tem»mimmmmmmmi>mmm»MMi»mmmMmmmmmmm tmummmmtmum MM««MM«mnwiainHaMMMa*i fee in hutcn isfoti/ j^:jriecc liaiiiHiiiiii ^i bF r, BR 165 .S44 1906 Sell, Henry T. 1854-1928 Studies in early church history STUDIES IN EARLY CHURCH HISTORY A New Method for Adult Bible and Teacher Traini7ig Classes By HENRY T. SELL, D.D. Eachy Paper, 50 cts. - Cloth, 75 cts. Eleven Books of Bible Studies Over a Quarter of a Million Copies Sold LATEST ISSUES Studies of Great Bible Characters, Bible Studies in Vital Qtcestions. Studies in the Four Gospels. EIGHT BOOKS In Order of Publication Supplemental Bible Stzcdies, Bible Studies by Books. Bible Studies by Periods. Bible Studies by Doctrhies, Bible Studies i7t the Life of Christ. Bible Studies in the Life of Paul. Studies in the Life of the Christian. Studies in Early Church History. DR. sell's '' FIVE-MINUTE '' SERIES Serm07lS in Stories. For Young Folks. Cloth 31-25 Serni07lS in Objects. For Young Folks. Cloth $1.25 Send for Special Six Page Descriptive Circular. STUDIES IN EARLY CHURCH HISTORY BY HENRY T. SELL, D. D. Author of " Supplemental Bible Studies,'' " Bible Study by Books,'' « Bible Study by Periods," " Bible Study by Doctrines'' " Bible Studies in the Life of Christ," ''Bible Studies in the Life of Paul" «• Studies in the Life of the Christian " New York Chicago Toronto Fleming H. Revell Company London and Edinburgh Copyright, 1906, by FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY New York: 158 Fifth Avenue Chicago: 17 North Wabash Ave. London: 21 Paternoster Square Edinburgh: 75 Princes Street PREFACE The period of which these studies treat extends from the time of Christ to the reign of Constantine, the first Christian Roman Emperor. This era has been called, " The Heroic Age of the Church." It was during these three hundred years that Christianity encountered the bitter hostihty of the Roman and Greek religions and systems of philosophy and was under the ban of the civil power. It was then that it formulated its doctrines, set forth its principles, wrote its New Testament books and endured its fiery persecutions. In the enthusiasm and freshness of their faith, its converts dared all things ; no tasks were too hard, no hardships too great and no tortures too painful, when called for in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Saviour. We are in the immediate presence of the builders of the Church ; we see their plans ; we look upon the laying of the great broad foundations. We behold the struggle with refractory materials and we are impressed with the undaunted spirit and courageous dealing with diflSculties, as this mag- nificent spiritual structure — grandly simple in its organiza- tion and forms of worship — is erected. In these studies the aim is to set forth the great leading facts in regard to the belief and life of the early Church ; hence the ten divisions or studies: i. The Church in Je- rusalem. 2. The Church in Antioch. 3. The Church in the Provinces. 4. The Church in Rome. 5. The Church in the Catacombs. 6. The Church in Worship. 7. The Church in the Books. 8. The Church in Controversy. 9. The Church in Persecution. 10. The Church in Victory. This book is for the use of adult Bible and teacher train- ing classes, Bible study circles, educational institutions and private study. It is uniform with the author's other " Seven Books of Bible Studies." Henry T. Sell. CONTENTS STUDY I The Church in Jerusalem THE BEGINNING— The Christian Church. The First Candidates for Membership. The First Sermon. The First Form of Prayer. The First Missionaries. Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The Policy . 1 5 THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.— The General Preparation. The Immediate Preparation. The Fulfillment of the Promise. The Descent of the Holy Spirit. Some Effects of the Presence of this Power 18 THE TEACHING.— The Substance. The Manner THE ORGANIZATION.— The Head of the Church. The Voluntary Character o The Ordinances. The Doc- trine and Prayers. The Social Aspect, The First case of Discipline. The Election of the First Dea- cons. Bishops, Elders and other Officers. The Growth ........ 23 ACTIVITIES.— The Field. The Equipment. The Help of the Holy Spirit. The Joy .... 28 STUDY II The Church in Antioch JERUSALEM TO ANTIOCH.— The Scattering Abroad of the Members of the Jerusalem Church. The Or- ganization of the Church in Samaria. The Mission to Ethiopia. The Conversion of Saul. Peaceful Times. The Vision of Peter . . • . |P 9 lO Contents THE CITY AND THE WORK.— The Importance of the City. The Founding of the First Gentile Church, The Visit of Barnabas, The Bringing in of PauL The New Name. The Number of Christians o 36 RENEWED PERSECUTION. — The Martyrdom of James. The Imprisonment of Peter. The Death of the Persecutor, Herod Agrippa I. The Result of the Persecution c , . „ . , , 40 STUDY III The Church in the Provinces CONDITIONS AND PROBLEMS.— Territorial Expan- sion. Political and Religious State of Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece. New Questions and Ad- justments ... o .... 43 THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.— The Significance. The Men and the Work ... 46 CHURCHES FOUNDED BY PAUL.— The General Plan of Work. The Message. The First Missionary Journey, The Second Missionary Journey. The Third Missionary Journey 47 THE APOSTOLIC COUNCIL.— The Account. The Cause. The Decision ...... 5® THE WIDENING CIRCLE OF CHURCHES.—The Diffusion of the Gospel : in Asia, in Europe, in Africa. The History ....... 5I NUMBER OF CONVERTSo— The Evidence . , 53 STUDY IV The Church in Rome THE CHURCH.— When Organized. Composition and Meeting Places. Paul's Letter to the Roman Chris- tians. Position and Influence .... 56 Contents 1 1 THE CITY AND THE EMPIRE.— The City of Rome. The Empire. Helps in the Progress of the Church. Obstacles in the Way of the Progress of the Church 59 THE FIRST GREAT ROMAN PERSECUTION.— The Immediate Cause. The Reason Given. The Suf- ferings of the Christians. The Martyrdom of Paul. Some Results . o . . , » =, 63 STUDY V The Church in the Catacombs THE CATACOMBS OF ROME.— The Records . LOCATION AND MOTIVE.— Location. Motive 68 68 69 71 73 74 7^ CONSTRUCTION.— The Mode. Sanctioned by Law, Extent. Time . . . o . . GROUPS. — Over Forty-two Groups of Catacombs. St Calixtus. Flavia Domatilla. Lucina or Commo- della. Priscilla. Pretextatus PAINTINGS, — Ornamental. Symbolicalo Sacramental The Biblical Cycle. Character INSCRIPTIONS.