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Great Lent: The Season of Fasting

...that the early church fasted regular and often, especially when they sought direction from God. If it were not for the church fasting and praying in Acts 13:1-4, they may not have heard from the Holy Spirit about sending Paul out on his first missionary journey, and if he had not done that, the faith may never have spread as far and fast as it did, nor would we have the majority of our New Testament! Fasting is a vital church discipline, I believe. Similar, history changing events, also happened from prayer and fasting in 2 Chronicles 20, and the post-Acts early church. Here’s a quick quote from Tertullian (c.198) and Irenaeus (c.180), respectively, on the...

Does Christmas have pagan origins?

...e how the early church viewed these festivals, as they were still happening in full force whilst the church was still young and were a contemporary concern, and what date they pinned the birth of Christ on to. Much of the earliest references to the Nativity occur in a passing way as a commentary on the event rather than anything celebratory about it. Justin Martyr in his First Apology (~160 AD) mentions that Jesus was born 150 years before him, in the time of Quirinius (or Cyrenius as some translations have it – cf. Luke 2:2), where his readers could “ascertain also from the registers” the accuracy of his statement. Tertullian (197 AD) also references thi...

Melchizedek to Jesus: The Divine Thread of Bread and Wine

...from the early church which finds near total unanimity in those who wrote about it (and there were many!), and that in itself should cause us to stop and consider the importance here if the teaching was consistent for 1800+ years. Conclusion The connection from Melchizedek’s blessing of bread and wine, through the Passover, to Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist, forms a sacred continuity that enriches our faith and worship. Melchizedek’s seemingly isolated action prefigured the blessing in the Passover, which in turn was a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice and the Last Supper which established the Eucharist. As Christians, every time we partake in...

Lent Day 18: Cyprian: On the Unity of the church: 1-9

...Day Eighteen: St. Cyprian: On the Unity of the church: 1-9 Who: Third century bishop of Carthage (in modern Tunisia), and martyr from Africa What: A letter to encourage the unity of the church against schisms and heresy during massive Roman persecution Why: A disturbance had happened in the church because of a priest called Novatian — a schismatic of the third century, and founder of the sect of the Novatians. Cyprian wrote to counter this and argues that there can only be one united church, and the Novatian breakaway was a false church and that Novatian was an antipope.When: Around 249 AD You can find today’s reading on page 92 here: lentfatherscomplete...

8 Most Controversial Topics In The church Today

...What are Christians' thoughts on homosexual marriage? Are spiritual talents biblically sanctioned? Can Christians have alcohol? These are some of the issues that frequently spark passionate debate inside the church today. Christians hold widely varied views on these matters, and both sides cite Scripture to buttress their positions. Even within a community of Christians in today's world, discernment is unquestionably required. Whatever your thoughts are on each of those issues, studying this list of areas wherein the church regularly reviews division will hopefully inspire us as Christ-followers to strive for unity within our personal church buildings or even a...

Biblical Inspiration and the Canon: How We Got the Bible

...me as the early church recognised which writings carried divine authority. The Old Testament canon was largely settled by the time of Jesus, based on the Hebrew Scriptures used in the Jewish community. The New Testament canon, however, was formed through a process of discernment over several centuries, as the church recognised which writings were truly inspired and authoritative. The Septuagint and the Deuterocanonical Books The Septuagint (LXX) is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, produced in the 3rd-2nd centuries BC. It was widely used by Greek-speaking Jews and later by early Christians, including the apostles. The Septuagint included several...