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?
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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:11:1-3With 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
"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.
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
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:
"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.
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
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