EARLY CHURCH PRACTICES

2. EARLY CHURCH PRACTICES Rolan D. Monje Teaching Class 2010

3. Caution from the New Testament Jude 1:3 “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. “ 1 Tim 4:16 “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them…”

4. Reconstruction of Church History The New Testament Christian literature Greek and Roman writings Jewish writings Other writings

5. Flashback • In history, there are two early church “ordinances” that are agreed upon: communion and baptism. • These are the two earliest among the early church’s practices.

6. Evidence To show the importance of communion and baptism, we will look at two sources: 1. the Bible record, and 2. the records of church history.

7. #1 COMMUNION • Other terms used are • “Lord’s supper” • “Lord’s Table” • “Eucharist” • “Breaking of the bread” • “Oblation”

8. #1 COMMUNION Four main passages (Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25). Acts 2:42 refers to the table fellowship as “breaking of bread” (cf. Acts 20:7).

9. Acts 2:42 NIV: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. TAB: …sila’ynapanatilingmatibaysaturongmgaapostol at sapagsasamasama, sapagpuputolputolngtinapay, at samgapanalangin.

10. 1 Cor 11:23-26 Paul writes, “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you...” We note of the bread, “This is my body, which is for you,” of the cup, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood,” and the doubled command, “This do in remembrance of me.

11. Justin Martyr, Apology I.55 “Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water;

12. Justin Martyr, Apology I.55 and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands. And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen.

13. Justin Martyr, Apology I.56 ... those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.

14. Justin Martyr, Apology I.56 ...not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; … both flesh and blood for our salvation... that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, “This do ye in remembrance of Me, (Luk_22:19) this is My body;” and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, “This is My blood;” and gave it to them alone.

15. Early worship

16. Pliny the Younger’s Letter “they met before daybreak on a particular day…they sang a hymn (Lat: carmendicere) to Christ as a god, took an oath (sacramentum) to abstain from crime, and dispersed to meet again later to eat.”

17. Our response Take each communion time as special Pray for your heart when you take communion Come to the meetings of the body with gratitude

18. #2 BAPTISM English verb “baptize” is a transliteration (simply, word conversion using the corresponding letters of one alphabet to another) of the Greek word “βαπτίζω” “Baptism”  Greek noun baptisma Similarly, ‘Amen’ is the transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning “so be it” or “let it be” (Num 5:22). In the original language, baptisma mainly means ‘immersion’ or ‘dipping’.

19. Baptism in Acts Acts 2:38 (NIV) Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:12-13 (NIV) But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

20. Baptism in Paul’s letters 1 Cor. 12:13 (NIV) For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Galatians 3:27 (NIV) For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

21. Baptism and Salvation Mark 16:16 (NIV) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 1 Peter 3:21 (NIV) And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

22. Baptism and commission Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

23. Baptism and union Romans 6:3-4 (NIV) Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

24. Therefore, at baptism… One is forgiven of his sins (Acts 2:38). One is put into Christ (Acts 2:38; Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:1-6) and his body (I Cor. 12:13). One calls on the name of the Lord and his sins are washed away (Acts 22:16).

25. At baptism… One is saved through an appeal to God for a good conscience (one does not until baptism have a good conscience) and through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (I Pet. 3:21). One “puts on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). One is “buried with Christ” and “baptized into his death” and rises to live a new life (Rom. 6:2-4). This must be the time when Jesus’ blood covers his sins (note how it is through the blood of Christ that we have redemption in Eph. 1:7 and Matt. 26:28

26. At baptism One is “united” or “grown together” or becomes “at one with” (sumphutos) Christ and our old self is crucified with him (Rom. 6:5). One is buried with him, we were spiritually circumcised, we put off the old nature which was offensive to God, and we were raised with him through our faith in the power of God, were made alive with Christ and forgiven our sins (Col. 2:11-13). We are no longer offensive to God after baptism.

27. At baptism… We are given the promise that we will live with him: “Now if we died with Christ we will also live with him” (Rom. 6:8). Hence one is assured of his own resurrection in the future. One is born again (born from above), John 3:3-5. One receives the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) who renews us and saves us through his “sanctifying work” ( II Thes. 2:13).

