EARLY MEDIEVAL CHURCH REFORMING CHURCH CHURCH MODERN CHURCH DEDICATION

For my parents, George and Irene Ginther, who have lived their lives as examples of Christian living to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

For my husband, Sandy Finlayson, who’s continued love and encouragement makes it possible for me to write about the things that matter CONTENTS

PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 THE EARLY CHURCH 3 MEDIEVAL CHURCH 16 REFORMING CHURCH 28 Beginning at the beginning ...... 3 The long-haired King ...... 17 The : How it all began ...... 29

Timeline: Early church 33-100 AD* ...... 4 Timeline: Early Middle Ages 497-1000 ...... 18 Timeline: Reforming Church 1500-1530 ...... 30

The first missionary ...... 6 When did the Bishop of Rome become What happened next ...... 32 the Pope? ...... 20 Map of Paul’s journeys ...... 7 Translating the ...... 33 What is Islam? ...... 21 Timeline: Early church 100-314 AD ...... 8 Timeline: Reforming Church 1532-1546 ...... 34 Timeline: High Middle Ages 1000-1300 ...... 22 Dying for God ...... 10 How the responded ...... 36 2 Churches: East & West ...... 24 Getting it wrong ...... 11 The five solas ...... 37 The : What were they fighting for? ...... 25 Timeline: Early church 315 – 500 ...... 12 Timeline: Reforming Church 1547-1598 ...... 38 Timeline: Late middle ages 1300-1500 ...... 26 The two C’s ...... 14 Protestant denominations ...... 40

How we got our Bible ...... 15 What about the eastern church? ...... 41

Timeline: Reforming Church [Puritans] ...... 42 PART 4 PART 5 MISSIONARY CHURCH 44 MODERN CHURCH 58

God’s wonder of the age ...... 45 Revival in Korea ...... 59 Conclusion ...... 70

Timeline: Missionary church 1700-1799 ...... 46 Timeline: Modern Church 1900-1938 ...... 60 Bibliography ...... 71

The great awakenings in America ...... 48 Ecumenicalism and the social ...... 62 Image Index ...... 73

Praising God ...... 49 Modern Martyrs ...... 63 Large timeline ...... Centre pages

Timeline: Missionary church 1700-1855 ...... 50 Timeline: Modern Church 1939-1965 ...... 64

Going out into all the world ...... 52 Important people in the modern church ...... 66

Timeline: Missionary Church 1856-1900 ...... 54 Timeline: Modern Church 1966-2010 ...... 68

Becoming liberal ...... 56

Marching for God ...... 57 EARLY CHURCH BEGINNING AT THE BEGINNING Euphrates River Dan erusalem was crowded with Meanwhile 120 people of ’ followers were Tyre Mediterranean Sea Mt Hermon (The Great Sea) Capernaum people from all around the gathered in a large house near the temple. They were Cana Sea of Babylon Galilee Nippur Nazareth Roman Empire and beyond. It was praying when all of a sudden a very loud sound, like a Mt Carmel Larsa

ISRAEL Samaria fifty days after Passover and the strong wind, filled the house. As they looked around at Ur

time for all Jews and converts to each other they could see what looked like a tongue of Joppa Jordan River Bethel Amman Jerusalem Jericho Judaism to gather for , an annual harvest flame resting on each head. But it did not burn them. Bethany Mt. Nebo Persian Bethlehem Gulf Nile River festival. But this year, 33 AD, was different from other Instead they were filled with the and given Delta Dead Sea Beersheba (Salt Sea) R.Nile PHILISTINES Arabian years. Everyone was talking about the crucifixion a gift to speak in different languages. Amazed, but MOAB Desert Rameses Oboth Iye Abarim of a man called Jesus, who had called himself the knowing what to do, Jesus’ followers left the house Succoth Desert of Shur Nile River Delta Kadesh Barnea Pithom Son of God. Those who had been in Jerusalem then, and went to the temple courtyard where thousands EDOM recalled the sudden darkness on that day and the of people were gathered for the festival. Then each LAND OF SEIR curtain in the temple being torn down the middle one began to speak in the language they were given, thought Jesus’ followers were drunk. Then Peter stood by unseen hands. And most unsettling were the telling the story of Jesus death and resurrection and up on a platform to speak to the entire crowd. stories that this man Jesus had come back to life why it had to happen. Everyone standing in the three days after his terrible death. His followers temple courtyard could understand the message in The throng of people quieted down and listened claimed to have seen and talked to him before he their own language and were amazed. Some were intently while Peter spoke. He too told the story rose up to heaven. Could all this be true? frightened by this miracle, and some laughed. They of Jesus, quoting verses from the scriptures to show that this was all part of God’s plan to save his people from their sinful condition.

