HOPES, HERESIES, AND HEROES

ALGAE SALAPAN DENSING

INTEGRATION OF FAITH �AND LEARNING

Good Reading isn't just a pastime; it's a pathway to spiritual growth and ethical living. As we explore the parables and other scriptural texts, let's also be mindful of the reading choices we make daily. Remember, what we feed our minds influences our hearts and actions.

INTEGRATION OF FAITH �AND LEARNING

Let's commit to reading materials that not only inform but also inspire, uplift, and bring us closer to the divine wisdom we seek. Acts 19:19 and Philippians 4:8 remind us to focus on what's true and pure—let that be our guide in the books we pick up and the stories we allow to shape us.

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LEARNING �COMPETENCY

The student will:

• Identify how the earliest leaders of the post-apostolic church continued to preach the gospel centered in Christ and the Scriptures.
• Explain how the early Christian Church met the challenges of adapting to its cultural environment.

LEARNING �COMPETENCY

The student will:

• Identify lessons to be learned from the experiences of the early Church that could help maintain biblical purity.

LESSON�SETTING

• The challenges and changes that took place within the Christian Church from A.D. 70 to A.D. 321.

THE CHURCH �IS NEEDED

• Purpose of the Church:
• The church is a community united by a common commitment and purpose.
• It was established by God, not merely by human interests.

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THE CHURCH �IS NEEDED

• Biblical Foundation:
• Jesus declared, "I will build my church, and not even death will be able to overcome it" (Matthew 16:18, TEV).
• The term "church" in the New Testament means "called out,” referring to people called by God from every nation to bless others.

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THE CHURCH �IS NEEDED

• Role of the Church:
• Demonstrates the benefits of unity and fellowship among believers.
• Salvation is personal but not private; believers are called to serve others and grow together as a spiritual family.
• The New Testament likens the church to a physical body with Christ as the Head.

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THE CHURCH �IS NEEDED

• Importance of Participation:
• Every member’s participation is crucial for the church’s function.
• Illustration: Just as a malfunctioning typewriter with one key not working properly affects the whole machine, each member’s contribution is essential to the church.

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MOTIVATION:�OLD TYPXWRITXR

My typxwritxr works quitx wxll xxcxpt for onx of thx kxys, I wishxd at timxs that it would work pxrfxctly. It is trux that thxrx arx forty-onx kxys that function wxll xnough. But just onx can makx a big diffxrxncx. Somxtimxs it sxxms to mx that thx church is somxwhat likx my typxwritxr whxn thx pxoplx arx not working togxthxr. So the nxxt timx you think you don’t makx a diffxrxncx, rxmxmbxr you arx a KXY pxrson in your church.

THE CHURCH: �ITS WORKS AND ITS WORSHIP

• Leadership Transition:
• After the destruction of Jerusalem, leadership moved from the apostles to local leaders.
• James was the first apostle to die (A.D. 43), leading to a new leadership structure.
• Local leaders included "elders" or "pastors," supported by "deacons.”
• "Bishops" emerged as overseers of multiple churches, succeeding the apostles.

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THE CHURCH: �ITS WORKS AND ITS WORSHIP

• Clergy and Laity:
• A division formed between clergy ("called ones") and laity ("common ones").
• Clergy were responsible for teaching, evangelizing, caring for the needy, and maintaining church integrity.
• Clergy also settled disputes, conducted worship services, and led Communion.

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THE CHURCH: �ITS WORKS AND ITS WORSHIP

• Early Christian Worship:
• Early Christians did not focus on building churches due to their expectation of Jesus’ imminent return.
• Worship occurred in homes or catacombs during persecution.
• Early symbols included the fish, an acrostic for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."

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ICHTHUS (FISH)

THE CHURCH: �ITS WORKS AND ITS WORSHIP

• Worship Practices:
• Services were simple, informal, and open to nonbelievers.
• Evening gatherings included an "agape feast" and Communion.
• Worship was modeled after synagogue services, focusing on Old Testament promises fulfilled by Jesus.
• Services included Scripture study, spiritual instruction, and prayer in Greek.

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THE CHURCH: �ITS WORKS AND ITS WORSHIP

• Church Ceremonies:
• Key ceremonies included the "laying on of hands" for ordination and baptism.
• Initial baptism was for adults after at least three years of instruction.
• By the 3rd century, infant baptism became common.

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THE SABBATH �AND THE SUNDAY SCENARIO

• Early Worship Practices:
• Initially, Christian worship services were held on the seventh-day Sabbath, often in synagogues.
• Shift Away from Judaism:
• After the destruction of Jerusalem, Christians sought to distinguish themselves from Jewish practices.
• Emphasis shifted to celebrating Christ’s resurrection, leading to Sunday observance as a Christian practice.

