South African Bible Believers

CHURCH HISTORY -First Period

• Apostolic Period (Ephesus,Sower and Seed)

• The Faith Defined.(Pentecost to AD 100) (Rev 2:1-7; Matt 13:1-9; Acts 1-28)

This period saw the Lord forming His Church, guiding it and giving it all necessary doctrines to see it through the next 2000 years or more, till its Rapture.

Description of the Lord

• of Himself - Sovereign (Rev. 2:1

• of His Church - Responsive

 Dependence on the Lord in Worship

• All as priests, saints, believers, disciples.

•  the Lord's Name the Gathering Centre and Goal.

• Headship, authority and glory of God acknowledged, the symbol of head-covering

• Lord's Supper first day of the week - Lord's Day established.

Dependence on the Lord in Welfare

• All as brothers and sisters.

• baptism, apostles' doctrine, fellowship, prayers.

• government by elders (presbyters-bishops)as undershepherds & teachers among the flock.

• care and concern for the saints, widows, orphans financially, socially, physically - deacons & others.

   Dependence on the Lord in Witness

• All as ambassadors and servants, sent-ones or missionaries.

• Jerusalem, all Judaea, Samaria & Roman Empire covered by the Gospel.

Doctrines revealed fully - the Bible completed. New Testament Canon closed.

Dangers from outside - Persecutions from Jews and Gentiles.

 Departures from Scripture

• commenced

• Denial of the Lord's Name - His Person and  Attributes, His Word - Colossian heresy(Gnosticism eg  Ebionites).

• Detraction of the Lord's Work - Galatianism (eg  Nazarenes).

• Division of the Body of Christ.

a) Corinthianism (factionalism).

 b)Nicolaitanism (one portion "lording over" or above the rest - early clericalism -"Diotrephesm"). (Rev 2:6; III John 9,10)

Disciples of Distinction

Peter, Paul, John, James (the Lord's brother), Philip, Stephen, Barnabas. (Apostle James beheaded AD45; Peter crucified 65, Paul beheaded 65, John exiled 95).