3.04 - CHURCH HISTORY OF FIRST CENTURY

CHURCH HISTORY OF FIRST CENTURY

I read from Acts 1:1-8 : "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus? of all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he, through the Holy Ghost, had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen; to whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God; and, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they, therefore, were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom of Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

I have spoken to you regarding the institution established by the Christ on the memorable Pentecost. I want to further the study of that organization, as it is revealed in the New Testament during the first century. The Church is that spiritual realm over which Christ reigns as head, and in which the Holy Spirit dwells. It had its origin in the city of Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost, in the year 33. There the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus the body became a living organization known as the Church of God or pillar and support of the truth. On the very day of its inauguration there were Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven assembled. On that day about 3,000 souls became obedient unto the truth, and those were by Jesus Christ added to the one body of which He is the supreme head. The second sermon of which we have a record was preached also by Peter on the porch of the temple, at the end of which the record states that the number of men came to be about 5,000, to say nothing of the women, and all those who were able to understand.

Upon the persecution of Stephen, all of the disciples, except the apostles, were scattered abroad, and they went everywhere preaching the Word. That is a general statement suggestive of the idea that they had caught the significance and the spirit of the church they loved. They understood full well that it was a great missionary institution. They remembered that Christ had said back in Matthew 13:33, that the kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened.

They understood, as stated in Acts 1:8, that they were to be witnesses both in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.

I stop to call attention to this thought—that the church planted at a certain place as a center, was to radiate its influence from there in every direction. You will note that it first began in Jerusalem. The next field was Judea; the next Samaria; the next was Galilee; and then to the uttermost parts of the earth. And observe the fact that these Christians at the beginning were filled with such fervor, ambition and love for the truth that they prepared themselves as best they could, and were willing to go everywhere, not preaching their opinion, nor their vain philosophies, nor speculative conceptions, but the record says they preached the word. This was the very thing that was ordered to be preached throughout the passing of the years. In the presence of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul bade Timothy do the same thing. A more solemn charge or a more sacred thought was never delivered to mortal man, nor clothed in human tongue.

These disciples, therefore, left their homes, were scattered abroad, and went everywhere preaching the Word. The history of their further labors is not given, and the wonderful results that were achieved are not specifically stated. The writer of the Book of Acts begins in the very next verse, Acts 8:5, and gives a detailed account of one of that number, who went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Friends, that wasn’t another gospel, nor a different idea. They were all out preaching the Word, and when it is declared that Philip preached Christ, it is but a synonymous term, indicative of the very same idea. The result of that preaching is mentioned in this connection. In Acts 8:12, it is said: "And when the Samaritans believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." But to further the story, not long thereafter all angel of the Lord appeared to Philip while at Samaria, and said to Philip: "Arise, and go toward the south, unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert."

He arose and went. The result was that he preached Jesus to the secretary of the treasury of Queen Candace’s government. The effect of the sermon was that this man, having heard the gospel, believed it, acknowledged the Christ as the Son of God, went down into the water, and was baptized, after which he arose and went on his way rejoicing.

Next the record tells us that Peter went to the city of Lydda, and there healed Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years. From there he went to Joppa, and raised Tabitha or Dorcas, whose friends had washed her body and laid her in all upper chamber.

Peter then went up the coast from Joppa northward for thirty miles to old Caesarea, and there opened the door of faith to the Gentile world. The record declares that some of the disciples who were scattered abroad had gone as far as Phenice. Others had carried the Word to the Island of Cyprus, sixty miles from the mainland, and yet others had gone as far as Antioch, 300 miles north of the city of Jerusalem. This Antioch became likewise a center from which there radiated the greatest missionary activities the world has ever known.

Paul and Barnabas, together with John Mark, set out from the city of Antioch by way of Seleucia, the seaport, to the Isle of Cyprus, preaching at Salamis and Paphos. Here they turned northward a distance of 170 miles to Asia Minor. There they established churches, and caused men and women to be inducted into the family of God. A second journey, and likewise a third, was undertaken, and thus the gospel sped beyond the Aegean Sea, and the banner of the Lord was planted on European soil.

