What is today known as the Hebrew Masoretic Text, which was formalized nearly 1000 years after the birth of Christ, existed, clearly, as one of a few Hebrew textual traditions in Jesus’ day. Did they not need the gospel also? Concerning the day of Christ: the comfort of His coming (4:13-18), 1. During Paul’s ministry he was often being persecuted, and on one occasion found himself being smuggled to safety in a basket. 1 Thessalonians: An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary. As in other places, the doctrine of the return of Christ for the church is a truth that should transform how we live as individuals and as a corporate body of God’s people. Heathenism and immorality, in a thousand forms, were always pressing in upon the territory that had been won. The purpose and burden of the Apostle in writing to the Thessalonians can be summarized as follows: 1. After Jason put up a bond, forfeitable if there was further trouble, Paul and his cohorts were freed and journeyed on to Berea. Its midway position between the Adriatic and the Hellespont makes it even today a natural outlet for traffic from all points. Thessalonica was originally named Therma because of the many hot springs in the surrounding area, but in 315 B.C. Having done this, it was their intention to go through the Phrygian and Galatian regions, but being forbidden to do so, they then attempted to carry the Word to Bithinia, but again the Lord had other plans. 3:8). was a 1966 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and a former pastor of 28 years. While this exact outline will not be followed in the exposition, it is offered as an alternative overview of the book. In Revelation 14:6 we are told that in the future, along with His other witnesses, God will use an angel flying in mid-heaven who will proclaim an eternal gospel, but generally God does not send angels to preach the gospel. Just a quick note about the Bible of the early Church. It did, outstandingly so, but this could not have been foreseen. But he also learned the disturbing news of how the Jews had slandered him accusing him of teaching error and of false motives. Follow the small band of early Christian believers as they boldly proclaim Christ and His message in the face of great opposition resulting in the growth of the church and the unexpected conversion of its most zealous enemy. 4. Based on the book of Acts (chapters one through nine) The Messengers: The Birth of the Early Church continues the story of the disciples with Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on the believers. It then follows the apostles through their early journey of following Christ, their miracles, conviction, courage, and persecution. Luke’s accurate reporting in Acts 16:6). But what were the core apostolic / biblical concerns? This Paul Escaped in a Basket Story Illustration will remind children that God will give us strength to do what He asks us to do. Books, conferences, televised debates: speakers and evangelists can live their whole lives devoted to a career of apologetics in defence of the Christian faith. Further, a careful study of Philippians 4:16 does not necessarily indicate more than one gift from Philippi. The human authors of Scripture wrote to real people with real problems in real situations in such a way that their writings are still very much applicable with tremendous relevance in our modern world. This charge of treason is the first recorded after the trial of Jesus before Pilate and could have been an outgrowth of the eschatological preaching of Paul at Thessalonica as seen in these epistles. Auto Suggestions are available once you type at least 3 letters. From Philippians 4:16 we know that the Philippians may have sent more than one gift to the Apostle while he was in Thessalonica, but this does not necessarily assume a long period since the journey from Philippi to Thessalonica required only about 5 or 6 days, a period that could well fit within a three or four week period. Acts 18:3; 1 Thess. Historian Sydney E. … Acts 17:2 tells us that “according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” Some have understood from this that the Apostle was only in Thessalonica for three weeks. In fact, the 25th of December was not even chosen by the Christians, but by the Romans – the traditional arch enemies of the early church. The key to Paul’s strategy and the ability of this church to endure the pressures they faced from the religious persecution of the Jews and the paganism of that day was their knowledge of the Word. In the Bible lesson activities below, children are given opportunity to engage in fun projects while learning about actual events that occurred in the early church. Give your children a chance to do this fun Bible activity! The Birth of the Church Acts 2:1-13. Concerning Christ’s return there is a two-fold emphasis of both a confident expectation along with the call to live in readiness in the light of His imminent coming. The prayer that he might return to the Thessalonians (3:11), 2. Today, “it is an important industrial and commercial city in modern Greece and is second to Athens in population. From Timothy’s report and perhaps also as the result of a letter brought to him from the Thessalonian church, Paul learned about the situation and the needs of the believers at Thessalonica. While with them, he said: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. But the missionaries had been forced to leave these young converts abruptly, quite inadequately equipped with the instruction and encouragement necessary to enable them to stand firm in the face of determined opposition. 