The story of Peter healing Tabitha (Dorcas) demonstrates how the people loved each other in the early church seen in The Book of Acts. In Acts 17:2 we are told that according to Paul’s custom, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures. Well-to-do Romans settled there and Jewish merchants were attracted by the commercial advantages of the city (see Acts 17:4). Macedonian women, though, enjoyed a higher social position and greater privileges than elsewhere in the civilized world. Finally, in proof of their assertions, they pointed to the unquestioned fact that Paul had not returned, the inference being that he did not care for his converts and that he had no intention of returning. 2:1-5; 1 Thess. This story illustration will help kids understand that God’s Spirit gives us power to do what He desires. T… 3 J. Gresham Machen, The New Testament, An Introduction to Its Literature and History, Edited by W. John Cook, The Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, 1976, p. 115. Outreach to the West 8. 6 James Everett Frame, The International Critical Commentary, a Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1912, 1960, p. 10. In facing it he needed all his faith in the power of God. In First Thessalonians we discover just how Paul felt when the first news arrived. We also know that he continued to support himself with his trade as a tent maker (1 Thess. Christians Were Characterized by Uncommon Joy. Consequently, they passed by the town of Mysia and went down to Troas. The early church started with 12 disciples then moved forward to 120 followers. In that regard, note the following facts about 1 Thessalonians: Every chapter ends with a reference to the coming of the Lord Jesus, and each reference relates the doctrine of His coming to some aspect of practical Christian living. As we study these two letters, we will discover that almost every major doctrine of the Christian faith is mentioned.”8 I personally believe it was not much longer than three weeks, perhaps six at the most, but regardless, the amount of doctrine taught in this short span of time clearly demonstrates the priority the Apostle placed on the doctrines of the Word. Acts 1:8; Zech. It is the gospel and the Word of God as a whole that is “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. Its location also contributed to its importance. During their second missionary journey, Paul and Silas revisited and strengthened those churches in the faith they had previously founded during their first missionary work. In Revelation 14:6 we are told that in the future, along with His other witnesses, God will use an angel flying in mid-heaven who will proclaim an eternal gospel, but generally God does not send angels to preach the gospel. His heart for the Thessalonians (2:17), 3. When Paul had left them, when they were thrown upon their own resources, would they not simply drift back to their old ways? Furthermore, there were always many Gentile “God-fearers” in the synagogues, and through them Paul could began a witness to the pagan Gentiles. Though Paul was commissioned to carry the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Eph. They each present special insight into the Lord’s return and how that is to impact our lives in terms of greater spirituality. The purpose and burden of the Apostle in writing to the Thessalonians can be summarized as follows: 1. But what were the core apostolic / biblical concerns? Chapter 1. 2. While Satan and his world system will often gladly accept and integrate other religions into the world’s system, the world stands ready to oppose and persecute Christians who refuse to compromise and who stand firm in their faith. After Jason put up a bond, forfeitable if there was further trouble, Paul and his cohorts were freed and journeyed on to Berea. 4:6-7; 5:17). Here is a suggested summary: 1:10—salvation and assurance2:19-20—soul-winning and service3:12-13—stability in Christian living4:13-18—strength for sorrow in the face of death5:23-24—sanctification of life. Significantly, in every chapter of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle sought to comfort and motivate with the truth of the Lord’s sure return. Thessalonica was originally named Therma because of the many hot springs in the surrounding area, but in 315 B.C. Silas was probably sent on a similar mission to Philippi. 1:5 and 2:13). It was because of this that the charge framed against Paul and his companions was one of treason and this was the most dangerous charge that could have been leveled against them in a city like Thessalonica (Acts 17:7). This response drew people away from the Jewish community which angered the Jews and caused them to resort to violence and mob activity. The strange mixtures of a seaport city and the rites of the worship of the Cabiri cult caused the Apostle to make a special exhortation for holy living (1 Thess. In the midst of terrible persecution and hardship, … THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH (ACTS 2) The church was probably born in late May of AD 30. It was so then and it is so today (cf. I. The biblical story is incomplete without an awareness of the church and its place in God’s plan. The perpetual virginity of our Blessed Lady was taught and proposed to our belief not merely by the councils and creeds, but also by the early Fathers. 3:6-15), but even this does not necessarily prove a stay longer than three weeks. Concerning the day of Christ: the comfort of His coming (4:13-18), 1. The fact that Paul found it expedient to devote three chapters of his first letter to a defense against these attacks is evidence suspicion of some of the converts was aroused and that the danger of their being beguiled away from the faith was imminent.6. The commendation of the Thessalonians (1:1-10), 3. Thessalonica even contained a synagogue because the city had attracted Jewish merchants and Paul found this a natural place to begin. In other words, both epistles show the practical ramifications of prophecy or things to come. The rapture of living saints (4:17-18), B. In the Bible lesson activities below, children are given opportunity to engage in fun projects while learning about actual events that occurred in the early church. Jesus shared with the disciples and his followers that they were called to be “witnesses.” To preach and teach the Word to a dying and lost world is never really an issue in the will of God, but exactly when and where (time and place) is an issue in keeping with God’s preparation of the soil of human hearts. Give your children a chance to do this fun Bible activity! 