EBCWA – Dip TheolCHURCH HISTORY

Diploma of TheologyCert of Pastoral Theology - Bk 6© Dr John C McEwan March 2011

Lecture 1 - Introduction

Beware Liberal texts – always check each author for their view on the FUNDAMENTALS of our faith.

Written History is the record of what survived the years, and often the rich and powerful were the only ones to publish. True believers may not be very visible in the written records.

Church History prepares us for satanic attack, as every device he pulls out of his bag of tricks, he will have tried before!

Points to Start With

2 Peter 1:16-18 Jesus is an historical figure and he stands or falls on facts, not opinions about him.

Luke 1:1-4 Luke is a thorough historian; check his facts, they stand up to scrutiny, as does all the scripture.

Joshua 4:20-24 “Evidence that demands a Verdict!” Never pull back from real study, with thorough discernment.

The Resurrection is Central

Acts 2:29-43 Their message was – He is Risen! Acts 4:17-24 Easter is central – and the Cross

was never spoken of without the resurrection – both very physical events.

The Gospel of the Kingdom message gives way to the Gospel of Grace message. Acts 5:12-39.

Resurrection power transforms people – unity in the truth, in all else charity and grace!

Apostleship

1. Highest gift, 1 Cor 12:11, 28, Eph 4:11 2. Temporary gift to establish the church, 1 Cor

13:10, Eph 4:8-11. 3. They held universal authority. 4. Qualifications centre in testimony to the

resurrection, Acts 1:22, 1 Cor 9:1, 15:8-9. 5. They had power gifts, Acts 5:15, 16:16-18, 28:8-

9. 6. There are twelve of them, Rev 21:14. 7. Apostle = “One sent out to rule”. Other are

mentioned as having delegated authority from them, Acts 14:14, Gal 1:19, 2:9, 1 Cor 4:6, 15:7, 1 Thess 1:1.

Miracles - Purpose

1. Three periods have many miracles; Exodus-Prophets, Early Church, Tribulation-Millennial Kingdom (universal manifestations).

2. They glorify God, certify men, demonstrate power, give evidence. Matt 9:27-34, Mk 5:1-20, Jn 6:2-14, 10:37-38, 20:30-31, 1 Cor 15:13-20.

3. Miracles show God’s character; his sovereignty, righteousness, justice, love, eternal life, omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, immutability, veracity, graciousness.

Miracles of Christ

1. Healing by command, from afar and along side. Matt 8:5-13, 12:9-13, Jn 4:46-54, 5:1-15.

2. Healing by touch, Matt 8:2-4, 14-15, 9:20-22, 20:30-34. By touch with activity by the person, Matt 15:29-31, Mk 8:22-26, Jn 9:1-41.

3. Resuscitation of the dead, old, young, male and female; Mk 5:21-43, Lk 7:11-17, 11:1-46.

Miracles of the Lord

4. Faith was an issue in Lk 7:1-10, Jn 4:46-54, 5:1-15, but not at other times.

5. Sin was an issue at Mk 2:1-12, Jn 5:1-15, but not at other times.

6. They were often associated with teaching, Matt 12:9-13, Jn 10:1-16

7. They were used to illustrate the change from Sabbath to Sunday and Everyday for worship. Mk 3:1-6, Lk 13:10-21, 14:1-6, Jn 5:1-15.

Miracles and Healing

1. Not primarily about relieving suffering but in demonstrating who Jesus was.

2. He healed incurable diseases, he forgave, he raised the dead; all things only God could do. Matt 8:1-17, 9:1-8.

3. Some saints were not healed; Elisha, 2 Kings 13:14, Paul, 2 Cor 12:7-10, Epaphroditus, Phil 2:26-27, Timothy, 1 Tim 5:23, 2 Cor 12:9.

4. Sickness is permitted at times, Ps 119:6-7, Jn 9:1-3, 11:4, 15:2, 2 Cor 1:4, 4:17, Heb 12:1, 5-10.