CHURCH--THE CALLED OUT ONES NOT INSTITUTIONALIZED

GOD IS NOT OUT-OF-REACH         "The early Christians knew that God could be known, that we could meet Him directly, heart to heart, right here and now. In a different sense, we also meet Him in face-to-face, down to earth fellowship with other Christians. The early Christians saw no need for stained-glass and steeples to points upward to God just out of reach  He is here! He is among us! But walk into a cathedral and you will immediately be staring upward toward an unreachable apex in the sanctuary. Permanent AWE, permanent frustration."  James Rutz, pp 63-64, OPEN CHURCH The Roman school declared that church buildings have been with us from the second century on. It further taught that the church build­ings erected during the Constantinian era were built on the sites of pre­vious church structures. This dogma was universally accepted as fact. CHRISTIAN ARCHEOLOGIST FIND i' But recently, Christian archeology has gone back to reinvestigate ') those sites. The findings: Without exception, there was no church building or any other kind of Christian meeting place to be found//buried beneath any Constantinian-era church buildings.           Archaeolo­gists found either virgin land or pagan temples or marketplaces or maybe even an occasional Pizza Hut, but no evidence anywhere of any kind of building used for Christian gatherings. The implications were staggering-and still are! They are a call to the whole church, Catholic and Protestant, to rethink the nature of what we call "church." THE MOST REMARKABLE DISCOVERY      In one way, the most remarkable discovery was that of a single Christian meeting place-the only one ever found from the pre­Constantine era! Even it was not a church building, but a home that had been converted into a meeting place for Christians. The site is a town in Syria with the odd name of Duro-Europa.      Exhaustive studies have been made of this building, The upshot is this: It was just a home used in the mi.o1-200s as a place for Chris­tians to gather. One of its peculiarities: A wall had been torn out between two bedrooms to make one large room that would hold about seventy-five people sitting on the floor. CONSTANTINE INSTITUTIONALIZED THE  CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND CONSTANTINE (STATE MONEY) STARTED BUILDING THE HUGE BASILICAS AND CATHERALS OBVIOUSLY, THIS FOCUSED THE ATTENTION ON THE BUILDING NOT THE "CALLED OUT" BELIEVERS. THE POINT?  Until Constantine, there was no such thing as a church building or "Christian" architecture. A church building had never been dreamed of in a dream. That which we know as the Chris­tian faith was a living room movement!  The Christian faith was the first and only religion ever to exist that did not use special temples of worship; it is the only 'living room" religion in hu­man history. FURTHER DISCOVERY House Churches in Africa  Let's look at yet another surprising archeological find. Imagine, if you will, a group of Christian archaeologists plowing their way through thousands of deeds and property records of towns and cities in North Africa. These deeds, surveys, title changes and tax records an dated from A.D. 100 to 400, and often stated the uses being made of each building. Some of these documents tell the name of the family that lived in each house, the occupation of those employed, and their religion. Some of these records also tell what other activities the building was used for besides living quarters. ("Baking located here"; "Pots made here," etc.) Lo and behold, from time to time notations are found that say, essentially,                                                                                                             "The Christian ecclesia sometimes holds meet­ings in this house"! WOW! DOES THAT MEAN                   HOUSE CHURCHES WEREN'T               HOUSE CHURCHES                                                             BECAUSE OF PERSECUTION??

GOD'S TRUTH

WHERE IS GOD'S TRUTH?

God's Word--God Himself 

The Inspiration of the Bible

THE AUTHORITY OF GOD'S WORD

God communicating His Will

THE SOURCES FOR THE GOD'S TRUTH

Paul claims Jesus Christ revealed His truth

EPISTLE-WRITING TO THE GALATIANS

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me.
And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.

Gal 2:1-2 (NKJV)

PAUL’S GENTILE PREACHING–KERYGMA–
[kerugma] to the [dokousin] –SEEMING LEADERS

lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.

WHAT IS PAUL GOING TO JERUSALEM FOR?

