The Jewish Dispensation ended In AD. 32 after Christ ascends to heaven, Acts 1/9, Peter opens the door to the New Testament Church, Acts chapter 2 verse 38.
The twelve apostles are gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost where The Holy Ghost ascends on the eleven apostles, and they find they can speak in tongues (different languages) to translate to the attending Jews from other countries, what Peter standing up and Addresses those in attendance reads in Acts chapter 2:14 to 39.
- 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
- 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
- 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
- 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
- 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
- 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
- 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
- 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
- 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts chapter 2 verse 38 is where the Church of Christ contends the doors of the Church are first opened.
Matthew 7:15-16 foretold to beware of false prophets.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?
Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:1-2.
- 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
- 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
The early Church guided by the apostles was scriptural but Gradually Apostatized. The bigger city congregations, as they grew, took over rural congregations extending their power over churches that should be independent.
What needs to be brought to the attention of the masses is these breakups or splitting up of a congregation has evolved into staggering proportions, and people seeking a Christian church can be led into joining a church that’s not scriptural; in other words, not in the New Testament.
What happens for a congregation to break up or split is someone that’s fairly charismatic finding objections into what is being taught; he influences others in the congregation and creates a following. The Church or congregation refusing to change leads to a breakup and a new church forming.
In the second century, as it evolved, We began to find congregations headed by a single officer for whom the name bishop is exclusively reserved. Bishops of major Christian influence areas were elevated above other bishops and given the title of “Metropolitan.
Citys like Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, Ephesus, Jerusalem, and Constantinople had bishops who came to hold leadership positions for the whole Church. The bishop of Rome eventually claimed and was recognized as the universal father or pope of all churches.
I didn’t get into the Catholic Church here as I have a category on my bottom navigation bar; there are three navigation bars, top, middle, and bottom. The category, Catholic Church and New Testament go into much detail about how it dominated for some 1150 years and how I have exposed it.
The total dominance of the Catholic Church was upended when Martin Luther, 1483 to 1546, nailed his 95 theses to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg Saxony, now Germany, on October 31, 1517, Which sparked the Reformation.
The main accusation of the thesis was the sale of indulgences. He was excommunicated from the Catholic Church, and his teachings sparked the formation of the Lutheran Church.
The Reformation was put into action at the beginning of the 16th century, no doubt from Martin Luther sparking
New Christian-oriented churches developed over the years.
What’s happened over the years and centuries is these first Christian-oriented churches that came out of the Reformation have spread and divided, branched off into other churches, and settled into countries around the world.
Around 1798 the New Testament Church started to appear and return to the principles of New Testament teachings. Note with the help of these men, wanting to only teach what is taught in their individual churches:
James O’Kelly, Abner Jones, Elias Smith, Barton Warren Stone, Thomas Campbell, and Alexander Campbell, the New Testament was on its way to reappearing.
The Restoration kept moving along with the true church growing when Thomas Campbell arrived in North America in 1806. He became well known for his engaging promotion of the New Testament Church.
A famous quote of his was, “Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.” In 1808, Thomas Campbell was joined in America by his family and his son Alexander Campbell. Alexander was 20 years old when the reunion occurred. He was the major star of The Restoration, Alexander Campbell (1788 to 1866).
Alexander Campbell was a phenomenon in teaching only what was between the pages of the New Testament. He read and spoke fluently: Greek, French, and Latin as a young man. Naturally committing to memory voluminous amounts of information.
Known for his powerful preaching. He was recognized as an outstanding orator. In June 1850, he preached before both houses of Congress in Washington. Henry Clay, James Madison, and other notables traveled many miles to hear him preach. Madison said of Campbell: “I regard him as the ablest and most original expounder of Scripture I ever heard.”