5. More books of the New Testament were written by the Apostle Paul than any other New Testament author. 9 This outline is primarily that of Dr. Stanley Toussaint taken from class notes used at Dallas Theological Seminary with some variations. Ryrie writes: A careful study of Philippians 4:16 would indicate that it probably does not mean that Paul received several gifts from the Philippians while at Thessalonica. The prayer that he might return to the Thessalonians (3:11), 2. While with them, he said: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. First, it made Thessalonica a wealthy city. During Paul’s ministry he was often being persecuted, and on one occasion found himself being smuggled to safety in a basket. Early Church in the Book of Acts (NT4) 1. 7 Charles Caldwell Ryrie, First and Second Thessalonians, Moody Press, Chicago, 1959, p. 12. There Lydia, whose heart God had opened for the gospel, and her household were led to the Christ with a church being established in her home. The Great Persecution 302 311. The early converts were often made of very feeble clay. Some debate has existed over just how long Paul ministered at Thessalonica. The fact that he was accepted by the early church with no questions raised, and was a genuine apostle is indicated by a subtle change which occurs from here on in Acts. Medieval 420. First Era of Peace 218. After every new conquest, annoying guerrilla warfare was set up behind them. The history of Christianity The primitive church The relation of the early church to late Judaism. He did not lean on the world’s gimmicks or strategies to reach people and establish a growing, thriving, and enduring ministry. Based on the Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chapters 1-9. Concerning Christ’s return there is a two-fold emphasis of both a confident expectation along with the call to live in readiness in the light of His imminent coming. (4) Though the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, Satan and the world, especially the religious world, stand vehemently opposed to the message of Christ. Finally, Paul learned of certain weaknesses in the church that needed to be dealt with. Paul instructed the returning Bereans to have Silas and Timothy join him immediately at Athens (see Acts 17:15 and 1 Thess 3:1). Acts 17:2 tells us that “according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” Some have understood from this that the Apostle was only in Thessalonica for three weeks. After Jesus ascended to heaven, His promise to send the Holy Spirit was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit fell upon Jesus’ followers on the Day of Pentecost. 1:16) ministered not by man’s power or wisdom or human ingenuity, but ministered by the power of the Spirit of God. Second, it brought Thessalonica a reputation for evil and licentiousness. As with Philippi, the Apostle had been driven out of Thessalonica by persecution from the Jews and from there he had gone on to Berea. May 21, 2019 May 13, 2020 The Early Church Blog 1 Comment. It served as a important Allied base during World War I. December 29, 2019 December 29, 2019 W. C. Newsom christmas, Early Church Fathers, Gospel of Luke, Thomas Aquinas The following excerpts are from Thomas Aquinas’ Catena Aurea, or Golden Chain Commentary on the Gospels , a 13th century compilation of Bible commentary from over 80 early church fathers. The coming of the day of the Lord (5:1-5), C. Concerning deportment in the congregation (5:12-28). He uses those who are committed to the Lord, and sensitive to His leading and burden for the world; men and women available to become living sacrifices (Rom. Related Topics: Ecclesiology (The Church), Introductions, Arguments, Outlines, J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M. Man’s problems in ancient times are still man’s problems in modern times, and likewise, the solutions to man’s problems then are the same today. The first epistle was written during the earlier part of that period just after Timothy had returned from Thessalonica with news of the progress of the church, and the second letter was dispatched just a few weeks later (or at the most a few months). With the exception of the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles who attended the synagogue, the greater body of converts came to Christ from outright paganism. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and instructed them for 40 days, after which he ascended to heaven. Second Era of Peace 260. 3:1-12), it was his policy to begin his ministry among the Jews, usually at the local synagogue where the Old Testament was known and revered. The explanation of the evidence (1:8-10), B. This verse may be translated, “Both (when I was) in Thessalonica and more than once (when I was in other places) you sent … (cf. Shop The Messengers: The Birth of the Early Church [DVD] at Best Buy. 2:1-12) that in general Paul’s religious appeal arose in error, meaning that his gospel was not a divine reality but a human delusion; that it arose in impurity, hinting that the enthusiastic gospel of the Spirit led him into immorality; and that it was influenced by sinister motives, implying that Paul, like the pagan itinerant impostors of religious or philosophical cults … was working solely for his own selfish advantage. Q. However, the majority of people made their living by manual labor. As Bruce points out: He had been virtually expelled as a trouble maker from one Macedonian city after another. In the midst of all of this, two major themes arise in the study and reading of 1 and 2 Thessalonians: The first theme is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Birth of the Early Church: Clemson Study Abroad. Others set dates in March, April, or May. Covid Safety Membership Educators Gift Cards Stores & Events Help. The amazing thing, considering the pagan atmosphere in which the new converts were immersed, is that they grew, reached out, and endured. ... Apologetics was born in the Early Church. The outline that follows is derived from 1:3 and three very significant phrases as stressed in the Greek text, “the work of faith,” “the labor of love,” and “the endurance of hope.”9 This can be summarized as: The past: the work of faith (1:1–3:13); The present: the labor of love (4:1-4:12); The prospective: the endurance of hope (4:13–5:28). 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