Lessons From Church History

Early Church to Reformation

Reformation Era

Reformation to Present

Why Study Church History?

1. See God is a God of Purpose2. See our great heritage3. Keeps our walk in perspective4. See it is actually “His Story”5. See there is nothing new under the sun

“One thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history”

Features in Every Move of God

1. Lord Jesus is the practical/living Head2. The Holy Spirit is given His rightful place3. The Word of God is the sole authority4. Functioning of priesthood of all believers5. Love of the brethren manifest6. Cross is working daily in believers’ lives7. Testimony to & separation from world

Birth of the Church

• Predetermined before foundation of world• Adam & Eve: picture of Christ & the Church• A product of Christ’s travail on the cross• Church on earth begins in the book of Acts• 120 individuals baptized into one Body

Acts 1:1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach

The Early Church

• Church had a healthy birth• Grows in spite of problems• Spread to the Gentiles• Christians considered a “sect of Judaism”• AD 64: Nero burns Rome & blames Christians• AD 70: Temple destroyed (no earthly center)

Now: Christian: illegal; Jew: legal

Spread through Roman empire. Why?

Spread of Christianity

Practical Reasons1. Roman road system & control of sea2. Safe movement along trade routes3. Common language-Greek

Primary Reasons3. Gospel offered unbiased hope to all4. Lives of the believers were a living testimony5. Testimony of the martyrs

Church Problems 100-312

External1. Persecution by Roman Empire2. Pagan Intellectuals

Internal3. Heresy: Either wrong concept of man or God4. Disputes over church government5. Disputes over Lord’s Supper & Baptism

Roman PersecutionsDates Emperor Nature/Extent Martyrs

90-96 Domitian Sporadic/Rome & Asia minor Clement

98-117 Trajan Sporadic Ignatius

161-180 Marcus Aurelius Christian blamed natural events Polycarp/ Blandina

202-211 Septimus Severus Conversion forbidden Perpetua

249-251 Decius 1st Empire wide Alexander

257-280 Valerian Christian’s property confiscated Origen/Cyprian

303-311 Diocletian Worst of all; 400K killed Mauritius/Alban

Constantine

312 Conversion• Going into battle had a vision• Inscription of a Cross "By This Sign Conquer"• Wins & made Emperor Of Western Empire

Edict of Milan: freedom of religion proclaimed • Restores all church buildings/property• Sends funds to each city to pay clergy• Clergy exempted from local laws• Soldiers get clothes and money for conversion

Impact of Constantine

• Christianity became the State religion• Emperor becomes head of visible church• Church becomes open by all; popular, accepted–Now many unbelievers within the church

What the enemy couldn’t do through persecution, he did by corruption within

Impact of Unholy Alliance

4th CenturyPolitical capital moves to ConstantinopleRoman church assumes power in Western world

5th Century“No salvation outside the Roman church"Worship of Mary begins (Mother of God)Leo the Great claims Rome's bishop is Pope

Faithful Witnesses

1. Ulfilas (c.310-380) Apostle of the Gothsa. Invented alphabet & translated scripture to Gothicb. His earnest faith & life won the people to Christ.

2. Priscillian (c.350-385) Spain, Portugal & France.a. Taught the reality of Christ should effect your lifeb. First christian martyred by Roman church in 385

3. Ninian (c.360-432) Scotland to the Celts & Pictsa. Simply preached Word of God and many savedb. Ministered among druids & many came to the Lord

Faithful Witnesses (cont.)

3. Patrick (c.389-461) Apostle to Ireland, born in Scotlanda.. Captured/enslaved as a youth in Irelandb. Escaped back to Scotland; Returned to Ireland in 432c. Many came to the Lord in Ireland

4. Columba (c.521-597) From Ireland went to Hebrides a. Iona: a community with plurality of leadershipb. Brethren went out by 12’s to Britain & Europe

5. Nestorius (c.400-451) Born in Syriaa. Emphasized humanity of Christb. Mary not "mother of God“b. Exiled he/his followers went to Persia, India & China

The Dark Ages

• The period from about 500 to 1500• The Roman Church gains world power• Rise of Monasticism (Franciscans, Dominicans)• The Crusades: 1096-1248 (all failed)• The Inquisitions • The birth and rise of Islam• Bible restricted to the clergy

“A Silver Thread in Dark Times”

