South African Bible Believers

CHURCH HISTORY - Second Period

• Roman Persecution Period (Smyrna, Wheat & Tares)

• The Faith Defended (AD100 - 313) (Rev 2:8-11; Matt 13:24-30)

This period saw the Church undergoing severe persecution under the iron heel of Rome.  The Lord allowed His Church to go through this fiery trial to equip it for the many centuries of testimony ahead.  The Church emerged stronger than before.

Description of the Lord

• of Himself - Victor over death. (Rev 2:8)

•  of His Church - Radiant.

Devotion to the Lord

Large numbers of believers died for their faith, proclaiming "Jesus is Lord", instead of the idolatrous "Caesar is Lord". "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church" - Tertullian.

Dangers from outside - Persecution by Roman Empire

• 10 decrees issued

• 10 persecuting emperors? "tribulation ten days"?

• 10 years of terrible last persecution  (Rev 2:10)

 Three periods of intense persecution

• Domitian-end of First Century

• Decius and Valerian - mid Third Century (250-260)

• Diocletian - beginning of Fourth Century (303-313)

Breaks between persecutions lasting a few years to 45 years, under a few friendly emperors (Alexander Severus and Philip the Arabian). The Church multiplied during these periods.

Departures from Scripture – continued

Deviationist groups

• Montanists

• Marcionites

• Monarchianists

Orthodox group - Catholic Church

Early departures - elders = head over Church - not the Lord anymore

Priesthood of a few - upper ruling class ("Nicolaitanism")

Hierarchy within ruling class - ie "bishop" over "presbyters" or "priests" (before this, both names used of one person in a plurality of elders) - this is now "Synagogue of Satan". (Rev 2:9)

Stress on traditions, apostolic succession, creeds.

 Divisions of Professing Church

1)  Catholic (Universal)

2)  Non-Catholic(Primitive or Pilgrim Church)

• a) Novatians - stressed faithfulness of believers to the Lord, against "the lapsed"

• b)    Donatists - stressed moral purity of oversight.

• c)    Cathars - meaning "The Pure"

Distinguished personalities - apologists, polemicists, martyrs. Polycarp(John's disciple), Justin Martyr, Ignatius,Clement of Rome, Tertullian, Iraeneus (Polycarp's disciple), Cyprian, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Novatus, Donatus.