February 2025

Beginning of the Apostolic Church:

The Word of God consists of the Old and New Testaments. All four Gospels give different vantage points and bits of information vary; however, the Jesus story remains the same. The Gospels tell the world about who He is, what He did, and what that means for humanity. The Bible tells of God’s chosen people, Israel; Jesus as Messiah, His death, His resurrection, His conquering death, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the beginning of the Church Age.

Church Age Begins

The setting is first century Judea made up of Judaism Jews (traditional), Hellenistic Jews, Samaritan Jews (Assyrian captivity 722 BC), and Jewish and Hellenistic Christians of whom occupy territories outside Jerusalem. The world was still under Roman rule, Greek the primary language and the roads safe for travel. The conditions were perfect for the world to receive Messiah and the Church Age to follow. After the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John), the Book of Acts starts with Pentecost and how the church began. The apostles receive the Holy Spirit then begin the work Jesus commissioned them to do, spread the Gospel to world and let it be known that “God the Father sent His only begotten Son into the world, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). It is not long after the church begins that disagreements, conflicts and controversies arise due to societal, political and cultural difficulties effecting the church movement. The chief priests and pharisees thought that when they got rid of Jesus, He would be forgotten and there would be no more talk about Him. They continue to cause trouble, including motivating a riot that leads to the stoning of Stephen that then causes the Hellenistic Christians to flee the area. The Gospel is now taken outside Jerusalem to the areas of Phoenicia, Syria, and Cyrus (Acts 11:19), “…all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1). By now there are two churches, one in Jerusalem made up of Jews and led by apostles Peter and James (brother of Jesus), and the other in Antioch, Syria being led by Paul and Barnabas. A the church begins to grow and is in need of organizing, situations arise prompting the leaders in Jerusalem to delegate leaders to help oversee church activities so the apostles can concentrate on “… prayer and the ministry…” (Acts 6:4).

As time goes by, Apostle Paul eventually pays a visit to the Jerusalem church to inform Peter and James about the progress of the gentile conversions in Antioch. James also tells Paul that the Jewish Christians have “…believed, and all of them are zealous for the law” (Acts 21:20). The mention of the ‘law’ appears to cause a snag among the leaders as they try to completely let go of their traditions and figure out how the Law should fit in the church as it seeks to establish itself. Some of the Jewish traditions appear difficult to let go, there is a moment Paul feels pressure from the Jewish Church leaders that remained tethered to the Law by telling him to show his allegiance to Jewish traditions out of respect for his heritage. This causes Paul and his companions to give in and shave their head and visit the temple. Perhaps Paul’s reason to compromise was his insecurity and skepticism he thought the church leaders in Jerusalem had about him due to his past as a pharisee and renown for persecuting Christians and the stoning of Stephen.

The church in Antioch has been growing, Christians have been gathering in homes and taking care of anyone in need. Acts 16 records the conversion of Lydia in Philippi and how “The Lord opened her heart…” (Acts 16:14), led to her baptism and the use of her home for church gathering. First century Greek women were gaining freedoms in cities more heavily influenced by Roman culture, such as Philippi and Corinth (Mowczko, 2018). Independent women in Acts include Lydia, a businesswoman, and Pricilla an artisan and how their roles helped advance the early church (Mowczko, 2018). Lydia was able to use her resources for good, this presents a more positive view of wealth in the New Testament as it is used for God’s purpose (Mowczko, 2018). The early church developed ways of reaching the world through its outreach, missions, and small group studies. And somewhat unique to the early church believers is how they were ‘one’ and shared everything (Acts 2:42-45) as they spent time together breaking bread (meals not only Eucharist), praying and worshipping (Wenham & Walton, 2005).

Biblical Context

Proper biblical interpretation consists of looking at the historical sociological setting for scriptural relevance. Scripture translation for understanding and application varies depending on cultures and ethnicities and is evident in Acts, for instance Apostle Paul’s speech to the Greek philosophers in Athens (Acts 17) versus his sermon to the Antioch Syria church (Acts 13). Regarding his Athenian speech, Paul is observant of the culture and their many gods and idol worship; consequently, he adjusts his language so that his audience can understand the Gospel message. When Paul is asked to speak to the Greek philosophers, he takes this opportunity to establish common ground by saying, “…in every way you are very religious” (Acts 17:22 ESV) before he goes on to present his case by focusing on “…unknown god” (Acts 17:23) versus “gods” (Marculet, 2013). What prompts this is the moment Paul sees an inscription that says, “to the unknown god” and thinks perhaps they not only believe in “gods”, but also “a” god and uses that as a means of focusing on the unknown “god” (Marculet, 2013, pp. 33). Another explanation is that among their many gods, there is one angered god the Athenians want to appease and yet do not know the identity. In either case, Paul thinks best to focus on the term “god” “…in order to express from the beginning what he wanted to talk to Areopagus’ court and to have a monotheistic speech” (Marculet, 2013, pp.30). Vanhoozer goes on to describe improvisation, not in making up anything new, but rather “…creative but faithful contextualization or application of canonical truth to shifting cultural contexts…is fully consonant with a stable orthodox identity” (Neely, 2019, pp. 6). This is what Apostle Paul does when he speaks at the Areopagus in Athens, where the Gospel meets Greek philosophy, and is what Marculet (2013) says is necessary for “the Gospel has to be incarnated into a preexistent soil, through a process of inculturation” (Marculet, 2013, pp. 30).