• In spite of dark times God had His Testimony• Suffered great persecution & martyrdom• Called “heretics” by Roman church • Bible was the authority-not the pope• Church is from God not man• Lived simple lives, free from the world• Only called themselves “Christians”

Montanists

• Prominent from about 156 for 400 years• Mainly in Turkey & North Africa• Saw declension of Roman church starting– Called for a return to Biblical way– Charismatic in nature – Rejected the growing power of bishops– Rejected unbelievers into church membership

• Key brethren: Tertullian

Novations

• Prominent from the 4th to 6th centuries• Mainly in Italy• Came out of Roman church• Emphasized inner character, not merely taking

the sacraments • Greatly influenced Donatists of North Africa• Key men martyred: Cornelius, Novation

Paulicians

1. Prominent from 7th to 9th centuries2. Mainly: Armenia, Asia minor & Mesopotamia3. Key brethren: Silvanus, Titus, and Timothy4. Key writings: “The Key of Truth“5. Spiritual unity found in Christ; not teaching6. Under persecution many fled to the Balkans7. Others allied with Muslims & were defeated

Bogomils

1. Prominent from the 8th to 14th centuries2. Mainly: Balkans, esp. Croatia, Bosnia, & Serbia3. Key brethren: Basil the physician. 4. Practiced priesthood of all believers,

Lord’s Table, plurality of leadership5. Greatly persecuted by Pope's crusades6. Finally in 1463 allied with the Muslim Turks

Cathars or Puritans

1. Prominent from the 9th to 12th centuries2. Mainly in northern Italy and southern France3. Key brethren: Claudius, Peter de Brueys &

Henri of Cluny (all martyred)4. Word of God led many from superstitions into

believers baptism, Lord’s Table & life5. Attacked by Bernard of Clairvaux

Waldenses & Albigenses

1. Prominent from the 10th to 17th centuries2. Mainly in northern Italy and southern France3. Key brethren: Peter Waldo4. Never part of Roman church5. Endured great persecution/many martyred6. In 16th century joined the reformation

Key Dates of Waldenses

1160 Peter Waldo-saved-translated scripture Sends preachers 2x2-"poor men of Lyons”

1163 Pope forbids any contact with them1209Crusade/Inquisition against the region

“Who do we kill? Kill them all” (50K)

1210 In 100s of villages every inhabitant massacred1400 Many flee over mountain to Switzerland1686 Edict of Nantes revoked: renewed persecution1689 Return in brave march over mountains

Friends of God

1. Lived during the 14th century2. Mainly in Strasburg, Cologne & Basel3. Key brethren: Eckhart, John Tauler, Nicholas &

Henry Suso4. Key writings: "Theologia Germanica"5. Mystics: emphasized communion w/God6. Met in hidden places for prayer/Lord’s supper

Brethren of Common Life

1. Lived during the 15th century2. Mainly in the Netherlands, esp. Deventer3. Key brethren: John Ruysbroeck/Gerard Groote/Thomas A’ Kempis4. Key writings: "The Imitation of Christ“5. Laymen who lived under a rule of community and devoted their lives to teaching and other practical services6. Emphasized Christian based education

Forerunners of Reformation

• John Wycliffe c. 1329-1384• John Huss c. 1373-1415• John of Wessel c. 1420-1489• Girolamo Savanarola c. 1452-1498• Desiderius Erasmus c. 1466-1538

John Wycliffe

• “Morning Star of the Reformation”• Emphasized authority of Bible• Translated most of bible in English• Denied Transubstantiation & Indulgences• Lollards: lay preachers went out 2x2– Many imprisoned & martyred

• Wycliffe condemed; saved by earthquake

John Huss

• Jerome heard Wycliffe in Oxford• Returned to Prague & Huss awakened• Great awakening: Bohemia & Central Europe• Emphasized Bible & believers baptism• All believers can take cup & loaf• Burned at the stake 1415• United Brethren came out of Hussites

Conditions Preceding Reformation

1. 1453: Capture of Constantinople by the Turks-Many learned Greeks to the West-Renaissance: "new birth"

2. 1455: Printing press3. Enlargement of men’s minds/activities

-Discovery of America by Columbus -Discovery of the solar system by Copernicus4. Nationalism increased vs. Empires of the past5. Rise of a middle class of merchants

William Tyndale

• Lived from c.1494-1536• Fled England & lived in exile in Germany• Translated New Testament into English• NT smuggled into England • Has great impact upon ordinary people• 1536:Brussels; caught, tortured & martyred– Prayer: “Oh Lord, open the eyes of the King”

