Christ Through the Ages, 24: Christ in the Apostolic Age

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Early sources

Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, JohnActsLettersApocalypseFound also in early documents like 1 Clement, the letters of Ignatius, etc.

Apostolic emphases illustrated in evangelistic speeches:

Acts 2:14-36Jesus was a real person -- he was from Nazareth (v.22).The scriptures (Old Testament) bear witness to Christ (vv.16-21, 25-28, 34-35).His many miracles also testify to him (v.22)These were indisputable, even to his enemies.In the early centuries, the Jews did not deny his miracles, although sometimes they dismissed them as magic.Crucified (v.23).See 1 Corinthians 1. What was striking was not the agony of his death, but his apparent failure.Little emphasis on the gore. Restraint exercised even in the gospel accounts of Jesus' passion.Resurrected (vv.24-32).Corroborated by eyewitnesses.Emphasized more than the crucifixion.The world /age to come is here:Day of the Lord here (v.20).Kingdom of God -- and Christ is King (vv.30,33).The Spirit is now available (vv.17-18, 33 -- see v.38)Jesus is the Christ, or Messiah (vv.34-36).Son of DavidJesus is the Lord (vv.34, 36).Salvation therefore comes in name of the Lord (v.21--see v.38, 22:16).Acts 28:2325 years later than the Pentecost messageThis is an abbreviated version of most of the material in the Pentecost sermon.Paul had many hours to proclaim Christ -- far longer than Peter did at Pentecost -- and this one-verse compendium summarizes a period of teaching doubtless containing  more content than the Acts 2 sermon:KingdomMessianic texts

General

Incarnate God -- both divine and humanSinlessLord: personal and political implications (esp. beginning in the 2nd century).Church as visible body of Christ, though see 2 Corinthians 4:5.Yes this compelling portrayal of Christ slowly begins to change. To be continued...

Next: Christ in Church History: The Early Middle Ages