Our Brethren of the First Century

(Draft of a sermon given in Waco, 10/16/10.)

In several ways I believe our congregation has very much in common with those earliest congregations from the first century. We’re small. We’re independent. Considerable faith is evident.

Let’s take a look back at that period of time, a time when Rome ruled the world. In this world there were Jews and there were gentiles. And in general gentile meant pagan. So, there were two religions, Judaism and the various shades of paganism. There were two cultures, Judaism and Hellenism.

Consider this city of Waco as a typical Roman Empire city. Visualize all the many churches we see here as pagan shrines or temples, and this room, maybe, as the one and only Jewish synagogue. Churches would be fewer and smaller, probably in homes.

Let’s begin at the very beginning of the church.

Acts 2:1-11
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. (All emphases in scriptures are my doing.)
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
KJV

Because Peter and the other apostles became able to speak in other languages and the listeners were all hearing in their own languages, I think we can safely assume that the great majority of these Jews from other lands “dwelling at Jerusalem” were just temporary, there for the feast, and not that fluent in Hebrew, or even Greek. There were Jews, or converts to Judaism, in almost every part of the empire.

Peter preaches a very moving sermon, but one which we’re pretty familiar with—so, let’s skip down to verse 41.

Acts 2:41-47
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
KJV

People didn’t want to leave. Jerusalem was where all the believers were. It was where the apostles were, the only place, now, to hear and learn of Christ.

So, they stayed. And in their desire to stay together, they had a go at communal living. And, even for people with the Holy Spirit, this produced some problems.

Acts 6:1-7
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
KJV

Strong’s definition of “Grecian” is a Greek speaking Jew. Because of what we read in chapter 2, a better one would probably be a Jew that lived in a gentile nation. By contrast, here, the word “Hebrews” refers to native Jews, those from Judea or Galilee.

So, people sold “possessions and goods” to support the community. As there was no Eastern Union in that day where a Grecian could wire his broker to sell a piece of property in, say, Crete, most of the possessions sold were no doubt sold by Hebrews, a situation which may have led to the problem we have here.

The apostles had weightier matters to deal with, so the Grecians were told to pick out seven good men; they picked seven; and the apostles appointed them “over this business.” A problem is (at least temporarily) averted. Not surprisingly, all seven had Greek names. One, Nicolas of Antioch, the proselyte mentioned in verse 5, was not a Jew racially, but was a gentile who had converted to Judaism.

Thus, the church grew greatly in Jerusalem, and included, as the text says, many priests. The High Priest was always a Sadducee as were a great number of the other priests who served at the temple, and, thus, had a stake in the status quo. As Sadducees had no belief in a afterlife, it is likely all these believing priests were Pharisees. While most priests were Sadducees, a number were Pharisees. It could well be that the great majority of the converted Jews were Pharisees. Not only were they the largest of the maybe thirty recognized Jewish sects and already believed in a resurrection, they were the proselytizing sect. But, as we’ll see later, they brought along some problems of their own.

Not long after this Stephen was martyred, Herod had James, John’s brother, killed, and persecution drove most of the believers, except for the apostles, out of Jerusalem. Personally I think God influenced their decision to scatter now as well as their decision to stay earlier.

Wherever they went, though, they carried their message. They were known as the Minim, Hebrew for “the Way,” or Nazarenes for their belief in the prophet from Nazareth. They were first called “Christians” in Antioch, the text tells us.

For roughly ten years it was an all-Jewish church. It wasn’t considered a separate entity but merely another sect of Judaism. Then things changed.

Acts 10:1-9
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

This is a professional soldier, a Roman officer, commander of 100 men. This would make him the equivalent probably of a captain in today’s U.S. Army or Marine Corps.

As well, he’s a Godfearer. I meant to bring the Wikipedia article and read it, but since it was full of things like “Pauline theology” and modern Hebrew terms for customs that may or may not have been practiced in the first century, I passed on that. In short, though, Godfearers were non-Jews who accepted the God of Israel as the true God, forsook paganism and its idolatry, kept certain laws that were generally referred to as the Noachide laws. They stopped short of becoming true Jewish proselytes, though. God- fearers were welcome at synagogue.

Josephus mentions them in his work, Antiquities of the Jews , and in another place too I believe. In the Old Testament there are references to “strangers that sojourn among you;” these are likely very similar to the New Testament Godfearers. As well, there is another word, stemming from the same root as "Grecians", that the KJV translates as "Greeks". Context generally shows these to be devout persons, and I believe these, devout non-Jews, to be the same people as those called Godfearers.

Continuing.

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually
8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
KJV

While on the housetop Peter has his well-known vision of the unclean animals being lowered for his dining pleasure. Let’s skip on down to verse 19.

Acts 10:19-48 (19-30, 40-48)
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
(Here’s the meaning of the vision.)

29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

Cornelius relates to Peter what the angel said, and Peter preaches him the gospel. Drop down to verse 40. Peter is speaking.

40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(Here “circumcision” is an obvious idiom meaning the Jews there, Peter and those with him.)

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
KJV

And apparently Peter and the men with him indeed tarried some days with Cornelius and his household. Let’s continue into chapter 11.

Acts 11:1-4
1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him (that idiom again),
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised (the other half of that idiom, non-Jews), and didst eat with them.
4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning…
KJV

So, Peter goes back over the whole matter again. Drop down to verse 11.

Acts 11:11-18
11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
12 And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
KJV

Now we have one non-Jewish household in the church. Cornelius, a Godfearer, was the first Others soon follow.

Turn to Acts chapter 13.

Acts 13:1-3
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
KJV

This was the beginning of what’s called “Paul’s first missionary journey.” They come to Antioch of Pisidia. Begin now with verse 14.

Acts 13:14-48
14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. (So, he’s addressing both Jews and Godfearers here.)
17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
30 But God raised him from the dead:
31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
KJV

After ten years as an all-Jewish church, considered only as another sect of Judaism, Gentiles are being accepted. Jews did not have to give up their Judaism to be accepted into the group of believers. Gentiles, though, had to renounce their paganism. So far all had, like Cornelius, already done so.

That Jews were not expected to give up their Judaism, consider these scriptures as Paul made his list visit to Jerusalem:

Acts 21:17-20
17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
KJV

So, the big question of the mid-first century was not whether Jews needed to give up some of their Jewishness to become followers of the messiah, but, instead, whether or not gentiles must become Jews to be his followers. In this context one can more easily understand the motivation of those men in Acts 15:1. They were wrong, of course, but the Jerusalem conference was needed to clarify the situation.

Whenever I read in Acts I feel a strong kinship toward these first Christians. They’re dead and we’re alive. But they are a part of us—and we’re a part of them as well.

In closing, turn to Romans 1. Here we have a church made up made up of both Gentiles and Jews, a church in the very heart of a pagan empire, a church with real problems. There seemed to be more misunderstanding than understanding of doctrines such as law and grace and faith and works. And in the letter Paul is stern with them.

Let’s look at part of Paul’s greeting to these, our first century brethren, verse 7.

Rom 1:7
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints...
KJV

So, Beloved of God, are there any comments or questions?