Major Reformers

• Martin Luther (1453-1546) Germany– 1517 Posted 95 Theses

• Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) Switzerland– Killed in battle against Catholics

• John Calvin (1509-1564) France/Switzerland– 1536 Persuaded by Farel to help in Geneva

• John Knox (1514-1572) Scotland– 1559 Led reformation in Scotland

Impact of Reformation

• Restored authority of the Word of God• Recovered truth of justification by faith• Recovered believers access directly to God

through Jesus Christ• Saw the truth of priesthood of all believers,

but did not practice it• Fell short of fully returning to simplicity of

church life as seen in scriptures

Radical Reformation

• Saw the reformers did not go far enough• Rejected Church-State alliances• Rejected infant baptism• Church only those born again• Practiced church discipline• Maintained principle of holy living• Only called themselves Christians• Persecuted by both Catholics & Protestants

Anabaptists

• First came together in Zurich, Switzerland• 1525-1st baptism • 1525-Council orders all children to be baptized• 1525-1st Anabaptist martyr-burned at the stake• 1526-Any who are baptized whould be drowned• 1526-Grebel-close to Zwingli-died of plague• 1526-Manz was arrested and drowned– 1st martyr at hands of Protestants

• 1529-Blaurock caught and martyred

Anabaptists (cont.)

• 1525-Micael Sattler saved/forced to leave native villageServed in Germany preaching & teaching

• 1527 Conference held to determine nature of faithMeeting discovered by authorities Sattler: tortured publicly & burnedHis wife was drowned 8 days later

• Tremendous slaughter and persecution continued • Hated by both Catholics & Protestants• PTL: Could not be stopped by the power of this world

THE SCHLEITHEIM CONFESSIONl. Only baptize ones who have been saved by the work of Christ.

2. The local expression of the church is a company of regenerate people whose daily lives are lived by the faith they profess. Their fellowship is symbolized in their partaking of the Lord's supper.

3. Discipline must be exercised within the churches.

4. These should live a life of separate from the sin of the world and from subservience to the flesh or anything that would compromise their faith. This included a separation from the rites of the Roman, Lutheran and Zwinglian parties.

5. Officers of a local church are set apart by the church, and are to edify the believers by the teaching and preaching of the Word.

6. Believers should not resort to force for themselves or the State

Anabaptists (cont.)

Enemy tries to destroy/discredit from within

1534 The Munster tragedy Great excess by false prophetsMuch immorality and abuse within city1535: Catholics surround city and destroy

1536 Menno Simmons saved in NetherlandsDevoted to strengthening ones scattered & hurt because of Munster tragedy

1543 Had to flee to Germany--death penalty on his headMinistered & wrote until death in 1559

Huguenots

1555 Calvinism comes to France & 1000’s saved1559 First Huguenot synod held in Paris1562 Massacre at Vassy begins religious wars1572 Catherine de Medici orders death of Coligny Aug 1572 St. Bartholomew’s day massacre. 100K 1585 Huguenot/Protestants expelled1598 Edict of Nantes gives religious liberty 1685 Edict of Nantes revoked; 400K fleeThose remained called: “church of the desert”

Protestant ReactionRoman Catholic Church__

1787 Methodist _

1534 Anglican ___________ _Presbyterian

Ca.1560

_Independents/Congregational

1612 Baptist _1517 Lutheran _1520 Reformed _1525 Anabaptist

Catholics separated man from God; Protestants separated man from man

God’s Reaction

• Soon the Protestant churches formalized• Had an orthodox outward form but little life• Gathered around a man or form of authority

God in His faithfulness continues on• Two major movements–Puritans: focus on truth & character–Pietism: focus on inner life & experience

Puritan Influence c.1560-1680Congregational/Independent--Thomas Goodwin (1600-1679)--John Owen (1616-1683)

Presbyterian--Richard Baxter (1615-1691)--Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

PuritansScottish covenanters--Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661)--Richard Cameron (1648-1680)

Baptist--John Smyth (1554-1612)--John Robinson (1575-1625)--John Bunyan (1628-1688)

English Puritans

1531 Anglican church separates from Rome King is now head of the church

All dissent severely persecuted

1603 Many flee to other countries for religious freedom1662 Act of Uniformity to Church of England

All ministers had to signOver 2,000 left the Church (Non-Conformists)

Weaknesses notedAccepted partial truth to exclusion of othersLimited freedom to gain fuller understanding

Puritan Quotes

1620: John Robinson's charge to the Speedwell

“I charge you before God that you follow me no further than you have seen me follow Jesus. If God reveals anything to you by another instrument of His, be ready to receive it as you were any truth by my ministry. I am persuaded the Lord has much more truth to break forth from His Holy Word.”

