People of the Word SS Class

Dr. Robert C. Newman

9 July 2000

 

                                            Scripture in the Early Church

 

AScripture@ is the traditional term in English(borrowed from a Latin term scripturameaning Awhat iswritten@) totranslate the Greek graphai and Hebrew katuvim (both also meaning Awhatis written@) used torefer to the sacred writings given by God through prophets to the Jewish peoplebefore the time of Christ and to the early church through Jesus= specially chosen apostles.

 

The Old Testament is used to bring the message of Jesusto Jews and to AGodfearers@ (non-Jews who worshiped withthe Jews):

 

Peter=sspeech to the crowds at the Jewish feast of Pentecost (Weeks) - Acts 2:14-39

cites Joel 2:28-32; Psalm 16:8-11;Psalm 110:1

Stephen=sspeech to the Jewish supreme court (Sanhedrin) - Acts 7:2-53

recites Israel=s history from OT, quoting Genesis12:1; 15:13-14; Exodus 2:14; 3:6; 3:5-10; Deuteronomy 18:15; Exodus 32:1; Amos5:25-27; Isaiah 66:1-2

Philip=sconversation with the Ethiopian official - Acts 8:26-40

explains Isaiah 53

Paul=sspeech in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia - Acts 13:16-41

recites Israel=s history; cites Psalm 2:7; Isaiah55:3; Psalm 16:10; Habakkuk 1:5

Paul=sspeech to the leaders of the Jewish community at Rome - Acts 28:17-28

cites Isaiah 6:9-10

 

The Old Testament is used as a record of God=s activity in previouscenturies, as a revelation of God=scharacter and of human nature, and a guide for how believers ought to live:

 

Peter=sargument for choosing a successor to Judas - Acts 1:15-22

cites Psalm 69:25; 109:8

The believers=prayer in the face of persecution - Acts 4:23-30

cites Psalm 2:1-2

James=argument at the council of Jerusalem for accepting Gentiles - Acts 15:13-21

cites Amos 9:11-12

Paul=sargument that no one is good enough to be acceptable to God - Romans 3:9-20

cites Psalm 14:1-3 (=53:1-3); 5:9;140:3; 10:7; Isaiah 59:7-8; Psalm 36:1

Paul=sargument that sinners are given forgiveness rather than earning it - Romans4:1-8

cites example of Abraham, Genesis15:6, 22 and of David, Psalm 32:1-2

Paul=sresponse to concern that Jews rejected their Messiah - Romans 9-11

cites about 30 passages from OT,mostly from Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 1 Kings, Psalms, Isaiah, Hosea

 


The New Testament was prepared to record the testimony ofthe apostles who would not be living much longer:

 

1Many haveundertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled amongus,  2 just as they werehanded down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants ofthe word.  3 Therefore,since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, itseemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellentTheophilus,  4 so thatyou may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke1:1-4

 

30 Jesus didmany other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are notrecorded in this book.  31 Butthese are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son ofGod, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John20:30-31

 

22 Jesus answered, >>If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? Youmust follow me.@  23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothersthat this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die;he only said, >>If I want him to remain alive until I return, whatis that to you?@ 24 This is the disciple who testifies tothese things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. John21:22-24

 

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach falsedoctrines any longer  4 norto devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promotecontroversies rather than God=s workCwhich is by faith.  5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from apure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.  6 Some have wandered away fromthese and turned to meaningless talk.  7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do notknow what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. 1Tim 1:3-7

 

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, Iam writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, youwill know how people ought to conduct themselves in God=shousehold, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation ofthe truth. 1 Tim 3:14-15

 

12 So I will always remind you of thesethings, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth younow have.  13 I think itis right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,  14 because I know that I will soonput it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.  15 And I will make every effort tosee that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.1 Pet 1:12-15

 

7 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledgeJesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any suchperson is the deceiver and the antichrist.  8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have workedfor, but that you may be rewarded fully.  9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in theteaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching hasboth the Father and the Son.  10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring thisteaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.  11 Anyone who welcomes him sharesin his wicked work. 2 John 7-11