Attitude check: Luke 9:51-56 – Don’t be so trigger-happy! Have the attitude of Jesus, not of James and John. Our goal should be to help, inform, and encourage others.

Does the New Covenant authorize worship with instruments? (continued)

Does the Greek word psallo include instruments?

Psallo had previously been used in connection with instruments, but its meaning had changed by the time of the New Testament.

Ephesians 5:18-19 – If psallo does include instruments, that is part of the command and we all have to use instruments!

“They worshipped with instruments in the Old Testament.”

Yes, but we’re not under the Old Covenant.

Psalms 33:1-3; II Chronicles 29:25; Hebrews 7:18-19; 8:6-7

Acts 16:3; Galatians 2:3; 5:1-4 – It is wrong to do something as religious service that God did not authorize.

“Instruments are mentioned in Revelation 5:8; 14:2; 15:2 and 18:21-22.”

Literal? This is all figurative language.

Heaven is not the same as earth. Matthew 22:30

Didn’t Alexander Campbell start the church of Christ back in the 1800s?

Who was Alexander Campbell?

Alexander Campbell was a man born in the 1780s in Ireland who came to America in 1809. His father, Thomas Campbell, was a Presbyterian minister, but through independent Bible study Thomas began to see the error of human creeds and denominational confessions of faith. He began having clashes with his denominational peers and broke away.

Alexander Campbell followed in his father’s footsteps and encouraged people to use the Bible itself as a religious authority. Many people claim that Alexander Campbell founded the churches of Christ (see his Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Campbell_(clergyman)). Members of the church have been called “Campbellites.” Some say that just like Lutherans originated in Martin Luther, Methodists from John Wesley, etc., members of churches of Christ find their origins in the teachings of Alexander Campbell.

We can learn several things from Alexander Campbell and his contemporaries.

Philippians 3:17; I Corinthians 11:1 – It is good when we can look at others as examples in following Christ.

Thomas Campbell originally stated the motto, “Where the Bible speaks, we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent.” That is a good way to sum up some Biblical principles. Galatians 1:6-9; II Timothy 3:16-17; I Peter 4:11; II Peter 1:2-3; II John 1:9; Revelation 22:18-19

Like his father, Alexander Campbell tried to distance himself from reliance on human creeds and traditions. In his writings, he repeatedly called for people to simply stick to the New Testament.

In 1816, he preached a “Sermon on the Law” based on Galatians 4:21-31 that became well-known, and which changed his relationship with Baptist groups in the area who disagreed with his conclusions that the Old Law had passed away and that we’re under the New Covenant today.

Campbell declared in a public debate that “baptism was never designed for, nor commanded to be administered to, a member of the church.” In other words, we are “baptized into one body” (I Corinthians 12:13). We are not members of the body/church, then baptized.

While Alexander Campbell did some remarkable Bible study and teaching, he was not the founder of Christ’s church! In fact, we could list several beliefs in which he missed the mark.

Lesson eight:

John in scripture

Named among the twelve

In initial naming

In Jerusalem awaiting the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:13

Included whenever apostles grouped

The twelve

The apostles

In the gospel accounts and in Acts

Brother of James, son of Zebedee, fisherman – Matthew 4:21

Was he the “other” disciple in John 1:35-44?

No self-referral by name in his gospel account

Only “the disciple”

John 19:26-27

John 21:20-24

With Peter and James

Raising Jairus’ daughter – Mark 5:37

Transfiguration – Matthew 17:1-13

Gethsemane on night of betrayal – Matthew 26:36-46

Ready to destroy Samaritan village – Luke 9:51 ff

Tried to dissuade one from casting out demons in Jesus’ name – Mark 9:38-41

Sat closest to Jesus at Lord’s Supper – John 13:21-30

Mary given into His care – John 19:26-27

Among the first to see the empty tomb – John 20:1-10

With Peter at temple gate when lame man healed – Acts 3:1-10

Persecuted with Peter for teaching of the resurrection of Jesus – Acts 4:1-22

Went to Samaria with Peter to give new Christians there the Holy Spirit – Acts 8:14-25

Scripture attributed to John

John’s gospel account

Written between 80 and 90 AD

Quoted by multiple early second-century writers

Irenaeus (130-202 AD)

Ignatius (35-108 AD)