This sounds like Paul was going to Jerusalem for the purpose of acquiring permission or approval from the other Apostles, or with the idea of a possible change.

It is not that Paul would have modified his gospel had the Jerusalem leaders not approved of it-he had higher authority than theirs for maintaining it unchanged, and 'no one is likely to want the independence of his gospel to be confirmed' (W. Schmithals, Paul and James, 43).

The approval of the Jerusalem leaders made his task less difficult and (as here) could serve his apologetic purpose. As we have written, at the beginning of his apostolic career Paul did not communicate or submit his gospel to anyone  proceeding to preach it forthwith (1:16); now the time had come to share it with the Jerusalem leaders, and indeed direction to do so may (ou prosaneqemhn-I conferred not) before ave been the substance of the revelation in accordance with which he paid his present visit.

to euaggellion o khrussw en tois eqnesin-(the gospel preached in the nations) has already been mentioned in 1: 11f., 16. The burden of this gospel is Christ crucified and risen, presented to Gentiles (as well as to Jews) as the object of their faith (cf. v 16) kat idian de tois dokousin . Those to whom (autois) Paul communicated the terms of his Gentile kerygma(preaching) are more specifically defined as tois dokousin,–[seeming] 'the men of repute'. Later in the paragraph the expression is amplified: twn dokountwn einai ti (v 9). Their identity is stated in v 9: James, Cephas and John. But whether oi dokouvtes –[seemed] is amplified or stands alone (as here and in v 6b), it carries no insinuation of sarcasm or irony, as though they only seemed to be" leaders but were not really so.
Josephus uses oi prouxein dokountes (literally, 'those who seemed to excel') of the men highly (and properly) esteemed in a community (cf War 3.453; 4.141, 159).
He set it before them: 'this', he said, 'is what I preach among the Gentiles' (the present tense of khrussw –[preaching] implies that he was still preaching it at the time he sent this letter).

In summary, the thing that Paul was concerned with, was not the Gospel’s validity of what he preached--he had divine assurance of that–but rather that there not be any cleaveage with the mother church in Jerusalem. Paul’s authority came from God, but not to be in fellowship with the Jerusalem Church would be very bad. Christ would be divided.

KOINONIKOS

PREACHING TO THE GENTILES

Acts 9:4-9 (NKJV)

“... a certain disciple at Damascus ...the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias."..., "Arise and go..., and inquire for...Saul of Tarsus..... Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm...done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority...to bind all who call on Your name."But the Lord said..., "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

Acts 9:10-15 (NKJV)

So Paul had some difficult times relating to Jewish Christians right from the start–justifiably so. Paul had continued preaching in Jewish Synagogues, but a change had taken place in those fourteen years.

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem
In these verses, Galatians 2:1-2, Paul writes that 14 years later he brings it to the Jerusalem Council.
PAUL HAD BEEN PREACHING–KERYGMA–TO THE GENTILES FOR 14 YEARS.
AND HE HAD BEEN PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF GRACE ALL THIS TIME.
Incidently, kerygma or [kerugma] is the Greek word for preaching. Sometimes this word is in refence to a particular doctrine, and. Although the word may have taken on other meanings, such as Paul’s kerygma–meaning gentile preaching, the word is the transliteration of “preaching.”
GALATIANS 2:1-9

Bible Scholar and Theologian Prof. F.F. Bruce set up a time-line for events in the Apostle Paul’s life:

Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus; Pentecost ..April-May, 30ADConversion of PauL............................................................c.33 ADHis first post-conversion visit to Jerusalem.................................c.35 AD

(Note that there is a 10 year gap in years in the time-line. Historian Luke records Saul sent away in Acts 9:30, and disappears until Acts 11:25-26. That was eight years--eight years of silence. )

Barnabas fetches Paul from Tarsus to Antioch..................................c.45AD
Famine in Judaea; Barnabas and Paul sent with relief from Antioch to Jerusalem.....................................................................c.46AD
First Missionary Journey; Barnabas and Paul visit Cyprus and Asia Minor....................................................................c. 47-48 AD
COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM...........................................................49AD

KOINONIKOS

RECIEVING FROM A DEAD MAN

GALATIANS 1:12
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

...suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him,

"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"

And he said, "Who are You, Lord?"

Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."

So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"

Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Acts 9:4-9 (NKJV)

"...It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ." Galatians 1:12
Paul presents the way in which he received the Gospel of Christ--IT CAME FROM JESUS CHRIST–NOT MAN.

The word "REVELATION" is translated from the Greek Word: apokalypsis



Greek Strong's Number: 602 Greek Word: apokalypsis Transliteration: apokalypsis Phonetic Pronunciation:ap-ok-al'-oop-sis Root: from Cross Reference: TDNT - 3:563,405 Part of Speech: n f Vine's Words: Appear, Appearing, Revelation Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV: revelation 12 be revealed 2 to lighten + 1 manifestation 1 coming 1 appearing 1 [Total Count: 18] from (apokalupto); disclosure :- appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary




Saul’s encounter happened about three years since Jesus Christ was crucified and buried. It was night, and eleven of Jesus’ main followers–Jesus’ Apostles--were hiding, huddling in a dark closed room..

"Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.
John 20:19-21 (NKJV)

To really appreciate the shock and the impact of Saul in seeing Jesus Christ, you should read my first blogs on the Galatian Letter.
The Appearance of the Risen Jesus to Saul was at once a revelation from without and a revelation within; an external revelation of a Being in heavenly glory, an inward revelation in the region of theological truth.

PAUL'S  LIFE BEFORE CHRIST.

(Acts 9:1-8; Acts 22:4-11; Acts 8-19; Gal. 1:14-16)

King James with Strong's Numbers Hebrew and Greek Original

ACTS 9:

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest                                                                               2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 

PAUL'S OWN STATEMENTS OF HIS OWN LIFE BEFORE CHRIST.

ACTS 22:

3  I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.                                                                                                                                             4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.   5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. 

ACTS 26:

8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?                                       

9  I verily * * thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

(I     indeed thought to myself to    the name of Jesus of the Nazarene ought many opposing things to do)  egw men oun edoxa emautw pros to onoma Ihsou tou Nazwraiou dein polla enantia praxa

10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received o kai epoihsa en Ierosolumois, kai pollous te twn agiwn egw en fulakais katekleisa thn  from the chief priests; and when they were      being killed, I gave my voice against them.(I cast a vote)  para; twn ajrcierevwn exousian labwn anairoumenwn te autwn kathnegka yhfon,

11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto * * strange cities.

12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 

13 At midday *, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.  

KOINONIKOS

SAUL THE ZEALOT

THE GOSPEL?

GALATIANS 1:13-14
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism,
how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation,
being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
ACTS 9.1-3
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and....

It would be correct to say the most important thing by far, in Paul’s (or Saul’s) own eyes--even more important than his Tarsian birthplace or his Roman citizenship–was his Jewish heritage.
Saul’s name was important to him as to any Jew. In the Bible, names meant something–the name identified something about the person. Saul was the name of Israel’s first king– a member of the the tribe of Benjamin (as Paul). Luke in the book of Acts doesn’t change Saul’s name to Paul for 16 years after Saul’s conversion (Acts 13:9). Paul was on his first missionary trip with Barnabus.
Tarsus, Saul's home, was one of the three great university cities, and raised in such a city would have put Saul in contact with well educated Greeks and Greek Philosophy. Paul was well educated, but as he himself writes, “educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers”
In Philippians 3:6, Paul runs down the things he had taken pride: “circumcised the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to law a Pharisee....” In Romans 11:1, he repeats the claim of belonging to the tribe of Benjamin–a tribe which had remained faithful to just previous to the Babylonian Exile, after that. The “children of Benjamin” was a distinct people (Nehemiah 11:7-9, 31-36), and, no doubt, Paul’s family proudly traced their descent from these people. So raised in Jewish tradition, committed to his beliefs Saul set out to destroy this new movement, chasing down members of this cult even in foreign cities–like Damascus.
Something that really nailed down how false Christianity was Jesus dying on the cross. That would have meant quite a lot to a Jew like Saul. That had to mean the Messiah was cursed of God! He died on a cross? How could the Messiah be cursed of God? He mentions later in the Galatian Letter:”cursed is the man that hangs on a tree....”Deuteronomy 21:21.
Paul as a Pharisee held this new cult in Judaism, tht is Christianity, posed a deadly threat to all he had learned to hold dear.