Peter also told them that they were responsible for Jesus’ terrible death because they had refused to listen to him and accept him as the Messiah, God’s own Son. He urged them to repent of their sins and turn to God in faith, and then be baptised to show their faith publicly. The Holy Spirit gave Peter such power to speak that those that listened were convicted of their sinful hearts. That day 3,000 people believed, repented of the sins and were baptised by Jesus’ apostles. That day the early church began. EARLY CHURCH 3 TIMELINE: EARLY CHURCH 33-100 AD* JESUS DIED PENTECOST STEPHEN PAUL IS APOSTLE JAMES AND CAME MARTYRED CONVERTED MARTYRED BY BACK TO LIFE ON ROAD TO KING HEROD DAMASCUS

APOSTLE PAUL (5-67AD) was a Jew who loved God and was angry that Christians said that Jesus was God’s Son. While on his way to put Christians in prison, Jesus spoke to him and changed his heart. Paul became the first APOSTOLIC AGE (33-100) The time when the Apostles were alive, teaching what they had learned from Jesus. The missionary, traveling around the Roman Empire preaching and establishing APOSTLE JAMES (DIED 44AD) was Apostles were: James, John, Peter, Philip, Andrew, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alpheus, Thaddaeus, churches. When he was put in prison, he wrote letters to the churches that a leader in the early church. He and Simon the Zealot, Mathias and Paul. are now part of our Bible. his brother John were fishermen, 33 33 33 34 44

PERSECUTION UNDER EMPEROR TRAJAN APOSTLE JOHN EXILED TO ISLAND EMPEROR MOUNT VESUVIUS OF PATMOS DOMITIAN ERUPTS AND PERSECUTION BY ROMAN PERSECUTED JEWS BURIES POMPEII EMPERORS: Emperor Domitian AND CHRISTIANS declared himself a god during his reign and him had to commanded that be executed. He was all those who particularly wanted Jews ROMAN ROADS: The Roman Empire refused to to be killed. The next emperor, paved the way for the spread of Trajan, while approving . In each country they the execution of Christians, APOSTLE JOHN: John was the last Apostle living in 90 AD. He was exiled to conquered, the Romans built wide said that no one should hunt the island of Patmos by Emperor Domitian. While he was there, John wrote paved roads so their army could them down. the Book of Revelation. In Revelation 2:13 & 17:6, John refers to martyrs move from place to place easily. The who have died because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Apostles and other Christians also 98-117 ca. 90 81-96 79

4 EARLY CHURCH APOSTLE PAUL COUNCIL OF JERUSALEM ROME BURNS AND CHRISTIANS ARE BEGINS HIS PERSECUTED BY EMPEROR NERO MISSIONARY JOURNEYS working with their father Zebedee, EMPEROR NERO (37-68 AD) when Jesus called them to be COUNCIL OF JERUSALEM (CA. 49 AD) was held to settle a dispute was Roman emperor for fourteen his disciples. After Pentecost, between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. Some Jewish Christian years and a thoroughly bad James, along with John and Peter, thought the Gentiles should follow the Jewish law that God had given person. He particularly hated preached boldly the good news of to Abraham and Moses. However, the Apostles Christians and blamed them for a fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64 Jesus Christ. King Herod Agrippa and elders of the church decided that wasn’t AD. As a result he had Christians rounded up and tortured and killed, and arrested James and had him necessary because God had not commanded encouraged all Roman citizens to turn Christians into the authorities. He executed with a sword. that all Christians must follow Jewish laws. executed the Apostles Paul and Peter. 44 46 **ca.49 64

