Video

Era 9: The Early Church 33-95AD

An introductory class to prepare for Day 322 through Day 365. 44 messages for this era finishes the New Testament. As with the four Gospels, all the Scriptures in this era continue to be written in Greek rather than Hebrew or Aramaic. Books covered are Acts, Romans, 1st & 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st & 2nd Thessalonians, 1st & 2nd Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1st & 2nd Peter, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd John, Jude, Revelation.

Shocking Newness

Jesus declared Peter’s confession to be the foundation rock of the coming Church (Matt. 16:17-20). This coming Church will endure every overpowering attempt by the gates of Hades. Spiritual leadership in the coming Church will be earthly keyholders under the heavenly binding & loosing leadership of Jesus Christ.

Jesus provided the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20) and the Great Cognition (Lk. 24:44-49) to the Apostles, establishing the charter (mission statement) of the coming Church.

The Apostles will require the Holy Spirit’s power, teaching, and reminding functions in order for them to orient to the shocking newness of the Church (John 14:16,20,26; 16:12-13 cf. Eph. 3:1-12).

Prior to Pentecost the Apostles were still of a mindset fixated on Israel’s eschatological theocratic kingdom Acts 1:6-8. Jesus tells them that times & epochs are not for them. See also 1st Thess. 5:1ff.

Dispensational Clarity

Our present blessing in the post-Apostolic Church is for every born-again believer to be baptized by the Holy Spirit into personal union with Jesus Christ at the moment of salvation (1st Cor. 12:13).

This blessing was also true from Acts 2 onward, however in that time period there were Old Testament Saints still living. Their moment of salvation was prior to the Church so they required a provision in which they could “cross over” and enter into the Body of Christ.

The Book of Acts is a transitional historical narrative, bridging the transition of Old Testament Saints (Jew & Gentile) to New Testament Saints (Church). Distinguishing between Converts and Crossovers during this stewardship change is absolutely vital for rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

The prime imperative for Converts is “believe.” The prime imperative for Crossovers is “repent and be baptized.”