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The Lord’s Church Through the Ages Part 2 The Post-Apostolic Period Presented by Chris Reeves * Rocky Point church of Christ Gospel Meeting * November 18, 2011

The Lord’s Church Through the Ages Where Are We?

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

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 1 st Century and the beginning of the 2 nd Century (Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Polycarp, etc.).

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.).

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

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

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

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

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

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”)

Union of Church and State Emperor Constantine “converted” to Christianity in the early part of the 4 th 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.

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.).

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

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)?

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)

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