— Pagan. Christian . SPECIAL OBJECTS AND TEACHING STUDY VI The Church in Worship THE SERVICE OF WORSHIP.— Definition, Partici- pation. Privileges. Function . . , . 78 UNIVERSALITY, PLACES, TIMES, — Universality. Places. Times ....,,. 79 FORMS, GIFTS, ORDINANCES.— Form of Public Wor- ship. Form of Private Worship, Gifts. Ordi- nances ., o ..... 83 12 Contents OBJECTS, RESULTS. — Objects: God, the Father* Christ, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Preexistence of Christ. Divine Titles Given to Christ. Divine Attributes Ascribed to Christ. Divine Works Wrought by Christ. Supreme Worship to be Paid to Christ. Results ...... 89 STUDY VII The Church in the Books THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS.— The First Written Documents. An Appeal for the Truth to the Old Testament ....<> o .. 92 THE TRANSITION PERIOD.— The Eye- Witnesses. The Ear- Witnesses . o . o . . 93 THE NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS.— The Book Wit-= nesses. The Contents of the New Testament. Time of Writing. Order of the Books. The Five Historical Books. The Twenty-one Epistles. The Apocalypse ....... c 94 THE USE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS.— In the Churches. By Early Christian Writers. The Canon 99 STUDY VIII The Church in Controversy CAUSES. — The Twofold Conflict. The Fundamental Question., Holiness and Exclusiveness. Unworld- liness and Aggressiveness . , . . . 109 THE ANTAGONISM OF JUDAISM.— Principles In- volved. Early Manifestations. Later Manifesta- tions. The Christian Apologists. The Result . Ill THE ANTAGONISM OF HEATHENISM.— The Polit- ical Conflict. The Caste Conflict. The Religious Conflict. The Blood Revenge Conflict. The Un- ending Conflict. The Battle of the Ideals . . US Contents 13 DOCTRINAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL CONTROVER- SIES. — Doctrinal : Ebionism, Gnosticism. Man- ichseism. Philosophical : The Skeptics' Controversy with and Attack upon Christianity. The Neo-Pla- tonists' Attack upon Christianity » c . <■ II8 CHRISTIAN LITERATURE.— New Testament Writers, The Apostolic Fathers. The Apologists. The Polemics. The Alexandrian School. The North African Fathers . . , . . . ,124 STUDY IX The Church in Persecution THE OCCASION.— The Causes. The Clash. The Heroic Elements of Christianity. The Creed as an Issue . . . , 128 THE JEWISH PERSECUTIONS.— The Origin. Extent and Time. The Conduct of the Persecuted . , 1 30 THE ROMAN PERSECUTIONS— The Policy of the Empire. The Attitude of Christianity. The Join- ing of the Issue. The Penalties. Extent and Time. The Ten Persecutions: By Nero. By Domitian. By Trajan. By Marcus Aurelius. By Septimius Severus. By MaximinuSo By DeciuSc By Va- lerian. By Aurelian. By Diocletian , . . 1 31 THE EDICT OF MILAN — This Edict the Charter of Christian Liberty ....,., 148 STUDY X The Church in Victory THE RAPID GROWTH.— The Situation.. The Testi- mony ot Christian and Heathen Writers. Some Effects . . , ;, . o o X50 SOURCES OF POWER.— Gibbon's Five Causes. The Supernatural Guidance of the Church. The Human Instrumentality , , , , , • ^5S 14 Contents THE CLASSES REACHED. — The Common People. The Cultured, the Wealthy, the Aristocratic, the Official and the Court Classes . <, . 1 58 THE WORLD CHURCH. — Conditions. Principles. Perfection of All Religions 160 Studies in Early Church History Study I THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM THE BEGINNING The Christian Church was prepared for by the Jewish church, but it had its beginning in Jesus Christ. He is its Founder (Matthew i6 ; 15-20 ; John 14 : 6 ; Matthew 26 : 28 ; John 1 1 : 25, 26 ; 12:32; Matthew 28 ; 19, 20 ; Acts I : 8) and Foundation (i Corinthians 2:2; 3:11; Philippians 2 : 9-1 1). "Very early in the ministry of Jesus Christ we observe indications that He intended to found a society, based upon the principles of The Kingdom of God, In which the mem- bers should be held together by outward and visible ties of fellowship in addition to a common belief and the observ- ance of certain sacraments." This society is the church or assembly. The word church in the New Testament is used in three senses to denote the difference in the form. 1. The local congregation worshipping in a house (Phil- emon 2 ; Colossians 4: 15) or a certain place as **The church of God which is at Corinth " (i Corinthians i : 2) and "The church of the Thessalonians " (i Thessalonians I : i). This is much the most frequent use of the word. 2. The entire community of Christians throughout the world or some portions of it (i Corinthians 15 : 9; Gala- tians I : 13; Matthew 16 : 18). »5 l6 Studies in Early Church History 3. The total company of the redeemed, the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5 : 23, 25, 27, 30; Hebrews 12 : 23). Those who joined the early Christian church did so be- cause of their belief in Christ as the Messiah (John i ; 41) and their acceptance of Him as their Saviour (Acts 2 : 36-41). The First Candidates for Membership in the church were attracted to Jesus, followed Him and sought to have their relatives and friends follow Him, because of the testi- mony of John the Baptist that *' This is the Son of God " (John I :34-5i)- The First Sermon was preached by Christ upon a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 5 : 1-7 : 29). Here he laid down the principles which were to guide the conduct and lives of His followers. He taught the blessedness of those who accepted these principles (Matthew 5 : 1-16), their re- lations to the world, to their fellow men and to God. The appeal was to the inner life (Matthew 6 : 1-6 ; 7 : 1-5), to conform it to the law of God and to seek to please Him first in all things (Matthew 6 : 20-24, 33'} 5 • 4^)- Jesus taught many things, not set forth in the Sermon on the Mount, in regard to Himself, but the <) The Social Aspect.