28. HISTORICAL EVIDENCE

29. Washings • Ceremonial Washings Leviticus 16:4,24 (for purification). • Jewish tradition • Cleansing • Proselyte baptism • Qumran tradition

30. Washings Rachatz (Lev 16.4, also v.24) µvâ;bel]W /r`c;B]Ata, µyIMö'B' 6jà'r:w“ He must wash in water… Miqveh (cf. Gen 1.10a) ar“Yè"w" µyM-iy" ar1:q; µyIM`'h' hwÝEq]mil]W He gathered the waters and called them…

31. Existence of baptistries

32. Existence of baptistries

33. Jerusalem pools & tunnels

35. Qumran – hwqm (miqveh)

36. PATRISTIC WRITINGS

37. The Epistle of Barnabas, c. 70-100 A.D. Blessed are they who, placing their trust in the cross, have gone down into the water…We indeed descend into the water full of sins and defilement. However, we come up, bearing fruit in our heart, having the fear [of God] and the trust in Jesus in our spirit. Barnabas 1.144.

38. Hermas, c. 70-130 A. D. I hear, sir, some teachers maintain that there is no other repentance than that which takes place, when we descended into the water and received remission of our former sins. Hermas2.22. Before a man bears the name of the Son of God, he is dead. But when he receives the seal, he lays aside his deadness and obtains life. The seal, then, is the water. They descend into the water dead, and they arise alive. Hermas2.49.

39. Justin Martyr, c. 100-165 A.D. They there receive the washing with water in the I will also relate the manner in which we dedicated ourselves to God when we had been made new through Christ…. for the remission of their past sins. The rest of us pray and fast with them. They are brought by us name of God (the Father and Lord of the universe), of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit. For Christ also said, "Unless you are born again, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Justin Martyr 1.183.

40. Justin Martyr, c. 100-165 A.D. This washing of repentance and knowledge of God has been ordained on account of the transgression of God’s people, as Isaiah cries. Accordingly, we have believed and testify that the very baptism which he announced is alone able to purify those who have repented. And this is the water of life.… Justin Martyr (c. 160, E), 1.201.

41. Irenaeus of Lyons, c. 130-200 A.D. When we come to refute them [the Gnostics], they have renounced the whole faith…. For the baptism instituted by the visible Jesus was for the remission of sins. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W), 1.346.

42. Clement of Alexandria, c. 150-215 A.D. Being baptized, we are illuminated. Illuminated, we become sons…. This work is variously called grace, illumination, perfection, and washing. Washing, by which we cleanse away our sins. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.215. In the same way, therefore, we also repent of our sins, renounce our iniquities, and are purified by baptism. Thereby, we speed back to the eternal light as children of the Father. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E), 2.217.

43. Tertullian of Carthage, c. 160-230 A.D. Now, the teaching is laid down that "without baptism, salvation is attainable by no one." This is based primarily on the ground of that declaration of the Lord, who says, "Unless one is born of water he has not life." However, when this is laid down, there immediately arise scrupulous (or rather, audacious) doubts on the part of some. Tertullian (c. 198, W), 3.674, 675.

44. Origen, c. 185-255 A.D. Matthew alone adds the words, "to repentance," teaching us that the benefit of baptism is connected with the intention of the baptized person. To him who repents, it is saving. However, to him who comes to it without repentance, it will produce greater condemnation. Origen (c. 228, E), 9.367.

45. Historical-patristic evidence History tells us that for at least 1500 years, baptism was expected and practiced by those who wished to convert to Christianity During the Reformation, Luther and others reacted to ‘works-oriented’ Catholicism; the idea of ‘just believe’ and ‘faith alone’ sprang from this (over)reaction

46. Recommended reading • General info: • Article “Immersion for Salvation” at www.douglasjacoby.com • Article “20 Questions on Baptism” at www.addtoyourlearning.com • On the popular ‘Sinner’s Prayer’ • The Sinner’s Prayer online article by Steve Staten @ www.myconvictions.com

47. Our response Be grateful for your baptism Make each spiritual birthday special Be fired up about calling others to repent and be baptized – to respond to the good news of Jesus

48. Conclusion Because God loves us, he gave us his Word to tell us how to respond to his love. History and Archeology help prove the importance of communion and baptism in the early church. We can be fired up that we are truly following what the Bible says!

49. Christian Essentials SeriesEARLY CHURCH PRACTICES ThankYou for coming! Teaching Class 2010