (985-96) Gregory V (996-99) Sylvester II (999-1003) Eleventh Century John XVII (1003) John XVIII (1004-9) Sergius IV (1009-12) Benedict Vlll (1012-24)  Gregory VI (1012)John XIX (1024-32) Benedict IX (1032-44) Sylvester lll (1045) Gregory Vl (1045-46) (John Gratian Pierleoni) Clement II (1046-47) (Suitgar, Count of Morsleben) Damasus II (1048) (Count Poppo) Leo IX (1049-54) (Bruno, Count of Toul) Victor II (1055-57) (Gebhard, Count of Hirschberg) Stephen IX (X) (1057-58) (Frederick of Lorraine) Nicholas II (1059-61) (Gerhard of Burgundy) Alexander II (1061-73) (Anselmo da Baggio)  Honorius II (1061-64)Gregory Vll (1073-85) (Hildebrand of Soana)  Clement III (1080-1100)Victor III (1086-87) (Desiderius, Prince of Beneventum) Urban II (1088-99) (Odo of Chatillon) Paschal II (1099-1118) (Ranieri da Bieda)  Theodoric (1100-2) Albert (1102) Sylvester IV (1105)Twelfth Century Gelasius II (1118-19) (John Coniolo)  Gregory VIII (1118-21)Calixtus II (1119-24) (Guido, Count of Burgundy) Honorius II (1124-30) (Lamberto dei Fagnani)  Celestine II (1124)Innocent II (1130-43) (Gregorio Papareschi)  Anacletus II (1130-38) (Cardinal Pierleone) Victor IV (1138)Ceiestine II (1143-44) (Guido di Castello) Lucius II (1144-45) (Gherardo Caccianemici) Eugene III (1145-53) (Bernardo Paganelli) Anastasius IV (1153-54) (Corrado della Subarra) Adrian IV (1154-59) (Nicholas Breakspear) |
Alexander III (1159-81) (Orlando Bandinelli) Victor IV (1159-64) Paschal III (1164-68) Calixtus III (1168-78) Innocent III (1179-80) (Lando da Sessa)Lucius III (1181-85) (Ubaldo Allucingoli) Urban III (1185-87) (Uberto Crivelli) Gregory Vlll (1187) (Alberto del Morra) Clement III (1187-91) (Paolo Scolari) Celestine III (1191-98) (Giacinto Boboni-Orsini) Innocent III (1198-1216) (Lotario de Conti di Segni) Thirteenth Century Honorius III (1216-27) (Cencio Savelli) Gregory IX (1227-41) (Ugolino di Segni) Celestine IV (1241) (Goffredo Castiglione) Innocent IV (1243-54) (Sinibaldo de Fieschi) Alexander IV (1254-61) (Rinaldo di Segni) Urban IV (1261-64) (Jacques PantalŽon) Clement IV (1265-68) (Guy le Gros Foulques) Gregory X (1271-76) (Tebaldo Visconti) Innocent V (1276) (Pierre de Champagni) AdrianV (1276) (Ottobono Fieschi) John XXI (1276-77) (Pietro Rebuli-Giuliani) Nicholas III (1277-80) (Giovanni Gaetano Orsini) Martin IV (1281-85) (Simon Mompitie) Honorius IV (1285-87) (Giacomo Savelli) Nicholas IV (1288-92) (Girolamo Masci) Celestine V (1294) (Pietro Angelari da Murrone) Boniface Vlll (1294-1303) (Benedetto Gaetani) Fourteenth Century Benedict Xl (1303-04) (Niccol˜ Boccasini) Clement V (1305-14) (Raimond Bertrand de Got John XXII (1316-34) (Jacques Dueze)  Nicholas V (Pietro di Corbara)Benedict XII (1334-42) (Jacques Fournier) Clement Vl (1342-52) (Pierre Roger de Beaufort) Innocent VI (1352-62) (ƒtienne Aubert) Urban V (1362-70) (Guillaume de Grimord) Gregory Xl (1370-78) (Pierre Roger de Beaufort, the Younger) Urban Vl (1378-89) (Bartolomeo Prignano)  Clement VII (1378-94) (Robert of Geneva)Boniface IX (1389-1404) (Pietro Tomacelli)  Benedict XIII (1394-1423) (Pedro de Luna)Fifteenth Century Innocent Vll (1404-6) (Cosmato de Migliorati) Gregory Xll (1406-15) (Angelo Correr)  Alexander V (1409-10) (Petros Philargi) John XXIII (1410-15) (Baldassare Cossa)Martin V (1417-31) (Ottone Colonna)  Clement VIII (1423-29) Benedict XIV (1424)Eugene lV (1431-47) (Gabriele Condulmer)  Felix V (1439-49) (Amadeus of Savoy)Nicholas V (1447-55) (Tommaso Parentucelli) Calixtus III (1455-58) (Alonso Borgia) Pius II (1458-64) (Aeneas Silvio de Piccolomini) Paul II (1464-71) (Pietro Barbo) Sixtus IV (1471-84) (Francesco della Rovere) Innocent Vlll (1484-92) (Giovanni Battista Cibo) Alexander Vl (1492-1503) (Rodrigo Borgia) |
