17 December, 2007
How Did The Church Develop After The Death Of Christ?
I would like to know more about the formation of the new testament
church after the death of Jesus Christ? and what are the differences
between the new testament church and today's churches?
The Lord's church was formulated in the mind of God in the distant past
(Eph. 3:10-11). When Christ came to our planet, one of his purposes was
to build his church (Matt. 16:18). In his death on the cross
purchased the church with his shed blood (Acts 20:28). His
apostles were chosen to be a part of the foundation on which the church
would rest with Christ as the chief corner-stone (Eph. 2:20-22). It is
a mistake to assume that the Apostle Peter was the foundation of the
church as our Roman Catholic neighbors say.
Ten days after Christ ascended back to heaven, the Holy Spirit came
upon the twelve Apostles, empowering them for their mission (Acts 1:8).
He brought to their remembrance all that Christ had taught (John 14:26)
and guided them into all the truth (John 16:13). It being the day of
the Jewish celebration of Pentecost, pilgrims from many
were gathered in Jerusalem. The twelve apostles preached to the
multitudes. The Holy Spirit enabled them to speak God's message in the
native tongues of the different nationalities present (Acts 2:6,11).
Peter's sermon is recorded for us (Acts 2:14-40). His message was that
Jesus of Nazareth, the man whom they had rejected and crucified was in
fact God's Son. God had raised him from the dead and he was now in
heaven, reigning at God's right hand. Multitudes of the
were cut to the heart when they heard this and thus pleaded, "What
shall we do?" Peter instructed them to repent and be baptized
the name of Jesus for the remission of their sins and they would then
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Three thousand
responded and the Lord added them to the church (Acts 2:47).
we see that the church had its official beginning on the Pentecost
following the resurrection and ascension of Christ.
With the inspired apostles leading the way, the disciples rapidly
multiplied (Acts 6:7). In giving the apostles their commission, Jesus
had told them to begin in Jerusalem, then expand to Judea, Samaria and
then to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). Luke, the author
of the Book of Acts of the Apostles traces the expansion of the church
from Jerusalem to Rome. In the beginning the church was
of Jewish converts. Philip the evangelist took the gospel to the
Samaritans (Acts 8:5-17). Peter brought the first Gentile
converts into the church (Acts 10 & 11). All of these
saved and admitted to membership just as the Jews were, by faith and
baptism (Mark 16:16). With the conversion of Saul
Tarsus, who became famous as the Apostle Paul, the Christian message
broke out of the confines of Judea and quickly spread into the
surrounding Gentile nations. In Antioch of Syria, the old
distinctions between Jew and Gentile were laid aside and God bestowed
upon his people the name "Christian" (Acts 11:26). This is the name by
which we glorify God (I Pet. 4:16). Their congregations were identified
as "churches of Christ" (Rom. 16:16).
The faith, worship, organization and activities of the church are
revealed in the Book of Acts and the Epistles of Paul and the other
writers. The faith was built around the profound truth that
was the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matt. 16:16).
ordered that we teach converts to obey all things whatsoever he
commanded (Matt. 28:20). The details of the Christian message
system are recorded in the New Testament of Christ. The worship was
simple, consisting of assemblies on the first day of the week (the day
of his resurrection) (Acts 20:7). A symbolic meal,
memorializing the death of Christ (Matt. 26:26-29), was
Worshipers presented their gifts to God in appreciation for his
blessings (I Cor. 16:1-2). Prayers were offered up to God in Jesus name
(John 14:14; I Tim. 2:5). Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
sung as the worshipers made melody in their hearts (Eph.
message of spiritual instruction was presented by a wise and faithful
brother (Acts 20:7).
Each church had elders and deacons. The first to lead and
shepherd the flock and the latter to serve the congregation (Acts
14:23, Phil. 1:1). Each church always had a plurality of elders (Tit.
1:5). Elders were also described as pastors (Eph. 4:11), shepherds and
bishops, meaning overseers (Acts 20:17-29). Christ was the only head of
the church (Eph. 1:22). No mortal man filled that august position.
The mission of the church was simple. It was to preach the gospel of
salvation to all creation (Mark 16:15-16), to help each convert to grow
up spiritually to be like Christ (Eph. 4:11-15) and to care for those
in need (Gal. 6:10; Jas. 1:27).
The various books of the New Testament were written by the Apostles and
other men chosen by God for the task. The first of these was written
perhaps as early as 44 A. D. The Book of Revelation was the
and it was written c.a 96 A. D. With it, the 27 books of the New
Testament were completed. It was from henceforth be the standard and
guide in all matters pertaining to the faith, worship and work of the
church. God warned that no one should attempt to add to or
away from its content and message (Rev. 22:18-19).
who did not abide within that teaching of Christ were without God and
were to be rejected (II John 9-11).
Before his death, the Apostle Paul warned that the time was coming when
many would fall away from the faith (I Tim. 4:1-4; II Thess.
2:1-5). Even in his life time he saw the mystery of iniquity
already at work (II Thess. 2:7). In the second century some teachers
among the Christians began to change various aspects of the faith,
worship and practices of the church set forth in the
By the fourth century apostasy was evident on every hand. By
fifth century the mainstream of the church was thoroughly corrupted as
what we now know as Roman Catholicism emerged to dominate the
churches. But there was a faithful remnant who refused to
compromise their faith. They were persecuted and forced to meet in
small groups in homes, and other quite obscure places. The
corrupt church sought to keep the Scripture from the lay people so they
could teach and do as they wished and the common folk would have no
grounds on which to object. The Protestant Reformation freed
Bible from their hands and made it available to the common
people. Those who wished to serve Christ just as
generation of Christian did were then able to determine what God
expected of them and base their conduct on it. Churches of
Christ, with which I am associated, are in this category. I
this appeals to you. If you would like more information,
let me hear.
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