3:1-12), it was his policy to begin his ministry among the Jews, usually at the local synagogue where the Old Testament was known and revered. No early church writer endorsed the observance of birthdays by Christians, nor are they ever listed in the early observances of the Christian church. Jesus shared with the disciples and his followers that they were called to be “witnesses.” During their second missionary journey, Paul and Silas revisited and strengthened those churches in the faith they had previously founded during their first missionary work. They were surrounded with a culture of heathenism and gross immorality. No Class 3. Price Match Guarantee. December 29, 2019 December 29, 2019 W. C. Newsom christmas, Early Church Fathers, Gospel of Luke, Thomas Aquinas The following excerpts are from Thomas Aquinas’ Catena Aurea, or Golden Chain Commentary on the Gospels , a 13th century compilation of Bible commentary from over 80 early church fathers. Luke's account of the birth and early growth of the Church is known in the Bible as "The Acts of the Apostles." They show us how Paul worked with and helped young converts. Birth of the Church 5 BC. 4 F. F. Bruce, Word Biblical Commentary, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Vol. 3 J. Gresham Machen, The New Testament, An Introduction to Its Literature and History, Edited by W. John Cook, The Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, 1976, p. 115. It was a church under persecution, but also a church that had a dynamic testimony and that had grown through the persecution. Introduction. This response drew people away from the Jewish community which angered the Jews and caused them to resort to violence and mob activity. 6. This verse may be translated, “Both (when I was) in Thessalonica and more than once (when I was in other places) you sent … (cf. The five-part series (four of which are currently available) begins with The Birth of the Church which covers the early history of the church, stretching from the death of Jesus to Constantine's rise to power in AD 312--so roughly three hundreds years of history. In each Macedonian city visited they had established a community of believers. Christians Were Characterized by Uncommon Joy. What I described in my example really happened to the early church. Introduction To the Book of Acts 2. 2:17; 3:3). 1:7-8). Their love for the brethren, an expression of being God taught (4:9-10), C. Their love for the lost expressed in godly living (4:11-12), III. Here is a suggested summary: 1:10—salvation and assurance2:19-20—soul-winning and service3:12-13—stability in Christian living4:13-18—strength for sorrow in the face of death5:23-24—sanctification of life. Early Church in the Book of Acts (NT4) 1. 1:16) ministered not by man’s power or wisdom or human ingenuity, but ministered by the power of the Spirit of God. The second theme revolves around the ministry of the local church and its life in the world. 2:9; 2 Thess. Therefore, the celebration of birthdays, was clearly not part of:... the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). In his letters to Timothy, Paul challenged him to be faithful in his service to the churches and the Lord. This is also the exact kind of change God wants to bring about in our lives and seeks to do so through these vibrant epistles of the New Testament. The success of the gospel and the enduring faith of the Thessalonians illustrate the truth of Philippians 1:12ff. Of course each book has its special purpose, subject matter, and theme as determined by the inspired direction of the Holy Spirit on the human author, but this was always in conjunction with the particular historical and personal circumstances and needs of the recipients. In the Bible lesson activities below, children are given opportunity to engage in fun projects while learning about actual events that occurred in the early church. 5. Finally, Paul learned of certain weaknesses in the church that needed to be dealt with. Trials and Witness of Paul; Final Exam And to deal with certain problems that had developed in their corporate life as a church (5:12-13; 19-20). Hampton wrote many articles for the Biblical Studies Foundation and on... More. Christian Apologetics are big business. The blessed and glorious ever-virgin Mary, sprung from the royal stock and family of David, born in the city of Nazareth, was brought up at Jerusalem in the temple of the Lord.Her father was named Joachim, and her mother Anna. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. It served as a important Allied base during World War I. In Acts 17:2 we are told that according to Paul’s custom, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures. The conduct of the Apostle and his co-workers (2:1-12), C. The conduct of the Thessalonians (2:13-16), 1. Thus, the birth of the church at Thessalonica was the result of both God’s leading and the attentive ears of Paul and his missionary team. Some debate has existed over just how long Paul ministered at Thessalonica. Second Era of Persecution 249. ; 1 Thessalonians 3:10f. The fact that Paul found it expedient to devote three chapters of his first letter to a defense against these attacks is evidence suspicion of some of the converts was aroused and that the danger of their being beguiled away from the faith was imminent.6. 