— ''And all that believed were to- gether and had all things common " (Acts 2 : 44). '* And they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breakmg bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart (Acts 2 : 46). It is doubt- ful if the world has ever witnessed such a perfect social estate. It was brought about by no passionate appeal against the inequalities in the lives of men or a forced communism, but believers in one Lord and Saviour had had their hearts so touched by His love that the evil and selfishness in thera were purged away. Tf the social conditions of the present day are ever to be ii proved, the improvement must come through a church as c voted to its Lord as this early church. That the Christian community of goods here spoken of was purely voluntary and not required or demanded is shown by the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5 : 3, 4)— whom Peter tells it was in their own power to give or not to give ■ and in the case of Barnabas, who is specially commended, and yet there is no intimation that he sold everythino- The point IS that where there was any lack it was made-up and to any in need ample help was given. Here was one Rreat loving family in Christ. The principle underlying this Christian community of goods is -that all possessing goods and industries are to be consecrated to God in the service of humanity (Matthew 25 : 14-30 ; Luke 13 : 6-9). Chris- tian love and Christian principles are to abolish poverty and want and to spread the gospel over the earth, and we are to live daily according to the brotherly principle exemplified m this early church, where the poor man knew no shame, the rich no haughtiness." u^^u F^^^^ ^^^^ °^ Discipline was forced upon the church by a flagrant instance of deliberate lying (Acts 5 : i-ii), showing how evil began very early to attempt to enter into the church. The Election of the First Deacons.— We are told in 26 Studies in Early Church History the gospels how the apostles were chosen. We are told in the sixth chapter of Acts (vs. i-6) how the deacons were chosen and ordained to their work. In regard to the other officers of the church which we find elsewhere mentioned we have no account — with the exception of the missionaries (Acts 13 : 1-4) — of how they were chosen. The writers of the New Testament seem to be concerned chiefly in showing the great foundation upon which the church was to rest rather than the particular form or forms it took or should take on this foundation. The occasion of the election of the seven deacons was the murmuring of " the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in tb^ daily ministration.'* There may have been some truth ii this charge. At any rate the apostles did not attempt, t emselves, to settle the right or wrong of the matter, but called the multitude of disciples together and left the matter with them to choose men to remedy the wrong, if any. We have here the direct appeal to the church as a whole to settle a matter in dispute and it is very significant of the way things were carried on. After the seven deacons were chosen they were consecrated to their work by the laying on of the hands of the apostles (Acts 6: 6). The Grecians mentioned here, were " true Jews from foreign lands, who spoke Greek, used the Greek instead of the Hebrew Bible, and whose mode of life and thinking was Grecised. The Hebrews were the pure Jews who not necessarily residing in Palestine, still used the Hebrew Scriptures and spoke the dialect of the sacred tongue then current; there was a natural jealousy between these two parties." Three qualifications were required in the deacons to be chosen: i. "Of honest report," men with goodness that makes itself manifest. 2. *' Full of the Holy Ghost," men who are thoroughly religious. 3. Wisdom, men of prudence and good sense (Acts 6 : 3). How well these first deacons filled their office, not only in servmg tables but in preaching The Church in Jerusalem 27 the gospel, is shown by their record, especially in the cases of Stephen and Philip. Bishops, Elders and Other Officers. — In two instances Paul gives a list of the chief persons in the church ( i Cor- inthians 12 : 28; Ephesians 4:11) but the exact nature of the offices held by some of them has not been quite made plain. In the case of elders and bishops ''the difference of name may point to some difference of origin or function ; but in the New Testament — and Clement — the terms are more or less equivalent. Thus the Elders of Ephesus are reminded (Acts 20 : 28) that they are bishops. So, too, we find sundry bishops in the single church of Philippi. In the pastoral Epistles Timothy appoints bishops and deacons, Titus elders and deacons, though (i Timothy 5:17) Timothy also has elders under him. The qualifications also of a bishop as laid down for Timothy are practically those of the elder as described to Titus and equally point to ministerial duties in contrast to what we call episcopal " (Church Gov- ernment, Hastings' Bible Dictionary). In regard to the offices held by Timothy and Titus they were evidently of a temporary nature as both 2 Timothy and Titus are letters of recall from their mission ( 2 Timothy 4:9; Titus 3 : 12). It is quite evident that the primitive church was quite simply organized and officered. Persecution began as soon as it was fairly understood that the apostles were preaching the supremacy of Jesus Christ (Acts 4: 2, 3; 5 : 17, 18, 28; 7 : 56-58). The Growth of the church was quick and strong. The numbers of believers increased very rapidly. The day of Pentecost saw 3,000 conversions (Acts 2 : 41). In the fourth chapter and fourth verse of Acts the number has in- creased to 5,000. Again ** multitudes " of converts are spoken of (Acts 5 : 14) and that "a great company of priests were obedient to the faith " (Acts 6 : 7). 28 Studies in Early Church History ACTIVITIES The Field — while it is the world — up to the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:59, 60) was Jerusalem. While the area of preaching of the apostles and disciples was thus seemingly lim- ited — for about five years — in reality it was not limited, for the Jews, who were constantly coming to Jerusalem (Acts 2 : 8-1 2) from every quarter of the Roman empire, must have carried back the glad news to their distant homes of the wonderful things in regard to the Christ, which were being preached in the Holy City. Thus the way was being prepared for a further rapid spread of the gospel. The Equipment. — The church at this time had no buildings, none of the New Testament writings were in ex- istence, but it did have men who had walked and talked with Jesus Christ, who had been baptized with the Holy Ghost and who were thoroughly alive to the great mission before them. The Help of the Holy Spirit. — Nothing was done in presenting Christ to the multitude until the descent of the Holy Spirit. The miraculous (Acts 3: 1-16; 4: 31; 5:12, 15, 16) or supernatural element in these first chapters of the Acts cannot be ignored or eliminated without doing violence to the narrative. This element