The Kingdom is announced

The connection between Jesus and the Church

Ekklesia

Proclaiming the kingdom

Apostolic communities

When did the Church begin to exist?

Did Jesus intend to found a Church?

Did the Church remain faithful to Jesus’ intentions?

- even in the earliest days?

There is no connection between Jesus and the subsequent Church

The Church was laid down in the NT in every dimension

(Mt 16:18; 18:18)

The majority view: that the ecclesiology of the NT has developed

An assembly in the Greek world A legislative assembly Participants were those with full citizen

rights;

‘Qahal’ remained in use until the issue of Gentile membership then the word Ekklesia was used

Similar to the Hebrew QAHAL

Always refers to a concrete community◦ Eg ‘the church in Corinth’

Occasionally to the whole ‘people of God’

2 in Synoptics; John doesn’t use the term ekklesia or have a concern for structure or authority as Matt does

20 in Revelation

23 times in Acts

65 times in Paul◦ A clear rising profile!

Signifies the local church

Paul uses the plural form too –the worldwide assembly of Christians

But may be a small house community too (Rom 16:5; Phil 2)

All congregations ‘gathered in the name of Jesus Christ’

‘Founding ‘ as in laying the foundations for.. Appointed the 12 apostles: continuity with OT Healing - a sign of the Kingdom Membership is divisive Not just for Jews – Gentiles also**pre/post

resurrection The primacy of Peter The Eucharist Leadership as service

Did not inaugurate the church - already existed (Acts 1:15-22)

Was the point when the church was specifically endowed with power from on high

(Acts 2:1-12)

The outpouring of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit were accepted

The Spirit is the firstfruits of the final Kingdom (1 Thess 4:8; 1 Peter 1:2; Heb 6:4)

A community transformed by the presence of the Spirit

Not uniform or monolithic The local church is not just a sub-division of

the universal church The universal church is not just the sum of

the constituent parts The Corinthian church: ‘the church of God

which is in Corinth’ The church universal ‘the fullness of him

who fills the universe in all its parts’ Eph1:22/3

As we have seen:

A 3 stage process: - Original words and deeds of Jesus How these were used in the oral tradition How this tradition came to be written down

Mtt 16:18 Mtt 18: 17/8

Meaning given by Jesus? Meaning given by first apostles? Meaning given by first communities? Meaning given by NT authors?

The idea of ‘church’ is seen to develop through various stages

Interpretation of each stage is a delicate and subtle matter

Diversity of ecclesiological approaches within the NT

And also within modern day theologians

He never addressed himself to a select group But to the whole people of Israel;

to sinners;

Post-resurrection, to everyone

The call of the 12 represented / symbolised the call of the 12 tribes of Israel

The wider group of disciples was given a mission to Israel as a whole

No specific rule of life

Membership is not a condition of salvation

In fact salvation is gained by obedience to the Father’s will (Mt 7: 21)

And this may be done without explicit awareness (Mt 25: 31-46)

The community of disciples stayed together as a Eucharistic community (1 Cor 11: 17-27)

The community understood that they were meant to stay together (Lk 22: 29-30)

So in a sense, the church never ‘began’ – there was always a community

Jesus gathered disciples: -

They took part in his healing ministry The message was divisive Jesus anticipated a gap between his death

and the Parousia and that Israel would reject the call to salvation

And pagans would be invited instead (Mt 8: 10-12)

Theology which deals with the ‘last things’ - Resurrection; hell; the last judgement; heaven

Realised – here and now

Future – to come

Realised Eschatology – something has been fulfilled in the here and now◦ Lk 4: today this scripture has been fulfilled in your

hearing....◦ Mk 1: 1-15 the kingdom of God has come near...

Future Eschatology – something remains to be fulfilled◦ Mk 13:22:We cannot predict the day or the hour

Basileia tou theou The realisation of God’s reign of justice and

right - a dynamic concept The nearness of God’s rule

◦ ‘Just round the corner’

Parables which describe ‘the kingdom’

Signs of the Kingdom – Lk 7:22 Mtt 11: 5 Lk 4: 16-24

Of growth

Of judgement

Of forgiveness

Of commitment

Of urgency

Take one parable and think about its meaning.

What does it tell you about the Kingdom?

No specific rule of life indicated Nor is membership a condition of salvation

Mtt 7:21 – the one who does the will of my father in heaven

Often done without explicit awareness – ‘as often as you did it for one of the least of my brothers you did it for me (Mtt 25:31-46)

Does membership of the church equal acceptance in the Kingdom of God?

No guarantee False prophets Mt 7:22-23

All evil doers will be cast out Mt 13:38-43

People who do not belong will be acknowledged by the Lord as brothers and sisters Mt 25: 31-46

The final test is a just life – parable of the wedding garment Mt 22:11-13

No uniform order or structure Some order and structure: these shape the

life of the church Whole congregation involved in important

decisions (Acts 15; 1 Cor 5)

Leadership in place; derived from the Lord; Bishops & Deacons

Hierarchical: (1 Cor 12:27/8)

Charismatic ministries :prophets & teachers Administrative ministries No opposition – all gifts and charisms of the

Holy Spirit Ministry is for the sake of service, never

domination Pre-eminence of the petrine ministry – not

contested

Acts 2: 43-47

Acts 4 : 32-35

Acts 5: 12-16

Healing and miracles Evangelised Sharing of goods (the widows debate)

A rich prayer life - both Jewish and Christian Meetings – synagogue and homes Breaking of bread on Sunday

Faith in Jesus as Messiah and Lord Prayer - home and Synagogue Baptism Eucharist Apostles preaching and teaching Communities based on love Expectation of the Kingdom

The care of widows: Acts 6 : 1-6

The Great Debate Acts 15 : 1-31

The resolution is still normative for the Church

Acts 15: 28

1 Cor 1: 10-17 14: 26-33 11: 17-22 14: 34 et seq

2 Cor 11: 5 11: 12

Diakonos service (Didache) Authority ‘has seen the Lord’ Presbyteroi Tit 1: 5; Peter 5: 1; James 5: 14 Elders 1 Tim 5: 17-19 Episkopos / Episkopoi: overseers Didache (Dead Sea Scrolls / Essenes) (Acts 20: 28)

Widows !!!

Many members, one body A variety of gifts but always the same Spirit

1Cor 12:12 - 30

Conflict resolution in Corinth

The Pastorals Colossians and Ephesians Luke/Acts

Not clear where these audiences were Or if they knew one another Acts devotes a lot of space to Paul but

doesn’t mention Pauline letters Eph/Col draws heavily on Paul’s writings - Why the difference?

Eph: 2: 11-22 A peaceful resolution between Jew and

Gentile

But -

Acts 28: 25-29 The Jews will never hear or understand the

Gospel message

The Pastorals: 1 Tim 3: 1-13;

Strong insistence of the author on church structure and the necessity of appointing church officials

Not present in Luke/Acts or Col/Eph which both have different emphases

AD 70 + Post -apostolic / early church writings: Didache (?50-60) Clement of Rome -1st Ep to Corinth (96?) Ignatius of Antioch (98-117) The Epistle to Diognetus (120-180)

When were people (some people?) aware of the NT writings? Do we know?