Taught by John

Elder at Antioch

Polycarp

Taught by John

Elder of the church at Smyrna

Declared authenticity of all four gospels

Basilides

Taught from 117-138 AD

Quoted from John

Aristides

Muratorian Fragment

1 John (65 AD)

2 John (65 AD)

3 John (65 AD)

Revelation (68-69 AD)

Controversy on date for Revelation

Ancient references versus context

John in history and tradition

Spent several years in Jerusalem

Worked with the other apostles

Cared for Mary

Traveled to Ephesus

After Paul’s initial work there

Took Mary with him (or not)

Taught throughout Anatolia

Exiled to Patmos

Exiled by Domitian

Wrote epistles and Revelation at Patmos

Domitian dies in 96 AD

Returned to Ephesus

Died in 100 AD

John’s relics

John buried in Ephesus

Chapel build over his tomb

Emperor Justinian replaced it

Cathedral

Sixth century

Cathedral damaged over the years

Repaired in late ‘60s

Bones of John gone

Turkey blames British Museum

Current location of remains unknown

Authority is specified to a certain degree

Example #1: Transporting the ark

Exodus 25:14; Numbers 4:15; 7:6-9

I Chronicles 13:7-14; 15:2, 12-15

Example #2: Strange fire

Example #3: Priesthood

III John 1:9

“Please go buy me a dog.”

Genesis 6:14 – “Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood.”

Singing – Colossians 3:17

Matthew 26:30

Mark 14:26

Acts 16:25

Romans 15:9

I Corinthians 14:15

Ephesians 5:19

Colossians 3:16

Hebrews 2:12

Hebrews 13:15

James 5:13

Work of local churches – II Corinthians 8:1-4; I Corinthians 14:26; Philippians 4:15

Provide for needy saints

Provide for worship and edification

Provide for preaching

Where is the authority for song books?

Where is the authority for the church building?

Attitude check: I Corinthians 13:4

How do I know the Holy Spirit is talking to me? (continued)

These promises to the apostles began to be fulfilled in Acts 1-2.

We might wonder if the phrase in Acts 2:38 (“the gift of the Holy Spirit”) means that all people receive some supernatural communication or power from the Spirit.

Numerous examples show that baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit in a miraculous way were two separate things. Acts 8:16-18; 10:44-48; 19:1-7

So, what is the “gift of the Holy Spirit” that is received at baptism?

For centuries, the Holy Spirit had been saying (through prophets) that salvation was coming.

Hebrews 3:7; 4:7

Jeremiah 31:34; Isaiah 53:11; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21

Salvation was the gift!

I should not be waiting for something miraculous to occur to either produce or confirm my salvation.

So, does God do anything today?

What God does in answer to our prayers is beyond our ability to know.

God is not going to contradict the written word. Galatians 1:6-9

God wants us to pay attention to the revealed gospel. Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:1-4

James 1:5

II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:3; Jude 1:3

Does the New Covenant authorize worship with instruments?

God has always been very strict about keeping His word exactly.

Acts 16:25

Romans 15:9

I Corinthians 14:15

Ephesians 5:19

Colossians 3:16

Hebrews 2:12

Hebrews 13:15

James 5:13

We have zero New Covenant passages authorizing Christians to worship through instruments.

It’s easy to see that singing is authorized, but there is no clear authority for instruments as worship.

Matthew 15:1-9; Colossians 3:17; II John 1:9 – God warns us about staying within what He has specifically authorized.

Deuteronomy 4:2; Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19

Are instruments just aids for singing?

When God authorized something, He narrows it down to a certain degree.

Instruments are not just aids – they add a new type of music.

Lesson six, continued:

Andrew after death

Relics of apostles

Motivations for worship diverted

Were Andrew’s remains moved about?

Andrew’s relics

Initially buried in Patra

Constantius moved all but head to Istanbul

Part of his father’s collection

Church of the Holy Apostles

Head moved to Rome in 1460

Save it from being taken by invading Muslims

Returned to Greece in 1964 by Roman Catholic Church

Lesson seven

James son of Zebedee in scripture

Matthew 4:18-22

Brother of John

Son of Zebedee

Fisherman

With James, one of Sons of Thunder – Mark 3:17

Wanted to destroy Samaritan village – Luke 9:51-56

Requested special status – Matthew 20:20-28

At the transfiguration – Matthew 17:1-9

On watch while Jesus prayed – Matthew 26:36-37

His mother also followed Jesus – Matthew 27:55-56

Executed by Herod Agrippa (AD 44) – Acts 12:1-2

Traditions about James

Went to Sardinia during first persecution

Herod Agrippa’s deportation of Jews in AD 19

Jewish enclave had grown very large by AD 33

James went there to teach them the gospel

Continued on to Spain

Taught Jewish enclaves there

Made his way across Spain to Compostela

Returned to Jerusalem in AD 44

Took gospel to Spain – why Spain?