Puritan Quotes

John Bunyan, pastor of Bedford Baptist Church

“I will not let water baptism be the rule, the door, the bar, the wall of division between the righteous & righteous…Since you wish to know by what name I would be called, I tell you I am a Christian.”

Pietism Influence c.1650-1750Roman Catholics--Molinos (1640-1697)--Madame Guyon (1648-1717)--Fenelon (1651-1715)MysticalQuakers--George Fox (1624-1691)--William Penn (1644-1718)

Pietism Pietists--Philip Spener (1635-1705)--August Francke(1663-1727)PracticalMoravians--Zinzendorf (1700-1760)--Christian David(1690-1751)

Quakers (England)

1646: Voice of God spoke to George Fox In Christ alone would his every need be satisfied

1669: Married Margaret FellTheir home was a “Bethel” for many

1660: 50,000 Quakers in England“Friends” greatly persecuted and imprisonedPrisons were a mission field & many saved

1681: W. Penn came to America for religious freedom Established Pennsylvania & Philadelphia

Quaker Influence

Quakers (derisive term) focused on1. The reality of Holy Spirit within each believer.

2. True life is spiritual and the outward is worthless without true inner spiritual life.

3. Fellowship with God is not a matter of outward conformity but a matter of the heart.

4. Did not practice Baptism & Lord's Table but knew more of their true spiritual meaning than most that practiced them.

Pietists (Germany)

• Philip Spener: Influenced by Puritan & LaBadie– Gathered ones for Bible study– Christianity must be manifested in life– Did not separate from Lutheran church– “A church within a church”: forced out

• August Francke: Saved through Bible study– Born again through Bible study in small group– Appointed professor at University of Halle– Became the center of Pietism

Pietists Influence

• Saw you cannot reform existing systems• True Christianity must be manifest in life• Revived mission work and sent out many• Distressed about condition of the poor:– Started schools, orphanages, hospitals

• Saw God as Provider: never asked for money• Influenced: Zinzendorf & G. Mueller

United Brethren & Moravians

• United Brethren had come out of Hussites– 30 Years War (1618-1648) decimated them– Jon Comenius leads remnant out of Moravia– Comenius’ prayer: “preserve Thy hidden seed &

afterwards bring it to growth & bear fruit.”

• Christian David (refugee’s son) meets Zinzendorf– Goes to Moravia & brings ones to Herrnhut– Hidden seed is reborn

Jon Comenius

“One Thing Needful”c. 1669

“In short, Christendom has become a labyrinth. The faith has been split into a 1000 little parts and you are made a heretic if there is one of them you do not accept. What can help? Only the one thing needful: return to Christ, looking to Christ as the only leader.”

Count Zinzendorf

1700 Born in Dresden, Count of Saxony1710 Enrolled at Halle, run by August Francke1720 Visits Dusseldorf museum: “Ecce Homo“1722 Purchased Berthelsdorf estate (Herrnhut)1722 Weds countess Erdmuth von Reuss 1736 Banned from Saxony; goes to England1747 Ban lifted & returns to Herrnhut1760 Dies at Herrnhut

Moravians

1722 Christian David arrives/meets Zinzendorf1727 Ones from many persecuted areas & backgrounds sign “Brotherly Agreement”1727 “Birth of renewed United Brethren during celebration of Lord’s Table 1727 Beginning of “100 Year prayer meeting” 1731 Meet converted slaves from West Indies1732 Dobler & Nischmann depart

1st missionaries

Moravian Mission Manifesto

1. Tell of the Lamb of God ‘til you can tell no more.2. Let people see your life.3. Support yourself4. Earn their respect in humility.

