WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHURCH
Matthew 16:18, 19
1. The Bible reveals the Lord's church, its nature, mission and terms of membership.
2. History records its establishment, a falling away, a reformation and restoration.
I. THE CHURCH IN THE BIBLE
I . Fulfillment of prophecy ( I sa. 2: 2, 3; 28:16; Zech. 1:16; Dan. 2:44; Mt.16:18,19)
(1) Not established in time of John the Baptist (Mt. 3:1,2; 11:11).
(2) Not established in Jesus' life time (Mark 9:1 ; Acts 1:6).
(3) Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4,47
2. The church in action and service.
(1) Worship; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 5:19; Acts 6:1-3
(2) Evangelism: Mark 16:15,16; Acts 8: 4; Col. 1:23
(3) Great New Testament churches: Jerusalem, Antioch, Philippi , Rome, e tc.
II. INSPIRED SPOKESMEN TOLD OF AN APOSTASY; A FALLING AWAY FROM THE
NEW TESTAMENT IMAGE
1. Warnings (Mt. 7:15; Acts 20:28-30; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 1 Tim. 4:1,2).
2. Christ's return would be after the "failing away" (2 Thess. 2:3,4).
3. "The mystery of iniquity do that all ready work" (2 Thess. 2:7).
(1) Judaism (Acts 15:1; Gal. 1:6-8).
(2) Gnosticism (Col. 1:13,14; 1 Jn. 1:7).
III. THE APOSTASY GAINS MOMENTUM UNTIL THE FALLING AWAY IS COMPLETE
I. First major departure was in church government and organization.
(1) The New Testament church is to be autonomyous (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2).
(2) By 125 AD distinction was made in elders and bishops.
(3) Metropolitan Bishops: Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch, Rome, Constantinople.
(4) Fight for supremacy between Rome and Constantinople divides 1054 AD
2. Corrupting influence of Constantine the Great, an a alleged convert to Christianity.
(1) His Edit of Milan made Christianity the official religion of the Empire.
(2) He forced pagans into the church through persecution or bribes.
(3) Called the first General Council at Nicaea, 324 AD to define Christ's nature.
V. CATHOLICISM WAS THE RESULT OF THE APOSTASY
1. The apostate church now a mixture of Christianity, paganism and ignorance.
2. Tradition of the Fathers influences the church rather than the Bible.
3. The Bible was forbidden to the laity.
4. False doctrine: clergy, celibacy, holy days, indulgences, auricular confession, purgatory,
clinical baptism, papal infallibility, etc.
5. Corrupt clergy: immorality in monastery and nunneries. Some popes athiest.,
6. Inquisition a perversion of Mt. 5:29,30 (Council of Toulouse, 1229 AD).
7. Truly, the Dark Ages, 500-1500 AD.
V. EFFORTS TO REFORM THE CHURCH TO THE NEW TESTAMENT IMAGE
1. The Renaissance, an age of revival in learning, arts and culture.
(1) The Bible translated and printed in vulgar tongues.
(2) Learned people saw the church in the Bible was not the church they saw about them.
2. Reformers: Wycliffe, Tyndale, Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Knox.
3. Resulted in Protestant churches: Lutheran 1530, Presbyterian 1536, Church of
England 1552, Baptist 1611, Methodist 1739, Episcopal 1799. - -
4. The Reformation Movement failed to restore the New Testament church.
VI. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH MADE POSSIBLE TODAY THROUGH THE
PROCESS OF RESTORATION
1. The Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:5-15).
(1) "The seed is the word of God."
(2) Seed planted in honest hearts produce Christians whom God adds to His church.
2. Early efforts to restore the New Testament church by sowing the seed.
(1) John Glass, Robert Sandeman, The Haldanes in 18th century Scotland.
(2) Jas. O'Kelley, Abner Jones, Elias Smith, B. W. Stone, the Campbells in USA.
3. Walter Scott on the Western Reserve converts many and plants New Testament
churches.
4. Its present progress: In all the world 25,000 congregations, near 3,000,000 members.
CONCLUSION
1. The church of the first century exists today.
2. Through obedience to His gospel you may become a member of that church.
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