Sixteenth Century Pius III (1503) (Francesco Todoeschini-Piccolomini) Julius II (1503-13) (Giuliano della Rovere) Leo X (1513-21) (Giovanni de Medici) Adrian Vl (1522-23) (Hadrian Florensz) Clement Vll (1523-34) (Giulio de Medici) Paul III (1534-49) (Alessandro Farnese) Julius III (1550-55) (Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte) Marcellus II (1555) (Marcello Cervini) Paul IV (1555-59) (Gian Pietro Caraffa) Pius IV (1559-65) (Giovanni Angelo de Medici) Pius V (1566-72) (Antonio Michele Ghislieri) Gregory Xlll (1572-85) (Ugo Buoncompagni) Sixtus V (1585-90) (Felice Peretti) Urban Vll (1590) (Giambattista Castagna) Gregory XIV (1590-91) (Niccol˜ Sfondrati) Innocent IX (1591) (Gian Antonio Facchinetti) Clement Vlll (1592-1605) (Ippolito Aldobrandini) Seventeenth Century Leo Xl (1605) (Alessandro de Medici-Ottaiano) Paul V (1605-21) (Camillo Borghese) Gregory XV (1621-23) (Alessandro Ludovisi) Urban Vlll (1623-44) (Maffeo Barberini) Innocent X (1644-55) (Giambattista Pamfili) Aleander Vll (1655-67) (Fabio Chigi) Clement IX (1667-69) (Giulio Rospigliosi) Clement X (1670-76) (Emilio Altieri) Innocent Xl (1676-89) (Benedetto Odescalchi) Alexander Vlll (1689-91) (Pietro Ottoboni) Innocent Xll (1691-1700) (Antonio Pignatelli) Eighteenth Century Clement Xl (1700-21) (Gian Francesco Albani) Innocent Xlll (1721-24) (Michelangelo dei Conti) Benedict Xlll (1724-30) (Pietro Francesco Orsini) Clement Xll (1730-40) (Lorenzo Corsini) Benedict XlV (1740-58) (Prospero Lambertini) Clement Xlll (1758-69) (Carlo Rezzonico) Clement XIV (1769-74) (Lorenzo Ganganelli) Pius Vl (1775-99) (Gianangelo Braschi) Nineteenth Century Pius Vll (1800-23) (Barnaba Chiaramonti) Leo Xll (1823-29) (Annibale della Genga) Pius Vlll (1829-30) (Francesco Saverio Gastiglioni) Gregory XVI (1831-46) (Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari) Pius IX (1846-78) (Giovanni Mastai-Ferretti) Leo Xlll (1878-1903) (Gioacchino Pecci) Twentieth Century Pius X (1903-14) (Giuseppe Sarto) Benedict XV (1914-22) (Giacomo della Chiesa) Pius Xl (1922-39) (Achille Ratti) Pius Xll (1939-58) (Eugenio Pacelli) John XXIII (1958-63) (Angelo Roncalli) Paul Vl (1963-78) (Giovanni Battista Montini) John Paul I (1978) (Albino Luciani) John Paul II (1978-) (Karol Jozef Wojtyla) Twenty-First Century John Paul II (1978-2005) (Karol Jozef Wojtyla) Benedict XVI (2005-) (Joseph Ratzinger) |
100-165 Justin Martyr
- A Christian apologist trained in philosophy (Stoicism and Platonism) and became a Christian.
- He became the most notable writer of this century
- He was born in Palestine and searched energetically for truth as a young man in philosophical schools. While meditating alone by the sea side one day he was approached by an old man who exposed the weaknesses of his thinking and pointed him to the Jewish prophets who bore witness to Christ.
- Justin took this new faith back into the philosophical schools.
- His writings vigorous and earnest. They are written under the threat of persecution and are an urgent appeal to reason.
- He wrote “First Apology” to the Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161) to clear away prejudice and misunderstanding about Christianity.
