1. The First 65 Years of Church History Matthew--Revelation
Foretold and Established
Growth and Strengthening
Warnings and Problems

2. First 65 Years of Church History Foretold and Established
The Kingdom was Prophesied—
Daniel 2:44; Matthew 3:1,2; Mark 9:1
Jesus promised to build His church (kingdom)—
Matthew 16:18,19
Established in Acts 2—
Acts 1:8;2:1-47

3. First 65 Years of Church History Growth and Strengthening
Gospel was preached throughout the world—
Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 3-28; Colossians 1:5,23
Church organized and strengthened—
Acts 14:21-23; 18:23
Epistles written—
Romans—Revelation

4. First 65 Years of Church History Warnings and Problems
Departures from the Faith Were Predicted—
Acts 20: “draw away disciples”
2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 “Falling away”
1 Timothy 4:1-3 “depart from the faith”
2 Timothy 4:1-4 “turn away their ears from the truth and be turned to fables”

5. First 65 Years of Church History Warnings and Problems
Problems dealt with by Paul—
Corinth – “divisions, carnality, immorality, eating meats offered to idols, abusing Lord’s Supper, misuse of spiritual gifts, denied resurrection”
Galatia -“turning away from gospel, Judaizing teachers”
Colossae “Philosophies of men, legalism”

6. First 65 Years of Church History Warnings and Problems
John saw many changes during his lifetime—
1 John written to expose the errors of Gnosticism –
2 John 7 warns of many deceivers having gone out into the world -
3 John 9 warned of Diotrephes who abused his authority in the church.

7. First 65 Years of Church History Warnings and Problems
John saw many changes during his lifetime—
Ephesus left first love– Revelation 2:4
Pergamos tolerated error Revelation 2:14,15
Thyatira allowed false teaching—Revelation 2:20
Sardis was dead—Revelation 3:1
Laodicea was lukewarm— Revelation 3:15,16

8. First 65 Years of Church History Solution to All Problems
Return to the Original Pattern—
Back to Jesus Christ – Corinthians 1:1-9; 1 John 1:1-2; Colossians 2:9
Back to His Apostles – Galatians 1:6-9; 1 John 1:3,4; 4:1,6
Back to the Old Commands – I John 2:7; 5:3; cf Jeremiah 6:16

9. First 65 Years of Church History Solution to All Problems
This the Restoration Concept—
Revelation 2:5

10. First 65 Years of Church History Why God Back to the Beginning?
The only church with the stamp of divine approval
The only form of “Christianity” that is defensible
The Beginning period was the most successful period in the history of the church

15. The Rise of Denominationalism
Lutheran 1530
England 1534
Church of
Episcopal 1609
1739 Methodist
Holiness
1608 Congregational
Presbyterian 1536
United Brethren
1609
1611 Baptists
1521 Anabaptists
1537 Dissenters
Catholicism
England 1534
Church of
Episcopal 1609
1739 Methodist
Holiness
1608 Congregational
Presbyterian 1536
United Brethren
1609
1611 Baptists
1521 Anabaptists
1537 Dissenters

17. Restoration Period