Ephesians 3:8-12. Church mentioned only twice in the gospels Both times the word is used by Jesus...

Ephesians 3:8-12

“Church” mentioned only twice in the gospels• Both times the word is used by Jesus Himself- 1st time used, He speaks as an architect:

“…on this rock I will build My church” [Mt 16:18]- Both times, He hands the “keys” to the apostles:

“…I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [Mt 16:19; cp. Mt 18:17-18]- These “keys” only work in accordance with God’s will

cp. 2 Thess 2:13-14; Gal 1:6-9- The architect entrusted His master work to men’s hands!

cp. Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:14-15, 20- It is only the architect’s work if it follows HIS plan…

cp. Mt 7:21-23 [Lk 6:46]; 1 Pet 4:11 [1 Cor 4:6]

“Church” mentioned only twice in the gospels• Both times the word is used by Jesus Himself- 1st time used, He speaks as an architect:

“…on this rock I will build My church” [Mt 16:18]- Both times, He hands the “keys” to the apostles:

“…I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [Mt 16:19; cp. Mt 18:17-18]- These “keys” only work in accordance with God’s will

cp. 2 Thess 2:13-14; Gal 1:6-9- The architect entrusted His master work to men’s hands!

cp. Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:14-15, 20- It is only the architect’s work if it follows HIS plan…

cp. Mt 7:21-23 [Lk 6:46]; 1 Pet 4:11 [1 Cor 4:6]

Jesus is both “Son of David” & “Son of God”See Romans 1:1-4

Building His church, “the house of God” [1 Tm 3:15],Jesus fulfills the desire of God and of David

See 2 Sam 7:1-2, 8-16; 2 Cor 6:16-18

The Son of David was not building an institution for:feeding/housing, marrying, teaching, entertaining,physical curing, employing, etc. [a DEEPER need!]

Apostasy from itand return to it

Catholicism:4th-13th

Century AD

Roots of Apostasy:Catholicism

4th - 13th Century A.D.

Following the Master’s BlueprintMatthew 16:18

“some will depart from the faith” - 1 Tm 4:1

Roots of Apostasy: 1st Century A.D.

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28 AD Mt 16:18 – “I will build My church…”

“Church” = Gk. ekklesia• “ek” = out + “kalein” = to call; cp. Acts 2:39; 2 Thess 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9 • Always refers to a meeting of people • This is the fundamental misunderstanding behind the error of institutionalism




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29 AD Jn 19:30 – “it is finished”; Mt 28:18-20; Acts 2:41, 47




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ca. 49 AD Acts 15 – The “Jerusalem Council” Error: “Judaizers”!




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ca. 61 AD Colossians 2:6-10; 2 Peter 2:1-2 Error: Gnostics!




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70+ AD Jude 3-4 – “certain men have crept in unnoticed”




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80+ AD 1 Jn 4:1-3 – “…false prophets have gone into the world”




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80+ AD 1 Jn 4:1-3 – “…false prophets have gone into the world”

ca. 96 AD Rev 2:4 – to Ephesus: “you have left your first love”;The revelation of the New Testament is completed




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120 AD “Holy Water” first used



Roots of Apostasy: Catholicism (1st - 8th century A.D.)

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140 AD Lent and Easter introduced as worship




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ca. 190 AD The “Apostles’ Creed” fully formulated




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ca. 200 AD Elders began being called “priests”




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250 AD Sprinkling first practiced as “baptism”

“…when attacked by an obstinate disease and being supposed at the point of death was baptized by aspersion, in the bed on which he lay; if, indeed, it be proper to say one like him did receive baptism.”

- Eusebius (263-339 AD), of Novation, 1st person sprinkled

“In respect to the form of baptism, it was in conformity with the original institution and the original import of the symbol, performed by immersion… It was only with the sick, when the exigency required it, that any exception was made; and in this case baptism was administered by sprinkling. Many superstitious (i.e. “religious” - cdb) persons, clinging to the outward form imagined that such baptism by sprinkling was not fully valid; and hence they distinguished those who had thus been baptized by denominating them clinici.”

- Augustus Neander (1789-1850 AD),History of the Christian Religion and Church




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296 AD Title of “Pope” first used; not accepted as practice yet




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296 AD Title of “Pope” first used; not accepted as practice yet

313 AD Council of Neo-Caesarea decrees that elders cannot marry

“The doctrine of celibacy for the eldership grew out of the supposition that if they were unmarried they could better care for the work of the Lord. The idea that marriage implied imperfect sanctity developed within the church, and as an imperfect sanctity was considered unbecoming to those who served at the Lord’s table, the celibacy of the elders was first recommended, and later bound on them.” . . . “Watch the work of the councils. New doctrines were being advocated by those who were seeking for prominence. When a council would later be called the matter would be placed before the council and a vote taken and thus a doctrine foreign to God’s word would be bound upon the church. Had there been no councils, no conferences, and if people had been content to take God’s word as their guide there would have been no apostasy.”