Gospel had only spread as far as Samaria

Spain not eyed as missionary field until AD 54

Paul in Romans 15:24-28

Ten years after death of James

Desire might have been to visit Christians in Spain

Remains were divided

Head remained in Jerusalem

Body taken first to Sinai, then Spain

Save it from pillaging by invading Persians in 2nd century

Return it to the farthest reach of his missionary efforts

Head remains in Jerusalem

Hidden under a wall when Persians invaded

Kept in Armenian cathedral in Jerusalem

No way to authenticate remains’ identity

Foreign missions highly unlikely

James executed in AD 44

Only 11 years from Pentecost to death

“Apostles” mentioned just previous to Acts 2

Acts 1; 2; 4:33-37; 5; 6:6; 8:1; 9:27; 11:1

No discernable time period for his absence

“Apostles” = ALL the apostles?

Still, not completely impossible

Note Acts 3:1-4, 11; 4:13, 19; 8:14-15

No positive conclusions can be made

Remains moved to Spain

Santiago de Compostela

“Saint James of Compostela”

About early eighth century

Just prior to Moorish invasion

Second largest pilgrimage site for Europeans

Jerusalem

Rome

“Rediscovered” – twice!!

Luke 16:19-31

Universalism refuted

Materialism refuted

Luke 16:24-25 – Both still existed after death.

The eternal spirit lives on after death. The material is not all there is.

II Corinthians 4:16; 5:1

Ecclesiastes 12:7

Spiritualism refuted

Soul sleeping refuted

Some teach that at death, the soul sleeps until judgment.

Luke 16:24-25 – Both were still conscious.

Predestination refuted

Some teach that God selected certain people to be saved before time began.

Luke 16:28-29 – His brothers could hear Moses and repent.

Man has a choice in the matter!

Purgatory (second chance) refuted

Authority = right, liberty

Deity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 1:2; John 16:7)

→ Inspired people: apostles, prophets (John 16:13; Acts 8:18)

→ Inspired scripture: Bible (I Thessalonians 2:13)

Gather all the facts

Commands

Statements

Examples

Inferences

Creation → Romans 1:18-21

Genesis 2:24-25 → Matthew 19:3-6

Genesis 14:18-20 + Psalms 110:4 → Hebrews 7:7-11; 8:6

Exodus 3:6 → Mark 12:26-27

Psalms 16:10 → Acts 2:24-32

Psalms 110:1 → Matthew 22:41-46; Acts 2:33-36

Matthew 9:6 → Matthew 9:2

Acts 16:9 → Acts 16:10

Harmonize the facts into a conclusion

Acts 10

Vision: unclean animals, “God has cleansed” (Acts 10:10-16)

Spirit: “accompany them” (Acts 10:19-20)

Angel to Cornelius: “send for … Peter” (Acts 10:5, 22)

→ Peter infers/concludes: “I should not call any man unholy or unclean” (Acts 10:28, 34-35)

Acts 11

The vision and the commands (Acts 11:5-10)

The angel telling Cornelius to send messengers (Acts 11:11-14)

Holy Spirit’s command for Peter to go with them (Acts 11:12)

The Holy Spirit falling on the Gentiles (Acts 11:15-16)

→ Jews infer/conclude: “God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18)

Acts 15

Peter: inference from events with Cornelius (Acts 15:6-11)

Paul and Barnabas: examples from 1st preaching journey (Acts 15:12)

James: statements from prophets (Acts 15:13-18)

→ Apostles and elders lead them to a conclusion: “do not trouble” Gentiles (Acts 15:19)

I Corinthians 9

Statement: Deuteronomy 25:4 (I Corinthians 9:9a)

Inference: from Deuteronomy 25:4 (I Corinthians 9:9b-10)

Example: Old Covenant priests (I Corinthians 9:13)

Command: Jesus, Luke 10:7-8 (I Corinthians 9:14)

→ Paul leads them to a conclusion: Preachers have a “right” to support (I Corinthians 9:4-6, 18)

What we need to know

We must reason logically and objectively from the text (Acts 17:2, 17; 18:4, 19, 28)

The failure to do so has resulted in tons of religious division and error (Matthew 15:3-9)

This did not originate with the Restoration Movement (II Timothy 2:15)

Attitude check: Galatians 1:6-7; 4:16 – When we disagree, the point is to unify on truth.