- In his “Dialogue with Trypho” he recounts an actual encounter in Ephesus with a Jew who accused Christians of breaking the Jewish law and worshipping a man. The debate was conducted with respect and courtesy on both sides, despite strong disagreement.
- He opened a school in Rome.
- Justin was martyred in Rome about 165
140-160 Marcion
- From Pontus on the Black Sea, Marcion arrived in Rome in 140.
- He made a fortune as a shipowner
- His father was a bishop and excommunicated him.
- Marcion believed that the God of the Old Testament was different from the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Marcion taught that the God of the OT was unknowable and sheer justice. The God of the NT was revealed and was loving and gracious.
- The church of Rome excommunicated him in 144.
- Justin Martyr said Marcion was aided by the devil to blaspheme and den that God was the creator.
- Tertullian wrote “Against Marcion” about 207 and called him a formidable foe of true Christian doctrine.
- Marcion stated that Jesus was notborn of a woman but suddenly appeared in the synagogue at Capernaum in 29 AD.
- He taught that since creation was not the work of the true God the body must be denied.
- Marcion recognized Polycarp in Rome in 155 and Polycarp replied, “I recognize you as the firstborn of Satan.”
- The followers of Marcion were called Marcionites. Constantine absolutely forbade their meeting for worship. Most were absorbed into newer heretical teaching of Mani and Manicheism. There were reports of them in the 400’s. The council at Trullo 692 made provision for the reconciliation of Marcionites. There was lingering remains as late as the 900’s.
KEY POINTS (back to the top)
OTHER SITES (back to the top)
- Roman Emperors
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Roman_Emperors
- http://www.roman-emperors.org/impindex.htm
- List of Popes with links to each Pope
- http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm
- A Cross Reference Table of the Development of the Canon of the New Testament. You can see who accepted which book
(Great Site)
- http://www.ntcanon.org/table.shtml
BOOKS from Galyn's Shelf: (back to the top)
- Ante-Nicene Fathers, by Alexander Roberts, D.D. and James Donaldson, LL.D., 10 volumes, Hendrickson Pulishers, Peabody, Mass. 1995
- Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 1, by Philip Schaff, 14 volumes, Hendrickson Pulishers, Peabody, Mass. 1995
- Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, by Philip Schaff, 14 volumes, Hendrickson Pulishers, Peabody, Mass. 1995
- History of the Christian Church by Philip Schaff, five volumes, Eerdmans Printing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1910
- Great Leaders of the Christian Church by John D. Woodbridge, Moody Press, Chicago, 1988
- The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History by A. Kenneth Curtis, J. Stephen Lang, Randy Petersen, Baker Book House Co., Grand Rapids, 2004
- Christianity Through the Centuries, by Earle E. Cairns, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996
- Dictionary of Christian Biography, edited by Michael Walsh, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 2001
- A Dictionary of Christian Biography, by Henry Wace, D.D. and William C. Piercy, M.A., Hendrickson PUblishers, Peabody, Mass., 1994
- A History of Christianity, by Kenneth Scott Latourette, two volumes, Prince Press, an imprint of Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA, 2003
- Exploring Church History, by Perry Thomas, World Publishing, Nashville, TN, 2005
- Chronological and Background Charts of Church History, by Robert C. Walton, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1986
- Handbook of Denominations in the United States, by Frank S. Mead and Samuel S. Hill, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1985
- The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations, by Ron Rhodes, Harvest House PUblishers, Eugene, Oregon, 1995
- Nelson's Guide to Denominations, by J. Gordon Melton, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tenn., 2007
- Forerunners and Rivals of Christianity, by Francis Legge, University Books, New Hyde Park, NY, 1965
- The Heritics, by Walter Nigg, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, 1962
- Heresies, by Harold O.J. Brown, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, Mass., 1988
- Documents of the Christian Church, by Henry Bettenson, Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 1967
- Early Christian Doctrines, J. N. D. Kelly, Prince Press, an imprint of Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA, 2003
- Christendom, Roland H. Bainton, Harper and Row, Pulishers, New York, NY, 1966
- Eerdmans' Handbook to the History of Christianity, Dr. Tim Dowley, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1977
- Principles of Monasticism, by Maurus Wolter, B. Herder Book Co., London, 1962
- History of Christian Philosophy in the Middle Ages, by Etienne Gilson, Mandom House, New York, NY, 1955
- The Reformation, by Earnest G. Schwiebert, Fortress Press, Minneapolis, MN, 1996
- The Apostolic Fathers, by J. B. Lightfoot and J. R. Harmer, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1984
- God's Peoples, by Paul R. Spickard and Kevin M. Cragg, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1994
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)