These journeys and efforts resulted in the conversion of thousands. Churches were organized and the commission formerly given was being executed in every land.

Summing up the whole matter, Paul said, in Romans 10:18, "Verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."

He wrote to the church at Colosse, and in Colossians 1:23 he has this to say: "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature under heaven; whereof I, Paul, am made a minister." From such declarations you are not surprised when history says that in the Roman Empire, before the end of the first century, there were more than six million loyal Christians, marching ’neath His royal banner, members of the institution bought with His blood, filled with His spirit, and thus far guided by His counsel.

All optimistic spirit prevails thus far, and it would look as if by and by all humanity would be gathered into this number.

But, my friends, in this expectation there is a disappointment. Long before the first century closed, the great apostasy was seen and predicted. Paul, in writing to the brethren at Thessalonica, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, said this: "Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition." In 2 Thessalonians 2:7, he said: "The mystery of iniquity cloth already work."

Friends, when Paul gave that solemn charge to Timothy, which was possibly the last thing he ever penned, he said, "Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine."

We may wonder why all this? Hear the reason.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

It has not remained for the twentieth century to discover people who would not bear or endure sound doctrine. Long before the first century was brought to a close, and in a short while, comparatively, after Jesus Christ was crowned at God’s right hand, there was a tendency on the part of some who were members of the body of Christ, who had named the name of the Lord, to justify the prophecy of the apostle when he said, "The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine." To be perfectly frank with you, I used to think that Paul had in mind other people than those of whom we read in the Bible. But when I took a second thought, and realized that no such bodies as those which I had in mind then existed, I was forced to the conclusion that he had reference to members of the Church of God who would become tired, grow weary with the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus, and allow their minds to be corrupted by fabulous stories of men.

He said again (1 Timothy 4:1): "The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing Spirit?, and doctrines of devils."

So, friends, while the gospel started with colors flying, multiplied souls responding to the call, and missionaries going hither and thither all over the land preaching the Word of life eternal, and of joys supreme, it wasn’t long until this spirit of apostasy began to evidence itself in the sacred realms of the body of Christ. Thus I read, in 1 Timothy 1:19, where, concerning faith, some had made shipwreck of the same. It seems to me that no greater calamity can be fancied than the idea of shipwreck made of a faith that once served as a cable to bind a human vessel unto that anchor, the hope of the soul, cast into the heavenly harbor. With faith shipwrecked and destroyed, this vessel sailing out on the bosom of life severed from the anchor, drifts amid the rocks, upon the reefs, and into ruin, and eternal destruction. To Timothy, Paul said again (2 Timothy 2:16): "But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as cloth a canker; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus, who, concerning the truth, have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

Brethren, friends, you see that the mystery of iniquity had begun its deadly, hellish work even before apostolic days had ceased to be. The prophets declared that there would be members of the Body of Christ who would not long endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts they would heap unto themselves teachers having itching ears, and from the truth they would turn away unto fabulous stories; that there was certain to be a departure from the faith; that faith would be shipwrecked; and that faith would be overthrown. But that is not all, yet. When Paul bade good-bye to the elders on the coast of Miletus (Acts 20:28), he had this to say, "Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."

Friends, the story of the church has been a demonstration of these prophetic declarations. Of course, there are those on the outside, seeking every opportunity, throwing out every kind of attraction, to draw away disciples, but even within the sacred realms of our own number there are men who love not the truth as they should, who rise up as self-appointed leaders, and undertake to draw away disciples after them. Thus is the picture presented in the Book of God. But that is not all. There was a special warning given Timothy when it is said (1 Timothy 4:16), "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee."

Let me tell you, friends, it is no child’s play to live the Christian life. It is not a little fly-up-the-branch matter or flippant affair, to launch your campaign for eternity. It is not a careless, slipshod, happy-go-lucky sort of way that enables us to keep in the straight and narrow path. I must take heed to myself, and to the doctrine, and to see to it that I continue in them, with the hope of saving both myself and those that hear me. Hence I am admonished, as was Timothy, to hold fast the form of sound words. I must let no uncertain sound emanate. I am to speak as the oracles of God direct. Let me remember that "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." No longer are we to speak the language of Ashdod, and by our very speech betray a lack of familiarity, and a lack of appreciation of the oracles of God.

