Exploring the Church

Exploring the Church

QUESTIONS

Exploring the Church

QUESTIONS

MAKE A PREDICTION:

HOW DOES MOVING THE FOCUS OF MINISTRY OUT OF JERUSALEM AFFECT THE CHURCH?

Exploring the Church

What caused the church to move out from Jerusalem as a center of ministry?

1) Jesus’ commission/command (internal cause)

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations. . .” (Matthew 28:19)

“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

2) Ministry to believers outside of Jerusalem (internal cause #2) - (Acts 9:32-42ff.)

3) Persecution by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem circ. 35 AD(external cause)

“A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria.” (Acts 8:1)

4) The Fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD (external cause #2)

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Two important developments

A. The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus - (Acts 9)

-starts to go by his Roman name, Paul

-in a short time begins to teach/preach about Jesus

B. God approving ministry to the Gentiles (non-Jewish peoples) – (Acts 10)

Ways the Gospel Spread (throughout church history!)

A. Merchants, soldiers, migrants – purposely or inadvertently spread the story of the gospel wherever they travelled, the “seeds” of growth

B. Missionary endeavor – often approached the Jews first (preaching/teaching in synagogues) then other public forums (Acts 13), Paul established himself in a location and taught over the course of a few years (Acts 14ff.)

C. Ministries often established first in cities and then to surrounding area

Exploring the Church

Breakdown of the New Testament

Matthew (or “The Gospel [of Jesus Christ] According to Matthew”) – gospel (account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, called the Christ; written especially with the Jews in mind

Mark – gospel; based on the preaching/memoirs of Simon Peter (or just Peter), written down by John Mark (Acts 12, 1 Peter 5:13)

Luke – gospel; first half of a history of the Christian faith; longest, most detailed

John – gospel; written especially with 2nd gen. Christians in mind (those who were not alive during Christ’s earthly ministry

Acts – history; second half of a history of the Christian faith; details Pentecost, the activity, and major movements/ “players” in the church

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Exploring the Church

Breakdown of the New Testament cont.

Hebrews – letter specifically to Jewish Christians, author unknown, specific destination unknown

James – letter specifically to Jewish Christians (perhaps those scattered by the first periods of persecution), written by James the Just/Less (?) who was the leader of the Jerusalem church after Peter left

1 & 2 Peter – letters written by Simon Peter to the church in Asia Minor (Turkey)

1, 2, & 3 John – letters written by the apostle John to the church in Asia Minor

Jude – letter written by Jude, brother of James the Just; specific destination unknown

Revelation (or “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”) – part letter, part prophecy, part apocalyptic literature (revealing part of God’s secret purposes); written by the apostle John in part to the church in Asia Minor (specifically the 7 churches mentioned in the first few chapters)

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Key to Places and People

Jerusalem (Israel)

Rome (Italy) – Romans – Peter & Paul both martyred here

Corinth (Greece) – Corinthians

Ephesus (Turkey) – Ephesians – seaport, major center of commerce & religion

Philippi (Greece) – Philippians – first major European church center

Colossae (Turkey) – Colossians

Galatia (Turkey) – Galatians – region in Asia Minor

Thessalonica (Greece) – Thessalonians

Antioch (Syria) – where believers were first referred to as “Christians” (“little Christs”) – “second home” of Christianity (after Jerusalem), third largest city in the Roman Empire in the 1st century

Exploring the Church

Dates to RememberDec. 8th/10th – No Study Group

Dec. 15th – Review (Fun & Games!)

Dec. 22nd/24th – No Study Group

Dec. 29th/31st – No Study Group

Exploring the Church

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, Your name is holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory belong to you forever and ever. Amen.