Departure from the N.T. Pattern – 100-325 A.D.

F. W. Mattox, The Eternal Kingdom: A History of the Church of Christ, Delight,

Arkansas: Gospel Light Publishing Company, 1961.

Introduction

• The first 50 years after the death of John, the church struggled to maintain Apostolic purity.

• “Apostolic Fathers” and “Apologists” reflect this effort, and the trends that later brought on apostasy.

• Externally, Greek philosophy blended into Christian concepts until revealed truth lost its unique position, being watered down with human rationalism.

• Internally, the church was torn by Judaism.

Introduction• Problems with the pride of men led to

changes in the organization of the church, predicted by Paul (Acts 20:28).

• Any departure from the teaching and practice under Apostolic guidance leads to denominationalism.

• To remain undenominational, we must adhere to the N.T. pattern.

• A study of the departures and the forms they took is helpful in safeguarding the church today.

Departure in Organization

• The organization of the N.T. church consisted originally of a plurality of elders or bishops – each of these terms were used interchangeably (Titus 1:5, Acts 20:17, 28).

• Elder has reference to age or maturity and bishop to oversight or guardianship.

Rise of the Monarchal Episcopate• Congregational rule by one man, arising out of

distinction between the terms bishop and presbyter.– Ignatius of Antioch was the champion of this

departure.– One by one churches followed this practice –

Rome being the last– A designated chairman presided over elder’s

meetings, but role apparently became permanent position and the word bishop, sometimes president, was used to designate this role.

– By 150, this position had developed into the monarchal bishop arrangement.

There Was No Authority Above the Bishop for 100 Years

• The bishop had no authority outside the one congregation – elders of that church were subordinate to the bishop.

• The congregation had a voice in choosing the bishop.

• The bishop, as chairman, took the lead in combating heresy, and it time of danger or calamity took charge.

• Large city bishops looked after a very large territory.

Synods Began to be Called

• After the year 150, synods began to be called.

• The city bishops were of greatest influence and in these meetings their prominence increased.

• City bishops began to oversee the work of the country bishops, who in turn began to disappear.

Bishops

• By 185, there was interest in trying to establish a succession of bishops back to the Apostles - Roman scholars now admit that there are discrepancies - Cletus and Anacletus were the same man.

• By 190, Victor of Rome claimed to be “universal bishop.”

• After 250, monarchal bishopric was almost universally established.

The Church at Roman

• The Roman church had been known for its stability and soundness, noted for its charity.– Agreement with the church in Rome was the test

of apostolicity.– When the Roman church departed from the truth,

its good reputation made it even more dangerous.

• Cyprian of Carthage (195-268), following the thought of Ignatius, is said to have done more to establish the hierarchy than any other.

Development of a Priesthood• By 150, there was a distinction for those

who served as ministers. As it grew the ‘clergy’ patterned itself after the Jewish priesthood.

– High Priest was bishop– Priests were presbytery– Levites were deacons.

• Along with official priesthood came the development came a changed attitude toward the services. Worship could be conducted only by authorized priests, which led to ceremonialism and sacredotalism.

The Growth of the Sects—Gnosticism

• Gnosticism dealt with fundamental issues.

• Basilides led Gnostics of Egypt – belief in hundreds of angelic orders, out of which Christ came and was rejected.

• Satornilus of Antioch was an influential Gnostic –Belief in a great God and seven lesser gods. He taught that man can reach salvation only by abstinance from everything sensual – marriage was condemned, as well as nourishing meals.

Growth of Gnosticism

• Gnosticism dealt with numerous fundamentals - the problem of God and providence, the origin and destiny of the universe, Christ, intermediaries, redemption, and revelation.

• They believed in dualism (matter is evil, and the spirit is good). Jesus appeared to have flesh, but did not, God is far above and has no contact with this world.

Growth of the Sects—Neoplatonism

• Christians were influenced to think of Christianity as only another philosophy and practical Christianity was neglected.

• Around 240, Ammonius Saccas began to teach in Alexandria this new type of mysticism.

• Plotinus (205-270) studied under Saccas and started a Neo-Platonic school in Rome.

• Porphyr (233-300) gathered the ideas of Saccas and Plotinus, put them in logical order and attempted to substitute Neoplatism for Christianity.

Growth of the Sects--Manichaeism

• About 250, Mani (216-276) of Mesopotamia, formulated a philosophical system by mixing the teachings of Zoraster, the mystery religion, with Christianity.– Emphasis was placed on asceticism– The married could not attain the height of

perfection– The elite spent much time in ceremonies

designed to release more light

The Ebionites• The body of Judaizing Christians, which led

to legalism– Held that Moses was equal in authority to Christ.– “Gospel of the Hebrews” (O.T.) became their

guide.– Joseph, the carpenter, was the natural father of

Jesus– Christians were obligated to keep the Law of

Moses and custom of circumcision (Paul’s writings were held in contempt).

