A Very Brief History of the Church:Part 7

"I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."Matt:16:18

 From the very beginning of the Church there has been discussions with in the church attempting to understand what God has, is and will yet do in and by Jesus. Understanding the work of Christ has come ,at times, little by little. Often among varies groups there would arise differences of opinion as to whom was give the place as the custodians of the truth of the Gospel message and the authority to proclaim that message.

Gnosticism

As peoples entered the Church   they would bring into it some of their past ideas and would attempt to merge their ideas with the understanding of who Jesus is and what they should believe about him. Often these past ideas were drawn from the mystery religions that they had been apart of.

These ideas are generally referred to as Gnostic, with means "knowledge", this "knowledge" almost always carried with it a claim to have unique understanding that others did not have or access to a  alternate tradition which they and only they had and were the caretakers and defenders of.
 This Gnostic thought taught beliefs  which the main body of the Church did not embrace.

Many Gnostic teachers claimed to have "epistles" written by the Apostles or other  documents such as the Psudopigrapha,  which the Church at larger did  not have, or they  claimed that they had the "key" to truly understanding the Scriptures which gave them special understanding and insight that the Church did not accept and  sought to suppress.

 Often Gnostic teachers would have highly edited copies of the Gospels or Epistles to give support to their ideas some would uses only certain parts of the Gospels.

Some Gnostic teachers said that Jesus was not really God eternally , but rather a man who earned the right to become the Son of God. Others taught that Jesus was not a man at all,  but rather some sort of image of "projection" , that Jesus left no footprints in the dust when he walked.

Others believed that Jesus was a man who became "possessed" by a "divine spirit" who then abandoned him while he was upon the cross.

Another Gnostic teaching presented Jesus as a created "God" and therefore less than God the Father.

Some taught that God is a "family"  or that God is two separate "divine" God beings and or  that the Holy Spirit is not God, but rather just a power which flows out from God.

Other Gnostic teachers had an intense interest in angels seeing them in elevated roles greater than Scripture assigned them.

 The Apostles Creed

This interjection of Gnostic thought compelled the Church to define what it as a whole understood regarding Jesus Christ and the Salvation he had brought.This defining of the accepted or Orthodox beliefs of the Church came to be embodied in what is known as the Apostles Creed. The earliest forms of the Apostles date back to just as the Apostolic period of the Church was coming to an end.

Roots of the Creed 

In the primitive Church baptisms were generally, but not always, conducted once a year. New converts were baptized on Resurrection Sunday (Easter) after a time of reflection and prayer; usually this was a fourty day period of time which gave rise to what became the Lenten Season in the Spring of the year.

 As new converts  came to and then entered the water for the Sacrament of Baptism, they were asked questions before being  immersed beneath the water,  affirming that they believed and accept all that Jesus had accomplished on their behalf. 

 These questions were the root of the Apostles Creed. The minister would ask each one the following questions.

Do you believe in God the Father Almighty?

Do you believe in Christ Jesus,the Son of God, who was born of the Holy Spirit and Mary the virgin, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate , and died and rose again at the third day, and ascended to Heaven and sat at the right of the Father, and will come to judge the quick and the dead?

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit , the Holy Church and the resurrection of the flesh. 

 The Apostles Creed became the safe guard  and defined  Orthodox Christian teaching , as long as what was being taught or preached conformed to the Creed it could be accepted as sound Orthodox teaching.

If the candidate affirmed that they believed and accepted  these things,  the elders would then immersed them as confirmation and  they then were now apart of the communion of the Church.

The Creed

Over the centuries the Apostles Creed has stood the test of time, it has had only minor changes in the wording to accommodate each of the Christan Church bodies which  uses it, but the intent always has remained and proven to keep teaching Orthodox to what has come down through the ages from the earliest times.

 I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy all-embracing Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

  Marcion

Marcion grew up in a Christian family his father was a Bishop in the town of Sinope in Pontus. Marcion grew to have  a deep disliking for the Jewish people and the "material world" . His view of Christianity was hostile toward the Jewish people and this world. Marcion's dislike of the Jews was linked to his view that the "material world" was evil.

Around 144 AD Marcio traveled to Rome and began to teach his doctrine. After a time he developed a following of disciples who embraced his teachings. The Church leadership at that time saw that Mrcion's doctrine was not compatible with what was accepted Christian  Orthodoxy.

 Jehovah

Marcion saw  that the "world" was evil , therefore it could not have been created by a perfect loving God , but rather that the world was either created by and "evil god" or an "ignorant god".

Marcion reasoned that  the Father of Jesus, being full of love  and grace and wanting a "spiritual world"  could there fore not be the "God" of the Old Testament, who was  Jehovah. Jehovah created this world and put humanity in it .Jehovah either did this out of ignorance or out of evil.

  So if the "God" of the Jews, created this evil world therefore  Jehovah being evil is therefore worshiped by evil people, the Jews.

In Marcion's view Jehovah was a cruel and vindictive "God" who wanted to extract punishment as often as he could.

