The Codex Sinaiticus was interesting to me as it contains the 66 books of our King James Bible, plus the books of the Apocrypha written during the period between the testaments.  Also, at the end of the Codex is The Shephard Hermas (a popular Christian book from the 1st Century AD) and Barnabas.  I am waiting for the translation of Barnabas to become available, as I think it’d be interesting to read this – although I am not convinced it was written by the Apostle bearing the same name.

The 2^nd Century (AD 95 – 199)

• The 3 Bishops who wrote during this period did not write anything about a Trinity doctrine.  All of their works, apart from the psuedographa spoke of One God in Christ (not 3 Persons). 
• ‘He [Ignatius] says, “Our God, Jesus the Christ, was conceived in the womb of Mary according to a dispensation.” He speaks of “the passion of my God”, “the blood of God”, and “Jesus Christ our God”, “There is one God who manifested Himself through Jesus Christ.”’ Weisser, 1981 p.1
• In the 2^nd half of the 2^nd Century the Apologists started to introduce Greek Philosophical thought. Doctrines such as Justin’s theory that the Logos was separate to God, started to water down the pure monotheism of the Early Church.
• Tertullian said that those who believed in the doctrine of One God who manifests Himself as Father, Son & Holy Ghost (but is not 3 seperate persons) were the majority – Tertullian’s view of Triniarianism was a minority view and he belonged to a heretic sect called the Montanists – who falesly predicted Christ’s return (Bernard, 1995).

The 3^rd Century (c. 200 – 299)

• A succession of 4 Roman bishops maintained the apostolic doctrine of One God, and that Jesus was the One True God. These are Eleutherus, Victor and Zephrinius and Callistus. We know of them through the writings of Hippolytus who they believed was a ditheist as he believed in God the Father & The Logos as 2 divine beings
• Teachers Praxeas (c. 189-99) and Noetus c. 200 taught that there was but One God with not distinction of persons, or plurality in the Godhead. However, the Apologist Hippolytus accused them of heresy.

• Another prominent teacher was Sabellius. He preached in Rome c. 215. He taught there was One God, who manifested Himself in different ways – he rejected the idea of plurality in the godhead (Weisser, 1981). Sabellius baptised in Jesus’ name and in 381 when Trinitarianism was adopted as the official doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, Sabellian baptism (i.e. in Jesus’ Name) was deemed invalid (Weisser, 1981).

• The view of Sabellius was closer to orthodox Biblical apostolic doctrine – and many believers of the 3^rd & 4^th Century believed this way (Weisser, 1981).

4^th Century (AD. 300 – 325)

• It is in the 4^th Century in AD 325 that the apostolic doctrines of One God and baptism in Jesus’ Name are abandoned in favour of the doctrine of the Trinity (One God in Three Persons) and a Trinitarian formula (repetition of Matt. 28:19).
• Robert Robinson, in his work entitled Ecclesiastical Researches says the following about the Council of Nicaea. “All the classes, who did not hold the doctrine of a trinity of persons in God, whether called Artemonites, Paulianists, Arians, Monarchians, Patropassians, Sabellians, or by any other name, administered baptism in the name of Christ. Weisser, 1981, p. 7

The danger of calling someone ‘Father’

For know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Acts 20:29

However, this title is very misleading.  First of all, Jesus said that we should call no man father.  This was because during Christ’s earthly ministry the Jews had added extra biblical layers to their faith, from the Talmud and Mishna etc.  These extra biblical commentaries (and commentaries on the commentaries in some cases!) had replaced scripture as the highest authority. 

Likewise, the same danger is true when we start to say the men after the Apostles are “Apostolic Fathers”, when in fact, many of the men who wrote were considered heretics in their own day, and whose belief does not fit either Orthodox Biblical Christianity today e.g. “Apostolic Father” (so called) Tertullian belonged to a heretic sect called the Montanists, and although he is considered the Father of Trinitarianism, he himself believed that God had 3 physical bodies and that the Son was subordinate to the Father, and the Holy Spirit subordinate to the Son (c.f. J.W.C Wand History of Christianity to AD 500; or Bernard D., History of Christian Doctrine vol. 1).

Today, many Christian demoninations base their belief not sola scripture (scripture alone) but on scriptre PLUS the words of “the Apostolic fathers” – this adding to the Word of God leads to error, and assumed doctrines which have no foundation in the Word of God.  For example, if the Trinity is such as cornerstone of Christian faith why is the Word Trinity, or a Creed such as the Nicean Creed not found in the Bible?  Why did it take 200 years after Jesus for believers to truly understand the nature of God?  Isn’t it more likley that over 200 years, men crept in unawares and started to ‘re-define’ who God is.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. 1 Timothy 4:1 

The Misleading Title “Apostolic” Church Father

The use of “Apostolic” is also misleading.  For the men who wrote after AD 95 were not Apostles.  The last of the Apostles died in the late AD 90’s i.e. John.  The generation after the Apostles were the men such as Timothy and Titus who we read about in the Bible.  The generation from AD 95 are the 3rd generation and beyond.   Aside from the early Bishops Polycarp, Ignatius and Clement of Rome (all wrote between AD 95 – AD 140) the remainder of later writers didn’t have positions in the church i.e. many were not Bishops e.g. Origen, Tertullian etc.  Let alone were they Apostles. 

