The Christian Church throughout the ages

     God’s church stretches from Eden to Eden
            The word ‘church’ comes from the Greek word ‘Ekklesia’ which means ‘the called out ones’ (1 Peter 2:9)
            The church has been called by various names:
Ø    Sons of Abraham (Galatians 3:7)
Ø    Children of Israel (Judges 1:1)
Ø    Children of God (John 1:12)
Ø    Christians (Acts 11:26)
Ø    People of God (1 Peter  2:10)
The Church of the Old Testament
Fundamental beliefs of the Old Testament church include:
             Accepting the law of God as its rule of life
            Showing their faith in the plan of salvation by offering a sacrifice
            Members instructed through prophets, judges and kings
The Church of the New Testament
            The NT church received its  fundamental beliefs from the OT church
            The NT church was privileged to have the Lord of glory come to them in human form.
            The Apostolic church was organized after the Jesus’ ascension and James became the first leader with Jerusalem being the headquarters.
           Epistles were sent by the apostles (especially Paul and Peter) to counsel and unite the churches throughout Christendom
Persecution and the falling away of the church
            As the gospel reached Rome, the NT church suffered relentless persecution (A.D. 100-300) but the flames of the Gospel could not be put out
             When persecution did not end the Christian church, Satan tried another method of attack – he made the church popular with the state and brought pagan rites and ceremonies into the church
           Little by little false teachings filtered into the church
The establishment of the Roman Catholic church
            In 538 the bishop of Roman became the head of the church throughout Christendom and this power lasted 1260 years (in 1798 with the capture of the pope)
           The Bible was not placed in the hands of members because the Catholic church leaders were afraid members would know about the corruption in the church (i.e. indulgence) and false doctrines (i.e. immortality of the soul, worship of Mary & the saints)
           The church of Rome changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday
 The Church of the Dark Ages
             By means of secular authority, the church forced the faithful to either accept the false doctrines of Catholicism or to suffer imprisonment or death
            This long period of history has been called the ‘Dark Ages’
The Faithful Remnant During The Dark Ages
            Despite the compromise and apostasy in the church, God preserved a faithful remnant.
            In lands beyond the jurisdiction of Rome, there existed for many centuries Christian groups who remained almost wholly free from papal corruption.
            Among these faithful were the Christians in Central Africa and the Armenians in Asia.
The Waldenses worshipping in the mountains
           Of those who resisted the papal power, the Waldenses stood foremost.
           Despite persecution, they escaped to the mountains and kept the light of truth burning for a thousand years.
  They were among the first Europeans to obtain a translation of the Holy Scriptures