Bible as the Measuring Stick

The Canon in Greek mean “ruler”, “measuring stick”. The Canon is a known as the sacred collection of Books in the Old and New Testaments.When a new teacher/teaching emerges that does not line-up with biblical doctrine, it is vital reputable pastors and theologians, as well as believers push back. Prior to the Athens visit, Apostle Paul and Silas had gone to preach in the synagogue (Jewish temple) in Thessalonica (Acts 17). Luke recorded many Jews and Greeks were saved that day in Thessalonica while others formed a mob and attacked Paul and Silas. When Paul and Silas escaped to the synagogue in Berea, they were received by Jews and Greeks that eagerly listened, it says they “…examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11 ESV). The latest fad the Evangelical community has had to distance from is the prosperity gospel and charismatic movement that pushes worldly success. This is what happens when gross negligence in an otherwise systematic approach (Exegesis) effects coherent biblical interpretation (Hermeneutics). For example, the charismatics have been accused of improper contextualization, as in John 14 where Jesus says to His disciples, “…whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these…” (John 14:12 NIV). The prosperity gospel preaches a good life now agenda that clearly goes against the teachings of Jesus and the Apostolic Church, for suffering draws us closer to God, “…We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” (Acts 14:22 NIV). Apostle Paul, the greatest Christian to have ever lived, knew this all too well. He often addressed the churches throughout the new world concerning the false teachers and teachings that infiltrated their congregation.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2)

“For my name’s sake I defer my anger for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off.  Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another” (Isaiah 48:9-11)

“…so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7)

Suffering

There are many types of hardships and sufferings, some may come from the enemy albeit under the sovereignty of God, as in the Book of Job while others are tests sent by God to grow the believer’s faith and/or weed out false believers (MacArthur, 2020). Does this mean believers’ will not have happiness in this life? Absolutely not! As James says (above) our joy is the filling of the Holy Spirit not the things we get from and in this world. This does not mean having nice things (i.e. car, jewelry, clothes) is wrong, it comes with an understanding that things never become more important than our thirst for God. False teachers/preachers such as Joel Osteen come across as a self-help book with a psychological approach to gaining self-esteem in bettering one’s life now. This is not the Gospel, Jesus warns constantly that to be His follower, expect to be hated for this world belongs to Satan “…In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33 NIV). Having said that, it is important to avoid lumping all believers in a group because there are some that truly do experience talking in tongues; however, that is not the discussion here. What the charismatics are pushing does not qualify as special or unique, but rather occultic over the top behaviors. Miracles happened infrequent in biblical times, here we have constant groups of people partaking in convulsing and squirming on the floor, claiming to have visions and conduct healings that never prove true. The charismatics are not restricted to any one denomination or religion either, for instance the Catholic charismatics believe in the miracles of crying statues. These sorts of miracles are not divine, but rather demonic in nature.

It is important to reiterate Christians are meant to have joy in this world; however, seeking it in the fashion presented by these prosperity preachers is false and goes against scripture. Spiritual growth is not had when life is prosperous. It is through the trials and tests that we are “weaned from this world” (MacArthur, 2020). Apostle Paul pleads with God to relieve him of his pain, “…a thorn was given me [Paul] in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited” (2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV). Jesus replies to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12: 9).

Those Led Astray – “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…” (1 Tim. 4:1)

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Gal 3:1)

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:6-9)

Humans have an innate need to worship. It cannot be overstated the awesome responsibility church leaders have been entrusted as they care for and navigate their flock. Believers are cautioned time and time again to compare everything against the scriptures. Satan disguises himself as “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14) to confuse, distort, divide, and prevent those from coming to Christ, he is the master counterfeiter and imitator of God able to subtly twist and modify scripture to deceive and confuse. Satan was able to fool Eve causing her to question God, he tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness by citing scripture falsely (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; Mark 1:12-13). The best protection from the enemy is to know scripture thereby making it possible to recognize false doctrine and false teachers.

References
Bruce, F.F. (1985). The Church of Jerusalem in the Acts of the Apostles. Bulletin of the John Rylands Library of Manchester, 67 (2): 641–661. Retrieved from: https://www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk/api/datastream?publicationPid=uk-ac-man-scw:1m1650&datastreamId=Post-Peer-Review-Publishers-Document.pdf
MacArthur, J. (2020). Retrieved from: https://www.gty.org/
Marculet, S. (2013). Elements of Inculturation in Saint Paul’s speech from Areopagus. Revista Teologica, 23(3), 28–48. Retrieved from: https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=94518061&site=eds-live&scope=site
Mowczko, M. (2018). Wealthy Women in the First-Century Roman World and in the Church. Priscilla Papers, 32(3), 3–7. Retrieved from: https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=131340184&site=eds-live&scope=site
Neely, B. (2019). Kevin Vanhoozer’s Theodramatic Improvisation and the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15. Evangelical Review of Theology, 43(1), 5–16. Retrieved from: https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=133918455&site=eds-live&scope=siteWenham, D., & Walton, S. (2005). Exploring the New Testament, Volume 1: A guide to the Gospels and Acts (2nd ed.). Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.