4. 9 This outline is primarily that of Dr. Stanley Toussaint taken from class notes used at Dallas Theological Seminary with some variations. They were under pressure to return to their former lifestyles (3:2-3; 4:1-10), some members were not working in view of the imminency of the return of the Lord (4:11-12; 2 Thess. He learned first of all about the spiritual stamina of the Thessalonian converts in the face of fierce persecution and opposition (1:6; 3:6-10). To answer questions regarding the “Day of the Lord” (5:1-11). After Jesus ascended to heaven, His promise to send the Holy Spirit was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit fell upon Jesus’ followers on the Day of Pentecost. Outreach to the West 8. May 21, 2019 May 13, 2020 The Early Church Blog 1 Comment. >> What a fitting way for Jesus Christ to begin the church! After some days of ministry there, Paul and Silas were arrested on false charges, beaten, and thrown into jail. Why? It was probably the greatest of the cities along the entire Egnatian Road, a great military highway which connected Rome with the East and which ran through Macedonia and parallel to the Aegean Sea. Birth of the Church When Paul had left them, when they were thrown upon their own resources, would they not simply drift back to their old ways? His hope in the Thessalonians (2:19-20), E. The confirmation of the Thessalonians (3:1-10), 1. Rather He uses people, ordinary people. They attacked the home of Jason, Paul’s host, and dragged him before the rulers where he was charged with harboring traitors to Caesar. 4:6; 1 Cor. With what eagerness, after such a forcible departure, must Paul have awaited the first news of the youthful church! 5. The Great Persecution 302 311. Peter and the Conversion of the Gentiles 6. In this the Apostle balances the prophetic with the practical. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” ( Acts 1:4-5 ). It later became known as Salonika and today it is called Thessaloniki. They give insight into the realm of what we can call ‘pediatrics.’. Concerning the day of the Lord (5:1-11), 1. In that regard, note the following facts about 1 Thessalonians: Every chapter ends with a reference to the coming of the Lord Jesus, and each reference relates the doctrine of His coming to some aspect of practical Christian living. The prayer that their hearts might be established in holiness (3:13), II. His story will help kids understand that faith has a cost but the presence of Jesus always gives courage. As you know, we are working our way rather slowly through the book of Acts, especially in the early chapters, because they’re so foundational. This led to enormous temptation to return to their old ways and significant persecution if they refused to recant their faith in Christ. The Christian missionaries were carrying the war into the enemies’ country. This political privilege was jealously guarded by the people who were extremely sensitive about anything that might result in imperial disfavor. The prayer that the Thessalonians might grow in love (3:12), 3. The strange mixtures of a seaport city and the rites of the worship of the Cabiri cult caused the Apostle to make a special exhortation for holy living (1 Thess. The tongues also provided a basis for later validating Gentile evangelization, as we will see in chapters 10,11. They were soon driven from Berea also by Jews who pursued them from Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-14). The outline that follows is derived from 1:3 and three very significant phrases as stressed in the Greek text, “the work of faith,” “the labor of love,” and “the endurance of hope.”9 This can be summarized as: The past: the work of faith (1:1–3:13); The present: the labor of love (4:1-4:12); The prospective: the endurance of hope (4:13–5:28). Hence its peculiar interest.3. It had a sheltered harbor which was made into a naval station and equipped with docks by the Romans. Christianity began as a movement within Judaism at a period when the Jews had long been dominated culturally and politically by foreign powers and had found in their religion (rather than in their politics or cultural achievements) the linchpin of their community. Paul, Barnabas & the Council of Jerusalem 7. 45, Word Books, Waco, 1982, p. xxvi. Shop The Messengers: The Birth of the Early Church [DVD] at Best Buy. Shortly after this, when in Lystra, Paul enlisted Timothy (Acts 16:1-3). The present: the labor of love (4:1-12), A. Others set dates in March, April, or May. About 350 AD, Pope Julius set December 25 as the date of Jesus' birth. Guidelines For Group Bible Studies: ACTS 2:1-4, 14-18, 37-38, 41-47 From there they went to Athens where Timothy joined the team, but he was quickly sent back to the young church at Thessalonica to check on their condition. The coming of the day of the Lord (5:1-5), C. Concerning deportment in the congregation (5:12-28). Although it was the residence of the provincial governor, he exercised no civil authority because the city was ruled by politarchs (cf. ... Apologetics was born in the Early Church. The word translated “church” comes from two Greek words that together mean “called out from the world for God.” Their love for God expressed in sanctified living (4:1-8), B. There in a vision Paul received the call to carry the gospel into Macedonia, one of the regions of Europe (Acts 17:6-10). Ryrie writes: A careful study of Philippians 4:16 would indicate that it probably does not mean that Paul received several gifts from the Philippians while at Thessalonica. As with Philippi, the Apostle had been driven out of Thessalonica by persecution from the Jews and from there he had gone on to Berea. 