Acts 2:42-47Acts 2:42-47

 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Acts 2:42-47Acts 2:42-47

46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

Acts 2:42-47Acts 2:42-47

4747praising praising God and enjoying the favor and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were to their number daily those who were being saved.being saved.

4747praising praising God and enjoying the favor and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were to their number daily those who were being saved.being saved.

Acts 2:42-47Acts 2:42-47

Causes and ResultsCauses and Results

ApostasyApostasy

Acts 2:42-Acts 2:42- 4747

Periods of Church HistoryPeriods of Church History

The Apostolic Church The Apostolic Church A.D. 33A.D. 33 -100-100

The Persecuted Church The Persecuted Church A.D. 100A.D. 100 -313-313

The Imperial Church The Imperial Church A.D. 313A.D. 313 -- 476476

The Medieval Church The Medieval Church A.D. 476A.D. 476 -1435-1435

The Reformation Period The Reformation Period A.D. 1453A.D. 1453 -1648-1648

The Restoration Period ???? (as early as 156 The Restoration Period ???? (as early as 156 A.D. Montanus questioned hierarchy,A.D. Montanus questioned hierarchy, wanted to return to early church)wanted to return to early church)

ApostasyApostasy is derived from Greek is derived from Greek apostasisapostasis, , "a standing away from, a defection, a "a standing away from, a defection, a revolt" from revolt" from aphistanaiaphistanai, “to stand off or , “to stand off or away from, to revolt." away from, to revolt."

Apostasy ForetoldApostasy Foretold

Paul warned the Ephesian Elders false Paul warned the Ephesian Elders false teachers would invade the church.teachers would invade the church.Acts 20:28Acts 20:28 -31 -31

It was prophesied: It was prophesied: ““Now the Spirit expressly Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…” deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…” I Timothy 4:1-3I Timothy 4:1-3

It Happened as ProphesiedIt Happened as Prophesied

Seven churches of Asia - Revelation 2 & 3Seven churches of Asia - Revelation 2 & 3 “‘“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient I know your works, your toil and your patient

endurance, and how you cannot bear with endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. Rev. 2:2-3grown weary. Rev. 2:2-3

They lost their focus - Rev. 2:4They lost their focus - Rev. 2:4

Number One Cause of ApostasyNumber One Cause of Apostasy

First - every departure can be traced to the First - every departure can be traced to the elevation of one man over many; apostasy elevation of one man over many; apostasy starts with one man who is hungry for starts with one man who is hungry for power and authority who asserts his power power and authority who asserts his power over others.over others.

Then there are those who are willing to Then there are those who are willing to follow such a man rather than Jesus. follow such a man rather than Jesus.

Followers of MenFollowers of Men

What I mean is that each one of you says, What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I Cor. 1:12-13Paul? I Cor. 1:12-13

III John 9III John 9 -11 - Diotrephes-11 - Diotrephes

Followers of MenFollowers of Men

Nicolaus - Acts 6:5; Revelation 2:6, 15Nicolaus - Acts 6:5; Revelation 2:6, 15 -16-16

Simon the magician, sorcerer, MagusSimon the magician, sorcerer, MagusActs 8:9Acts 8:9 -24-24

ConstantineConstantine

First Christian Emperor First Christian Emperor

Christianity became state religionChristianity became state religion

Edict of Milan/ToleranceEdict of Milan/Tolerance 313 A.D.313 A.D.

Saint Peter’s BasilicaSaint Peter’s Basilica 333333 -336 A.D.-336 A.D.

Outgrowth of All of ThisOutgrowth of All of This

Two gods and a demigod – GnosticismTwo gods and a demigod – Gnosticism

Constantine usurped the authority of Christ Constantine usurped the authority of Christ when he made himself The Supreme when he made himself The Supreme Pontiff.Pontiff.

Christianity was made easy.Christianity was made easy.

Church buildings brought a new face Church buildings brought a new face to Christianity.to Christianity.

Church BuildingsChurch Buildings

Institution killed an organism – gave birth to Institution killed an organism – gave birth to an organizationan organization

Shift of emphasis from the many to the fewShift of emphasis from the many to the few

Elevated one man as the spokesman for allElevated one man as the spokesman for all

Elevated preaching over the Lord’s supperElevated preaching over the Lord’s supper

Christianity became a thing you do at a Christianity became a thing you do at a designated place rather than who you aredesignated place rather than who you are

Shift of FocusShift of Focus

First - there was a shift in emphasis from the First - there was a shift in emphasis from the importance and work of every individual to the importance and work of every individual to the importance and nature of the work of one importance and nature of the work of one individual.individual.

Second - there was a shift in emphasis from Second - there was a shift in emphasis from the church being viewed as a living organism, the church being viewed as a living organism, composed of members, to viewing the church composed of members, to viewing the church as being an organization which a member as being an organization which a member might join.might join.

Shift of FocusShift of Focus

Third - the building in which the church Third - the building in which the church met was an optional expedient, thought to met was an optional expedient, thought to enable us to function more adequately in enable us to function more adequately in doing God's will. It became looked upon doing God's will. It became looked upon as an absolute essential and received the as an absolute essential and received the lion’s share of emphasis, time- and lion’s share of emphasis, time- and money-wise.money-wise.

Shift of FocusShift of Focus

Fourth - the emphasis changed from the Fourth - the emphasis changed from the practice of individuals teaching publicly practice of individuals teaching publicly and from house to house to the practice of and from house to house to the practice of members merely inviting persons to the members merely inviting persons to the church building for the preacher to teach church building for the preacher to teach them.them.

Is any one flying the plane?Is any one flying the plane?