Perspectives on the World Christian Movement

1. Perspectives on the World Christian Movement Expansion of theWorld Christian Movement

2. The Purposes of God Isaiah 14:24,27 The Lord Almighty has sworn,“Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,And as I have purposed, so it will stand.” For the Lord Almighty has purposed,And who can thwart him?His hand is stretched out,and who can turn it back?

3. The Purposes of God Isaiah 46:10-11 “My purpose will be established,And I will accomplish all My good pleasure…. Truly I have spoken;Truly I will bring it to pass.I have planned it,Surely I will do it.”

4. The Purposes of God Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart,But it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

5. God’s Continuing Purpose To redeem a people from every people. To rule a kingdom above every kingdom.

6. Our Question: God, what is Your will for my life? my

7. The Question To Ask: God, what is Your will? Your How can I join You in what You are doing? You You

8. History of the World Christian Movement Ten Epochs in the Movement 2000 B.C. 1600 B.C. 1200 B.C. 800 B.C. 400 B.C. 0 0 A.D. 400 A.D. 800 A.D. 1200 A.D. 1600 A.D. 2000 A.D.

9. History of the World Christian Movement Galatians 4:4 “In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son…”

10. Mission Mechanisms O.T. Period N.T. Period Modern Missions GOVoluntary GOInvoluntary COMEVoluntaryCOMEInvoluntary Abraham Hebrew prophets Philipto Ethiopian eunuchPeterto CorneliusPaul Missionaries “Tentmakers” JosephJonahEstherDaniel + friends Persecutedchurch MilitaryBusiness peopleGov’t employeesPersecuted church Naamanthe SyrianQueenof ShebaRuth MagiGreeksseek out JesusCorneliussends for Peter International studentsBusiness immigrants Gentiles forcibly resettled in Israel Roman military Refugees

11. God’s Purpose God’s purpose is to forward His mission WITH WITHOUT WITH or WITHOUT the cooperation of His chosen people. With the blessing is the responsibility. Dangerous if unfulfilled! With the blessing is the privilege. Joyous when fulfilled!

12. History of the World Christian Movement Five Epochs Since Christ

13. History of the World Christian Movement Acts 15 Breakthrough!

14. History of the World Christian Movement Christianity spreadas a result of: Divine signs in the sky Persecution In the ROMAN period Heretics The Chamber of Commerce

15. The Church in the Fourth Century

16. Roman Period Christianity all the way to England by AD 212 Diocletian edicts Edict of Toleration in AD 313 Official religion in AD 375 Christianity was the only religion with no nationalism at its root!

17. Roman Period Christianity all the way to England by AD 212 Diocletian edicts Edict of Toleration in AD 313 Official religion in AD 375 Church councils Ulfila, an Arian Christian, goes to the Goths

18. History of the World Christian Movement Christianity spreadas a result of: Divine signs in the sky Persecution TRUE! TRUE! In the ROMAN period Heretics The Chamber of Commerce TRUE! TRUE!

19. Barbarian invasions of 4th/5th centuries

20. Barbarian invasions of 4th/5th centuries Get the point! Christianity was well-established in the Roman Empire; however, Latin Christians did not reach out with the gospel to their unreached neighbors – the Goths. In God’s eternal purpose, He brought the Goths to them, so that they too might be saved.

21. History of the World Christian Movement Christianity spreadas a result of: A wife of the emperor Fear & force In the BARBARIAN period A kidnapped boy Advanced Roman civilization

22. Barbarian invasions of 4th/5th centuries

23. Barbarian Control of Roman Empire Civilization lost Urban to rural (cities abandoned) Fertile land to desolation Great Roman engineering into disrepair Law & order disappeared Money ceased to be used Freedom exchanged for survival Language lost

24. Barbarian Control of Roman Empire The Church was the only surviving institution in the ancient world!

25. Barbarian invasions of 4th/5th centuries

26. A Nation Transformed Planted 700 churches Who Is He? Trained 3000 pastors Baptized 100,000 Irish

27. Church’s Role in Society Helped the poor Cared for the sick Provided refuge for the outcast Served as civil-servants Created hospitals Established homes for the aged & insane The only source of education Transmitted the Latin language