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THE SABBATH �AND THE SUNDAY SCENARIO

• Influence of Pagan Customs:
• Early Sunday observance began as an addition to Sabbath worship. As Gentile converts, accustomed to honoring "the venerable day of the sun," joined the church, Sunday worship gradually replaced the Sabbath.
• This shift was influenced by a desire to make Christianity more appealing to pagans, rather than based on biblical instruction.

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THE SABBATH �AND THE SUNDAY SCENARIO

• Origin of the Change:
• The transition to Sunday worship did not originate with Jesus or the apostles.
• It began in Rome and Alexandria, where many Christians were former pagans who wanted to distinguish their practices from Jewish Sabbath observance.
• There is no scriptural basis for changing the day of worship from Sabbath to Sunday.

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THE CHURCH �GETS STATUS

• Constantine's Promotion of Christianity:
• After becoming emperor in 312, Constantine believed his victories were due to Christian prayers.
• In 313, he issued the Edict of Milan, ending persecution and granting legal recognition to Christianity.
• He provided gifts to the Church, abolished offensive practices, and promoted freedom for Christian slaves.

THE CHURCH �GETS STATUS

• Sunday Observance:
• In 321, Constantine declared Sunday a public holiday in honor of the sun-god.
• This decree reflected the blending of pagan customs with Christian beliefs, as the Church had already integrated various pagan practices.

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THE CHURCH �GETS STATUS

• Impact on Christianity:
• After Constantine's decree, Christianity rapidly transitioned from being a legal religion to becoming the state religion, shifting from a persecuted minority to a position of political influence and popular acceptance.
• The Church gained political influence and broader acceptance in society.

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DISCERNING TRUTH �FROM ERROR

• Foundation of Early Christianity:
• Early Christians were united by their acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
• Their faith was based on a personal commitment to Jesus, not merely on a creed or moral code.
• Challenges to Faith:
• As time passed, questions and differing views about Jesus and His teachings arose.
• Christians faced challenges in discerning truth from error amidst various interpretations and false teachings.

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DISCERNING TRUTH �FROM ERROR

• Apostolic Witness:
• Early believers relied on the teachings of the apostles, shared through oral traditions and written materials.
• Despite these teachings, false doctrines still emerged.
• Paul’s Teaching:
• Paul criticized believers for rejecting "the grace of Christ" and turning to a "different gospel" (Galatians 1:6-7).
• He defined the gospel as "the power of God for salvation" (Romans 1:16), emphasizing Jesus' life, death, and resurrection as the foundation of salvation.

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DISCERNING TRUTH �FROM ERROR

• Summary Statements:
• Believers used simple summaries of apostolic teachings to counteract new, divisive beliefs. Ephesians 4:4-6 provides a summary: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father.
• Formation of Christian Scripture:
• The New Testament was not yet compiled or recognized as Scripture during the first century.
• By the end of the 2nd century, the New Testament was accepted alongside the Old Testament as Christian Scripture.

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DISCERNING TRUTH �FROM ERROR

• Role of Heretics:
• Those questioning or challenging church teachings were often labeled as heretics.
• Their challenges prompted the Church to clarify and defend its positions.
• Authority of Scripture:
• The written Word of God was upheld as the ultimate standard of truth.
• The Church valued dialogue and questioning but relied on Scripture for spiritual growth, unity, and understanding of God’s will.

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HERESIES �AND HEROES

• Rise of Heresies:
• During this period, various heresies emerged, attracting followers and becoming influential within the Church.
• Religious disputes were considered as significant as today’s denominational differences or interfaith issues.
• Role of Defenders:
• Christian leaders addressed these challenges with writing rather than physical combat.
• Apologists defended Christianity from pagan criticism.
• Polemicists wrote against heresies within the Church.

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HERESIES �AND HEROES

• Notable Figures:
• Polycarp, a prominent apologist, was martyred in A.D. 156, marking one of the earliest recorded Christian martyrdoms outside the Bible.
• Errors and Efforts:
• Despite errors in some defensive writings, courageous leaders, guided by the Holy Spirit, effectively defended and proclaimed biblical truths.
• Ordinary Christians, including men, women, and children, also played a significant role amid persecution and scorn.

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HERESIES �AND HEROES

• Challenges of a Young Church:
• The early Church was learning to function independently from the apostles and cope with external and internal challenges.
• Christianity required serious commitment, often facing life-or-death situations.
• Despite difficulties, God supported and strengthened the young Church, preparing it for future challenges.

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