I think that the term Apostles should refer to those who continued in the teaching laid down by the Apostles (Acts 2:39). However, the writers from AD 140 started to depart from the truth and added philosophy and Greek thinking to the Gospel – sapping it of it’s power. 

Paul warned of the danger of philosophy

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Col. 2:8-9

Despite the above warning men such as Justin “borrowed” from the Greek philosophers in order to define their understanding of God, they moved from the simple monothiesim of the Bible and invented a doctrine which stated the Logos was a seperate entitiy to the Supreme God – exactly what the Greek’s believed. 

Ok, so what would make someone Apostolic?

• God: there is only One God – Monotheism (Eph. 4:5-6; Jhn. 4:24).

• Jesus: the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in Jesus (1 Tim. 3:16; Jhn. 1:1, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19). Jesus is the Word incarnate, fully God and fully man (1 Jhn. 4:2; 1 Tim. 3:16; Jhn. 1:14).

• Baptism: Baptism is in the Name of Jesus for remission of sins (Acts 2:38, 4:12, 10:48, 19:5). The Apostles understood that the ‘name’ mentioned in Matt 28:19 was Jesus (c.f. Lk. 24:47).

• Holy Spirit: The New Birth involves being filled with the Spirit, accompanied by speaking in unknown tongues (Acts 2:4; 19:46-48). A life transformed.

Initially, like other immigrants who saw the attraction and prosperity of migrating to a “first world ” country, Dorant decided to follow the huge influx of emigration that existed at the time in Jamaica. As a native of Jamaica he boldly and courageously moved to unknown territory to establish himself in a strange land. He had not yet been acquainted with Jesus Christ but it was clear that the Lord had his hand in his life. In 1961, Dorant Thompson landed in England in hopes of a better life. Ironically, better was still yet to come. In November of that year, he was invited to an Apostolic church in Birmingham under the pastoral ministry of Bishop S.A. Dunn who continues to pastor till this day. Dorant accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour Jesus Christ. This was the beginning of something great, momentous and unstoppable. The Lord had rested his hand on Dorant and it was soon to be revealed of the great work that he would establish in his life.

In 1964 Brother Thompson decided to relocate to Canada to continue his efforts toward obtaining a better life. In 1966 he married Edna Fullerton who now was included in the prophetic work that God had bestowed through these two individuals. Again, the Lord had other intentions for his life, and he became an ordained minister in 1967. He worshipped and laboured with other neighbouring Apostolic churches in Toronto for some time until the call of the Lord became evident in his life. In 1970 Minister Thompson began to Pastor a church as he carried out the great commission of the Lord. This year marked the inauguration of the First United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic under the leadership of Pastor D.W. Thompson in Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Pastor Thompson’s ministry did not escape opposition by Satan, but any great work will always be challenged. He states: “A midst difficulties and trials over the years, God has been by the side of Bethlehem”. Pastor Thompson often parallels Bethlehem’s experience to the biblical account of Israel’s wilderness experience as they journeyed from Egypt into the promised land. Pastor Thompson emphasizes that God has always been with them through their valley experience and today God has elevated Bethlehem to a place of liberation and prosperity. Despite the odds, and opposition from others who thought he would not make it, Pastor Thompson has managed to establish churches in 6 provinces in Canada. These include 1 in British Columbia, 2 in Alberta, 1 in Saskatchewan, 1 in Manitoba 1 in Quebec and 3 in Ontario. In 1996 through a miracle of the Lord Bethlehem relocated to #1 Leswyn Road which seats over 800 people! In November 22, 1997 God sanctioned his ministry as he became an ordained Bishop. It became apparent that God had a higher calling in his life.

Pastor Thompson’s vision is to establish a church in the major city of each province throughout the dominion of Canada. He is determined to carry out the work of the Lord by preaching this universal gospel which transcends all ethnicities, creeds, colours etc. He states that the gospel is not for a specific group or community but the gospel of salvation is for all those willing to accept Jesus Christ. Pastor Thompson has a vibrant calling and anyone who comes in contact with him can truly see the manifestation of the Holy Spirit through his life. Not only does his ministry fulfill the great commission highlighted in Matthew 28, but his ministry embraces a vision of enhancing his community by opening a school, building a seniors home and a trades center for high risk youth. Pastor Thompson’s talents cannot go unnoticed; his gift of singing soothes the soul and propels the goodness of salvation as he declares a joyful noise unto the Lord in song. His veracious tenacity in delivering God’s word is a blessing and we continue to pray that God continues to keep him in a time where God is looking for strong leadership to lead churches as we enter into the new Millennium. As a father of 4 and an inspirational man of God he is an example for the church today. May God continue to bless this man of God as he spreads the gospel throughout the dominion of Canada. May his vision become a reality, for without a vision the people will perish. (source: bethlehemuc.org/profile)

