Churches, the very early years!

rcorlew · #1 16th April 2009, 02:52 AM

I have been doing some studying of the early roots of Christianity. Far earlier than any church (physical building with laws and rules), was the first church not founded until Moses did this during the Exodus?

If that is the case, how then would people have actually learned about God and what He desires from us.

Those are really kind of loaded questions, but I have not found a definitive answer yet although I have formulated my belief based on what I have learned.

I feel that there is some definite truth to be realized by thinking about this OP.

freeport · #2 4th August 2009, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by rcorlew

I have been doing some studying of the early roots of Christianity. Far earlier than any church (physical building with laws and rules), was the first church not founded until Moses did this during the Exodus?

If that is the case, how then would people have actually learned about God and what He desires from us.

Those are really kind of loaded questions, but I have not found a definitive answer yet although I have formulated my belief based on what I have learned.

I feel that there is some definite truth to be realized by thinking about this OP.

Christianity did not begin until Christ, the prophets 'preached the Law and Prophets' until that time. If you wish to study about the early church you should pick up books such as Eusebius.

The Law was given to people not born again, and it is designed to be spiritual. This is why, for instance, Jesus says, 'Moses allowed you to divorce your wives... because your hearts were hard', meaning 'not born again'. The Prophets, like the apostles before the giving of the Spirit, were led by God, but were not born again: that happens for them at the resurrection and is what is meant by 'the dead in Christ will rise first'.

marktheblake · #3 5th August 2009, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by rcorlew

was the first church not founded until Moses did this during the Exodus?

If that is the case, how then would people have actually learned about God and what He desires from us.

Adam knew God quite well, as he used to hang out with God in the garden, Gen 3.

Adam lived a long time, long enough to know even Noah's dad. So there were no legends needed be passed down from father to son, because Adam tells everybody.

Imagine what it was like at Christmas and birthdays, the all sit around the fire and listen to Grandpa Adam tell the stories about the good old days

Then of course Noah passed it on after the flood, but as mankind spread out quickly across the would much of Adams old tales were lost.

I imagine that by the time of the exile in Egypt, the Israelites had very little 'religion' as such, with the exception of simply knowing the promise that was given to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Thats my spin on it anyway.

SGM4HIM · #4 17th August 2009, 12:18 AM

This verse has always stood out to me. It shows as early as Abraham, much was spelled out for him even though the bible does not provide specifics.

Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

marktheblake · #5 17th August 2009, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by SGM4HIM

Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

I havent actually noticed the significance of that verse before (i must have blinked)

This shows that mankind clearly were giving 'commandments' from God and long before the time of Moses, even though we do not know what they are.