- Robert H. Brumback (1957),History Of The Church Through The Ages

Council of Neo-Caesarea, 313 AD

1 Cor 7:32-33?But…

1 Tim 3:2;Titus 1:6




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Council of Nicea; Recognized as beginning of Catholicism 325 AD

Organized, funded by Constantine

Primarily set to refute “Arianism” Established proper date for “Easter”

Over 300 “bishops” attended

Established “Nicean Creed” Established 20 “Canon” laws

Sought to unify doctrine for the church

“catholic” – “universal”




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“Mass” begins in the churches; practice bound in 394 350 AD




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“Christmas” 1st observed; “Christ’s Mass” only after “Mass” 360 AD




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Infant “baptism” observed first time; bound in 416 370 AD




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The Council of Rome limits the “Canon” of N. T. books 382 AD

“There was no central head, no united organization and therefore no possibility of securing a general vote in which all churches should join, or an authoritative edict to which all would submit. …is there not something sublime in the thought, that works so casually written as many of the books and letters were, should be slowly collected by the churches scattered all over the world, until at length they all possessed, in the very same form, that perfect work, which our New Testament unquestionably is. It adds to the certainty, and does not by any means diminish it, to know that there was no restraint upon the fullest inquiry and the freest expression of opinion, and that after 2 or 3 hundred years of careful discussion, without general consultation, without collusion, and without any authoritative decision, the churches, with marvelous unanimity, adopted the same collection, and thus the canon was closed.” - James Martin (1871),

The Origin And History Of The New Testament

Council of Rome, 382 AD




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The Catholic Canon of today with the “Apocrypha” was not made “official”

and “final” until Council of Trent, 1546!

The Catholic Church claims to have produced the New Testament,

HOWEVER…




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“Auricular Confession” begins 390 AD




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“Auricular Confession” begins 390 AD

Jerome completes the Latin “Vulgate” Version [Translation] 405 AD




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Bishops of Rome assume power of ruling over many cities 514 AD

“The Patriarchs in the centers of religious influence…refused to surrender all authority to the bishop of Rome, though he pleaded that Rome was recognized as the capital of the world… The position of prominence that the Bishop of Rome demanded for himself was bitterly contested every step of the way.” - Robert Brumback, History of the Church




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The beginning of the Catholic Papacy 533 AD

Justinian decrees that Boniface, the Bishop of Rome, should be called “Rector Ecclesiae”, or “Lord of the Church”

“Apostasy develops slowly and fixing a definite date for the beginning of any certain apostasy is often difficult and sometimes impossible. ... The basic departure was exalting one elder or bishop above his fellow elders, or bishops, and giving him the title of “The Bishop”. His authority soon extended to other congregations. At a later time special honor was conferred upon the bishops having authority in prominent cities. They received the title of “Metropolitans” as spiritual leaders in a metropolis. Those in the centers of religious influence…were called Patriarchs.The contest for supremacy among the patriarchs narrows down to a contest between Constantinople and Rome, with Rome…gaining the victory. From this time forward the church in its purity gradually disappeared under…persecution of the apostate church.”


The Catholic Papacy, 533 AD




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The doctrine of “Purgatory” is developed 593 AD Had already been advocated in 220 AD Was condemned by Council of Constantinople, 553 AD Now introduced by Augustine, will be fully assumed and taught as “official doctrine” by the year 1070 AD




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The doctrine of “Purgatory” is developed 593 AD

Pope Vitalian authorizes instrumental music in worship 666 AD

“The use of instrumental music was abolished by Pope Gregory in 1074, and Thomas Aquinas writing two hundred years later, said, ‘The church does not use instrumental music, harps and psalteries to praise God that she may not seem to Judaize.’”


Instrumental Music, 666 AD “The general introduction of instrumental music can certainly not be assigned to a date earlier than the fifth or sixth centuries, yea, even Gregory, The Great, who, toward the end of the sixth century, added greatly to the existing church music [e.g., ‘Gregorian’ Chant – cdb], absolutely prohibited the use of instruments.” - John Franklin Rowe (1894),

History Of Reformatory Movements




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Pope Stephen authorizes sprinkling as baptism if necessary 753 AD




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“Celebration” of “the eucharist” begins; Gk. “thanksgiving” 787 AD




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“Celebration” of “the eucharist” begins; Gk. “thanksgiving” 787 AD

Nicean Council – Roman, Greek church last unified meeting 789 AD

“…elements of paganism had entered in the thought and manners of the Christian world. We cannot ignore the fact that much of the apparent success of the church had been gained by her accommodation to heathen sentiments, customs and superstitions. She had compromised with the society which she sought to convert.”

- William Maxwell Blackburn (1879),History Of The Christian Church

Nicean Council, 789 AD “This council was the first to sanction image worship. The pagan priests headed processions in honor of Bacchus, Ceres, and Diana, whose images they carried and ere long the clergy of the papal church adopted this pagan custom, marching through the streets by night, carrying torches and singing hymns.”