KOINONIKOS

THE TURNING AWAY

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7

Paul’s letter mentions, "the grace of Christ, the gospel of Christ," and "a different gospel."

Words do count. The Scripture says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...."
       (For me, the implications of what God the Holy Spirit is expressing in these phrases, through John the apostle, a revelation of the very nature of God.
       The mighty God who created all of the cosmos, "Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spread them out like a tent to dwell in..." Isaiah 40, still exists as a mighty holy Triune Being. However, He exists and has always existed as a Being Who passionately desires to be known by mankind. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.... No man has seen God at any time: the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained him."  John 1:14, 18
For me,  the implications are that God--as He exists , as Jesus Christ has demonstrated--perfectly fits the person of God. John 3:16 tells about."For God so loved the world that He gave His own least begotten Son,, That Whoever Believes in Him Should Not Perish but Have Eternal Life.")

WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE WORD "GOSPEL" MEAN?

Noah Webster’s dictionary says the word comes from the Saxon word "godspell." As mentioned words count. The word "gospel" is actually translated from the Greek word:: euangelizo or euangelizo which means declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings. The Galatians were turning away from the "glad tidings of Christ to "a different gospel–a perverted gospel."

What is the "grace of Christ?"

Perhaps the best explanation is what the "grace of Christ" is NOT.

It is not this "different gospel" or " perverted gospel?" Earlier, our study started with a statement by Theologian and author,

"The addition of anything to the "grace of Christ–(whether baptism, church memberrship) circumcision and other requirements of the Jewish law as necessary

for salvation was not so much an addition to the gospel as a perversion of it. It nullified the principle that salvation is bestowed by grace and received by faith, and gave man a share in the glory of salvation which, according to the gospel, belongs to God alone. The whole scheme as proposed by these Judaizers was a different gospel from that which Paul and his fellow-apostles preached it; it was, in fact, no gospel at all."

F.F. Bruce, LETTERS OF PAUL pp. 18-19.

(Words within parentheses are mine, but this study on God’s grace supports the idea)

Grace is a word like charity. When something is given in charity–it is a gift. In fact it must be a gift. InIf you have to pay something or do something the word is robbed of it’s meaning. It is no longer a gift, nor is it charity. If you pay something for grace, or do something for grace than grace is robbed of it’s meaning like charity.
"It may be concluded that the word grace, as used in the Bible in relation to divine salvation, represents the uncompromised, unrestricted, unrecompensed, loving favor of God toward sinners. It is an unearned blessing. It is a gratuity. God is absolutely untrammeled and unshackled in expressing His infinite love by His infinite grace 

(1) through the death of His Lamb by whom every limitation which human sin could impose has been dispelled, 

(2) through the provision which offers salvation as a gift by which human obligation has been forever dismissed, and 

(3) through the divine decree by which human merit has been forever deposed. Grace is the limitless, unrestrained love of God for the lost, acting in full compliance with the exact and unchangeable demands of His own righteousness through the sacrificial death of Christ. 

Grace is more than love; it is love set absolutely free and made to be a triumphant victor over the righteous judgment of God against the sinner."

Lewis Sperry Chafer, GRACE, p.22





Then the Apostle Paul starts really laying it on the line.

KOINONIKOS