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Church History and the Historicity of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Explore the importance of understanding Church History and the historical accounts of Jesus Christ and early Christian events.
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Jesus Reigns Christian College Rev. Manuel A. Ocampo Jr.
What is History? History is the “branch of knowledge that records and explains past events.”
“Do you think it is important to have an understanding of Church History?”
“Church History tells us that actions and ideas have consequences notonly in our own generation but future generations.”
Justo Gonzalez: “When we study the life and work of past generations, and when we interpret it, we are ‘doing’ history. But we must remember that future generations will read about our times as past history. In than sense, like it or not, both by our action and by our inaction, we are ‘making’ history.”
“Church History connects the past with the present, and provides a basis to guide present decision making.”
Working definition “Church History can be thought of as the study of how God has intervened in the events of mankind in order that he might redeem mankind and establish His kingdom purposes.”
“A Christian understanding of history is unique for the Bible declares that in history God is working out His redemptive purposes.”
Luke 1:1-5 “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. 5 In the time of Herod king of Judea …”
Luke 2:1-3 “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.”
Luke 3:1-2 “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar — when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.”
Mark 15:1 “Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.”
Tacitus (b. 56 or 57 A.D.), the renowned Roman historian and statesman, writes: “Nero fabricated scapegoats—and punished with every refinement the notoriously depraved Christians (as they were popularly called). Their originator, Christ, had been executed in Tiberius’ reign by the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilatus. But in spite of this temporary setback the deadly superstition had broken out afresh, not only in Judea (where the mischief had started) but even in Rome. All degraded and shameful practices collect and flourish in the capital …” (Annals, XV, 44).
Although some dispute either the authenticity or the precise meaning of the passage, Josephus records another important early reference to Christ. In the context of a discussion concerning the career of Pontius Pilate, Josephus adds this aside: “Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works—a teacher … He was [the] Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day” (Antiquities, 18.3.3).
Christian faith is rooted in history Resurrection of Christ was preached as a historical event Story of Jesus, his disciples, the apostolic fathers, and the rest of the early church is recorded in many documents
Galatians 4:4 “But in the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law…”
Major Aspects The political unity of the Empire The Hellenistic culture including the Greek language Religious syncretism Emperor worship
Under the Roman Empire Pompey subjects Palestine as a Roman protectorate in 63 BC and Palestine remains under Roman rule for centuries Herodian Dynasty - Herod the Great (40 BC to 4 BC) - Uneasy peace for 37 yrs because Herod was an Edomite (A foreigner)
Kingdom divided after Herod the Great among his sons Archelaus rules Judea and Samaria Philip rules Gentile regions E of upper Jordan, N of Lake Huleh Herod Antipas rules Galilee, Perea and Transjordan for 42 yrs (Herod the tetrarch, the “Fox” who beheaded John the Baptist)
All three territories consolidate under the rule of Agrippa I, grandson of Herod The Great (Agrippa imprisoned Peter, executed James the brother of John; the Herod of Acts 12) 50 AD, Agrippa II, son of Agrippa I made king and rules until ca AD 93 (the King Agrippa before whom Paul stood trial in Acts 25) Jewish Roman War (66-74 AD)
The Pharisees - a group of influential Jews active in Palestine from 2nd century BCE through 1st century CE; they advocated and adhered to strict observance of the Sabbath rest, purity rituals, tithing, and food restrictions based on the Hebrew Scriptures and on later traditions.
The Sadducees Were the priestly aristocracy of the Temple. They were drawn from those who held highpriestly offices and from influential Jerusalem families. This sect controlled the Temple and its considerable revenues. The Sadducees held to a narrow interpretation of the Law, upholding the authority of the written Law but rejecting the oral Law.
The Zealots - Were apparently Pharisaic in their views, with the notable exception that they advocated and practiced armed resistance against the Roman occupation. This group sparked the revolt against Rome (66-70 C.E.), which had such disastrous consequences for the Jewish nation
The Essenes - a smaller group or "sect" that lived a communal "monastic" lifestyle at Qumram (near the Dead Sea) from 2nd century BC through 1st century CE; the "Dead Sea Scrolls" found in this location in 1947 are usually associated with them
“The People of the Land” - Most Jews of this period belonged to none of these four sects; they were known as “the People of the Land,” (in Hebrew, ‘am ha-aretz), that is, the common people, or peasants. Most people lacked the inclination or the leisure to join the ranks of the Pharisees. The Pharisees had nothing but contempt for these folk because of their casual attitude toward observance of the Law.
The Diaspora Judaism Before the birth of Christ, there were many Jews living outside Jerusalem but with great attachment to the land of their ancestors. They are called “Diaspora” or “Dispersion.”
One of the main contributions of the Diaspora Judaism is the translation of the Old Testament to Greek known as the Septuagint (usually abbreviated as LXX). This Greek translation of the OT was used by the early Christians in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles.
Their response to a global mission (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) Gospel Spreads through Jerusalem to Jews (Acts 2-6) Stephen’s martyrdom Scatters Witnesses (Acts 7) Ministry of Peter (Acts 2-6, 10-11, 15) Ministry of Philip (Acts 8) – Samaritans, Ethiopian Eunuch, up Mediterranean coast to Caesarea Ministry of Paul (Acts 9, 13-28)
Key Distinguishing Featuresof the Apostolic Church • The Experience of Miraculous Works • Uniting of Jew and Gentile in the Saving Purposes of God • One Universal Church in Local Settings • Simplistic, Informally Structured Worship • Location of Worship (Jas 2:2; 70 AD) • Elements of Worship • Lord’s Supper and Agape Meal • Reading of Scriptures (1 Tim 3:15; 4:13) • The Exhortation (1 Tim 4:13) • The Teaching (1 Tim 4:13) • Singing (Eph 5:19-20; Col 3:16) • The Prayers (Acts 2:42; 1 Tim 2:1-2, 8; 3:14-15)
Key Distinguishing Featuresof the Apostolic Church (cont) • “Family Model” of Church Government • Overseers/Elders (1 Cor 4:14-15; 2 Cor 11:2, 28; Phil 1:1; 1 Thess 2:7-12; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) • Deacons (Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8-12) • Family Love • Evangelistic Zeal • Persecution • Waves of imperial persecutions – from Nero (r. 54-68), • Tradition claims 10 of original 12 disciples were martyred (2 Tim 3:12)
Spread of the Gospel Churches in 100 A.D.
Spread of the Gospel Churches in 200 A.D.