Why don’t you call your preacher the “Pastor?” (continued)

Three Greek words are used in the New Testament to refer to the men who are appointed as leaders and watch over the souls in a local church.

Presbuteros – elder, presbyter

Episkopos – overseer, bishop

Poimen – pastor, shepherd

How do we know these words all refer to the same man?

Don’t preachers feed the flock, thus making them pastors/shepherds?

Yes, they do, but so do other people: song leaders, scripture readers, those who bring short lessons, etc.

The Bible makes a distinction between anyone who feeds the flock and those who are specifically designated with special responsibilities. I Timothy 3; Titus 1

Why this matters

We don’t want to imply that preachers have some unauthorized role or authority within a congregation.

We don’t want to rob elders of their proper role and authority.

How do I know when the Holy Spirit is talking to me?

Don’t take Jesus’ promises to the apostles as promises to us.

Jesus made several promises about the Holy Spirit to the apostles. Those promises are often quoted today as if Jesus was making promises to all people for all time.

John 13-17 – Jesus was speaking with His apostles.

Matthew 26:20; Mark 14:17; Luke 22:14

John 14:26; 15:27

“You”: apostles, not all believers everywhere for all time

John 14:16-17, 25-26 – Holy Spirit would teach and inspire perfect memories.

John 15:26-27

John 16:7-13

Jesus prayed with and for the apostles in John 17 and then that’s the end of the section (John 18:1).

These promises to the apostles began to be fulfilled in Acts 1-2.

Acts 1:1-8 – Jesus gave orders to the apostles.

Acts 1:14-15 – Other people mentioned, but subject returns to the apostles in Acts 1:26.

Only the apostles were speaking in tongues in Acts 2.

Acts 2:7 and 1:11

Acts 2:14, 37, 42-43

Luke 24:49

We might wonder if the phrase in Acts 2:38 (“the gift of the Holy Spirit”) means that all people receive some supernatural communication or power from the Spirit.

Lesson five: the apostles in scripture

Apostles as a group

Called “The Apostles” or “The Twelve”

They accompanied Jesus most of the time

Luke 7:11; 8:1

Matthew 20:17-19

Not always together with Jesus

Mark 6:7-13

John 6:15

They were given authority

Matthew 10:1

Mark 3:13-15

And instructions

Luke 9:1-6

Matthew 10:5-15

Luke 24:44-53

Apostles in smaller numbers

Peter, James, and John

Matthew 17:1-9

Mark 5:21-26, 35-43

Mark 14:32-42

Plus Andrew – Mark 13:3-4

Peter and John

Luke 22:8

Acts 3:1ff

Acts 8:14

Phillip and Andrew – John 12:20-23

Larger group – John 21:2

Lesson six: looking at each apostle

Researching history and tradition

Neither is inspired

History and its sources

Primary sources

Secondary sources

Questions of accuracy

Tradition and its sources

Stories and accounts handed down

Story changes over the years

Contrast with Scripture

What’s not included

Peter and Paul

Study of Peter

Much tradition to be analyzed

Blends in to lesson on apostolic succession

Andrew in scripture

Brother to Peter – Matthew 4:18

Present when John declared Jesus “Lamb of God” – John 1:35-44

First known to “follow” Jesus

Was a “multiplier” (Andrew + Simon = double)

Knew Jesus immediately as the Messiah

From Bethsaida, then Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee

Fisherman – Matthew 4:18

Found the boy with the fish – John 6:5-9

Directed some Greeks to Jesus – John 12:20-23

Named among the twelve

In initial naming

In Jerusalem awaiting the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:13

Included whenever apostles grouped

Andrew: history and traditions

Given Hellenistic name

Never called to repent or redact name

Repentance was with regard to works, deeds, thoughts

Matthew 3:7-8; Acts 8:22; 26:19-20

Left Jerusalem at an unknown time

Traveled to Scythia and preached

Continued across Asia Minor to Ephesus

Began preaching in Greece

Converted governor’s wife in Patras, Greece

Enraged governor

“Debate” followed by crucifixion in AD 69