The History of the church of Christ – Part 2

The History of the church of Christ – Part 2

Introduction
In recent lessons, we have traced the church of Christ from prophecy to fulfillment. We have seen how Isaiah 2, Joel 2, and Daniel 2 foretold the coming of the church—its timing, location, and establishment. We have also studied the warnings in the New Testament about apostasy creeping in, beginning in the very first century. Acts 20 records Paul warning the Ephesian elders that men from among themselves would rise up to lead disciples astray. Today, we continue examining history to see how these warnings were fulfilled, how departures occurred, and why understanding this is vital for our faith.

Early Apostasy in Church Government
The first major departure from New Testament teaching came in church organization. The Bible teaches that no one man is to rule a congregation or a group of congregations. Elders (plural) were to oversee only the local congregation (Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1–3). Yet in the first century, some began to elevate one elder above the rest, calling him a “bishop” with authority over multiple congregations. Over time, this single-bishop rule expanded, granting them power the Scriptures never authorize. This began the framework that would eventually produce denominational hierarchies.

Division Between East and West
As centuries passed, especially into the second and third centuries, two primary centers of influence emerged: the West (Rome) and the East (Constantinople). Each had a bishop who claimed authority, and rivalry developed. This was no longer the New Testament church in its pure form—by now, it was a denomination with human structures replacing God’s pattern. Eventually, the bishop of Rome gained the most power and influence, becoming the pope.

Authority Shift: Church Over Scripture
A foundational shift took place: truth was no longer viewed as being in the Bible, but in the church itself. The Roman Catholic Church came to teach that its authority was greater than Scripture. Thus, when the pope speaks “ex cathedra” (as God’s spokesman), his words are considered binding and able to override Scripture. This mindset remains today, making it difficult to reach those steeped in that tradition without first convincing them that the Bible alone is God’s final authority.

Rise of Clergy and Laity Distinction
The New Testament teaches that all Christians are priests (1 Peter 2:9). However, in the second century, a distinction arose between “clergy” and “laity,” creating a class system within the church. Clergy were seen as the only ones who could interpret Scripture, further distancing God’s Word from the common believer. Over time, additional hierarchical offices such as presbyters, deacons, subdeacons, and sextons emerged—positions foreign to the New Testament church.

Changes in Worship Practices
While worship continued on Sunday, other unscriptural practices developed. Special fast days were instituted, particularly Wednesdays and Fridays. Easter became a formal religious observance rather than a personal remembrance of Christ’s resurrection. The Lord’s Supper evolved from a simple memorial into a ritual called the Eucharist, taught to miraculously become Christ’s literal body and blood—a doctrine known as transubstantiation. This belief became a means of control, with leaders deciding who was “worthy” to partake.

Corruption of the Term “Saint”
Biblically, every Christian—everyone sanctified in Christ—is a saint (1 Corinthians 1:2). Yet in these early centuries, “saint” came to be reserved for an elite few who had supposedly performed extraordinary works. This exaltation of select individuals over ordinary Christians has no scriptural basis.

Changes in Baptism
The Greek word “baptize” means immersion. In the New Testament, all baptisms were by immersion of believers. By around 200 AD, infant baptism began to be practiced, and new formulas for baptismal words were introduced—unscriptural innovations that changed the meaning and purpose of baptism.

Persecution of the Church
From the first century until 313 AD, the church endured constant persecution—first from the Jews, then from the Romans. Refusing to acknowledge Caesar as “Lord” caused Christians to be labeled atheists. Their evangelism, moral distinctiveness, and exclusive claim to truth made them social outcasts. Roman persecution was intense until Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313, granting religious tolerance.

The Dark Ages
Following Constantine’s decree, a new era began, often called the Dark Ages (about AD 500–1500). During this period, the Roman Catholic Church became the primary persecutor of faithful Christians. The true church survived, often in hiding, through groups such as the Waldensians, who sought to follow the Bible. The Catholic Church continued to place its traditions above Scripture, making church decrees equal to or greater than the Word of God.