Marcion believed that the Father of Jesus was above Jehovah and out of pity for humanity the Father sent Jesus to set us free from Jehovah's control.

He believed how ever that Jesus was not really born  that Marcion said this would have put Jesus under Jehovah's control .Jesus rather "appeared" on the earth as a man.

This Jehovah, according to Marcion,  chose the People of Israel, the Jews, whereas the Father of Jesus wanted all people to love him.  The Jews  in turn wrote the Old Testament Scriptures about their relationship with this "God" Jehovah , Marcion therefore  rejected the Old Testament evil or at best flawed.

Scripture 

Marcion having rejected the Hebrew Scriptures made what he considered a list of canonical writings,
which were made up of Paul's writings  and Luke's account of the life of Jesus, he also explained that any reference to the, or quotes from the Hebrew Scripture in the Epistles or his accepted writings was due to the conspiratorial editing done by Judizers.

Marcion's list of canonical writings, which he favored, also led the  Christian Church to begin the dislodge(s) that would lead to the canonical councils which resulted in the  confirmation and recognition of the compilation of what we now consider to be the authorized body writings that speak for God to humanity, the Holy Bible. This process was over many years and often was arrived at by what was mutual  consensus.

Marcion,(left),  bringing   "Scriptures"  to the Apostle John

 Prior to the assembling of the "Cannon" when anyone talked about Scripture they meant the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament. The translation which most were  familiar with was the Septuagint that is the "Work of the Seventy Translators", even the Apostles quoted from the Septuagint, reflecting it's wide uses in the even some synagogues.

Marcion's church was far from being a small isolated  group with it's own esoteric doctrine that lingered on the fringe of the Church, it grew to considerable size and established it's own  hierarchic with Bishops overseeing congregation in many places.

Marcion's church had some influence with some people even in the Church.  There are early Christian
traditions that the aged Apostle John confronted Marcion himself, and that the three Johnaine epistles  were to address Marcion's doctrine that some may have embraced.

 

Montanus

Marcion was not the only un-Orthodox  teacher during the early years of the Christian Church , there was Montanus. Montanus had been a pagan priest who had come in contact with Christian teaching and became converted in 155 AD .

Montanus after his conversion claimed that the Holy Spirit entered him and gave him prophecies. Along with Montanus  there were two woman who joined him, they were Priscilla and Maximilla, they too claimed to receive prophecies.

Some began to follow and believe Montanism which declared that with his ministry came the inauguration of  a "new age". This" new age" which  had arrived  would introduce a greater  "spiritual and moral piety" to those who followed Montanus.

Montanus began to influence some in then Church, even Tertullian, who fought to combat heresy in the Church,  would become a Montanist. It may have been the high moral standard that appealed to Tertullian.
 He eventual, found that the high promises of Montanism were unworkable and  of  left the Montanus movement disappointed and  founded a group and started a work of his own

The Church as a whole resisted Montanus' preaching, as he claimed that he regarded himself as the bringer of the "new age" and that they, and all who came before him,  were invalided. In essences he was declaring his ministry as the "One True Church" .

Marcion's, Montanus' and others, challenge to  the  Christian Church had the effect of causality, that  is the Church had to determine what it believed and created a statement to give affirmation of that belief, as well,  these challenge sparked the discussion that led to the canonization of the Holy Bible.

To Be Continued....

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor 

The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.

Washington, Pennsylvania.   www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

A Very Brief History of the Church:Part 6

Roman Graffiti, Jesus Depicted as a Crucified Donkey

The Church grew and spread throughout the Empire , in the area of Asia Minor on the  South Shore of the Black Sea called Bithynia Christianity flourished.

Pliny the Younger

 The Governor of that area was Pliny the Younger. Pliny stated that there were so many Christians that attendance in the pagan temple had declined greatly.

Pliny was compiled to deal with the Christian problem in his province.  He had no desire to mistreat Christians, for they were not causing harm to any one or breaking no Roman law.

Yet, from Pliny's Roman perspective  they needed to be dealt with .
All those people who were  accused of being Christians need do was to renounce Christ and affirm their loyalty to Rome by offering  a small burnt  offering to the Empire and they would then be free to go their way.

Pliny the Younger

 Pliny would give them at least three opportunities to recant Jesus. If they would not do so they would then be subject to punishment which could be imprisonment and or death.

Pliny found that Christians were guilty of really nothing worthy of  harsh punishment other than being faithfully committed  to someone other than the Emperor. Christians were committing no crimes against Rome.

 Trojan's Policy

 Pliny resolved to ask for guidance from his Emperor Trajan as to how Christians, were ,or were not,  to be delta with.

 Trojan wrote back his instructions to Pliny stating that there was no one policy that was established to the treatment of Christians.

Trajan

Emperor Trajan encouraged Pliny not to expend too much time or expense in the persecution of  Christians. That  if none were accused of being Christians they should not be sought out, but rather left alone.

That Pliny should only act to arrest and prosecute Christians if they were proven to be ,and admitted to being  Christians.

Trajan also advised Pliny to not investigate anonymous accusation  for they created a legal precedent for the courts which could cause future problems for the whole Roman judicial system.

Ignatius

Martyrdom however, was apart of the early Christan experience and   these Christians  faced it with confidence and boldness.

Ignatius was an early Christian minister and Bishop from Antioch, around  107 AD, he was arrested and was being transported to Rome where he would be tried and ultimately executed.

On his was to Rome Ignatius wrote a series of letters  that were the result of conversations which Ignatius had with various Christians and church leaders  in Asia Minor as he was being taken for trail.

Bishop Polybius from Tralles came to talk with Ignatious as did Bishop Philemon from Ephhesus, Ignatius also wrote letter to Bishop Polycarp who had been a disciple of the Apostle John.

 It was reported that Ignatius received word that some Christians in Rome had a plan to get him released, but the aged minister refused their plan , he wrote them and discouraged them from going through with it. Ignatius would face his death and be a sacrifice for his Lord Jesus.

Polyarp

Polycarp had been a  disciple of John and had become a prominent leader in the Church. At the city of Smyrna Polycard along with other Christians were accused of being Christian;s they refused to recant their faith in Jesus and were to be executes. 

One elderly Christian named Germanicus refused to turn form Jesus and faced death by wild beast. His boldness enraged the crowd and they demanded that Polycarp being found and brought to the arena.

Polycarp eluded capture for a few days. It was becoming harder to avoid arrest so Ploycarp came to the conclusion that God wanted him to face martyrdom and be a witness of the resurrected Jesus publicly, so he waited to be found by the authorities. 

When Polycarp was brought before the Proconsul  he refused to recant. The Proconsul shouted "away with this atheist"  .

No threats from the Proconsul could frighten the aged Polycarp. He would face death thanking God that he was counted worthy to die in the service of Jesus.

Early Christians saw martyrdom as something that some were ordained by God to face so as to bring glory to Christ, that Christians did not really choose to die but rather God chose them, that not all Christians were meant to die a martyrs death.

Marcus Aurelius

Emperor Marcus Aurelius  though a scholar and refined he was superstitious and would look to "seers" and always made scarifies to the "gods" before he did anything of consequence. 

 While he was Emperor there were several natural disasters, floods, epidemics, and military clashes. It became convenient to blame Christians for these occurrences. Marcus Aurelius put his voice behind such assertions as well in order to have reason to persecute Christians.

Felicitas

Felictas was a widow who  served the church, she was so effective in serving Jesus that priest of the pagan "gods" reporter her to the authorities.At Rome she was brought before a Prefect who was unable to convince her to turn from Jesus. A message was sent to Marcus Aurelius requesting instructions ,explaining that the widow would not turn from Jesus. He answered back that she and her seven sons should die.Each of them were put to death in  separate sections of the city of Rome.

Justin Martyr

Another who laid down his life for Jesus was Justin Martyr. He was one of the foremost Scholars of that time.Justin  had been born to pagan parents  in Judea Palestine around 100 AD and had an engaging mind and personalty. His interest always , at that time , were morals ethics and philosophy until he met and had discussions with and elderly Christian minister who explained the Gospel message about the person of Jesus. Justin became a convert and then a defender of the Christian message about the Lord.

At one point Justin had established an academy at Rome it;s self in order to teach Christian thought.  He had  in a public setting defeated a well known and highly admired pagan philosopher which may have led to his arrest and his death at Rome in  about 165 AD

"I Am a Christian"

In Lyons and Vienna Gaul, laws were enacted that were designed to keep Christians from interacting with people in the  public places , so that they could not evangelize the populace of those communities . The atmosphere grew so hostile toward Christians that a mob began to seek out Christians and harass them.

Then calls for their death were shouted,  several Christians were arrested and were to be taken to the Governor.  A man named Vetius Epagathus stepped forward  and asked if he could defend the arrested Christians, he  asked if he could speak on their defense. The assembled mob asked if Vetius was a Christian, and he replied that he was,  and was himself taken into custody. 

The spontaneous persecution of the mob was unexpected by some of the Christians and when placed before the authorities found themselves unprepared and they renounced their faith, though  most held firm which angered the Governor. 

One Christan named Sanctus  under painful torture would only answer "I am a Christian" . The worse that his torment became the more he asserted that he was a Christian. Some who denied Christ in the moment of weakness saw the faith and courage of their brethren, they then returned to the authorities and confessed that they ,like Sanctus,  were Christians and would face suffering and death for Jesus.

With death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in 180 AD there was time of relative peace for Christians. Commodus whose interest were in the gladiatorial games speared the church. After Commodus died there  was a period of civil war in the Empire that led to the ascension of Septimius Severus to the throne in 193 AD.

 Septimius Severus

Under Septimius Christians were,  at the first left alone as he consolidated his power but eventually  Septimius would bring to bear persecution upon the Christians himself. Through there were  few times of "systematic persecution" by the Imperial  government , mostly it came from the local  circumstances,  it was illegal  to be a Christian yet Rome did not wish to incur the cost  of seek Christians out , they would much rather leave them be alone, if they were able.

