Topic 7 Early Church before Paul

1. Topic 7 Early Church before Paul Sources for earliest period of church (30-50 AD) • Acts – our only narrative account of early years of church • Written c. 90, based on earlier sources/traditions. • “Theological history” designed to commend/support Christian faith. • Theme: triumph of gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. • Highly selective account; written from later perspective. • Early traditions embedded in Paul’s letters • Early traditions embedded in Synoptics

2. Easter Faith as a New Beginning • Christian church arose on basis of faith in the Resurrection of Jesus. • Evidence for Resurrection of Jesus: • Empty tomb – not decisive • Resurrection appearances • 1 Cor. 15:3-8 – earliest recorded tradition • Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15; 5:30 – at heart of early sermons • Theological significance of Resurrection • Jesus is Messiah after all. • Jesus’ death is a saving act of God. • The New Age of Salvation has dawned. • The Parousia (“coming” again) of Christ is imminent.

3. Overlapping of the Ages Parousia Death/Res.

4. Rise of the Church in Jerusalem (Acts 1-2) • Commissioning and Ascension (Acts 1) • 40 days of appearances in Jerusalem • Commissioning of apostles (v. 8) • Apostle = one sent out as messenger • Worldwide scope of mission • Ascension of Jesus • Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) • Jewish festival – 50 days after Passover. • Outpouring of Holy Spirit—speaking in other languages. • Empowers church for worldwide mission. • Preaching in Jerusalem • Audience – fellow Jews • Content of the Apostolic Preaching • Mixed response: • Some believed (Acts 2:41-42) • Most did not. • Some were hostile.

5. Six Main Themes in The Apostolic Preaching (the Kerygma) • The long-awaited Age of Salvation has dawned. • Jesus is the Messiah – his ministry, death, and resurrection have fulfilled the prophecies. • Jesus the Messiah has been exalted to heaven as Lord over the “New Israel,” including all who repent and believe in him. • The presence of the Holy Spirit is evidence and a foretaste of the salvation to come. • The imminent “Parousia” (second “coming”) of Christ will soon appear, bringing resurrection of the dead, final judgment, and the fullness of salvation in God’s Kingdom. • Therefore, repent and be baptized in order to receive forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and the promise of salvation. (Based on C. H. Dodd, The Apostolic Preaching and Its Development; cf. Acts 2:17, 21, 22-24, 32-33,36, 38-39; 3:13-15, 19-21; 4:8-12; 5:29-32.)

6. Palestinian Jewish Christianity (Acts 3-5) (Earliest phase of Christian movement; the “Hebrews” of Acts 6:1.) • Aramaic-speaking Jews who accepted Jesus. • Centered in Jerusalem. • Led by the Twelve plus James the brother of Jesus. • Sect of Judaism. • Remained Jews; loyal to Temple, synagogues, Scripture. • Reluctant to break with Jewish practices. • Concept of church • “Church” = ekklesia = gathering, assembly. • New/renewed Israel. • No church buildings – gathered in homes. • Titles for Jesus • Messiah/Christ – most important confession at this stage. • Son of Man – apocalyptic figure; Parousia. • Son of God – bears character of God; reveals nature of God. • Lord – Jesus is “the Master.” • Death of Christ – sacrifice making atonement for sin (Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:3; Rom. 3:24-25).

7. Palestinian Jewish Christianity– cont. 6. Two Christian rituals • Baptism (Acts 2:38) – immersionin water; initiation rite • Symbolized cleansing from sin. • Presupposed repentance and faith in Jesus. • Associated with forgiveness and Holy Spirit. • Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26) – communal meal • Bread and wine = body and blood of Christ. • Commemorated saving death of Christ. • Anticipated joy of coming Kingdom. • Close-knit fellowship (Acts 2:43-47) • Practiced “community of goods.” • Community of caring for needy is “good news for poor.” • Mild hostility from Jewish authorities (Acts 4-5) • Temple authorities opposed preaching “crucified Messiah.” • Apostles jailed and ordered to desist.

8. D. Hellenistic Jewish Christianity (Acts 6-12) (Second phase of Christian movement: the “Hellenists” of Acts 6:1) • Greek-speaking Jewish Christians • Have roots in Diaspora. • More open to Hellenistic culture. • Less conservative on Jewish customs. • Two factions in Jerusalem church (Acts 6:1): • Hebrews = Palestinian Jewish Christians – conservative. • Hellenists = Hellenistic Jewish Christians – liberal. • Dispute over charity for widows (Acts 6:1-6) • Hebrews vs. Hellenists • Selection of “the Seven” – probably leaders of Hellenists • Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 6-7) • Accused of rejecting Torah, temple, and Jewish customs. • Stoned to death – first Christian martyr. • Persecution and expansion (Acts 8-12) • Intense persecution of Jerusalem church (8:1-3). • Hellenists fled to Diaspora, taking gospel (8:4). • Samaria; Damascus; Phoenicia; Cyprus; Antioch (Acts 8-11).

9. E.Gentile Christianity (Acts 10-11) • “Gentile” = any person who is not a Jew • Palestinian Jews tended to avoid contact with Gentiles. • Diaspora Jews tended to be more open. • Crucial issue for early church: Does gospel embrace Gentiles as well as Jews? • Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10:1-11:18) • Cornelius is first Gentile convert reported in Acts. • Roman centurion in Caesarea– Gentile “God-fearer.” • Peter’s vision–Gentiles not unclean (Acts 10:28, 34-35). • Goes to Caesarea – Gentiles believe! • Jerusalem church reluctantly accepts Gentile conversion – does not take up the cause. • Antioch church (Acts 11:19-26) • Founded by “Hellenists” fleeing persecution. • First deliberate, sustained Gentile mission – successful. • Included Gentiles apart from Jewish law. • New name – Christians (11:26). • Center for Gentile mission.

10. 3. Characteristics of “Hellenistic Christianity” • Greek-speaking Jewish and Gentile Christians. • Flourished in Diaspora (Antioch, Damascus, etc.). • Freedom from Jewish law and rituals. • Did not require circumcision, Sabbath-observance, food laws, etc. • Understood themselves as heirs of Israel, but coming of Christ renders much of the ritual law obsolete. • Read Jewish Scripture (in LXX version) mainly for its “predictions of Christ” and ethical instruction. • More exalted doctrine of Christ: (1) “Messiah” translated to “Christ” – becomes name rather than title. (2) “Lord” becomes most important title; divine connotations. (3) LXX texts referring to God, now attributed to Christ. (4) Concept of “Pre-existence” – Christ existed before Creation; was incarnated in Jesus; returned to heaven. • Baptism and Lord’s Supper interpreted “sacramentally.” (1) Baptism – dying and rising with Christ (Rom. 6:3-6). (2) Lord’s Supper – union with Christ (1 Cor. 10:16).