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The Dawning of the Church is the second course in the New Testament Studies
Series. It begins after the Gospels and covers the books of Acts, Romans, I
& II Corinthians. The Gospels reveal Jesus' life and purpose; but with Jesus'
ascension, the focus of Scripture turns to Jesus' followers and to the beginnings
of His church. This small band of faithful Christ followers spread and multiplied
to impact much of the Roman world. By 60 A.D., the church was dawning brightly
over the Roman Empire, and Jesus' plan for world evangelism was well underway. How
could so few impact so many? How could Christ's followers, opposed by the might
and resources of Rome, so affect the known world that their beliefs and teachings
survived long after Rome fell? We will find the answers to these and other questions
as we explore the biblical account of the "Dawning of the Church."
The emphasis of this course will be to highlight the people and events that
shaped the formation of the Early Church in the first century. The Book of Acts
describes the first 30 years of the churches history. However, this book really
describes the continuation of Jesus' ministry through the Holy Spirit's work in
men and women of faith. As we understand how these men and women worked under
the leading and anointing of the Holy Spirit we will discover timeless lessons
for how we are to live and minister today.
In our study of the book of Acts and the letters to the Roman and Corinthian
churches, we see vivid pictures of how the church emerged and functioned. In the
Book of Acts, we will learn how the lives of people, nations, and world events
shaped and formed the church, God's chosen means of sharing Christ's message
of love and hope to the world. The lives and travels of the Apostles will come
alive to us as we read and discuss how they overcame the challenges of
establishing the newborn church. From our study of the Book of Romans, we will
discover how to apply the essential theology that undergirds our faith and lives
as believers. In Paul's letters to the Corinthian church, we will discover how
believers lived out their lives together in the community of faith. These timeless
principles of church organization, leadership and ministry provided the strength
and vitality that propelled the Early Church it into all the world. Learning how
these principles worked then will not only strengthen, equip and inspire us, but
should also challenge our current understanding and approaches to church life.
Course Materials:
Samples:
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