Paul told Titus that elders should hold fast the faithful word, as they have been taught, that they may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

These passages indicate and imply the possibility of a doctrine described by some other word than "sound." I am persuaded to think that there are far too many who seek to satisfy the world and to tickle the ears of audiences. Too many are they who are exceedingly careless and indifferent toward the importance of holding fast the form of sound words—speaking sound doctrine.

Again Paul bade Titus to speak the things that become sound doctrine, to be grave, sober, honest and perfectly sincere. In Galatians 1:7-9, Paul said, "I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel; which is not another; but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or all angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Then to give double emphasis, and add force "hereunto, repetition is made in the next verse, when he said, "As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed."

Friends, I might have been able to prepare some LECTURES worthy of the name, to come to your city, and to entertain you by the presentation of fancied stories. But I am conscious of the fact that woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel of the Son of God. "Whosoever goes beyond, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come unto you any bringing not this doctrine, receive him not unto your house, neither bid him God speed. For he that bideth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."

Just before John pronounced the final benediction and dropped from weary fingers the pen of inspiration, he gave this final warning: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." My friends, there should be in this country a greater reverence for Jehovah, a greater and more profound respect for His word, and a higher regard for that church bought by the blood of His Son. The gospel of Jesus Christ cannot be improved upon by modern evangelism. All the multiplied powers and fancies of men combined with all the philosophy and ingenuity of the most subtle of earth will never be able to offer a substitute for the simplicity of God’s power unto salvation. And when the sands of life beneath our feet begin to slip away, there is but one thing that will serve as a foundation on which our holiest desires and our fondest hopes can rest. Let us build upon the Rock, Jesus Christ our Lord, believe what He says, obey His commands, and trust Him for the fulfillment of his promises.

I have related to you the story of the New Testament Church as revealed in the Bible. The first century closed with the Book of God completed. Paul said, "All scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work."

Christians believe that. Infidels repudiate it. Christians accept that without any addition; from it they dare not subtract.

Because I believe this statement, I accept no creed but the Bible, no confession of faith but the Word of God, no church ritual or rule of faith or practice other than that which is given by inspiration.

I believe that every scripture spoken of God through man is inspired, that it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, and there lives not a man in this city who can fancy one thing humanity needs that is not provided for in one of these four statements. Hence the man of God is thoroughly equipped unto every good work. Whatsoever, therefore, is not incorporated in the Bible, whatsoever is not found upon its pages, is not the good work referred to in that connection. But again, 2 Peter 1:3, "According as his Divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness." With such statements Christians bow at the feet of Jesus, and accept the Bible as complete. They seek neither to revise it, nor to amend it in any way. They place one hand upon Genesis and the other upon Revelation, and gladly say, "Lord, I accept it all." In this historic study you have doubtless observed that only one body is mentioned, viz., the church built by Christ.

I come now, at the close of this talk, to insist upon your membership in this institution. I want you to become a member of the body of the Lord. I want you to forsake the world, to renounce your allegiance to his satanic majesty, and to flee to the outstretched arms of Him who said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest to your souls." My friends, this is the only hope. Infidels may ridicule the church of the Bible. They may speak lightly of the blood of Christ. They may sneer, ridicule, blaspheme, and pronounce every sort of scorn against it, but with scarcely all exception, in the time of trouble, and the hour of death, they seek some crumb of comfort and some ray of hope from the words of life eternal. But the man who dies in the Lord must live in Him, and to live in Him you have to be initiated into that realm. Hence the purpose of this meeting is, if possible, to beget within you a faith in the gospel, to induce you to accept His terms, obey His commandments, and stand upon His promises until Life’s dream shall have passed. If this you do, you can lean upon His arm and be transported across the stream we call death, and at last be initiated into the grandeurs and glories that shall burst upon your enraptured vision in fairer fields and brighter climes. If that be your desire, if you have given it the proper consideration, I want you to come down the aisle and give me your hand, while you give God your heart.