The History of the church of Christ – Part 2 Sermon Outline:

1. Review of Prophecy and Fulfillment

   • OT prophecies foretelling the establishment of the church (Isaiah 2:2–3; Joel 2:28–32; Daniel 2:44)

   • Fulfillment in Acts 2: Jerusalem, on Pentecost, with the gospel preached to all nations

   • Early New Testament warnings of apostasy (Acts 20:28–31; 1 Timothy 4:1–3; 2 Timothy 4:3–4)

2. Early Apostasy in Church Government

   • God’s pattern: plurality of elders in each local congregation (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5)

   • Elevating one elder to single-bishop role

   • Bishops gaining oversight of multiple congregations

   • Development of denominational hierarchies

3. The Division Between East and West

   • West – Rome as primary seat of influence

   • East – Constantinople and surrounding regions

   • Rivalry between bishops leading to a power struggle

   • Bishop of Rome becomes dominant, paving way for papacy

4. Authority Shift: From Bible to Church

   • Biblical view: Scripture as final authority (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

   • Roman Catholic view: Church authority over Scripture

   • Pope’s “ex cathedra” declarations as binding doctrine

5. Rise of the Clergy and Laity Distinction

   • All Christians as priests (1 Peter 2:9)

   • Creation of a two-class system

   • Clergy control of teaching and interpretation

   • Addition of unscriptural offices: presbyters, deacons, subdeacons, sextons

6. Changes in Worship Practices

   • Addition of special fast days (Wednesdays and Fridays)

   • Easter as formal annual observance

   • Corruption of the Lord’s Supper: Eucharist, closed communion, transubstantiation

7. Corruption of “Saint”

   • Biblical definition: all sanctified in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2)

   • Historical misuse: sainthood for elite few with claimed extraordinary works

8. Changes in Baptism

   • Immersion of believers for remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4)

   • New formulas added to baptism

   • Infant baptism begins around 200 AD

9. Persecution of the Church (1st–4th Century)

   • Jewish persecution (Acts 8:1–4; Acts 12:1–3)

   • Roman persecution under Nero, Domitian, others

   • Christians viewed as atheists for rejecting Caesar as Lord

   • Moral and social separation leading to societal rejection

10. Edict of Milan and Temporary Relief

    • AD 313: Constantine’s decree grants religious freedom

    • Persecution temporarily ends

11. The Dark Ages Begin

    • Approximately AD 500–1500

    • Catholic Church becomes chief persecutor of true Christians

    • True church survives through faithful but persecuted groups like the Waldensians

    • Continued elevation of church tradition over Scripture

12. Key Lessons from This Period

    • Apostasy begins with small departures

    • Human tradition cannot replace God’s Word

    • The authority of Scripture must be preserved

    • Studying history protects the church from repeating error

Call to Action
We must know our history to guard against repeating it. Apostasy begins when we drift from the authority of God’s Word. We must hold fast to the pattern of sound teaching, keep the church organized as God commands, worship in spirit and truth, and defend the gospel against every departure. The battle for the Bible’s authority is as real today as it was in the first century.

Key Takeaways

• Apostasy began early in church history (Acts 20:28–31)

• Church government must remain as God designed (1 Peter 5:1–3)

• All Christians are priests (1 Peter 2:9)

• The Lord’s Supper is a memorial, not a miraculous ritual (1 Corinthians 11:23–26)

• Baptism is immersion for believers (Romans 6:3–4)

• The Bible alone is our final authority (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

Scripture Reference List

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

• Acts 2 – Establishment of the church

• Acts 20:28–31 – Warning of apostasy

• 1 Peter 5:1–3 – Elders’ role in local congregations

• 1 Peter 2:9 – Priesthood of all believers

• 1 Corinthians 1:2 – All sanctified are saints

• 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 – Institution of the Lord’s Supper

• Romans 6:3–4 – Baptism as immersion into Christ’s death

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 – Scripture’s sufficiency and authority

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