is part of the historical record and is to be treated as such ; it need not be consid- ered as contrary to law, but may be by a law of God which we do not as yet understand, but of which we have the mar- vellous record. The apostles and disciples are inspired and encouraged to do their great work through the Holy Spirit. The Joy. — There was great rejoicing, on the part of the apostles, in preaching and in persecution (Acts 5 : 41), and gladness on the part of the multitude who received theii message (Acts 2 : 46). The Church in Jerusalem 29 QUESTIONS What can be said of the beginning of the Christian church ? What of the first candidates for membership ? The first ser- mon ? The first form of prayer ? The first missionaries ? The two sacraments? The pohcy ? What is the significance of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit ? What was the general preparation for this baptism? The immediate preparation? What can be said of the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit? What is the descent of the Holy Spirit? Give some effects of the presence of this power. What can be said of the teaching of the church ? The substance ? The manner ? What can be said of the organization of the church? The Head of the church ? The voluntary character ? The ordinances ? The doctrine and prayers ? The social aspect ? The first case of discipline? The election of the first deacons? The persecu- tion? The growth? What can be said of the work of the church ? The field ? The equipment ? The help of the Holy Spirit ? The joy ? Study II THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH JERUSALEM TO ANTIOCH From the first — and Jewish — great centre of Christianity in Jerusalem to the second — and Gentile — centre in Antioch there were a number of important steps (Acts 8 : 1-12 : 25). Time. About 35-46 a. d. The Scattering Abroad of the Members of the Jerusalem Church (Acts 8 ; 1-4). — This dispersion, which led to such large results, took place between five and six years (35 or 36 a. d.) after the descent of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost and the formal organization of the Jerusalem church. The immediate cause was the persecution which arose after the martyrdom of Stephen. This was an exclusively Jewish matter. Undoubtedly the leaders of the Jews took advantage of the unsettled state of the Roman empire at this time — and the summons, to Rome, of Pilate to meet the charges against him — to press their case against the Chris- tians. The searching nature and merciless severity of this persecution are seen in the case of Saul who made " havoc of the church, entering into every house and haling men and women committed them to prison " (Acts 8:3). '*No man's house was safe from the persecutor." The Christian church was laid waste. While the immediate effect of the activity of the enemies of the church seemed very bad, yet in reality it was a bless- ing and marked a new epoch in the extension of the gospel. The great effort put forth to stamp out the new religion caused it to be spread abroad and to increase with wonderful rapidity. "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the gospel " (Acts 8 : 4) < compare 5:4). It was no compulsory act and probably not universal, for we find a number of instances where all the property was not handed over as in the case of Mary the mother of Mark who owned a house in Jerusa- lem (Acts 12: 12) and Tabitha who had means of her own which she bestowed in almsgiving (Acts 9 : 36). But the principle of the voluntary offering was fully established. Every man was to give according to his ability (Acts 1 1 : 29) and the offering was taken upon the first day of the week (i Corinthians 16:2). If a man chose to give all he had or a certain proportion, that was a matter settled between him and God, but all were urged to contribute to the full extent of their ability. The money was used for the poor of The Church in Worship 87 the church, for missionary purposes (Acts 6:1; 2 : 45 ; 4 : 35 ; 1 1 : 29 ; 24 : 1 7 ; Romans 15 ; 25-27 ; i Corinthians 16: I ; Galatians 2 : 10), the support of the ministry (i Corinthians 9:14, 4-14; Galatians 6:6; i Timothy 5 : 18), the other expenses of maintaining the church or- ganization and gifts for special objects. Form of Private ^A^orship. — Our Lord laid much stress upon the inward worship with the heart. The Sermon on the Mount is an exposition — with the Beatitudes as the text — of the necessity of the heart service of God which must precede all true public worship. He said : '' Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also " (Matthew 6 : 21), "When thou pray est, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret ; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matthew 6: 6) and "Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit " (Matthew 7 : 17-20). Gifts. — There were many manifestations of divine power in the early church, by the Holy Spirit. We find mention of these manifestations in the Charisma, or gifts, as they were called. " Every Christian possessed one or more gifts of the Holy Ghost. These gifts were of many kinds, in- cluding all the mental, moral and spiritual endowments of the Christian." Paul gives a list of these different gifts and shows their diversity by the same spirit in i Corinthians 12 : 1-12. We recognize many in this list as still in the pos- session of Christians ; others, like the gifts of miracles and tongues, seem to have been withdrawn. Every Christian was called upon then — and is now — to exercise his gift. "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God " (i Peter 4 : 10, 11). Every gift, however, was to be used with due regard to the rights of others. In the Corinthian church where there were certain abuses of gifts (i Corinthians 14: 26-33) ^^^ those who possessed the gift of speaking or of tongues were 88 Studies in Early Church History exercising them irrespective of each others' rights, Paul lays down certain rules. '*(i) Not more than one to speak at a time, each must wait his turn. (2) The one who is speaking to stop if he perceives another waiting to deliver a revelation. (3) The ' speaker in tongues ' is not allowed to speak unless an interpreter be present. (4) The revela- tion of the prophet is to be checked by those who possess the gift of 'discerning spirits.' " The different gifts were bestowed for the purpose of build- ing up the church. Ordinances. (See an account also of them in Study I). — I. Baptism. This was the rite by which the convert was formally admitted to the church (Acts 2 : 41). Baptism was by the command of Christ and was performed in the name " of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost " (Matthew 28 : 19) j it was — and is — the outward sign of the inward cleansing and is to be administered to all Christians (Acts 19 : 1-5 ; Romans 6: ^i Colossians 2 : 11-13 j John 3:5;! Peter 3 : 20, 21). The Lord's Supper (i Corinthians 11 : 23-26) was not only a part of the worship, but a cardinal point in it. The observance of this feast was also by the command of Christ, who said, " This do in remembrance of Me " (Luke 22 : 19, 15-22; Matthew 26 : 26-28; Mark 14: 21-26). His body was broken for us. His blood was shed for the remission of our sins. The expression of the ** breaking of bread" in Acts 2 : 42 has reference to something more than a common meal. It was a religious act (i Corinthians 10 : 16). This service was of a much more private character than the public one of worship (i Corinthians 11 : 17-34) and restricted to baptized Christians. There seems to have been at first a daily administration of this ordinance (Acts 2 : 46), but later it seems to have been observed every first day of the week (Acts 20 : 7). At first also it was held in the even- ing at the close of a meal eaten in common, following the example of Christ and His disciples. The meal was called the Agape — or love feast — and was afterwards separated The Church in Worship 89 from the Eucharist. The Lord's Supper being held in the early morning while the common meal was eaten in the evening. Now the celebration of the Lord's Supper is by itself a result foreshadowed in Paul's advice to the Corinthian Christians when he saw the abuses which grew out of the meal eaten in common. The significance of this ordinance was deepened and intensified in the minds and hearts of the Christians as its great spiritual meaning was more and more clearly perceived. This was the central point of worship in the apostolic age. OBJECTS, RESULTS Objects. — If we look at the textual testimony, as it stands in the New Testament and also that of the early Christian writers, we find that God, the Father, was exalted and worshipped and Jesus Christ, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. The baptismal formulas were in the names of the three in one. Christ was the Lord and Saviour who had come from the Father, who had appeared on the earth in bodily form and was, after His ascension, still with the disciples comforting, leading and blessing not only them but all who had faith in Him and called upon His name. The centrality of the worship in Christ is very plainly stated by Paul, ''That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father" (Philip- pians 2:11, 5-1 1 ; Colossians i : 13-21). The testimony to this exaltation and worship of Jesus Christ is found in man passages — only a few of which are given here — in the books of the New Testament. These passages may be grouped under five heads : (a). Preexistence of Christ. — With God, the Father, before the world was (John i:i; 6:62;8:58; 17:5; 2 Corinthians 8:9). He came down from heaven (John 3* ^3j 13- 3^6- 28; I Corinthians 15 : 47 ; John 1:3; Colossians i : 15-18). (^). Divine Tittles Given Christ — The Word was God 90 Studies in Early Church History (John I : i). "My Lord and my God" (John 20: 28). ** Who is over all God blessed forever " (Romans 9 : 5). " God was manifest in the flesh " (i Timothy 3:16). '' But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever" (Hebrews i : 8). "This is the true God" (i John 5 : 20). {c). Divine Attributes Ascribed to Christ. — Etern- ity (John 1:2). Unchangeableness (Hebrews i : 11). "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13: 8). Everywhere present (John 3 : 13; Mat- thew 18:20). "I am with you alway even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28: 20). All knowing, "All things are delivered unto Me by My Father ' ' (Matthew 11: 27; John 2: 23-25). All powerful, "Upholding all things by the word of His power " (Hebrews 1:3). I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord which is and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8). (d). Divine Works Wrought by Christ — "All things were made by Him " (John i : 3-10). "For by Him were all things created " (Colossians i : 16, 17). Upholding all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). Judg- ment, " Before Him shall be gathered all nations " (Matthew (e). Supreme Worship to be Paid to Christ (Matthew 28 : 19). — All men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father (John 5 : 23 ; John 14 : i ; Acts 7 : 59, 60; I Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13 : 14; Revelation i : 5, 6). Results The exaltation of Christ exalted the lives of the worshippers ; they died to the old lives of sin and strove to be renewed in the purity and holiness of the life of the Master whom they served and revered. The good results of the new worship were so plain and manifest that they were a marvel to many heathen writers. To those most zealous in the performance of their duties of worship came the largest results. The Church in Worship gi QUESTIONS Give a definition of early Christian worship. What were the three essentials of participation in it ? What were its privileges ? What was its function ? What can be said of its universality ? Give an account of the places and times. What can be said of the form of pubhc worship ? Orderliness ? Openness ? Sim- phcity ? Arrangement of the pubhc service — the four essential elements ? What can be said of the form of private worship ? What can be said of gifts ? What can be said of the ordinances? What can be said of the objects and results of service ? Study VII THE CHURCH IN THE BOOKS THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS The First Written Documents used by the Church were the books of the Old Testament. These constituted the Bible of our Lord. The gospel of Christ was preached and the church was organized before the writings, which are now collected in our New Testament, came into existence. An Appeal for the Truth of the new Christian doc- trine was made to the Old Testament books. Jesus Christ declared that *' this scripture " was fulfilled in Him (Luke 4 : 16-22). He said, after His resurrection, *' These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms concerning Me " (Luke 24: 44). Peter in his speech on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2 : 16-47), Stephen in his address to the Council (Acts 7 : 1-60), and Paul in his defense before the Jews in the Tem- ple (Acts 22 : 1-14) and also before Felix (Acts 24 : 10-21) and Festus and Agrippa (Acts 26: 1-32), show the esteem and reverence they have for the authority and inspiration of the Old Testament. When the New Testament books came finally to be writ- ten we find their authors constantly referring, in about six hundred references and quotations, to the ancient sacred books of the Jews. The early Christians delighted to read in the Prophets, where they found prophecies and foreshadowings of Christ, His sufferings and His victory. 