The History of the Church of Christ Part 1

The History of the Church of Christ, Part 1

Introduction

The study of church history is more than an academic exercise — it is a way to understand God’s plan, see His warnings fulfilled, and learn from past departures from the truth. The Bible foretold the establishment of Christ’s church in the first century through prophecies like Joel, Isaiah, and Daniel’s account of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2. These prophecies were fulfilled on Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2, when the church — the kingdom — began. Jesus’ church is called the church of Christ because it belongs to Him, and as its head, He has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Understanding this history requires examining both the rapid growth of the church and the departures from the apostolic pattern that began even in the first century.

Christ as the Head of the Church

Ephesians 1:22 makes clear that God gave Christ to be head over all things to the church. The head directs the body, and so Christ governs His church. No man or group of men has been given authority to alter the church’s design, doctrine, or organization. The church is described in various ways in scripture:

• 1 Timothy 3:15 – The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

• Ephesians 5:23–25 – The body, the bride of Christ, loved and purchased by Him.

• 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16 – God’s building, the temple of God.
  These descriptions remind us of the church’s purpose, identity, and responsibility.

Early Departures Foretold

From its earliest days, the church was warned that departures from the truth would come quickly. Paul’s words in Acts 20:28–30 to the Ephesian elders foretold that from among their own number, men would rise up speaking perverse things to draw away disciples. This was not speculation; it was certain. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4, Paul warned about a falling away that would precede the Lord’s return. In 2 Timothy 4:1–3, he charged Timothy to preach the word because the time would come when people would not endure sound doctrine but would turn to teachers who told them what they wanted to hear. These warnings came within a few decades of the church’s founding, showing that departure from the truth began early.

The First Departure: Church Government

The initial changes came in the church’s organization. Christ gave authority to the apostles, and through them, local congregations were to be led by qualified elders and served by deacons (Philippians 1:1). In scripture, elders, pastors, shepherds, bishops, and overseers all refer to the same office. In the first century, some elders began to take more authority than others. One became recognized as a “chief elder” or “bishop” in a way that elevated him above his fellow elders. Soon, in larger congregations, these chief elders began exercising authority over other congregations. This pattern spread until certain bishops held authority over entire regions. By the third and fourth centuries, five main bishops — in Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Constantinople — became the chief rulers over many churches. Eventually, the bishop of Rome rose to be recognized as the pope, but the process began with one man in one congregation taking unauthorized authority.

Church Growth in the First Century

The church spread rapidly. Acts records thousands being added in a single day (Acts 2:41), and believers were added daily (Acts 2:47). Multitudes of men and women obeyed the gospel (Acts 5:14). The terms “added” and “multiplied” are repeated throughout Acts, showing the gospel’s power and the church’s expansion. This rapid growth was accompanied by the dangers Paul and others warned about — departures often came from within, and they often centered on leadership.

Other Early Departures

While changes in church government were the earliest and most impactful, other departures began in the first century:

• Jewish Christians insisting on keeping parts of the Old Law (Acts 15:1–5; Galatians 1:6–9).

• Early forms of doctrinal error such as the belief that the physical body was inherently evil, leading to ascetic practices.

• Teachings resembling modern premillennialism, claiming a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth.

• Denial that miracles had ceased in the apostolic age.

These ideas multiplied after the death of the apostles, especially John, the last surviving apostle. By the early second century, departures were numerous and varied.

Summary of the Pattern of Departure

The change began with a small step away from God’s pattern, often justified as a minor improvement. One elder was elevated above others. This became regional oversight, then national, then international authority. Over time, this gave rise to the structure of the Roman Catholic Church, a system far removed from the simple, autonomous congregations described in the New Testament.

The History of the Church of Christ, Part 1 – Sermon Outline:

Introduction:

• Review of prophecies concerning the establishment of the church (Joel, Isaiah, Daniel 2).

• Fulfillment at Pentecost, Acts 2.

• Christ’s church belongs to Him; He has all authority (Matthew 28:18).

I. Christ as the Head of the Church
A. Ephesians 1:22 – Head over all things to the church.
B. Descriptions of the church:

1. 1 Timothy 3:15 – Church of the living God.

2. Ephesians 5:23–25 – Body and bride of Christ.

3. 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16 – Building and temple of God.

II. Early Warnings of Departure
A. Acts 20:28–30 – From among elders, men will arise speaking perverse things.
B. 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 – Falling away before the Lord’s return.
C. 2 Timothy 4:1–3 – Refusal to endure sound doctrine.

III. The First Departure: Church Government
A. New Testament pattern: autonomous congregations led by qualified elders and deacons.
B. Elevation of one elder as chief.
C. Spread to oversight of multiple congregations.
D. Development into regional and then universal rule.
E. Five major bishops; eventual rise of the pope.

IV. Growth of the Church in the First Century
A. Thousands added in a day (Acts 2:41).
B. Daily additions (Acts 2:47).
C. Multitudes believed (Acts 5:14).
D. Multiplication of disciples (Acts 6:7).

V. Other Early Departures
A. Binding parts of the Old Law on Christians (Acts 15:1–5; Galatians 1:6–9).
B. Ascetic practices rooted in false views of the body.
C. Early forms of premillennialism.
D. Denial of the cessation of miracles.

VI. Pattern of Departure
A. Small unauthorized change.
B. Expansion of authority beyond scripture.
C. Resulting in widespread apostasy.

Call to Action

Hold fast to the pattern of sound words (2 Timothy 1:13). Small departures lead to great ruin. Guard the autonomy and purity of the Lord’s church by insisting on Christ’s authority and the apostolic teaching. Know the scriptures, teach the truth, and resist every change that departs from God’s Word.

Key Takeaways

• Christ is the sole head of the church (Ephesians 1:22).

• The church is described as the body, bride, building, and temple of God (1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 5:23–25; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16).

• Departures from truth began in the first century (Acts 20:28–30; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4; 2 Timothy 4:1–3).

• The earliest departure was in church government, elevating one elder above others.

• Historical patterns show small changes can lead to widespread apostasy.

• Faithfulness requires clinging to the New Testament pattern for doctrine and practice.

Scripture Reference List

• Joel; Isaiah; Daniel 2 – Prophecies of the church.

• Acts 2:41–47 – Establishment of the church and early growth.

• Matthew 28:18 – Christ’s authority.

• Ephesians 1:22 – Christ as head of the church.

• 1 Timothy 3:15 – Church of the living God.

• Ephesians 5:23–25 – Christ loved the church.

• 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16 – God’s building and temple.

• Acts 20:28–30 – Warning to elders.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 – Falling away predicted.

• 2 Timothy 4:1–3 – Refusal of sound doctrine.

• Acts 15:1–5; Galatians 1:6–9 – Judaizing teachers.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO