Origin Of Christianity

Origin of Christianity

Introduction: Earlier lesson I spoke on the origin of religions. In the Bible we find God speaking directly to the heads of families in the Patriarchal Dispensation. By the time of Genesis 6 man rejected God’s word. After the flood we read of man making and worshipping idols. In Exodus 14 the children of Israel comes out of Egypt and in Exodus 20 the Law of Moses was given to Israel . Therefore, we have a separation of the Jews from the Gentiles during the Mosaic Dispensation. Eventually the Jews started to worship idols and they were driven off their land during the “captivity.” A remnant, faithful few Jews, returned back to Canaan after 70 years. During the captivity people were brought in to Canaan from other lands and worshipped idols. God sent lions to devour them. Priest were brought back to teach the people about God. This resulted in the Samaritans and their religion.

We now want to turn out attention toward “Christianity” and its origin. Jesus and His church were prophesied in the Old Testament. One can not speak of Christ without speaking of His church. Prophecy helps us to identify the church established by Christ. It tells us when it was to be established, where it would be established, how it would be established, what the church would be like.

I) Old Testament Prophecies

A) Old Testament prophecy helps us to identify the Savior or Messiah

1. His place of birth is told in Micah 5.2. Jesus was born in Bethlehem , Luke 2.4

2. Isaiah 7.14 tells us a virgin would give birth. Matthew 1.18-20 and Luke 1.26-34 tells us Joseph had not known Mary and Mary maintain her purity.

3. Jacob tells us the Law Giver would come from the tribe of Judah, Genesis 49.10. Other prophesies tells us He would come through the lineage of David. Matthew 1 and Luke 3 gives us the lineage of Christ and its was through Judah .

4. His manner of death and resurrection are foretold in the Old Testament.

a. Sold for thirty pieces of silver, Zechariah 11.12-13 ((Matthew 26.15)

b. Betrayed by a friend, Judas

c. Isaiah 53, Psalm 22 and others tells about His death and resurrection.

5. Does any one doubt Jesus fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament? Over 300 prophesies concerning the Messiah was fulfilled by Jesus.

B) Daniel 2.31-44 gives us the time frame for the kingdom.

1. It would be established during the 4^th kingdom which was the Roman Empire . Luke 2.1 tells us it was during the days of Augustus Caesar when a census was taken that Jesus was born.

2. It also tells us something of the nature of this kingdom as it would not be bound by natural boundaries but would go through out the world.

B) Isaiah 2.2-3

1. When would it be established? During the latter days.

2. What will happen? The Lord’s house would be established. 2 Samuel 7.12-13,16

3. The Law of the Lord shall go forth. V. 3

4. Jeremiah prophesied of a New Law that would replace the Old Law, Jeremiah 31.31-33.

5. Where would this happen? At Zion which is another name for Jerusalem .

C) Isaiah 62.2-3

1. There will be a new name—unspecified but one determined by the Lord.

2. Gentiles will be included in this prophecy.

D) Joel 2.28-32

1. In the Latter Days

2. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

II) Jesus and The Church

A) Matthew 16.16-18

1. He will be the rock or foundation of His church.

2. It will be established which means it had not been established at this time.

3. Jesus’ purpose is given in Matthew 1.21.

B) Matthew 18.15-17 Jesus refers to the church and its fellowship

C) We read of Jesus’ death in the Gospels

1. John 19.34 Jesus’ blood was shed on the cross.

2. Reason of His death explained in Matthew 26.26-28

a. For – in order to received – remission of sin

b. Does any one believe man was saved by the blood of Jesus before His death on the cross? If so, why did Jesus die on the cross?

c. Jesus had to die to pay the penalty for our sins, to redeem us from sin. Ephesians 1.7

d. Jesus’ blood purchased us from our sins therefore it purchased the church, Acts 20.28

III) The Church Established

A) Acts 2

1. The coming of the Holy Spirit tongues of fire, speaking in tongues.

2. Preaching of the Gospel of Christ.

B) Fulfillment of Prophecy

1. Fulfillment of Joel 2.28-32 is mentioned in Acts 2.16.

2. Where were they? At Jerusalem .

3. We have the preaching of the Law of Christ (The Law of the Lord).

4. Those that obeyed were added to the church, Acts 2.47

C) The church

1. Has Jesus as its head or source of authority, Colossians 1.18

2. Has Jesus as its foundation, 1 Corinthians 3.11.

3. Are made up of Christians, Acts 11.26.

IV) Questions

A) Does anyone believe Jesus did not die on the cross?

B) Does any one believe man is saved separate and apart from the blood of Jesus?

C) Does anyone believe the church they were added to in Acts 2 was not the church established by Christ?

D) Does anyone believe the New Law in Jeremiah 31.31-32 was not the Law of Christ?

E) Does anyone believe the Law of Christ was not preached on the Day of Pentecost?

V) The Church (Christianity) Established

A) Is the one we all need to be a member of

1. Entrance was through baptism into Christ, Acts 2.38.

2. They were added to some church for Acts 2.47 says so.

3. They were not added to some denomination because they did not exist.

B) Has Jesus as its head/authority

C) Has Jesus as its Savior

D) Has Jesus as its founder.

E) Was established in 33 AD at Jerusalem .

F) Is bound by the Law of Christ.

G) Its members today are Christians.

Conclusion: Are you a member of that church.

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