Septimius  wanted order in the Empire, therefore he arrived at the conclusion that religion could build unity he therefore wanted all to worship "Sol Invictus", the Unconquered Sun.He saw this as a means to accomplish his goal of unity  and order within the Roman world.

Under his plan and promotion of religious unity  all "religions" and "philosophies" would be brought together as one. His edict was issued in 202 AD and set off several local persecution of Christians. One story is that of a young Christians woman named Perpetua she had come from a family of means, she   and others were arrested, and sentence of not being Christians but rather defying the "Sol Invictus" edict, however Perpetua was pregnant.

The authorities hoped that she would renounce Jesus. Even Perpetua's  own family attempted to persuade  her to renounce Jesus, but Perpetua  would not,  she go into the area and face the wild beast.

She and another girl were thrown by a wild cow  then was run through by the sword ,giving glory to Jesus as she died.

Perpetua after giving birth to a baby girl went to face her death in the area. The Christians in the early years felt that to die for Jesus gave glory to him as they were personally joining him in his sufferings and he with they. For some Roman authorities this gave the impression that Christians belonged to a death cult, but those  believers were  in truth  demonstrating a love and  and faithfulness toward Jesus Christ that went beyond the reasoning of this world.

To be Continued

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor 

The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.

Washington, Pennsylvania.   www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

In the House of the Lord Forever

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk

through the darkest valley

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever."Ps:23

Psalm:23 is one of the most beloved and most read portions of the Holy Bible, we have read it many times in our lives we have heard it read to us and flowing from those words are great comfort and peace that can fill our very souls, there is so much found in this Psalm that can speak to us about the love and the power of God for each and all.

End to the beginning

I would like to read this Psalm in a different way , a way that you might not have thought of before.

Let's read it from the end to the beginning, after all God tell us through the pages of the Holy Bible  that he declares the end from the beginning

" Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure' Isa:46:10


   The end of the Psalm tells us where everything is ultimately  leading. Home to the  House of the Lord, everything in the Psalm from the first verse  onward is  is all because of what the last verse affirms to us, that  we will dwell in the House of the Lord for ever,  that last verse is not a result , it is the reason of all that we read in this Psalm.

"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

All the days of my life surely your goodness and mercy will follow me

My cup overflows,  You anoint my head with oil.
 In the presence of my enemies You prepare a table before me

[I am]  Comforted by your rod and your staff.   For you are with me I will fear no evil even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

For his name’s sake He guides me along the right paths.

 He refreshes my soul,  he leads me beside quiet waters.  In green pastures,  He makes me lie down.

I lack nothing, The Lord is my shepherd."


Every thing we read in the Psalm flows out of the truth that we will dwell with him in eternity. It also indicates that all that we blessed with comes from him alone that it is our due to his own sovereign love and workings in our lives. This place in the Lord's house is the very place that Jesus is there even now preparing for us. Jesus is preparing eternity for us and us for eternity.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. “And you know the way where I am going.”Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." Jhn:14:1-6

 Goodness and Mercy

Because we will dwell in the houses of the Lord ,goodness and mercy follow us. The goodness of our God is the reason that we are forgiven,  it follows us that is God is quick to forgive and bless it is always there we do not have to go looking for God's grace it finds us and works upon our hearts and leads us to come to a change of thinking about Jesus Christ. , he is looking to bestow upon any and all great blessing that he has for us.

 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."Eph:2:4-10

"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"Rm:2:4

"for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."Phlp:2:13

 Cup Overflows

The Lord in his Son Jesus Christ has been so gracious to us and has lavished upon us great blessing , the cup of our lives overflows with so many blessings the greater of these we will experience to their fullest  when we  "dwell in the house of the Lord forever", yet even here in this life we are rich in his blessing that exceed the ability of any of us to contain these blessing should overflow to those around us.

 "To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature," 1Ptr:1:1-4a

 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,"Eph:1:1-3

 

 Anointed With Oil

Because we"will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" he has placed his anointing upon us as his very own. He has first of all healed the greater need of all humanity, that of sin. Anointing oil in Scripture, in the New Testament  was used as a sacrament for the healing .

 The Apostle  James in his general Epistle to the church, which it is likely that James' letter is the earliest of all New Testament writings ,  instructed  Christians to call upon the Church's leaders when they are sick to come and anoint them with oil and to pray for them. 

This admonition would have been have taken some early Jewish Christians  by surprise, for under the Old Covenant, which they lived said that  the sick were to be isolated away from the worship at the Temple,  but now the "Temple"  in the  person of the church elders was to come to them and anoint and pray with and for them the sick was no longer to be kept away from worship in the same way as they had previously had been.

"Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him" Jms:5:13-15

The healing of the body was not just spoken of here but speaks to the greater need of all humanity, that of the forgiveness of sin. This is great sickness of the human race that is healed above all things   "if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven".

