Forerunners of the Faith: 13 Lessons to Understand and Appreciate the Basics of Church History

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INTRODUCTION

WHY STUDY CHURCH HISTORY?

Reasons Every Christian Should Care about the Past

I. INTRODUCTION

As a church history professor, I routinely face the challenge of engaging students in a subject that may initially seem either unfamiliar or uninteresting. Despite the misconceptions, church history is neither boring nor irrelevant. It is so much more than names, dates, timelines, and charts.

Some students start out thinking, I hate history. Maybe so, but the study of church history is not primarily about history. It’s about the church, the bride of Christ, the most precious institution on earth. It’s about what God has been doing in the world for the last two thousand years. And that means it should matter to every believer.

Others might wonder why they should study church history, if our primary focus ought to be on studying the Bible. Without question, the Christian’s daily spiritual diet should consist of the pure milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:1–3). Nonetheless, the study of church history is a rich and profitable exercise. It can never replace the study of Scripture, but it can enrich it, as you learn from prior generations of believers who faithfully studied and applied biblical truth.

To be clear, the Word of God is the final authority over church history. But the study of church history, when evaluated through the lens of Scripture, is a faith-affirming exercise. I have experienced that reality firsthand. The deeper I’ve investigated the history of the church, the more I have grown to appreciate the power and authority of the Word of God—because I’ve seen that power vividly illustrated in the testimonies of past generations of believers.

When asked why church history is so important, if I only have a minute or two to answer, I usually highlight the following three points, using the acronym ABC. A is for

Believers today should take an interest in church history because it will help them guard against false teachings. The study of church history helps us understand how false movements arose, and how believers in the past have refuted them. B is for

The halls of church history are filled with compelling accounts of faithful men and women who made great sacrifices to follow Christ. Their examples motivate us to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. C is for

The study of church history answers many questions and shows us important connections. It explains how broader Christendom came to be what it is today. How did certain practices or movements develop? Why are things the way they are? Church history helps find answers to those lines of inquiry.

II. TEN REASONS TO STUDY CHURCH HISTORY¹

When given a bit more time to answer the question, Why is church history important?, we can list ten reasons. These represent an expansion of the three points listed above.

1. Studying church history is important because most contemporary Christians don’t know much about it. But they should.

2. Because God is at work in history. Equally, history is a testimony to God’s sovereign providence.

Isaiah 46:9–10—Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’

3. Because the Lord Jesus said He would build His church. To study church history is to watch His promise unfold.

Matthew 16:15–18—[Jesus] said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.’

4. Because church history is our history. As believers, we are members of the body of Christ, and part of the bride of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12, 27—For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. … Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.

Ephesians 5:25–27—Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

5. Because sound doctrine has been guarded and passed down by faithful generations throughout history.

2 Timothy 2:2—The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

6. Because, just as we are encouraged by the history of truth, we are also warned by the history of error. This enables us to be equipped as apologists.

1 Peter 3:15—Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.

7. Because we have much to learn from those who walked with God (cf. Heb. 11).

Hebrews 12:1–2a—Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.

8. Because just as we can learn from the good examples of faithful Christians (see Reason 7), we likewise have much to learn from those who failed at various points.

1 Corinthians 10:6—Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.

9. Because studying the past helps us understand the resources, opportunities, and freedoms that we enjoy in the present.

Luke 12:48—From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

10. Because history gives twenty-first century Christians a right perspective about their own place in the church age.

III. GETTING STARTED

Armed with reasons why the study of the past is important, you are now ready to embark on a journey through two thousand years of Christian history.

Please be aware that a series of thirteen lessons can only scratch the surface with regard to all that God has done over the last two millennia.

The goal of these lessons is threefold: (1) to introduce you to some of the major figures and events in church history, (2) to provide a basic historical framework for understanding church history, and (3) to encourage you in the faith by offering a glimpse into what God has done in prior generations.

KEY PASSAGE: 2 Timothy 1:13–14

Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

I. PICTURING THE CHURCH AS A BUILDING

One of the New Testament metaphors for the church is that of a building. Jesus Himself promised to build His church, and guaranteed that it would not fail (see Matt. 16:18).

Scripture points to Christ (and the truth about Him) as the foundation on which the church is built.

1 Corinthians 3:9–11—For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building…. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:19–22—So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:4–5—And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house.

Matthew 7:24–25—"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared