From the Ascension of Christ A. D. 30, to the Appointment of the Seven A. D. 35.

We now enter upon the second great subject in New Testament history, the Early Church. This will include the annals of the church from the Ascension of Christ, A. D. 30, to the end of the apostolic age, A. D. 100. This epoch of seventy years is divided into four periods:

1. The church in Judea, from the Ascension of Christ, A. D. 30, to the Appointment of the Seven, A. D. 35.

2. The church in Transition, from the Appointment of the Seven, A. D. 35, to the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50.

3. The church among the Gentiles, from the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50, to the death of St. Paul, A. D. 68.

4. The End of the Age, from the death of St. Paul to the death of St. John, about A. D. 100. It should be noted that all of these dates are uncertain and historians are not agreed with reference to them.

Of these four periods we take up the first, the church in Judea, or "The church of the First Days;" a space of about five years. During this time the work of the church was confined wholly to the Jewish people, and apparently to the immediate region of Jerusalem.

I. We notice the Events of this Period.

1. The followers of Christ immediately after the Ascension; a company of people believing in Jesus as the Messiah of Israel.

2. The Outpouring of the Spirit came upon this company on the day of Pentecost, ten days after the Ascension, fifty days after the Crucifixion. The spirit descended upon them all in the form of "tongues of fire."

1.) Physical effect. This was "the gift of tongues," a mysterious influence (Acts 2. 2, 3). This was not a power to speak foreign languages at will; but probably a strange divine speech, sounding to everyone who heard it as though it were the language of his own people (Acts 2. 8).

2.) Mental effect. There came to these disciples a revelation, once and for all, of Christ's kingdom, not as a political state, but as a spiritual institution; a society of believers of which Jesus in glory is the invisible yet real head.

3.) Spiritual effect. This was the personal presence of the Holy Spirit with each member; an indwelling life given not merely to the apostles, but to each and every disciple; a divine enthusiasm, giving guidance, enlightenment, power. Nor was that divine life limited to that company. It has dwelt ever since in the church of Christ, and in each member of the church, (1 Cor. 3. 16; 6. 19).

3. The Testimony of the Gospel. 1.) The first effect of this new endowment of the Holy Spirit was a strong testimony to the gospel of Christ; a proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah King; and this testimony was the conquering weapon of the church. 2.) This testimony was given by all the members. It is a mistake to suppose that the church settled down in Jerusalem with Peter as its pastor and preacher. Peter was the leader, but not the ruler of the church. Find four addresses of Peter sketched in Acts 2-5; not "sermons" after the modern method, but ardent declarations of Jesus as the Messiah; and similar testimonies were given by all the members everywhere, in synagogues, in houses, publicly and privately.

4. The Apostolic Miracles. 1.) At the opening of the history of the church we read of a number of miracles. a) A lame man healed. (Acts 3. 1-10). b) A miracle of judgment (Acts 5. 1-10). c) More miracles of healing (Acts 5. 12-16). 2.) We can see the purpose of these miracles and how they were needed by the church in the day of its weakness. (a) They attracted attention to the gospel. (b) They gave authority to the apostles as teachers. (c) They were illustrations of the spiritual work of the gospel; i. e., healing of the lame man a type of salvation.

5. The Persecution of the Apostles. It was inevitable that the preaching of the apostles and the growing prominence of the church should arouse opposition from the men who a few months before had crucified Jesus. A persecution was begun, at first upon Peter and John, then upon all the apostles. It was not sharp, murderous, crushing out the church. The apostles were first threatened (Acts 4. 17), then imprisoned (Acts 5. 18), then scourged (Acts 5. 40). The persecution only attracted greater notice to the gospel, and led to increasing numbers of believers.

6. The Growth of the Church went on through all these experiences. Beginning with 120, on the day of Pentecost 3,000 were received by baptism (Acts 2. 41). There was a daily growth after (Acts 2. 47). Soon the number grew to 5,000, besides women and children (Acts 4. 4). Another increase is named in Acts 5. 14; also again in Acts 6. 7.

7. The last event in this period was the Appointment of the Seven. Read the account in Acts 6. 1-7. Notice for the first time in this history a reference to the two great classes of Jews. 1.) Hebrews, Jews whose ancestors had lived in Palestine, and who spoke the Hebrew tongue, though with Syriac admixture. 2.) Grecian Jews (frequently called Hellenists). Jews descended from exiles who had remained abroad in foreign lands, otherwise "Jews of the Dispersion." Everywhere except in Palestine these foreign Jews were far more numerous than the Hebrews, and they were also the richer and more intelligent. They spoke the Greek language.

Note also that the seven men named in this account are nowhere spoken of as "deacons." From Acts 21. 8 we learn that they were called "the seven." They were not an order in the church, but a committee appointed for a service.

II. Having studied the history we now look at the General Aspects of the Pentecostal Church.

1. Its locality: entirely in Judea, and apparently in and around Jerusalem. There is no mention during this early period of churches in Galilee, although most of the earliest members were Galileans (Acts 1. 11; 2. 7). Individual believers doubtless were to be found throughout the land, but outside of Jerusalem they were not yet gathered together in assemblies and not yet endowed with the Spirit.

2. Its membership was composed wholly of Jews. As yet not a single Gentile had been received, and apparently there was no thought of Gentile believers. Christianity began as a Jewish society. Three classes of Jews were embraced in its membership: 1.) Hebrews, or Palestinian Jews. 2.) Grecians or Hellenists, Jews of the Dispersion. 3.) Proselytes, or Gentiles who had embraced Judaism and received circumcision (Acts 6. 5).

3. The qualifications for membership were: 1.) Repentance, which meant not so much sorrow as decision for Christ. 2.) Faith in Jesus as Christ; i. e., submission to Jesus as the true King of Israel. 3.) Baptism in the name of Jesus the Christ as the outward form of consecration.

4. The spirit of the Pentecostal Church. 1.) In theory, and for the most part in fact, every member possessed the Holy Spirit, an abounding, directing spiritual life. Every member was conscious of the immediate presence of God, and lived in this fellowship. 2.) This inspired a Christian fellowship, the love of the brotherhood. 3.) As a result of this divine and human fellowship came liberal giving to each other's needs. There was a voluntary and limited "community of goods," the rich giving freely to aid the poor; which led to some insincere imitation. See the contrast of Barnabas and Ananias (Acts 4. 34-37; 5. 1-11).

5. Doctrines. The doctrinal aspects of Christianity at that early period were less prominent than its spirit. As yet there was no such theological system as arose later. Three great doctrines were held fervently: 1.) The resurrection of Jesus; that he had risen and was living. 2.) The Messiahship of Jesus; that he was the prince of the true spiritual kingdom of Israel. 3.) The return of Jesus as Christ; that he would soon come again to earth.

6. Worship and institutions. These were: 1.) The temple worship attended by the disciples of Christ as by all worshiping Jews (Acts 2. 46; 3. 1). 2.) The synagogue services, twice each week; held everywhere throughout the city; with Scripture reading, prayer and testimony. 3.) "The upper room" was for a time the headquarters of the church; but Solomon's porch in the temple soon took its place (Acts 5. 12). 4.) "Breaking bread," which was the Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper; at that time observed not in public assemblies but as a family ordinance, at home (Acts 2. 42, 46). 5.) The baptism of new members.

7. Government. Scarcely any government or discipline was needed in a church where the Spirit of God was recognized as dwelling in each member. The apostles were revered as leaders, but were not exactly rulers over the body of believers. "The Seven" (Acts 6. 3) were not officials or "deacons," but laymen charged with specific duties.

8. Literature. 1.) The Old Testament; familiar to all, read in the synagogue, was seen now in a new light and with new meaning. 2.) The teachings of Jesus, as yet unwritten, were in the memory of most of the members who had heard his words; and especially in the memory of the apostles; but no books of the New Testament were by this time in writing.

9. Leaders of the church. 1.) Throughout this period Peter stands at the front as the ruling spirit of the church, by his endowments of mind, and especially by his promptness in word and act. 2.) With him stands John (Acts 3. 1; 4. 19). 3.) Barnabas won notice by his liberality and gifts of preaching (Acts 4. 36, 37). His name means "the speaker" or "the preacher." 4.) At the end of the period Stephen comes into notice.