The New Testament Church was born in A.D. 32 in the first century in occupied Israel. Israel had been under the control of the Roman Empire since 63 B.C. an environment that could be hostile at any time, it enforced very rigid controls.
In A.D. 32 after Christ ascends to heaven, Acts 1/9 the twelve apostles are gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:.
The Holy Ghost ascends on the eleven apostles and they find they can speak in tongues (different languages). Jews are gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost from all over the various countries they are from. As each countries language differs the eleven apostles were there to translate for them Peters address.
In Acts chapter 2:14 to 39 Peter stands up and Addresses those in attendance.
In verse 38 Peter says, (KJV) translation.
- 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. Acts chapter 2 verse 38 is where the Church of Christ contends the doors of the Church are first opened. But a place of assembly hadn’t been established yet.
God now gives the special gifts needed to guide and bring about this new place of worship.
In Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV) we see gifts are given.
- 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
- 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
In 1 Corinthians 12:1, 7-11 (NASB) gifts are elaborated on more.
- 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts,brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.
- 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
- 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
- 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
- 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
- 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
These gifts were taking away when the New Testament was put together at the end of the first century or beginning of the second, as they weren’t needed anymore, the New Testament holds all answers to life and eternal life.
In 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (KJV) note the prophecy, gifts would banish, New Testament would be written,
But when that which is perfect is come, the New Testament, word of god then that which is in part shall be done away, gifts.
This new founded way of worshiping God grew and flourished, but as man has a way of diverting from directions given that can benefit him, this one true church started apostatizing toward the end of the second century.
It was predicted the church would apostatize in the scriptures.
Matthew foretold to beware of false prophets in, Matthew 7:15-16 (KJV)
- 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 predicted in 1 Timothy 4:1-3 (KJV)
- 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;
- 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
More predictions of a falling away from NT teachings:
Grievous wolves shall enter, Also of your own selves shall men arise, Acts 20:28-30.
The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, 2 Timothy 4:2-4.
As the end of the second century was coming around the bigger city congregations as they grew took over rural congregations broadening their power over churches that should be independent. This was the start of the falling away of New Testament teachings.
It must be noted [ Christianity was banned by the Roman Empire for centuries, and Christians were extremely persecuted.
When the Roman Emperor Constantine in A.D. 313 set forth the Edict of Milan, it was to allow religious toleration for Christians, it lifted the ban on Christianity. It was an attempt to unite the Roman Empire, which at that time was beginning to fragment and divide.
Constantine though refused to fully embrace the Christian belief, and let it practice many pagan beliefs. The Christian church that was promoted by Constantine then was a mixture of true Christianity and Roman paganism.
By the middle of the forth century the Roman Catholic Church was taking form. Progressing through centuries with ups and downs, known as the “dark ages” of history, but it grew strong and dominated the so called Christian church for over a thousands years.
Here’s some websites you can check out on the Catholic Church:
- What is the origin of the Roman Catholic Church?
- History of the Catholic Church
- The Plain Truth about the Roman Catholic Church