92 The Church in the Books 93 THE TRANSITION PERIOD There is such dependence, now, upon the records of the New Testament for a knowledge of the historical Christ and the organization of the primitive churches that it is hard to reahze that for a number of years, after His resurrection there was no written history, so far as we know, of these great matters. This transition period, from the use of the Old Testament to the New Testament — the use of both — and the change from oral to written testimony, is one of great interest. <' We are so accustomed to reading, writing and printing that it is difficult to make real to ourselves a state of things in which the oral was the usual way of gaining influence for personality or currency of ideas. No less than three of the schools of Hellenic philosophy got their very names for places where oral instruction was conducted. The like would have been still more true in Palestine or again of the stratum of Gentile society which Paul's mission mostly reached." The Eye-witnesses or those who saw Christ. The gospel story, and its significance, was first told by men who had personal knowledge of the events which they related. The testimony of competent eye-witnesses cannot be im- peached and is superior to any other. Peter and John (Acts 3-5 ch) and the other disciples had no use for written testimony to attest the truth of their message; they were well qualified witnesses to a certain set of facts of which the hearers, whom they addressed, had more or less knowledge. Ear-^A^itnesses. — There were multitudes, dwellers in Jerusalem and Palestine, who heard those who had seen the Christ and, having ample opportunity to verify the facts, be- lieved in Him. Many visitors in Jerusalem who lived in distant cities also heard the words of those who had seen the wonderful things which they related and carried away the truth with them to tell the story to others (Acts 2 : 5-1 1, 41 ; 4: 4; 8: i). This oral testimony was greatly preferred and was lisiened 94 Studies in Early Church History to with more eagerness than any reading from the New Testa- ment records even after they came into existence. Papias— a disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of John the Apostle — expressed the general sentiment — in the first half of the second century — when he wrote, ** If then any one came who had been a follower of the elders I would question him about the words of the elders what, by their report Andrew or what Peter had said, or what had been said by Philip or by Thomas, or by James, or by John or by Matthew or by any other of the disciples of the Lord . . . for I did not think I could get so much profit from the contents of books as from the utterances of a living and abiding voice. ' ' In this period the gospel was preached in Jerusalem, throughout Palestine and carried into the cities of Asia Minor and to Rome itself. THE NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS The Book Witnesses. — When the churches began to be numerous and Christianity to take wider and wider ranges the necessity for a permanent record of those things be- lieved in and taught about the Christ became very apparent. The first witnesses could not go everywhere ; they were also departing out of this world. There was reason also why the Word should be guarded from error and transmitted in its purity to later generations. Irenaeus of Lyons, born in Smyrna — also a disciple of Polycarp who was a disciple of John the Apostle — writes, *' Matthew then published his gospel among the Hebrews in their own language. . . . Mark the disciple and interpreter of Peter also transmitted to us in writing those things which Peter had prepared ; and Luke the attendant of Paul recorded in a book the gospel which Paul had declared. Afterwards John, the disciple of the Lord, published his gospel while staying at Ephesus in Asia." The Contents of the New Testament. — There are The Church in the Books 95 twenty-seven books ; five historical ; twenty-one epistles ; one Apocalypse. " They consist of records of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a historical account of the early churches and of the missionary work of some of their leaders ; a number of letters to churches and individual persons, treat- ing of the profoundest questions of religious truth, but also devoting much attention to practical duties and Christian administration, and abounding in expressions of affectionate interest ; and lastly standing quite by itself, the Apocalypse, with its mysteries of strange symbolism." Time of Writing. — These books were not all written at the same time and it was many years before they were gathered in one volume as we now have them. The actual time of writing extended over a period from about 50-100 A. D. with probably a majority of the books written between 50 and 70 A. D., within the comparatively short period of about thirty-five years after the death of Christ. Order of the Books. — They are not placed — in our New Testament — in the order of their composition. A number of epistles were written before the gospels and one of the gospels, John's, was not written until near the close of the first century. The order in the New Testament is that of histor- ical happening and importance. The Five Historical Books. — ^Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts. They were written between 60 and 70 a. d. with the exception of John which was written near the close of the first century. The four gospels rightly take the first place in our New Testament. *' They narrate events that precede the epistles; and in those events they give the key to all that follows show- ing the root and the foundation of the new Christian life, the development of which