Chapter VI: Part ONE

From the Ascension of Christ A. D. 30, to the Appointment of the Seven A. D. 35.

We now enter upon the second great subject in New Testament history, the Early Church. This will include the annals of the church from the Ascension of Christ, A. D. 30, to the end of the apostolic age, A. D. 100. This epoch of seventy years is divided into four periods:

1. _The church in Judea_, from the Ascension of Christ, A. D. 30, to the Appointment of the Seven, A. D. 35.

2. _The church in Transition_, from the Appointment of the Seven, A. D. 35, to the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50.

3. _The church among the Gentiles_, from the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50, to the death of St. Paul, A. D. 68.

4. _The End of the Age_, from the death of St. Paul to the death of St. John, about A. D. 100. It should be noted that all of these dates are uncertain and historians are not agreed with reference to them.

Of these four periods we take up the first, the church in Judea, or "The church of the First Days;" a space of about five years. During this time the work of the church was confined wholly to the Jewish people, and apparently to the immediate region of Jerusalem.

I. We notice the =Events of this Period=.

1. =The followers of Christ= immediately after the Ascension; a company of people believing in Jesus as the Messiah of Israel.

1.) _Their number_ was 120 (Acts 1. 15). They were
mostly from Galilee (Acts 2. 7). They were all the
organized church at that time, although throughout the
land were thousands more ready to unite with them.

2.) _Their meeting place_ was "the upper room" (Acts
1. 13), on Mount Zion, probably the room where the
"Last Supper" was held. Some think that this may have
been the house of Mary the mother of Mark, referred to
in Acts 12. 1, 2.

3.) _Their religious condition_ between the Ascension
and Pentecost was probably that of belief in Jesus as
the King of Israel, but with the conception of an
earthly kingdom (Acts 1. 6). They were waiting with
prayer for divine direction (Acts 1. 14).

2. =The Outpouring of the Spirit= came upon this company on the day of Pentecost, ten days after the Ascension, fifty days after the Crucifixion. The spirit descended upon them all in the form of "tongues of fire."

1.) _Physical effect._ This was "the gift of tongues," a mysterious influence (Acts 2. 2, 3). This was not a power to speak foreign languages at will; but probably a strange divine speech, sounding to everyone who heard it as though it were the language of his own people (Acts 2. 8).

2.) _Mental effect._ There came to these disciples a revelation, once and for all, of Christ's kingdom, not as a political state, but as a spiritual institution; a society of believers of which Jesus in glory is the invisible yet real head.

3.) _Spiritual effect._ This was the personal presence of the Holy Spirit with each member; an indwelling life given not merely to the apostles, but to each and every disciple; a divine enthusiasm, giving guidance, enlightenment, power. Nor was that divine life limited to that company. It has dwelt ever since in the church of Christ, and in each member of the church, (1 Cor. 3. 16; 6. 19).

3. =The Testimony of the Gospel.= 1.) The first effect of this new endowment of the Holy Spirit was a strong testimony to the gospel of Christ; a proclamation of _Jesus as the Messiah King_; and this testimony was the conquering weapon of the church. 2.) This testimony was given by _all_ the members. It is a mistake to suppose that the church settled down in Jerusalem with Peter as its pastor and preacher. Peter was the leader, but not the ruler of the church. Find four addresses of Peter sketched in Acts 2-5; not "sermons" after the modern method, but ardent declarations of Jesus as the Messiah; and similar testimonies were given by all the members everywhere, in synagogues, in houses, publicly and privately.

4. =The Apostolic Miracles.= 1.) At the opening of the history of the church we read of a _number of miracles_. a) A lame man healed. (Acts 3. 1-10). b) A miracle of judgment (Acts 5. 1-10). c) More miracles of healing (Acts 5. 12-16). 2.) We can see the _purpose of these_ miracles and how they were needed by the church in the day of its weakness. (a) They attracted _attention_ to the gospel. (b) They gave _authority_ to the apostles as teachers. (c) They were _illustrations_ of the spiritual work of the gospel; i. e., healing of the lame man a type of salvation.

5. =The Persecution of the Apostles.= It was inevitable that the preaching of the apostles and the growing prominence of the church should arouse opposition from the men who a few months before had crucified Jesus. A persecution was begun, at first upon Peter and John, then upon all the apostles. It was not sharp, murderous, crushing out the church. The apostles were first threatened (Acts 4. 17), then imprisoned (Acts 5. 18), then scourged (Acts 5. 40). The persecution only attracted greater notice to the gospel, and led to increasing numbers of believers.

6. =The Growth of the Church= went on through all these experiences. Beginning with 120, on the day of Pentecost 3,000 were received by baptism (Acts 2. 41). There was a daily growth after (Acts 2. 47). Soon the number grew to 5,000, besides women and children (Acts 4. 4). Another increase is named in Acts 5. 14; also again in Acts 6. 7.

7. The last event in this period was =the Appointment of the Seven=. Read the account in Acts 6. 1-7. Notice for the first time in this history a reference to the two great classes of Jews. 1.) _Hebrews_, Jews whose ancestors had lived in Palestine, and who spoke the Hebrew tongue, though with Syriac admixture. 2.) _Grecian Jews_ (frequently called Hellenists). Jews descended from exiles who had remained abroad in foreign lands, otherwise "Jews of the Dispersion." Everywhere except in Palestine these foreign Jews were far more numerous than the Hebrews, and they were also the richer and more intelligent. They spoke the Greek language.

Note also that the seven men named in this account are nowhere spoken of as "deacons." From Acts 21. 8 we learn that they were called "the seven." They were not an order in the church, but a committee appointed for a service.

Blackboard Outline

Per. 1. Ch. Jud. 2. Ch. Trans. 3. Ch. am. Gen. 4. E. A.

=Ch. in Jud.= 1. =Ev. Per.=
1. =Foll. Ch.= 1.) Num. 2.) Meet-pl. 3.) Rel. Con.
2. =Out Sp.= 1.) Phys. eff. 2.) Men. eff. 3.) Spir. eff.
3. =Tes. Gosp.= 1.) Jes. Mess. K. 2.) By all.
4. =Ap. Mir.= 1.) Num. mir. 2.) Pur. Att. Auth. Illus.
5. =Per. Ap.=
6. =Gro. Ch.= 120, 3,000, 5,000. "Multitude."
7. =App. Sev.= Heb. Gre. (Hellen.)

Review Questions. Part One

How long a period is embraced in the history of the
New Testament church? Name four periods in the
history, and the events with which each begins and
ends. How long a time is embraced in the first period?
By what name is the first period called? State in
order the seven events in the first period. What was
the number of Christ's followers in Jerusalem
immediately after his Ascension? Where did they meet?
What was their religious condition? What took place
ten days after the Ascension of Christ? On what day
did this outpouring occur? What were the physical
effects of this outpouring? What were the mental
effects? What were the spiritual effects? What
testimony was given by the apostles and church? How
many addresses of Peter at this time are mentioned?
What miracles were wrought? How did these miracles
benefit the church? What persecution arose? What was
the nature of this persecution? Against whom was it
directed? Did it harm the church? What is said of the
growth of the church during this epoch? Who were "the
seven"? How were they chosen? For what were they
appointed? What two classes of Jesus are named? Define
each class.