Jesus came to heal the issue of sin, from the wayward living that we all like lost and aimless sheep were headed. Peter referring to the word's of Isaiah writes. The healing that is in reference is the healing of our estrangement from our God now rectified by and through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus.

"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." For "you were like sheep going astray," but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls". 1Ptr:2:24-25

This anointing upon the head speaks to us of the healing of our minds toward our God, humanity is whether they realize it or not have a hostility in their minds toward God. This hostility manifest in subtle and overt ways both as doubt or rejection of or in God.

"And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—"Col:1:21-22

The anointing also speaks to each of us that we called to serve God, that we have been  anointed to serve him as a Priesthood , as was in the anointing of the Priest of Israel or when a King was crown.

"You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."Rev:5:10

 A Table Prepared

In the ancient world the table represented  and was the place of coming together , of fellowship,  of communion. The table was the place where your came to know one another. It was the place of gathering and joining together of celebration , of unity.  The table was the place of sustenance of life. It is where bread was broken. 

 The host would lay out his abundance and his best for those whom he would invite and  would gather  at his table.  We are all called to gather at the Lord's table even now even in this life to gather with him not just  when we "will dwell in the house of the Lord" .

"what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." 1Jhn:1:3

We called to come to the Lord's table to fellowship and come to know him. He has given us life and provided everything we could ever hope for. 

"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."Jhn:17:3

"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence."2Ptr:2:2-3

The Lord has prepared a table for us even here and now  in this world "in the presence of our enemies" , This table  looks ahead  and anticipates  when we gather "in the house of the Lord" around his table in joyful eternal celebration.

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.       Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God"Rev:19:7-9

 Comforted By His Rod and Staff

As pass through this life on our way to "dwell in the house of the Lord" we can experience great comfort on the way there, we can feel the "rod and staff" of our great shepherd Jesus Christ being there to to re us and protects us leading us onward. 

We can face life knowing that not only is Jesus our Shepherd willing to die for us, he has already done it. For Jesus these are not empty words.

"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep" Jhn:10:11

 Jesus has defeated everything that could possible come against us, we can take great comfort in this, knowing that the Shepherd would never take his flock where he himself had not gone.

"do not be afraid, for I have defeated the world" Jhn"16:33

 When we encounter grief or sorrow Jesus is there understanding what we face. Isaiah looking head to Jesus calls  says of him him

"He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not." Isa:53:3

He can give us comfort and peace that is beyond circumstances that we might face.

  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."jhn:14:27
 
 Even now he is there to comfort us so that we in turn can comfort others.

"who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."2Crth:1:4

The very prospect that we will "dwell in the house of the Lord should bring comfort to us as well".

No Fear in the Valley of Death

In the life of a flock this was the last great obstacle  before they reached their home and the "house of the Lord"  after passing through these narrow places

As we pas through times of transitions in this life when one season dies and another begins we pass through times of great darkness  and deep valleys when we can not see our way  where bandits and predators lurk. But we need to fear any evil for "you are with me ".

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."Matt:28:20

Even when the shadow that we pass through is death it's self we can face it with out fear

"in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
      Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" 1Crth:15:52-58

We can know that Jesus has passed this way and that we are safe  "for you are with me" .

His Name Sake

Our God guides us by his Spirit that other see him dwelling in our lives, and come to believe, we are changed and other see his presence.

"And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God".Rm:12:2

"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."Jhn:15:8


This Fruit that brings glory to God is not produced by our efforts but through who Jesus is and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit .  

This righteousness Jesus' own given to us. This righteousness this righteousness will bring eternal honor to the "house of the Lord".

"The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"Ps:29:9

" I love the habitation of thy house, And the place where thy glory dwells"Ps:26:8.

Refresh and Restores My Soul

In this life we , on our way to "dwell in the house of the Lord" can find that we become weary and  worn and that we may need time of repose and refreshing, the greatest of which is found in the complete forgiveness of our sins, which when we enter therein we are in Jesus refreshed to live an all new life. Jesus came to bring a time of refreshing to us.

"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord"Acts:3:19

When we come to believe in Jesus who is our Great Shepherd, we can enter into a sense of rest all through faith in him this is the rest that the writer of Hebrews address in the fourth chapter of the Epistle. Jesus calls each all to set aside the burdens that we all may carry and come to Jesus.



"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."Matt:11:28


Peter admonishes Christians, the flock of God, to cast all our concerns upon Jesus.

"casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you".1Ptr:5:7


All through Jesus can come to him who has accomplished our restoration to our God, he has provided in Jesus all that we could never have done for ourselves.

Quiet Waters

In this life there are moments when the Spirit of God places his peace  upon us and he leads us into quiet moments where it is just he and our selves there alone. The still Spirit of God communions with us assuring us of our place where we will "dwell in the house of the Lord".

"Be still and know that I am God"Ps:46:10

Our God is often there in the silence of the night or the grey pre-dawn light or morning, letting us know that we need not fear .That our greatest thirst has been quenched in and by Jesus.