is illustrated in the epistles. The supreme glory of the gospels comes from their subject. Never before had writers such a theme. ' * While Paul's epistles may take precedence in time and in being read in the churches, it is quite certain that Matthew, Mark and Luke were re- garded as the first authoritative writings and constituted 96 Studies in Early Church History the first New Testament, with John's gospel placed next to them when it was written. The first three gospels are known as the Synoptic Gospels. There is in them a remarkable amount of similarity in sub- stance, general arrangement and order of their narratives. Yet each one has a distinct purpose in view. Matthew is seeking to impress the fact upon his hearers that Jesus is the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament ; about sixty-five passages are quoted from the Jewish Scriptures to prove that Jesus is the fulfillment of law, the prophecy and hope of Israel. Mark has evidently in mind the Romans. No genealogy is given as none was needed. The idea is divine power ministering to men and at the same time attesting Christ's claim as the Son of God and Lord of the world. There is an energetic brevity and rapidity of movement. Luke had in mind the Greeks. The genealogy of Christ is traced to Adam, to connect Him with the whole race and make Him the Saviour of both Jew and Gentile. The world-wide character of Christianity is vividly portrayed. Christ is the divine Saviour of all men. There are many problems in regard to these gospels of which lack of space here forbids the discussion. Scholars to-day are at work upon the questions as to the relation of the Hebrew gospel by Matthew, mentioned by Papias, and the Matthew Greek gospel, the relation of Matthew and Luke to Mark and their differences and resemblances. The question be- hind all, however, is the truthfulness in the reporting of the facts by the Synoptic Gospels. In regard to this there is a general agreement amongst scholars, ■' that the subject matter of these gospels is marked by traits which show that the information proceeds direct from those who have lived amid the surroundings described. The characteristics of Jewish life and thought in Palestine in the first half of the first century of our era are reflected in the narrative with a truth which could not have been otherwise imparted. . , . Placed as the evangelists were when they wrote, they could not have accurately reproduced the features of an age which The Church in the Books 97 had passed away, as they are found to have done, except from immediate knowledge of their own, the reports of those who possessed it, or the use of documents based on it." Archaeological investigations and searching inquiries into the political, social and religious circumstances of the times are showing in a clear light the truthfulness of these gospels to the facts. John's gospel, written some time after the first three in the gospel story ''told from a point of view acquired through long reflection and experience and through sharing in the ever widening work and conflicts of the Church." The purpose is clearly stated in John 20: 30, 31, "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book, but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that believing ye might have life through His name." The great subject of this book is a Divine Being who became flesh and dwelt amongst men. Jesus is the Messiah from the first. " In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God " (John I : i). Another portion of the ministry is described from that in the Synoptic Gospels but the fundamental teaching is the same. Here again scholars, in endeavouring to account for differences and resemblances from the other gospels, raise certain problems which have not yet been made clear but the historical probability in regard to the facts rests upon a sure foundation. John the Apostle, to whose authorship this gospel is ascribed, ''had the im- mediate knowledge of the facts and a wide and large con- ception of their significance." The Acts is the fifth historical book and properly has its place next to the gospels in the New Testament. The author is Luke a companion of Paul and there is here told in a very graphic way how, beginning at Jerusalem, the gospel found its way into the cities of Palestine, Syria, Asia Minor, Greece and finally came to Rome itself. The Twenty-one Epistles. — The thirteen letters of 98 Studies in Early Church History Paul take first place and the chief of them have never been disputed as his productions. They were called forth by the necessity he found in his wide field to communicate with the churches which he had organized. They were written between the years 50-67 a. d. Paul's Epistles naturally divide themselves into four groups. I. First and Second Thessalonians. They illus- trate the Apostle's earlier missionary instruction to his converts — hence the name, ** Missionary Epistles." They treat of but one doctrinal subject — the Second Coming of Christo Emphasis is laid, however, upon the divinity of Christ who is referred to as, ''The Lord" "Our Lord" about twenty-five times. 2. Galatians, First and Second Corinthians, Romans. We here find that Christianity is being defined and differentiated from Judaism and Heathen- ism. It is a period of conflict. The great question dis- cussed is "on what terms does God save men?" Paul maintains that the sole basis of salvation is the grace of God through Jesus Christ to be appropriated by faith on the part of man. 3. Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, Philippians, The great question discussed here is, "What is the nature, the rank, the dignity of the Mediator of salvation ? " "Is He one of a series of Saviours or does He stand supreme and solitary ? " Other matters are discussed but this is the great question. The reason for raising the question was the development of certain false religious beliefs. Paul is in no doubt as to the supremacy of Christ. He is the supreme divine Saviour (Colossians i: 15-20; Ephesians i: 10, 20-23; Philippians 2: 5-1 1). This question has the strong attention of men to-day. 4. First Timothy, Titus, Second Timothy. It is generally agreed among scholars that no place can be found for the writing of these epistles in the period covered by Luke in his narrative in the Acts. Many eminent scholars hold, however, agreeing with the tradition of the church, that Paul was released from his first im- prisonment and that it was in the interval between that and his second imprisonment and death that he wrote these The Church in the Books 99 letters. Eusebius says (H. E. 2 : 22-2) that Paul accord- ing to tradition went forth upon a missionary tour after his release from his first imprisonment and that he ended his life by martyrdom under Nero. He also speaks of his writing in this second imprisonment the Second Epistle to Timothy. The Epistle to the Hebrews has a place by itself. It was ascribed to Paul very early but by many scholars its author- ship is considered to be by some very able evangelical un- known author. It upholds the supremacy of Christ over prophets, angels, Moses and the old covenant. The seven other epistles, John three, Peter two, James one, Jude one, are called '' Catholic " in the sense of being circular letters and are intended for more than one church. They represent different modes of apprehending our Lord and His work and of building up the Christian faith. Some of these were the last books to be received into the canon and in the case of Second Peter there has been a searching ex- amination of its credentials in regard to its coming from Peter. The Apocalypse. — The main theme of this book is the triumph of Christ, pictorially set forth as the glorious con- summation of great struggles and marvellous events. Its unity has recently been assailed but the attempts to disin- tegrate it have not met with general acceptance. It was written by John the apostle, in the first century in the midst of great persecution; it was of great encouragement and comfort to the early Christians. THE USE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS In the Churches. — The New Testament writings began to be extensively used, as soon as they were available, in the churches. Paul requests that his letters be read to the con- gregations (i Thessalonians 5: 27; Colossians 4 : 16) to which they were sent and that they be exchanged for letters written to other churches which be likewise publicly read. loo Studies in Early Church History The gospels also were used in written form, taking rank in value above all the other writings. The manuscripts were widely scattered over the Roman empire and preserved in the church treasure book chests. As one manuscript, of a gospel or epistle, could not serve all the churches there speedily came a demand for copies which was supplied by the scribes, who made the transcrib- ing of manuscripts their business. Great care was exercised in this work of copying and it is quite evident from the manuscripts we now have, and from notices in early Chris- tian writings, that, from an early date, there was little or no deviation from certain well known forms. There were many other Christian writings in those early times which sought for the same canonical standing, but there was a very care- ful sifting process exercised which excluded them from the list of the new sacred books. In collecting the manuscripts, and copies of them, each church sought for those which represented most closely the facts about Christ and the apostolic teachings. We have to-day in our New Testament these books. By Early Christian Writers. — Writings which are of great weight and importance soon begin to impress them- selves upon contemporary literature. The New Testament is no exception to this rule. We find many writers, of the first three centuries, referring to the facts and doctrines set forth in it, and making quotations from and translations of its books. It is by means of these mentions of early writers that we have independent testimony of the way in which they were looked upon and are able to see how far back their existence can be traced, the use that was made of them and the truthfulness of the manuscripts which we now possess. Only a few of the writers — who bear independent testi- mony to the authenticity of the New Testament books — can be mentioned here and that in the briefest way. I. Some writers of the Sub- Apostolic Age or "the generation immediately following that of the Apostles." The Church in the Books loi Clement of Rome was born about 30 and died about 95 A. D. He was pastor of the church in Rome and is sup- posed to be the Clement mentioned by Paul in Philippians (4 : 3). His life period was passed in this most important age of the Christian church. His pastorate in Rome was contemporaneous with that of John the Apostle in Ephesus. Amongst his writings there is extant an Epistle to the Co- rinthians — which can be bought in an English translation. "It is saturated with the language of the New Testament. It contains the words of Peter, James, John and Luke. It has passages based upon Paul's Epistles to the Romans, Corinthians, Thessalonians, Ephesians, Timothy, Titus, of James, of Peter, to the Hebrews and the Acts of the Apostles. ' ' Ignatius, pastor or bishop of the church in Antioch as early as about 69 a. d. He watched over his flock during the persecutions of Domitian, but sent to Rome under Trajan, he was there condemned to be thrown to the wild beasts in the Roman amphitheatre. The date of his death is 107 a, d. or a little later. He wrote a number of epistles. They are addressed to the Romans, to Polycarp and to some of the Asiatic churches. "There are in these epistles several allusions to the life of Christ which are recorded in our gospels as well as parallelisms of expressions with them." "In one Epistle (Philad. V) his language suggests the idea that he is thinking of the gospel as embodied in a written form ; for he speaks of it as something to which Christians could, as it were, turn, and refers in the same context to the Prophets." In another epistle (Smyrn. Ill) he asserts the verity of Christ's corporeal nature after His resurrection, seemingly quoting from Luke 24 : 36-39 where the words are similar in substance and in form. Polycarp was pastor or bishop of Smyrna. He was bom soon after the middle of the first century and was martyred about the year 156 a. d. When he was urged to give up Christ by the Roman judge, who finally condemned him to be burned to death, he said, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any wrong : how can I 102 Studies in Early Church History blaspheme my King and my Saviour?" Poly carp was a disciple of John the Apostle, who was bishop of Ephesus. He wrote a number of epistles which have all disappeared from sight, but one. This one is now printed in an English translation. In it '