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To download a copy of today’s lesson go to TheGoodTeacher and click on “Gospel Meetings”

Explore the beginnings of apostasy and the historical movements that shaped the Lord's Church in the Post-Apostolic Period. Learn valuable lessons from history for today's challenges.

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To download a copy of today’s lesson go to TheGoodTeacher and click on “Gospel Meetings”

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  1. To download a copyof today’s lesson go toTheGoodTeacher.comand click on “Gospel Meetings”

  2. The Lord’s ChurchThrough the Ages Part 2 The Post-Apostolic Period

  3. The Lord’s Church Through the AgesWhere Are We?

  4. Why This Study? • A study of history is profitable for learning valuable lessons (1 Corinthians 10:11-12) • A study of the Post-Apostolic Period will show the beginnings of apostasy – the when, where, and why of apostasy within the Lord’s church

  5. Understanding Some Terms • The “Post-Apostolic” period is the period after (post) the death of the apostles and those who personally knew the apostles. • The “Apostolic Fathers” were a group of men who knew some of the original apostles and who lived at the end of the 1st Century and the beginning of the 2nd Century (Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Polycarp, etc.).

  6. Understanding Some Terms • The “Ante-Nicene” (before Nicea) period runs from 100 to 325. • The “Ante-Nicene Fathers” were a group of men who lived after the “Apostolic Fathers” and before the Council of Nicea in 325 (Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, etc.).

  7. Five Key Marks of the Post-Apostolic Period 1. Persecution of the New Testament church 2. Further departures from the faith 3. Men and their movements 4. Councils and their creeds 5. Union of church and state

  8. Five “P’s” Behind the Apostasies of the Post-Apostolic Period 1. Pride 2. Power 3. Prominence / Prestige 4. Promiscuity 5. Passivity

  9. Persecution of the New Testament Church • Principle persecutors: Roman emperors • Prominent martyrs: Ignatius, Polycarp, Irenaeus • Pertinent reasons: Christians opposed Rome • Popular reactions: some Christians gave up, some Christians held on

  10. Further Departures From the Faith Departures in doctrine Departures in worship and practice Departures in organization Departures in character

  11. Men and Their Movements • Men: “Apostolic Fathers”, apologists, Alexandrians, men of North Africa, preachers • Movements: monasticism, the papacy

  12. Councils and Their Creeds • Councils: Nicea (325, 787), Constantinople (381, 553, 680), Ephesus (431) Chalcedon (451) • Creeds: formal statements of faith came out of the councils and governed religion (“Canon Law”)

  13. Union of Church and State Emperor Constantine “converted” to Christianity in the early part of the 4th Century, but he put off baptism to the end of his life. After Constantine’s “conversion,” much good was accomplished: 1) Rome protected the Apostate “Church” instead of persecuting it, 2) church buildings were restored and reopened, 3) heathenism was discouraged, 4) crucifixion was abolished, 5) infanticide was repressed, 6) slavery was regulated, and 7) gladiator contests were suppressed.

  14. Union of Church and State After Constantine’s “conversion,” much bad was also accomplished: 1) the Apostate “Church” was run like the Roman Empire; and 2) heathen religions were “converted” and brought much of their belief and practice with them into the Apostate “Church” (images, ceremony, holy days, etc.).

  15. Union of Church and State( Apostate “Church” Run Like the Roman Empire ) The Roman Empire The Apostate “Church” Pope (Head) Council Patriarchal bishop Metropolitan bishop Clergy (bishop / priest) Laity (common people) Emperor (Head) Senate Imperial Governor Provincial Governor Civitas Common people Hierarchy of Authority

  16. Lessons Learned • How will you react to the persecutions that Christians face today (Lk. 6:22-23; 2 Tim. 3:12)? •  Departures from the faith come when individuals do not know the scriptures, respect the scriptures, or both (2 Pet. 3:16-18) • Will you follow men and their movements or Jesus Christ and his word (Mt. 17:5)?

  17. Lessons Learned • One wrong, like a departure from the faith, often leads to other wrongs like forming councils and creeds to answer and defend against the departures (2 Tim. 2:16; 3:13) • The Lord never intended for his church to be a political machine of church and state, but a teaching body (1 Tim. 3:15)

  18. The Lord’s Church Through the Ages • Let us be content to respect Bible authority and do the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way • Let us be the faithful remnant of the Lord’s church today

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