1 Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Ready, Victor Books, Wheaton, 1979, p. 10. The resurrection of sleeping saints (4:13-16), 2. Based on the Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chapters 1-9. It appears from Luke’s account that they simply passed by these two towns, but why? and 2 Timothy 2:8-9. According to the Catholic tradition, the history of the Catholic Church begins with Jesus Christ and his teachings (c. 4 BC – c. AD 30) and the Catholic Church is a continuation of the early Christian community established by the Disciples of Jesus. Some wondered how the return of the Lord might affect one or more of the converts who had since died (4:13-18). Timothy was a young pastor who had been trained by the Apostle Paul. 2. Thus the Church celebrates the Paschal Mystery of Christ by which He accomplished the … The birth took place in Jerusalem, where thousands of people witnessed “the delivery.” It was a spectacular event, marked by supernatural signs, a powerful sermon, and an … As Christians, we are all called to be a part of promoting the spread of the glorious truths of the Word, but where, when, and how are important matters that need to be discerned in the will of God for each individual believer. Christians in the East generally celebrated on January 6; those in the West on December 25. Significantly, in every chapter of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle sought to comfort and motivate with the truth of the Lord’s sure return. it was renamed Thessalonica after the half sister of Alexander the Great. First Era of Peace 218. The First Great Awakening was a wave of religious enthusiasm among Protestants in the American colonies c. 1730–1740, emphasising the traditional Reformed virtues of Godly preaching, rudimentary liturgy, and a deep sense of personal guilt and redemption by Christ Jesus. While these two co-workers were gone, Paul, having experienced a relatively fruitless ministry at Athens (Acts 17:16-34), left Athens and went to the city of Corinth. 4:6-7; 5:17). Does debt affect giving in modern times in light of the Israelite tithe and slaves? The amazing thing, considering the pagan atmosphere in which the new converts were immersed, is that they grew, reached out, and endured. Consequently, they passed by the town of Mysia and went down to Troas. In August of 2001 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and on August 29th, 2002 he went home to be with the Lord. There he enjoyed a spiritually prosperous ministry for a year and a half. Medieval 420. 12:1f.) Anxiety must have been particularly intense when as so often, Paul was driven out of a new church before his work in it was done. 2:1-5; 1 Thess. Well-to-do Romans settled there and Jewish merchants were attracted by the commercial advantages of the city (see Acts 17:4). The words of the prophet Isaias(vii, 14) are understood in this sense by 1. Shop Barnes & Noble for The Messengers: The Birth of the Early Church on DVD. The rapture of living saints (4:17-18), B. Until the late 2 nd century, “Christianity” was a bubbling brew of competing views. These circumstances forced the missionaries to leave Philippi. Most scholars agree that the birth of the Redeemer did not take place in the month of December at all. In facing it he needed all his faith in the power of God. (1) God uses ordinary people. A Lasting Legacy: Choosing A Wife For Isaac (Gen. 24:1-67). He was certainly a man God used in special ways to minister to the church, but it is important to recognize that none of the New Testament writers wrote in a vacuum nor were their writings the product of simple dictation. Luke's account of the birth and early growth of the Church is known in the Bible as "The Acts of the Apostles." Having arrived at Somothrace in Macedonia, the missionary team moved on through Neopolis to Philippi, a leading city of Macedonia and a Roman colony. “God wants me to love others.” This word tiles exercise drives home this important point. Printable PDF Version. The Early Church definition: the Christian church in the centuries immediately following Christ's death | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Man’s problems in ancient times are still man’s problems in modern times, and likewise, the solutions to man’s problems then are the same today. 1. They had only begun to understand the principles of the Christian life. Any date assigned will have to be approximate, though probably … AD 51-52. Modern 1498 2000. The commendation of the Thessalonians (1:1-10), 3. This is a subject found at the close of every chapter. 76:10). 1:16), and you can see why Paul and his associates began their work in the synagogue.2. He was certainly a man God used in special ways to minister to the church, but it is important to recognize that none of the New Testament writers wrote in a vacuum nor were their writings the product of simple dictation. 6 James Everett Frame, The International Critical Commentary, a Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1912, 1960, p. 10. God has chosen men and women as His ambassadors for Christ, mere earthen vessels to manifest the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves (2 Cor. 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