28. Church’s Role in Society Preserved ancient writings Taught a respect for the written word Taught the importance of record-keeping Sole link between the classical past and the future Instilled the value & dignity of the individual Led in draining swamps, clearing forests & developing better agricultural methods Mitigated violence through its teaching

29. History of the World Christian Movement Christianity spreadas a result of: A wife of the emperor A wife of the emperor FALSE! Fear & force Fear & force FALSE! In the BARBARIAN period A kidnapped boy TRUE! Advanced Roman civilization Advanced Roman civilization FALSE! A kidnapped boy

30. History of the World Christian Movement Get the point! Christianity is well-established in the new “Holy Roman Empire” Charlemagne was eager for his own kind (Germanic tribes) to become Christian, but didn’t reach out to the Scandinavian peoples to the north.

31. Christianity in Asia First 300 years: Severe persecution in West (Rome) Relative freedom in East (Persia / Syria)Next 300 years: Imperial religion in West Severe persecution in East Trade routes to West closed Nestorian church spreads further EastNext 300 years: Rise of Islam closes all trade routes No contact between East & West for 600 yrs Mission extension & obliteration in East697 A.D. Conversion of Anglo-Saxons & Chinese

32. History of the World Christian Movement Christianity spreadas a result of: Conversion of Eric the Red Slave girls In the VIKING period Captured monks Mass Conversions

33. The West Under Threat: 8-10th centuries

34. History of the World Christian Movement Christianity spreadas a result of: Slave girls FALSE! TRUE! Slave girls Conversion of Eric the Red Conversion of Eric the Red In the VIKING period Captured monks TRUE! Captured monks Mass Conversions TRUE! Mass Conversions

35. History of the World Christian Movement Get the point! If you don’t go to them with the gospel, they come to where it is… but it may not be in a friendly way! God’s determined purpose, remember?

36. The West Under Threat: 8-10th centuries

37. History of the World Christian Movement Christianity spreadas a result of: Traveling evangelists Friars In the MUSLIM period Taking Jerusalem from Muslims Conquistadors

38. The First Crusade

39. The First Crusade Defense against invading Turks Opportunity for Roman Church to expand into Byzantine Church territory Opportunity for petty kings and lords to gain riches and land Opportunity for disinherited sons to spend energies and gain wealth Opportunity to gain remission for sins and a secure place in heaven

40. The First Crusade Get the point! Passion, love and sacrifice are no substitute for a clear understanding of God’s will. God brought “Christian Europe” into contact with a new people needing His truth and they responded by killing them.

41. The Reconciliation Message Nine hundred years ago, our forefathers carried the name of Jesus Christ in battle across the Middle East. Fueled by fear, greed and hatred, they betrayed the name of Christ by conducting themselves in a manner contrary to His wishes and character. The Crusaders lifted the banner of the Cross above your people. By this act they corrupted its true meaning of reconciliation, forgiveness and selfless love.

42. The Reconciliation Message On the anniversary of the First Crusade, we also carry the name of Christ. We wish to retrace the footsteps of the Crusaders in apology for their deeds and in demonstration of the true meaning of the Cross. We deeply regret the atrocities committed in the name of Christ by our predecessors. We renounce greed, hatred and fear, and condemn all violence done in the name of Jesus Christ.

43. The Reconciliation Message Where they were motivated by hatred and prejudice, we offer love and brotherhood. Jesus the Messiah came to give life. Forgive us for allowing His name to be associated with death.

44. History of the World Christian Movement Christianity spreadas a result of: Friars Traveling evangelists TRUE! Traveling evangelists Friars TRUE! In the MUSLIM period Taking Jerusalem from Muslims FALSE! Taking Jerusalem from Muslims Conquistadors Conquistadors FALSE!

45. History of the World Christian Movement The Greatest Missed Opportunity in World Evangelization

46. History of the World Christian Movement The Reformation

47. History of the World Christian Movement The Reformation was a CULTURAL breakthrough! CULTURAL Latin uniformity vs. cultural diversity Acts 15 repeated!

48. Depiction of God in Luther’s Bible

49. “In the fulness of time…” The Printing Press Spread Reformation ideas rapidly Within 100 years the Bible had been translated into almost every European language. Education (and the means to form one’s own opinion) was no longer limited to the clergy or very wealthy.

50. “In the fulness of time…” The Internet! Radio! Satellite TV!