When Bishop Dunn came to England in the 1950’s neither Bishop Walsh nor Mother Walsh wanted to start a ministry in England, I can only presume that God was not leading them in this area.  However, Bishop Dunn became affiliated with the Rehoboth Church of Jesus Christ in Baltimore United States while starting the work in Handsworth Birmingham.  Bishop Carr was the presiding Bishop of the Rehoboth church and he was a mightily annointed and powerful preacher and teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Under Bishop Carr’s tutilage came up great preachers, teachers and evangelists such as the late Monroe R Saunders (Apostle), Sydney A Dunn (Bishop) and Martin H Simmonds (Bishop).  It was Bishop Carr who joined Bishop Simmonds (then Elder Simmonds) and Bishop Dunn together in ministry partnership.  Bishop Simmonds was working over in East Anglia and Ipswich area spreading the gospel while Bishop Dunn’s ministry was to the West Indian migrants settling in the Midlands.

However, in the 1960’s progress was halted due to an indiscretion of Bishop Carr’s.  Bishop Carr divorced his wife and re-married someone else.  This went against the teaching and practise of the Apostolic faith, which stood firmly on Jesus’ teaching that there should be no divorce and re-marriage while the first wife was still alive.  The church still believes this today, although there are some who would prefer it if we did not. 

As a result Bishop Saunders and Bishop Dunn left the Rehoboth Church based on this doctrinal compromise.  The result was the creation of the United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic), which was also known as ‘First United Church of Jesus Christ’).   The presiding Bishop of this newly formed organisation was Bishop Monroe Randolf Saunders, with Bishop Dunn overseeing the United Kingdom.

Bishop Saunders and Bishop Dunn believed that all new members of First United Church of Jesus Christ needed to follow the words of Revelation and as an act of repentance and re-dedication re-do their first works through a symbolic re-baptism marking their commitment to Christ.  It should be noted that this re-baptism was not for salvation, but it was an act of re-dedication and consecration.  As you could imagine this issue caused no small stir among the ministers and saints who were requested to re-baptise.  As a result, many ministers did not join First United Church of Jesus Christ, but took it as an opportunity to depart and become independent or join other Apostolic groups such as the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, United Pentecostal Church, Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ and others.  This was especially true in the South of England where First United lost much of it’s influence in London, a position that has never been regained to this date.  

Here is an excert about the inception of the United Church of Jesus Christ – it misses some of the information I have posted above, but reading the two together will give a picture of the history and origin of the organisation: - 

The United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) traces its history to 1945 when Randolph A. Carr an Overseer in the Church of God in Christ [note: this is the church I have always known to be named 'Rehoboth'], withdrew because of doctrinal differences, and formed the Church of God in Christ (Apostolic). Carr had come to believe in the Apostolic doctrine concerning the Oneness of the Godhead (as opposed to the Church of God in Christ’s adherence to the doctrine of the Trinity).

In 1965, Monroe R. Saunders, Sr., then the General Secretary and a member of the Board of Bishops of the church, expressed serious difficulties with some contradictions between belief and action by the church’s leadership, specifically as related to the teaching on marriage and divorce and the actions of Bishop Carr. His actions had become a matter of concern throughout the church. Carr forced Saunders out of the church. Many of the members and leaders left with Saunders and joined him in the formation of the United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic).

Saunders carefully and prayerfully put together a Book of Church Order and Disciple to guide the administration of the church. The church is operated by a board of bishops, one of which is the presiding bishop or president, and one the vicebishop or vice-president. The Church observes the ordinances of baptism, holy communion, and foot washing.

Saunders has served as president since the church’s founding in 1965. One of the more educated leaders in the Apostolic Movement, Saunders completed his post-graduate studies and has led in the cause of an educated ministry. He formed the Center for a More Abundant Life, which serves as an umbrella for a variety of social and educational services, such as the Center for Creative Learning, an early childhood educational facility; the Monroe R. Saunders School for elementary school children; and two high rise houses for the elderly and handicapped.

Membership: The church reports 80 congregations, 100,000 members, and 150 ministers in the United States and Canada, and it has missions in England, Africa, and the West Indies.

Educational Facilities: Institute of Biblical Studies, Baltimore, Maryland.

Sources:

Saunders, Monroe R., Sr. The Book of Church Order and Discipline of the United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic). Washington, DC, 1965  

Here is a link to the site the above extract was found at.

February 2009 marked the bi-centennial commemoration of Charles Darwin, and his work ‘On The Origin of Species’.  Darwin’s theory of natural selection has changed the way the world thinks about life and has had an impact upon the belief that ‘in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth’.

In the UK there has been a lot of coverage of one of Britian’s most iconic scientists (e.g. BBC).  Using Google Trends comparing searches on Google for Darwin vs. searches on Google for Jesus, we can see that Darwin nearly overtook Jesus in popularity.  But not quite.

Too bad Charles, Jesus is still no.1!

You can see the graph by visiting the link for Google Trends search of Darwin vs. Jesus here.

As preached at Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic UK’s Holy Convocation 2008.

Preached by Overseer Windsor Queensborough of Bethel Mt Shiloh Apostolic Church.

I love the part where he re-tells Bishop Dunn’s story.