"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation."Isa:12:3

This is the water of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus offered to the Samaritan woman in John's Gospel.

Lie in Green Pasture

There is provision and safety here with our Lord even in this life he is there to provide for us as he watches over us, here we can rest and be at ease that he watch us not to condemn but rather to protect under his care. We can lie down and be at peace .

Here in the Psalm this was the high country, the furthest place from the "house of the Lord"   where the sheep loved to stay in the Spring of the year.  This is the time of great contentment. This speaks to us ,that at times even this side of eternity,   in Jesus we find seasons of contentment.

 It looks ahead to the eternal contentment which awaits us  beyond the confines of the life. It reminds of the Great blessings and joys that are ours all and through Jesus. It only begins to hint at what lies ahead for us. 

Lacking Nothing

In Christ as our Great Shepherd who knows how to take us to the "house of the Lord"  we have been given every good thing. Because of who Jesus is we are made complete , he gives to us everything that Jesus has and all that is his he shares with us. 

"and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;Col:2:10

"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."1Crth:1:30

Jesus is everything we could never be , in him we lack nothing even now in this life and ultimately will experience to the fullest when we "dwell in the house of the Lord"

The Shepherd

Jesus is ever vigilant overseeing our lives ever watchful of you. He knows how to care for us when we listen to voice and and keep alert to him we are safe. Jesus , it is , who will care for  and to tend us,  he knows the way to the "house of the Lord" he has made our place there a realty. 

 Jesus will walk with and among us calming us and leading us. Jesus is not just the one who will lead us to the" house of the Lord" he is the way to the" house of the Lord"  , he is the very door or gate that we enter the" house of the Lord"  by.

" anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. 

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

  

 “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—" Jhn:10

All that we read in this Psalm all flow out of our God wanting to provided each and all of us place in his houses for all eternity. Everything flows out of the place which awaits any and all who will but freely receive in and by our lord Jesus Christ,  the Good Shepherd who will lead us to  "dwell in the house of the Lord forever"...Amen

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor 

The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.

Washington, Pennsylvania.   www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

A Very Brief History of the Church:Part 5

As the First Century Was Coming to a End, All of the Original Apostles were Gone but For John , and He Found Himself under Houses Arrest on the Island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea off the Coast of Asia Minor It is here that John Encounters the Risen Jesus and Gives His Church a Word for the Ages to Come

Who Will You Worship?

By the end of the first century of the Church all of the original twelve Apostles of Jesus were martyred, only John remained and he was now confined to the Island of Patmos for preaching about Jesus.

Under Emperor Nero there was a persecution that closed the Apostolic ministries of both Peter and Paul  in Rome during the mid 60's AD.

 Tradition cites that Peter was crucified upon an upside down cross stating that he was "unworthy" to die as Jesus did. Paul ,however, being a Roman citizen was beheaded on or near the Appian Way.

The Church had faced many adversities over the years, both from without and within. There was persecution from Rome, from Jews, from Gnostic teachers within the Church, from power driven clergy, disruptive lay members and Judizers and even threats of civil war with in the Empire.

 The Church was very different than that of earlier years when most of it's members were Jewish and living under the tenets of the Old Covenant, now the Church had moved out it's incubator of Palestine and was spreading out across the Roman world as far as Spain in the west and Babylon in the east.  

Now as the first century was coming to an end Emperor Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus declared himself to be the earthly embodiment of the sun god Apollo. Domitian demanded to worshiped  as a god not just venerated as the embodiment of the Roman Empire.

This frames the great question historically,and not just of the close of the first century but for all time and eternity, "who will you worship?", the world system embodied in Caesar or "the Kingdom of God embodied in Jesus?".

Jerusalem Diminished

As the Church expanded outward and  away from  Jerusalem, that place which had at first served as it's center, began to hold less importance and the church which was there influence lessened as well.

The Jerusalem Church, even when Pater and Paul were alive,  was pastored by James who is generally accepted to have been the brother of Jesus . James we see having a substantial role in the Council of Jerusalem after the conversion of the Gentiles in Acts:15. 

After the death of James another man named Simeon who may have been a relative of Jesus and James became the primary leader of the Jerusalem Congregation. After the appointment of Simeon to lead the church in Jerusalem the Church relocated to a small town called Pella to the north east of Jerusalem,  whether it was done to protect Simeon personally due to he being a relative of both Jesus and James from Roman scrutiny  or as some attribute to the advancing armies of Rome and the turbulence caused by Jewish Zealots.

Ultimately Simeon himself would be killed as well by the Roman authorities ,it may have been due to Simeon's  relationship to Jesus and his Davidic linage.

The Roman armies under Roman General and future Emperor Titus lay siege to the city of Jerusalem  during the Jewish Wars. According to Jewish historian  Titus Flavius Josephus also known as Joseph ben Matityahu,  there was a voice heard in the Temple which said  "let us remove from hence".
Some attribute the Church's removal to Pella to as a direct result of this disembodied voice admonishing believers to  flee from the city to a safer place.

