A Short Survey of Church History

Watterson Trail CHURCH of CHRIST

Sunday Morning Sermon
Sunday, September 23, 2012

 Paul N. Merideth

     In this lesson the historical scope of study is divided into 5 categories spanning about 2,000 years. With such a long span of history being considered in such a small class time it is therefore only possible to highlight some of the major events in Christian history. My prayer is that our love for the Lord and His church will grow as a result of this brief study.

The New Testament Church [33AD - 100AD]

• The Church in Prophecy as the Messianic Kingdom of God

      (Isaiah 2; Daniel 2:31-45; Joel 2)

• The Establishment of the NT Church on the Day of Pentecost

      (Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:3-8; Acts 2)

• The Growth of the Church and Its Early Persecution

      (Acts 8:1-4; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Revelation 17:14)

The Ante-Nicene Era [100AD - 325AD]

• Dramatic Government Persecution of Christianity
• Constantine Legalizes Christianity with the Edict of Milan in 313AD
• While Good that Christians are No Longer Executed for their Faith there are also Negative Repercussions which come from Christianity Being Made the State Religion
• The Council of Nicea Convenes in 325AD to Address the Doctrine of The Deity of Christ

The Dark Ages [325AD - 1517AD]

• Gradual Politicization of Organized Religion, Development of Hierarchical Church Government Systems, and the Forming of Monasticism and the Papacy
• The Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches Dominate the Religious Landscape as Major Religio-Political Forces
• Gross Immorality, Greed, and Power Struggles Characterize Religious Institutions and Human Traditions Become Regarded as Orthodoxy
• The Crusades Begun by Urban II of the Roman Catholic Church in 1095AD to Force Conversion to Christianity Reach Their Zenith with the Sack of Constantinople in 1204AD
• Johannes Gutenberg Invents the Printing Press In About 1440AD Which Makes The Bible Accessible to The Masses For the First Time

The Reformation Movement [1517AD - 1800AD]

• In 1517AD Martin Luther Nails His 95 Theses to the Door of the Roman Catholic Church in Wittenberg, Germany Initiating the Protestant Reformation
• Religious Corruption Reaches a Breaking Point and Courageous Leaders Arise to Induce Spiritual Awakening and Reform
• The Rise of the Protestant Church and Denominationalism

The Restoration Movement [1800AD - The Return of Christ]

• Christianity in the New World Brings Spiritual Great Awakenings
• The Jeffersonian Spirit of America Affects People’s Attitudes About Religion
• The Denominational Dilemma Prompts a Breaking Free From Dogma And A Recovery of NT Pattern
• Understand the Difference Between the Restoration Movement and the Restoration Principle

Some Key Lessons for Christians Today:

• “The NT Church” Lesson: A major theme of the NT is being the church of Christ in an anti-Christ environment
• “The Ante-Nicene Era” Lesson: This historical study should bolster our appreciation for the church and motivate us to carry on the legacy of faith (Hebrews 12:1)
• “The Dark Ages” Lesson: History serves as a warning to be on guard against religious error and diligently maintain doctrinal fidelity
• “The Reformation Lesson” Lesson: It takes courage, conviction, and unrelenting resolve to stand up for the truth of God
• “The Restoration Movement” Lesson: Trust in the Bible as our sure guide and only source for spiritual authority in matters of faith and practice

For Further Reading:

Cox, John D. Church History. Murfreesboro, TN: Dehoff Publications, 1951.

Fergusson, Everett. Church History. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan   Publishers, 2005.

Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity. Vols. 1 & 2. San Francisco, CA:   HarperCollins Publishers, 1984.

Humble, Bill. The Story of the Restoration. Indianapolis, IN: Faith and Facts Press,   1969.