The Second Century

THE SECOND CENTURY
We rightly expect that the state of the churches of Asia, as found in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation will provide clues as to the development of the Christian church in the second century.

I. The duty of faithfulness

A. Evidences of faithfulness (Revelation 2.2; 2:8-11 2:19) works, labour, patience, charity, service, and faith.

B. The cost of faithfulness (John 15.20, Revelation 2:10;13)

II. The danger of false teaching

A. Christ's warnings. ((Revelation 2.2, 2.6,15, 2.9; 3.9, 2.14, 2.20). (Matthew 24.4-5).

B. Some background to second century heresies such as Dualism and Gnosticism but 1 Corinthians 15.12-17.

C. Specific second century heresies: (1) Gnosticism drew from Christian, Greek, Persian and Egyptian sources to be super spiritual but see Romans 15.25-27. (2) Montanism was an emotionally charged early day charismatic revivalism with a premonition of Islam in its claims of a coming sensuous millennium (Ecclesiastes 1.9)

III. The definition of the Gospel

A. Philadelphia: Christ's word and work (Revelation 3.8). The Epistle of Clement of Rome.

B. Sardis: Strengthening the things that remain (Revelation 3.2-3).

C. Ephesus: Distinguishing truth from error. (Revelation 2.2). The Apostles' Creed

Conclusion: Christ is not the author of confusion and will have no such thing in his church.