Roots of Apostasy: Catholicism (9th - 13th century A.D.)

800 900 1000

1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600

814 AD First sale of “indulgences” – Pope Pascal I

Pope Pascal I indulgences, 814 AD “The doctrine of indulgences did much to corrupt the practice of the church of Rome. Pope Pascal found it to be profitable to promise a shortening of the torments of purgatory upon the payment of a certain sum of money. Indulgences were a means of escaping some of the torment of purgatory. To obtain an indulgence, one had to perform some good deed prescribed by the church, such as a visit to some sacred place, a prayer repeated a number of times, or a sum of money contributed to some worthy cause. …The sale of indulgences became a source of papal revenue. It ultimately developed into the practice of offering pardon for all sins. By the year 1190 it had become very much a part of the doctrine of the Roman church.”





800 900 1000

1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600


842 AD Council of Constantinople restores use/worship of images “Those who prostrated themselves before the images claimed they were only showing their reverence for the symbols of Christ and the departed saints.Miraculous powers were said to dwell in the images. Stories of wonderful cures were reported by those who bowed and prayed before them…”

- Robert H. Brumback (1957), History Of The Church Through The Ages




800 900 1000

1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600


842 AD Council of Constantinople restores use/worship of images

869 AD Final Unified Greek-Roman Council of Constantinople

Tradition decreed to be “of equal authority with the scriptures.” This foundation led to denying individuals the right to read scripture




800 900 1000

1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600




1054 AD Official separation of Greek and Roman churches Pope in Rome and Patriarch in Constantinople sent messages “excommunicating” one another and all churches who stood with the other leader Result is Roman Catholic & Greek Catholic church

Greek vs. Roman church, 1054 AD Primary Divergences

Roman Church Greek ChurchPriests cannot marry Priests may marryUse of images/idols No images/idols allowedUnleavened bread used Common bread usedPapal succession Papacy rejectedDoctrine of celibacy No celibacy enjoinedSprinkling allowed Baptism by immersion onlyUse of instruments Instruments not usedCouncils still binding Accepts no council after 869

Etc., etc., etc.




800 900 1000

1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600




1054 AD Official separation of Greek and Roman churches

1070 AD Doctrine of “Purgatory” officially accepted




800 900 1000

1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600






1095 - 1270

“Crusades”




800 900 1000

1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600






1095-1270 AD The Crusades

1229 AD The Council of Toulouse prohibits reading of the Bible

Council of Toulouse, 1229 AD “‘We forbid also the permitting of the laity the books of the Old and New Testament in the common tongue.’ …Only priests or higher officials were permitted to read or possess a copy of the Bible.” - Robert H. Brumback (1957), History Of The Church Through The Ages“Of all the advice we can offer your Holiness…to permit the reading of the gospel as little as possible in all the countries under your jurisdiction. Let the very part of the gospel suffice which is read in mass and let no one be permitted to read more. So long as people will be content with the small amount, your interests will prosper, but as soon as the people want to read more your interests will begin to fail.” - from an address by the cardinals to Pope Pius III

A complete reversal of the position that saw Jerome commissioned to produce the Vulgate

centuries earlier !!!




800 900 1000

1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600






1095-1270 AD The Crusades

1229 AD The Council of Toulouse prohibits reading of the Bible

Observe, concerning the slow apostasy:Changes

:

Baptismal modes; “Elders” taking on greater roles and titles; Councils establishing decrees, doctrines;

New “holidays” sanctioned; clergy/laity separation

Causedby:

Neglect of study of God’s word [2 Tim 2:15]; A new concept of “church government” [Gal 1:9]; “laity” drawn away from gospel [Acts 20:28ff]; Creeds set up for guiding the faith of believers [2 Tim 3:16-17]

Resulted in:

Development of an “Ecclesiastical hierarchy”; fully separated clergy and laity; church worship mixed with pagan ritual; “tradition” as equal to scripture



We must understand that this is not a “catholic” problem; this is not an issue of a CHURCH being wrong, but of an entire mindset that is become apostate, a human condition: cp. Colossians 2:1-10, 18-19

Once the admittedly tiny steps off the path are taken, there is no way to keep going in the same direction and yet end up at the

Master’s house! cp. 1 Tm 1:3-7; 2 Tm 4:1-4; Gal 1:6-8

Lord willing, next week we will look at attempts to deal with the “catholic” error by studying the history of the “Reformation” and

its errors which gave birth to institutionalism and denominationalism


“I will build My church”

The Lord’s desire for you is that you shouldbe saved from your sins and come to

the knowledge of the truth

He has made this possible through His Son1 Timothy 2:1-4

John 3:16; Hebrews 5:9

But you must repent and be converted to HimActs 17:30-31; 2:37-41 [Colossians 1:13-14]

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Ephesians 3:8-12. Church mentioned only twice in the gospels Both times the word is used by Jesus...

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