In 70 AD the city was over run,  the Temple burned and  many Jews who rose up against Roman Rule  were execute or carried away as slaves. This would have reflected and fulfilled  the words of Jesus found in the Oliveit Prophecy in Matt:24:, Luke:21: and Mark:13, that Jerusalem would be under distress and occupied by armies and the Temple destroyed.

The Jerusalem Church's would  find that it's influence was substantially diminished in the greater body of the Church as a whole. It's character  was still largely  Jewish,  yet it was rejected by the Jews and was growing alienated toward and from the Gentile Congregations. The Jerusalem Church  was becoming increasingly isolated.

 In the early 130s AD  a few Jewish members of the Congregation returned to Jerusalem; they were few and slowly became a backwater church among the whole of the Church without power and   nearly forgotten as they went their way into obscurity.

Persecution(s)

From that day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit manifested Himself  in the lives of the followers of Jesus there has been persecution. At first it came from the Religious establishment of the Jews then it arose from Rome.

At first Roman officials had no interest in being drawn into an "internal" debate  among the Jews we can see this in Acts:18, where the Jews bring Paul before the Roman Proconsul of Achaia Gallio; when the Proconsul understands that this is not a question of "civil law" he dismissed the Jew's case against Paul telling them that this was a Jewish matter to resolve.

"While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 

 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” So he drove them off.Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever."(12-17)

Rome wanted order at as little expense as possible,  they had no real inclination to become enmeshed in religious debates , but if religious clashes became out of hand Rome would act to restore order.

In 51 AD during the reign of Emperor Claudius contention became so bad between Christians and Jews that Jews rioted in in the streets of Rome , Claudius acted by expelling the Jews from the city . Luke cites this in Acts:18:2

The Roman historian Suetonius records that this expulsion was due to the Jews having a violent reaction , citing that it was "because of Chrestus" that the Jews rioted. It is understood by historians that "Chrestus" is a reference to Christ and the Jews were opposing the Gospel message about  Jesus.

It is well documented regarding the cruel  persecution under Nero and his turning the martyrdom of the followers of Jesus into dramatic events dressing Christians in animal skins and having them torn asunder by hungry dogs; many were crucified , or his using Christians as living torches for his social gatherings and his amusement during his private spectacles.

 The Roman historian Tacitus in his Annals records the Roman view of Christians was that of being "heaters of all humankind"  .

 In the Roman mind seeing that Christians worshiped at no idol of their God but rather proclaiming that the God they worshiped was unseen and that no idol could possible represent so great a God, the Romans regarded Christians as atheist

Emperor Domitian

After a rebellion arose against Nero in 68 AD which  some in as the Roman Senate supported this rebellion,  Nero either was assassinated while walking alone in one of the underground cause ways or that he   committed suicide , either way Nero was dead and  with his death came the year of four Emperors 69 AD,  which brought a short reprieve for Christians as Vespasian ascended the throne.

Under Vespasian, and even his son Titus who would follow, Christian were left largely alone until  Domitian. Domitian not only would persecute Christians he would enact penalties upon Jews as well.

Domitian would require that the Temple tax that the Jews had previously paid to the Temple at Jerusalem should now go to the Imperil government seeing that Temple was no longer standing.

John the Apostle who had been the Church's primary leader had been ministering out of the city of Ephesus
in Asia Minor until he was arrested and confined to Patmos for preaching Jesus. Domitian's reign was the historical backdrop for John's writing of the Book of the Revelation. John was the last of the original disciples of Jesus, it was becoming evident that  to John that Jesus was probable not going to return in John's life time.

John is moved in his pastoral heart by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit  to leave the Church in his day and down through the ages until the culmination of this world, something to lift their eyes above and beyond the strife and difficulties that they may face in this world.

 John writes the Book of Revelation to speak to all Christians in all ages to look to Jesus and know that in the end victory is theirs, and all that Jesus has come for us to have will be given, to know that God is faithful and just. 

Over time Domitian became viewed as a Tyrant by many in Rome which fueled a conspiracy against him that resulted in his assassination as he was in the palace. With Domitian's death   another reprieve came for Christians as the first century came to a close.


To be continued

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor 

The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.

Washington, Pennsylvania.   www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com

 ____________________________________________________________________________

A Very Brief History of the Church:Part 4

"The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”Acts:11:1-3






With the the conversion of the household of Cornelius and their acceptance of  Jesus as the Messiah not just of the Jews, but of all peoples everywhere  if they will but freely receive him , their conversion  at first raised fears in the minds of some and opened many question as to just what did this mean to the Jews how were they , and anyone, to relate to Jesus?

Peter is Confronted

In their minds they always saw Jesus as a Jewish Messiah but now it was beginning to appear if that view may not hold to be true. Some upon hearing of Peter's contact with a Roman Centurion were angered and confronted the Apostle wanting an answer from him.

"So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”Acts:11:2-3

Peter then recounts his experience, how it was evident that the Holy Spirit had, and was now calling peoples regardless of where they came. 

"Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story:"(4)

After Peter's story is told there was agreement that now God had opened the way for all to come to believe in Jesus, their objection were now dropped as the evidence of the Spirit confirmed the truth in their hearts and minds.

"When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”(18)

 Changes

With the Gentiles coming to believe in Jesus this raised many questions that demanded  answers. What now has changed in humanities relationship with God? Just what did God now expect from believers? They had lived all their lives under the shadow of the Temple or in the synagogues and all that present there, but now, with the coming of Jesus, his death and resurrection, and the manifested  Holy Spirit and the calling of Gentiles, what had changed?

One changes was that believers in Jesus now had a  name for themselves a way of identifying themselves as a whole, they would be called Christians. This happened first in the city of Antioch.

"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." (26)

Paul To The Gentiles

With the Proclamation of the message of Jesus many Jews reacted to counter and opposes the  Christians. Jews rose up and now contended with Saul, who now was known as Paul. The contention was so sharp between Paul and the Jews and how harden was the hearts of Paul's critics that Paul and Barnabas both were led to focus there ministry and mission to the Gentiles who responded favorably to the message about Jesus.

"As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.

Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,

that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed."Acts:13:42-48

Paul and Barnabas found the Gentiles fertile ground for the Gospel message as many came to accept Jesus as the truth that Jesus is the one and only Savior of all. Paul and Barnabas arrive in Antioch and give a report as to what the Holy Spirit  was doing among of Gentiles.

"From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles." Acts:14:26-27

Council at Jerusalem

With even more Gentile converts becoming Christians,  pressure and even opposition grew. Some were holding onto past understanding as to how Christians were to live . Some wanted to retain tenets of the Old Covenant and wanted to force Gentile converts to accept these tenets as they came to believe in Jesus. The church had to resolve these issues as more Gentiles  were coming to Jesus

The Apostles and others  gathered at Jerusalem to to discus the matter. 

"Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question."Acts:15:1-2

What we read in the Biblical record in Acts , regarding this council is a very condensed account. The actual council  probably took place over several days, the Holy Spirit inspired the Scripture so that we receive enough though the narrative to understand the dynamic and tenner of the discussion. In essences what was being considered was this; what has changed in humanities relationship with God due to the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension and now the manifestation of the Holy Spirit  and the calling of the Gentiles,  and  with all of that , how were those who believed in Jesus now to live?

Some whom were of the party of the Pharisees wanted to hold onto the law and join with it their faith in Jesus . What this was really saying was that the Pharisees believed something needed to be added to the perfect Grace of God which was extended to humanity in and by the complete sacrifice of Jesus. They were saying Jesus' atoning work was not enough that there was something which humanity had to contribute to the Salvation provided for us through Jesus.

"Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses."Acts:15:5

It was not until the Apostle Peter stood and recounted his experience with the household of Cornelius,  that God's Grace was for all people even those who lived apart from the Old Covenant. God accepted them by His perfect unconditional love alone. The Jewish people could not keep the Law , so why place it upon others? Jesus has come and made salvation available for any  who would but freely receive it, therefore the Church should  show the same grace and place no burden upon new believers.

"The apostles and elders met to consider this question.After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”(6-11)

 The floor was then given to Barnabas and Paul as they too recounted their ministry and what they saw the Holy Spirit doing among the gentiles they also now see that as Scripture is read through who Jesus is, it takes on an even greater meaning , clarity  and power.

"The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. Simo has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

“ ‘After this I will return

and rebuild David’s fallen tent.

Its ruins I will rebuild,

and I will restore it,

that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,

even all the Gentiles who bear my name,

says the Lord, who does these things’ —

things known from long ago.

“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”(12-21)

The Decision

 It was decided to send a letter speaking to this issue and sent forth to the Gentiles and presented by Paul and Barnabas so that there be no confusion regarding what the Church leadership had come to understand and if anyone preached something other then the gentiles could know it was not the understanding arrived at by the Apostles. 
 
 "Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. With them they sent the following letter:

 The Letter

The apostles and elders, your brothers,

To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:

Greetings.

We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

Farewell." (22-29)

  This recognition by the leadership of the Church that the Old Covenant tenets were not to be enjoined upon believers would change the culture of the Church for all ages to come.  The Church would take on a very different appearance as Jesus was given his place as the focus of the corporate life of the Church  . The understanding emerged that  the Christian's identity was found in  Jesus alone not in Law. This understanding was arrived at through the guidance  of the Holy Spirit and would position the Church to expand throughout the Roman Empire and beyond as the message about Jesus was proclaimed. 

To be continued

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor 

The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.

Washington, Pennsylvania.   www.gcfountainoflife.org

The Fountain of Life is heard  on the RKP Radio Network 1710 and 1670 AM in Washington and North Franklin ,and 1790 AM  in the Arden Fair Grounds area of Washington Pennsylvania, and on 1710 AM in Bentleyville and Monongahela, Pennsylvania. And online around the world at www.rkpradio.com