MATTHEW KALLIMAN'S WEBSITE
  • Home
  • Songs of the Bible
    • Millennial Day Songs >
      • Light
      • Waters
      • Land and Seed
      • Lesson in the Sky
      • Life Everywhere
      • Wedding Coming Soon
      • The Mountain Song
    • Volume Two >
      • Simple Point of View
      • Angel Rebellion
      • Two Trees in the Garden
      • Battle of the Universe
      • The Royal Law
      • Things to Come
      • The Family Tree
      • The Song of Moses
      • Count Your Trials a Joy
      • Wisdom of the King
    • Songs of David >
      • The Key to Success (Psalm 1)
      • The Lord's Anointed King (Psalm 2)
      • What is Man? (Psalm 8)
      • O Lord, How Long? (Psalm 13)
      • "There is no God" (That's what the fool says in his heart -- Psalm 14)
      • The Lord is my Shepherd (Psalm 23)
      • O God, Create in me a Clean Heart (Psalm 51)
      • Trust the Lord (And Surely He'll Deliver You -- Psalm 91)
      • I Will Lift Up My Eyes (Psalm 121)
      • Praise the Lord (Psalm 150)
    • Flowers in the Grass >
      • Flowers in the Grass
      • When Adam Died
      • Death Makes Life a Waste of Time
      • One Day at a Time
      • For God So Loved the World
      • Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
      • The Proof of a Christian
      • We Shall Be Changed
      • Good News
      • Seek the Lord
    • More Songs >
      • Risen from the Dead
      • The Stone that was Rejected
      • Bible Man
      • Ezekiel
      • Sodom and Gomorrah
      • Family Values
      • Just Say No
      • God Wants a Family
      • Musical Creation
      • Go Tell it on the Mountain
      • The Second Coming / Gathered From the Nations
    • Lyrics
  • Teachings of the Bible
    • The Seven Millennial Days of Human History >
      • The Bible Speaks for Itself
      • A Day to God is as a Thousand Years
      • First Millennial Day: Two Trees in the Garden
      • Second Millennial Day: The Great Flood
      • Third Millennial Day: The Promised Land
      • Fourth Millennial Day: The Throne of David
      • Fifth Millennial Day: The Spirit of Life
      • Sixth Millennial Day: Christ's Coming Dominion Over Earth
      • Seventh Millennial Day: A New Heaven and Earth
      • Overview
    • The Book of Doctrines >
      • Introduction
      • The Basic Questions
      • Regarding the Theory of Evolution
      • Doctrine One -- God and Christ Have Always Existed
      • Doctrine Two -- There are Two Beings in the Godhead
      • Doctrine Three -- God is Building a Family
      • Doctrine Four -- Man Has No Immortal Soul
      • Doctrine Five -- There is a Spirit in Man
      • Doctrine Six -- The Bible is the Foundation of the Church >
        • Introduction -- The Bible is the Foundation
        • Christ's Words Carry Authority >
          • Christ Upheld the Law of God
        • The Apostles' Words Carry Authority >
          • The Apostles Upheld the Law of God
        • The Prophets' Words Carry Authority >
          • The Prophets Upheld the Law of God
      • A World in Confusion
    • God's Plan of Salvation for Mankind >
      • Holy Day Overview
      • Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread
      • Pentecost
      • The Days of Trumpets and Atonement
      • The Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day
    • Teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of Ambassador College >
      • Radio Broadcasts >
        • Hebrews 1-10
        • Hebrews 11-20
        • Hebrews 21-30
        • Hebrews 31-40
        • Hebrews 41-50
        • Hebrews 51-60
        • Hebrews 61-70
        • Hebrews 71-73
      • Articles >
        • Mr. Armstrong's Co-Worker Letter of June 28, 1978
        • What is a Liberal?
        • And Now Christ Sets Church Back on Track Doctrinally!
        • How Subtly Satan Used Makeup to Start the Church Off the Track
        • Satan Hasn't Given Up on Makeup
        • Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of the Worldwide Church of God
    • Bible Studies given by Matthew Kalliman
  • My Story

 Family Bible Studies

Notes by Deborah Disher
Picture
Picture

First Century Church History
8/15/09

The Worldwide Church of God published a brochure entitled “The History of Europe and the Church,” subtitled “The Relationship that Shaped the Western World!” which contained a ten-part series of articles written by Mr. Keith Stump in 1983 and 1984. The first installment, entitled “The Church Struggles for Survival,” covered how the true church which Jesus started began to transition into what became eventually mainstream Christianity. The parallel between what happened in the first century and what went on very recently with the Worldwide Church of God—what is still going on in the church of God at this moment—is inescapable.

A summary of what Mr. Stump wrote:

Being disappointed at the failure of Christ to return as soon as expected (amid the horrific world events of A.D. 66-70), many Christians became susceptible to innovations in doctrine. There was a shift in focus away from such important matters as Bible prophecy, God’s coming kingdom and the true purpose of life. Heresies crept in. Much of what had once been, or at least seemed to be the true church, was corrupted.

False Christianity began with Simon the sorcerer, high priest of the Babylonian-Samaritan mystery religion (Acts 8, Revelation 17:5). Many Church of God members became exposed to his erroneous ideas, which were a mixture of Babylonian paganism, Judaism and Christianity. The apostles fought Simon's influence as long as they were alive. 

Late in the first century, John had received what we call the book of Revelation and it was sent to all the churches. Only now did it become understood that Jesus’ second coming wasn’t as imminent as once thought. The book of Revelation covered many years to come—millennia, as we now know. At the same time, once obscure passages in Daniel became clearer, along with certain of Jesus’ teachings.

Being the last surviving apostle, John was alone in holding back full apostasy from infiltrating the church of God (see 1-3 John). John warned the true church members to remain in fellowship with each other and to refuse to adopt the heretical body of new teaching. When John died, however, error took over the main body of the church. 

That’s the summary—it’s incredible to note that the true members eventually had to leave the main body. 
A few brethren held fast (Revelation 3:11), refusing to go along with what was fast becoming the synagogue of Satan. True brethren had to separate themselves (2 Corinthians 6:17, Revelation 18:4). “It’s as if Keith Stump prophesied what would happen in our time after Mr. Armstrong died!“ Dad noted. It’s of the utmost importance to hold on to the truth, which is clear—it confers a clear understanding of everything. Hang on to what the Church produced when it was on the right track and thinking correctly. Just about everything the splinter groups produce these days is contaminated with wrong thinking. Most of the groups are “in a mental fog” to one degree or another.

It would be well-worth reviewing this article by Mr. Stump, as well as Mr. Armstrong’s 1985 article on the history of the Philadelphia era of the true church—lest history repeat itself upon you!
This Bible study was given by Matthew Kalliman on 8/15/09

Family Bible Studies Index
Audio Messages
Home
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®.  Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission.
Contact