Catholic origins

[good samaritan]

At what point in church history did people really begin to drift into
Apostasy? Who where some of the big influencers to it happening? I am thinking 2nd -3rd century folks.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

At what point in church history did people really begin to drift into
Apostasy? Who where some of the big influencers to it happening? I am thinking 2nd -3rd century folks.

1st century era. Some of them are mentioned in the New Testament Scriptures, some by name, some in general.

Examples:

- Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17)
- Those who didn't believe Jesus Christ was come in the flesh (1 John 4:2-3)
- Diotrephes (3 John 1:9)
- The Nicolaitains (Revelation 2:6 and Revelation 2:15)
- "Jezebel" (Revelation 2:20)

After this era, probably the most important figure to look at is Ignatius of Antioch. His Seven Letters are filled with important developments in early catholic doctrine and dogma:

https://www.catholicculture.org/cult...fm?recnum=3836

Next, you should look at Justin Martyr. He was likely the first to develop a proto-triune baptismal formula:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/justin.html

Then the next two big names are Tertullian and Origen. But you also have to look at Hippolytus, and Athanasius, and a large smattering of lesser-known figures.

Basically, anyone who might be called a "church father".

[good samaritan]

Thank you good stuff. I have a doctrinally devout baptist that just started coming to our church a few months back. She said the Lord led her to our church. You can tell she is hungry for Bible knowledge, but very indoctrinated with the false teaching of the trinity. She recently received the Holy Ghost at the alter, but she is very reserved about it. I personally feel that some church history would aid in her understanding about the origins of the trinity doctrine and baptism in titles. I feel her views are evolving but I am trying not push or offend her.

[diakonos]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Thank you good stuff. I have a doctrinally devout baptist that just started coming to our church a few months back. She said the Lord led her to our church. You can tell she is hungry for Bible knowledge, but very indoctrinated with the false teaching of the trinity. She recently received the Holy Ghost at the alter, but she is very reserved about it. I personally feel that some church history would aid in her understanding about the origins of the trinity doctrine and baptism in titles. I feel her views are evolving but I am trying not push or offend her.

That’s a really good approach.

[good samaritan]

Thanks, I am a little rusty on church history. The fact that a catholic priest in Arizona botched a lot of baptisms opened up some good talking points about the correct baptismal formula.

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Thanks, I am a little rusty on church history. The fact that a catholic priest in Arizona botched a lot of baptisms opened up some good talking points about the correct baptismal formula.

This will help:

https://pentecostalpublishing.com/pr...-in-one-volume

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by coksiw

This will help:

https://pentecostalpublishing.com/pr...-in-one-volume

Thank you

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Thanks, I am a little rusty on church history. The fact that a catholic priest in Arizona botched a lot of baptisms opened up some good talking points about the correct baptismal formula.

Brother, don't give people books to read. Give people the Book, chapter, and verse. David Bernard (last time I checked) isn't one of the apostles, or in the same class as Paul. Stick with the Bible, she was led to your church family, not to Word Aflame publishing house.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Brother, don't give people books to read. Give people the Book, chapter, and verse. David Bernard (last time I checked) isn't one of the apostles, or in the same class as Paul. Stick with the Bible, she was led to your church family, not to Word Aflame publishing house.

Haha! The books are for my reading not hers. I assure you the word is all I have been teaching. I am just growing my Arsenal of knowledge to throw a little light into someone’s darkness. I agree with you that the Bible is what we need to be focusing on.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Haha! The books are for my reading not hers. I assure you the word is all I have been teaching. I am just growing my Arsenal of knowledge to throw a little light into someone’s darkness. I agree with you that the Bible is what we need to be focusing on.

I'm begging you, learning what the UPC believes about history is like trying to learn nuclear fission from the "My Little Red Story Book First Reader."

Your arsenal of knowledge is the word of God. Period.

History takes a lot of time, and much study through reading quite a bit of primary sources. Even when you are done with all of that, history is still debatable. The United Pentecostal Church has some interesting views on church history. Like the early church became apostate devolving into the Catholic church. Then the Church was reborn at Azusa Street. Not too far off from what the Adventists believed, as well as the Jay Dubs, and the Mormons .