1. Exploring the Church

2. QUESTIONS

3. Exploring the Church QUESTIONS MAKE A PREDICTION: HOW DOES MOVING THE FOCUS OF MINISTRY OUT OF JERUSALEM AFFECT THE CHURCH?

6. Exploring the Church What caused the church to move out from Jerusalem as a center of ministry? 1) Jesus’ commission/command (internal cause) “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations...” (Matthew 28:19) “But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) 2) Ministry to believers outside of Jerusalem (internal cause #2) - (Acts 9:32-42ff.) 3) Persecution by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem circ. 35 AD(external cause) “A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria.” (Acts 8:1) 4) The Fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD (external cause #2)

7. Exploring the Church Two important developments A. The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus - (Acts 9) -starts to go by his Roman name, Paul -in a short time begins to teach/preach about Jesus B. God approving ministry to the Gentiles (non-Jewish peoples) – (Acts 10) Ways the Gospel Spread (throughout church history!) A. Merchants, soldiers, migrants – purposely or inadvertently spread the story of the gospel wherever they travelled, the “seeds” of growth B. Missionary endeavor – often approached the Jews first (preaching/teaching in synagogues) then other public forums (Acts 13), Paul established himself in a location and taught over the course of a few years (Acts 14ff.) C. Ministries often established first in cities and then to surrounding area

12. Exploring the Church Breakdown of the New Testament Matthew (or “The Gospel [of Jesus Christ] According to Matthew”) – gospel (account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, called the Christ; written especially with the Jews in mind Mark – gospel; based on the preaching/memoirs of Simon Peter (or just Peter), written down by John Mark (Acts 12, 1 Peter 5:13) Luke – gospel; first half of a history of the Christian faith; longest, most detailed John – gospel; written especially with 2 nd gen. Christians in mind (those who were not alive during Christ’s earthly ministry Acts – history; second half of a history of the Christian faith; details Pentecost, the activity, and major movements/ “players” in the church

13. Exploring the Church Breakdown of the New Testament cont. Romans (or “The Letter of Paul to the Church in Rome”) 1 & 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 Timothy Titus Philemon All letters (epistles) written by Paul - according to Tradition - arranged by type of letter (to churches, to individuals) -arranged by size/length

14. Exploring the Church Breakdown of the New Testament cont. Hebrews – letter specifically to Jewish Christians, author unknown, specific destination unknown James – letter specifically to Jewish Christians (perhaps those scattered by the first periods of persecution), written by James the Just/Less (?) who was the leader of the Jerusalem church after Peter left 1 & 2 Peter – letters written by Simon Peter to the church in Asia Minor (Turkey) 1, 2, & 3 John – letters written by the apostle John to the church in Asia Minor Jude – letter written by Jude, brother of James the Just; specific destination unknown Revelation (or “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”) – part letter, part prophecy, part apocalyptic literature (revealing part of God’s secret purposes); written by the apostle John in part to the church in Asia Minor (specifically the 7 churches mentioned in the first few chapters)

15. Exploring the Church Key to Places and People Jerusalem (Israel) Rome (Italy) – Romans – Peter & Paul both martyred here Corinth (Greece) – Corinthians Ephesus (Turkey) – Ephesians – seaport, major center of commerce & religion Philippi (Greece) – Philippians – first major European church center Colossae (Turkey) – Colossians Galatia (Turkey) – Galatians – region in Asia Minor Thessalonica (Greece) – Thessalonians Antioch (Syria) – where believers were first referred to as “Christians” (“little Christs”) – “second home” of Christianity (after Jerusalem), third largest city in the Roman Empire in the 1 st century

16. Exploring the Church Dates to Remember Dec. 8 th /10 th – No Study Group Dec. 15 th – Review (Fun & Games!) Dec. 22 nd /24 th – No Study Group Dec. 29 th /31 st – No Study Group

17. Exploring the Church The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, Your name is holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory belong to you forever and ever. Amen.