Within 50 years had gone to:West Indies, North & South America, Asia, Africa, Greenland & throughout Europe & England

Moravian Influence

• Reality of prayer & Lord’s Table• Individual relationship with God• Strong inner life of obedience• Unity of the brethren & serving together• A heart for the lost & missions

Awakening in England

• John Wesley (1703-1791)Strict religious upbringingVery intellectual & doctrinalSaved through the Moravians

• George Whitefield (1714-1770)Son of a tavern keeperVery dramatic & emotionalSaved at Oxford through Wesley’s “Holy Club”

Impact of Wesley &Whitefield

• Both started in the Church of England– Eventually kicked out

• Contrast in styles; same results: 1,000’s saved• Introduced outdoor preaching • Recovered the truth of sanctification by faith• Focus on practical holiness in daily life• Revived concern of the poor/underprivileged

Other 18th Century Events

“Golden Age of Hymns”:Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, John Newton, William Cowper, Augustus Toplady , ….

Great awakenings in North America:1. 1720s-1770s: 1st-- Jonathan Edwards2. 1790s-1840: 2nd-- Charles Finney3. 1857-1859: 3rd -- Charles Finney

19th Century Events

• Birth on the Brethren Movement• Increase burden for missionary works• The Keswick Convention:– Focus on deeper life– Hannah Whithall Smith, Evan Hopkins , A. Murray

• Great preachers:– C. Spurgeon, D. L. Moody, C. Finney, F. B. Meyer

• Great social reforms: Prisons, Slavery, Poor

Brethren Movement

1827 Cronin, Groves, Bellet & others break bread1829 Darby starts to meet with them1832 Darby moves to Plymouth to meet with Newton1832 Mueller & Craik : Bethesda Chapel, Bristol1838 Darby start spending more time in Europe1845 Darby returns and accuses Newton of heresy1845 Darby leaves; starts another meeting in Plymouth A distinction drawn between to 2 gatherings

The Bethesda Question

1848 Brothers from Plymouth visit Bethesda

Darby writes a letter to Bethesda that since these had come from the Plymouth meeting where there’s heresy, they

should exclude them from fellowship

Bethesda at first doesn't respond & Darby writes again

Bethesda responds it is a separate locality and doesn't judge what goes on in other places. If they bring the heresy there, they will judge it.

Darby disagrees and “excommunicates” Bethesda

This division leads to the “open” & “exclusive” brethren

Brethren Influence

• Heavenly calling of the church• Unity of the church-the body of christ• Universal priesthood of all believers• Second coming of the Lord• The Millennial Kingdom & rapture• Many prophetic truths of the end times

Others Among the Brethren

• Robert Chapman (1803-1902)– Apostle of Love; lived in Barnstable

• C. H. Mackintosh (1820-1896)– “Notes on the Pentateuch" and “Treasury“

• William Kelly (1820-1906)– Close friend of Darby even in division

• George Cutting: Evangelist• Andrew Miller (1810-1883): Brethren historian• James Deck (1807-1884): Hymn writer• F. W. Grant (1834-1902): Brethren writer

Missionary MovementName Dates Area of Ministry Home country

David Brainerd 1718-1747 North America- Indians Connecticut

William Carey 1761-1834 India England

Robert Morrison 1782-1834 China England

Adoniram Judson 1788-1850 Burma US

David Livingstone 1813-1873 Africa Scotland

John Paton 1824-1907 New Hebrides Scotland

J. Hudson Taylor 1832-1905 China England

Mary Slesssor 1848-1915 West Africa Scotland

C. T. Studd 1862-1931 China/India/Congo England

Amy Carmichael 1867-1951 Japan/India England

Social ReformsName Dates ReformJohn Newton 1725-1807 Slavery

William Wilberforce 1759-1833 Slavery

Robert Raikes 1735-1811 Education of urban poor

Florence Nightingale 1820-1910 Medical Care

Elizabeth Fry 1780-1845 Prisons

George Mueller 1805-1898 Care of orphans

William Booth 1829-1912 Urban poverty; Salvation Army

Various 1820s Child labor & workplace safety

Pendulum Effect

EMOTIONS BIBLICAL INTELLECT2ND Century-Montanism

3rd Gnosticism3rd-10th Monasticism

11th-14th Scholasticism14th-15th Mysticism

16th-17th-Orthodoxy17th-18th-Pietism/Methodism

19th-20th Liberalism20th Pentecostal/Charismatic

21st Humanism

Conclusion

• Lessons from Church history• Characteristics of normal Church life• Where are we today?• Why do we so gather?

Lessons from Church History

• See God’s great promise: I will build My church• Within a generation or 2 most moves weaken• The necessity of vision• God is not interested in keeping an outward

form• New wine needs fresh wine skins• Materials produced are never lost• Recovery is progressive but same foundation