Reading: Unit 1 Lecture Notes & Illustrations

Early  Church History  Unit 1 Lecture 1  Notes and Illustrations

Ecclesia – the called out ones

   Was the word used in the New Testament to denote the gathering of the church

God’s preparation for the “fullness of time”

  -- Among the Covenant People of God

  -- Among the Greeks

  -- Among the Romans

 

 

 

The “Mystery” Religions 

      Mystery is from the Greek word  μυστήριον

       Means “a secret”

Several basic ideas:  one had to know the secret to belong

The source of the universe

The cycle in nature reflecting the life, death , rebirth of the God

The worship was meant to bring the disciple to ecstasy in the God

 

 

Colossians 1

• Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

 

 

Early  Church History  Unit 1 Lecture 2  Notes and Illustrations

Saul/Paul on the Road to Damascus

Painting by  Aelbert  Cuyp, 1620

 The First Journey

 

 

 The Second Journey

 

 

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.  

Early  Church History  Unit 1 Lecture 3  Notes and Illustrations

Caesar is God!  

 

 

 

• Roman officials looked at the Christians as a “superstitious” group
• Means: this faith does not venerate the God of the Roman state
• 

 

 “Simply burn some incense to Caesar and save your life” 

 

 Nero blamed the followers of Jesus for Rome’s flames

 

 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

 

 

 The Destruction of Jerusalem