First Century Church

The Christian church of the early centuries spread throughout much of Asia, Africa, and Europe, spoke many languages, was situated within diverse cultural settings, and had varied worship practices; yet it maintained a vital unity on core teachings. In The Global Church - The First Eight Centuries: From Pentecost through the Rise of Islam, author Donald Fairbairn helps listeners understand both the diversity and unity of the church in this pivotal era.

It's time to start over from zero. What happened to the Western church? Why are we losing the generation under thirty and reaching so few nonbelievers? In Church Zero, Peyton Jones examines one of our biggest problems: squeezing our leaders into a mold that cuts their hair and drains away their commando strength. Scripture lays out a leadership model that worked explosively in the first century.

If you think you know Bible history, you could be stunned by many findings in this book. From what Trinity means, to the day Jesus died, to mislabeled silent years, it will shock the senses with omissions in Bible studies and church services. From misguided preachers to those in it for celebrity status, radio programs, book deals, and speaking engagements, Jesus would admonish many churches and leaders for lack of discipline and rigor. You might be outraged that what is routinely taught covers less than 50 percent of the New Testament, and far less of the Old Testament.

From the creative minds of the scholarly group behind the groundbreaking Jesus Seminar comes this provocative and eye-opening look at the roots of Christianity that offers a thoughtful reconsideration of the first two centuries of the Jesus movement, transforming our understanding of the religion and its early dissemination.

The child Mark brimmed with excitement as he and his family made their way to Kennedy Airport in New York to board their flight departing for Cairo. It would be the first time he would travel by jet and his first visit to Egypt. Mark sat next to the window; on the other side sat his older brother, Andrew. Mark was deep in thought while the aeroplane ascended through the clouds going toward Egypt. After a while, Andrew asked his younger brother, "O Mark, what are you thinking?" Mark answered him: "Andrew, as we jet our way above the clouds toward Egypt, I remember what Tasony (Sister) ...

Miracles of the Past Preparing You for the Future The Body of Christ is ordained to walk in the supernatural. That has always been the plan, and you have a part to play in the mercy, power, and love of God being demonstrated in the earth. Despite claims that miracles ceased with the apostles, Jesus said that believers would do the same works He did and even greater works (John 14:12). From the book of Acts until today, the Spirit of God has demonstrated an enduring pattern of confirming the gospel through signs, wonders, and miracles. And today, the Holy Spirit desires to continue His ...

Brian Roy is a ghost-hunter extraordinaire. His latest adventure involves headless Japanese soldiers wreaking havoc in a New Hampshire church. The stats are grisly. Two boys blinded. Another boy shot. Cops killed. The bodies keep piling up, and the ghosts’ thirst for vengeance is as insatiable as their thirst for sake!

The first six centuries of Christianity were colorful ones indeed. The early Church, as an extension of the Apostolic age, represents the living Bible which is practiced daily; it reveals biblical and heavenly thought. She also manifests her dogma, order, economy, and behavior as the bride of Christ and His ambassador in the world. The Church lived bearing the features of her crucified Christ, gladly and joyfully accepting persecution. These first six centuries were also characterized by councils, controversy, and heresy in the sincere quest for an understanding of the true faith. The ...

Letters to the Seven Churches by Jeff Culver isn’t just another commentary on the book of Revelation—it’s a deep, revealing journey into the cultural and historical world behind the text. With clarity and depth, Jeff Culver takes readers beyond the surface, unpacking how Jesus’s words to each of the seven churches were tailored specifically to the cities' reputations, customs, and even their monuments. This is the book that finally answers, “Why did He say that to them?” by reconnecting modern readers to the first-century world that originally heard the message. Rather than ...

An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of the Scriptures. Explore this biblical text that serves as a bridge from the Gospels to the Epistles, and introduces the birth of the Christian church and the experiences of its leaders as they spread the good news of salvation by faith from the Jewish to the Gentile communities. The entire text of the Bible are presented with intermediate commentary that includes the background, context, and exposition of each passage. Organized as twenty-seven sequential and individual Bible studies that are each intended for about 30 minutes of personal Bible ...

Luke wanted just an ordinary simple life until a wandering missionary disrupted his plans forever.He agreed only to go with the man to Greece, but the amazing things he saw there brought him to faith in Jesus. He returned with a heart-felt dedication to the crucified Savior, whose plan for Luke’s life seemed not to include what he wanted most.Will he find true love? Will he go with the apostle even when his heart cries, “No! Don’t go!” Will he complete what Christ wanted despite the discouraging obstacles in his way?Enter the world of the Gentile Christians in little communities ...

This book pulls no punches. We have been lied to about the origins of the New Testament, the Church, and the historical record. But what really happened? The Second Crucifixion of Jesus peels back layers of historical development to reveal the original message the Romans and the Roman Catholic Church never wanted us to see. Evidence from the Bible, contemporaneous histories, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, is meticulously documented – but presented in a narrative that anyone can follow.

EARLY CHRISTIANITY IN THE FIRST CENTURY: Jesus’ Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth offers an in-depth exploration of the early days of Christianity, as it emerged and spread throughout the known world. This comprehensive and insightful book delves into the historical and cultural context of the time, examining the birth of a new faith that would change the course of human history. From the humble beginnings of Jesus’ ministry and the miraculous events of Pentecost to the rapid growth of the Christian movement, this volume paints a vivid portrait of the first-century believers who were ...

In August 2024, Shirley and I will be celebrating our Golden Anniversary. We were married on August 18, 1974, in New York City. Our wedding ceremony was held at the First Chinese Presbyterian Church in Chinatown on Lower Manhattan. Since 1974, I have changed seven jobs and we have moved six times, all along the East Coast. We went through good and difficult times. We raised two successful daughters and have two grandchildren. We love to travel and cruise the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. This eBook compiles some of the pictures, just two of us, which we captured during our travel in the...

Beginning with the biblical basics, Jeff Lockyer walks listeners through the underlying theology and practical application of how Southridge Community Church has approached ministry for nearly a quarter century. While providing a fresh approach to ministry, the book stimulates how to think - not what to think. It's written by a local church practitioner for local church practitioners.

In an age where the essence and boundaries of the Church are questioned, "PAUL'S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS: CPH New Testament Commentary" offers an incisive, historically grounded exposition on one of the New Testament’s most transformative letters. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian church with a desire to elaborate on the grand scheme of God's eternal plan. Through the lens of this epistle, this volume unravels complex themes, offering clarity and deep insights, that fortify the reader's understanding of both the Christian faith and the institution of the Church. Indispensable ...