– Christ was ordinary man, exalted because he perfectly kept the Law.

Monarchianism, or Docetism

• Also known as—Adoptionism, Dynamic Monarchianism or Modalistic Monarchianism, or just Modalism.

• Paul of Samosta, of the church at Antioch, led many astray.

• Their emphasis on the humanity of Jesus laid the foundation for the Arianism of the fourth century.

Donatists• During severe persecution under Diocletian.

– Christians weakened under pressure and worshiped pagan gods, or obtained certificates (accepted by Roman police) that they had worshiped Roman gods.

– Some had turned in copies of Scripture to be burned.

– Many came back to churches and confessed sin.

– Donatus began to teach that these people had committed an unpardonable sin, and could not be restored to the church.

– A synod at Rome later decided against the Donatist position.

Millennialism

• Legacy from Judaism – Jews had expected a temporal Messiah

• Some Christians transferred this material hope to the Second Coming of Jesus.

• Eusebius accused the heretic Cerinthus of being the first to teach this doctrine.

• Polycarp said that John (apostle) called Cerinthus “the enemy of the truth”

Millennialism

• Eusebius says Papias taught of a material millennium on earth, and described him as one who failed to understand symbolic language.

• Irenaeus was carried away, as well as Justin Martyr, but he did not consider it a necessary part of Christian faith.

• These millennial thoughts are found in Apocryphal works bearing pseudonyms.

Original Sin and Baptism

• Doctrine of original sin teaches that children are born with guilt of sin through inheritance, and are depraved in nature ( a doctrine not found in any of the works of the Apostolic Fathers).

• Tertullian (160-220) is the first to formulate the doctrine of original sin.

• The soul shares in Adam’s guilt • Every man is under condemnation and is

punishable for his inherited guilt, apart from any actual sin he may commit.

Original Sin and Baptism• Cyprian (248-258), concluded though an infant

had committed no sin, it needed forgiveness for sin inherited from Adam– Such was received in baptism. – 1st to approve infant baptism, but did not urge it.

• It was necessary to couple the doctrine of original sin with baptismal regeneration. – This view grew out of the Biblical teaching on

baptism for the remission of sin, but went further and included the idea that baptism itself, apart from faith and repentance, removes sin.

– This made baptism as valuable to the infant as to the adult.

Baptism

• Tertullian and others believed that after baptism there was not additional remedy for sins committed after baptism, and baptism could not be repeated, which resulted in those who put off baptism until old age – (Constantine is outstanding example –

delayed his baptism until shortly before his death).

Baptism• A ritualistic ceremony (by 3rd Century)

– Performed by bishop or his assistants twice a year. – The water took on magical power– The candidates went through trial and preparation– At baptism, the devil was denounced– Following immersion the new Christian was fed

milk and honey, dressed in white robe and crown to wear in a victory procession back home.

– [Mattox: The desire to be like the nations round about has always been a curse to God’s people.]

• Infant baptism not generally practiced til 5th Century

Departure in Manner of Life• Gnosticism led to Aceticism, which led to the belief

that all matter is evil. Normal human processes, eating, marrying, childbirth became evil. Some even came to believe that any contact with normal society was contaminating.

• The celibate life began to be exalted above marriage, and ministers considered unfit to serve if they married.

• Clement wrote a treatise “On Marriage” in which he defended marriage, used scripture as proof, and referred to Peter’s being married until his martyrdom.

Departure in Manner of Life

• During the first three centuries there was no rule against the right of marriage for ministers.

• The pressure toward celibacy came from the common people who believed that demons could more easily control a married man – hermits emerged from this belief.

• Jerome tells of one man who fled to the wilderness and lived for ninety years. Others followed his example and soon began to form themselves into monastic communities.

Easter Celebration• Rather early some Christians tried to work

out a yearly calendar of the important events in the life of Christ.

– This would give them reason for special festivals and celebrations (common to both Jews and pagans).

• Easter became one of the most elaborate celebrations.

– The churches varied the times and dates – eastern churches of Asia kept it at the time of Passover, western churches under leadership of Rome said the apostles taught them it should always be on the first of the week.

Easter Celebration

• Victor, bishop of Rome, excommunicated the churches of Asia because they would not agree.

• Victor withdrew this rash declaration and each continued with their own dates until 325 when the first general council decided in favor of the Roman position.

Conclusion• Through the writing of the Apostolic Fathers

and the Apologists we have seen how the church became corrupt and how the predictions of the Apostles were fulfilled.

• Throughout the first three centuries, there were sincere Christians contending for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

• The services of the church became more elaborate and ceremonious.

• The apostate organization produced a hierarchy unlike the original pattern.

Conclusion

• Yet in every age “the Lord knows those who are his” and the Kingdom continued.

• Almost every controversy facing the church today was faced in the years immediately following the death of the Apostles. – Inadequate solutions many times were the

products of expedience. – Scripture alone gives the true solution.