NEW TESTAMENT ROMANS DESTROY JERUSALEM APOSTLES BOOKS WERE PAUL AND PETER WRITTEN BY THE MARTYRED APOSTLES IN ROME

THE : Books were written during the Apostolic Age (70 - 95 AD). They include the four about Jesus’ life, DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM (70 AD) ended a four year Jewish revolt against the Romans. When the revolt Acts of the Apostles’ about the began, Emperor Nero sent in his troops to capture the troublemakers, but it took a long time. When the Roman army used those roads to travel to places in early church, Paul’s epistles to the finally broke through into Jerusalem, they destroyed the walls, burned the temple and killed or enslaved as many the empire preaching the good news churches, other letters by Apostles Jews as they could find. This was the end of the Jewish temple worship, and caused the Jews and Christians to scatter of Jesus wherever they went. and the book of Revelation. throughout the Roman Empire. 79 ca.70-95 70 64, 67

5 Saul thought he could stop Christianity from governors and soldiers agreed to persecute Paul spreading, but… to keep the Jewish leaders happy. However, Paul reminded them that he was a Roman citizen and Around 34 AD when Saul was on his way to the city of that they couldn’t arrest him without good cause or THE FIRST Antioch, God stopped him with a light shining down beat him without a fair trial. on the road. It was so bright that Saul was blinded. Paul’s final journey was not one he planned to take. Then Jesus spoke to Saul and he became a Christian. MISSIONARY In 57 AD he was arrested in Jerusalem by the Jewish At first the Christians who he had been persecuting leaders. They took him to the Roman governor, who didn’t believe Saul had been converted and were put him in prison for several years. Then, by reminding Paul was born in Tarsus to Jewish parents, who still frightened of him. But eventually they realised the governor and King Agrippa that he was a Roman named him Saul (a Jewish name). His father was also that God had truly changed Saul. citizen, he was sent on his final journey across the a Roman citizen, which made Saul a Roman citizen Mediterranean Sea to Rome. Once more Paul sat in too. This became important in his later life. Like God sent Saul on missionary journeys around the prison for some time, but he used his time wisely. all Jewish boys then, Saul went to the synagogue Roman Empire to preach and start He wrote letters to all the young churches he had school. His teachers soon realised that he was a very churches. Around this time Saul changed his name established, teaching them right doctrine, correcting good student and recommended that his parents to Paul, a Greek name that Gentiles (non-Jews) those who misbehaved and encouraging them all to send him to Jerusalem to study with Gamaliel, a would understand better. In 46 AD he went from live as God commanded them to. Finally, Emperor famous rabbi. Saul learned his lessons with Gamaliel the city of Antioch to the island of Cyprus and to Nero, who hated Christians, had Paul put to death. well, studying the Scriptures thoroughly and cities in Asia Minor. In 50 AD he started out on his God had used Paul to spread the Gospel to almost worshipping God in the temple. second journey from Jerusalem: up through Asia Minor to more cities than before, crossed the water every part of the Roman Empire in just 20 years. But while Saul was living in Jerusalem he learned to Macedonia where he visited cities as he travelled about people called Christians, who said that south to Corinth, then across the water again to Jesus was the Messiah. That made Saul very angry Ephesus, and finally sailed across the Mediterranean because he didn’t believe them, and he was glad Sea to Jerusalem. His third journey in 52 AD followed when the High Priest condemned Stephen to some of the same route so that he could visit the death for preaching the Gospel. But when prisons churches he had established in each city to teach and executions didn’t stop the Christianity from and encourage them. spreading, Saul decided to do something about it. He asked for permission to go to other cities Paul’s missionary work wasn’t easy. Jews in many of and arrest Christians. Along with permission, the cities he visited tried to stop him by having him Saul was also given some soldiers to help him. arrested, beaten and threatened with death. Roman

6 EARLY CHURCH MEDIEVAL CHURCH TIMELINE: EARLY MIDDLE AGES 497-1000 CLOVIS’ COUNCIL OF ORLEANS JUSTINIAN, EMPEROR OF BENEDICT ETHIOPIAN BUBONIC CONVERSION BYZANTIUM (EASTERN EMPIRE) FOUNDS MONKS PLAGUE MONASTERY TRANSLATE AT MONTE BIBLE INTO CASSINO; THEIR OWN BUBONIC PLAGUE (542- JUSTINIAN LANGUAGE 594) was also called the JUSTINIAN, EMPEROR OF BYZANTIUM (483-565) Justinian plague because Justinian became emperor of the eastern or Byzantium CODE is began when Justinian Empire in 527 and ruled for 38 years. He expanded his INTRODUCED was emperor. The plague, empire by defeating the Goths and Visigoths, and is the first known pandemic, COUNCIL OF ORLEANS was called by King Clovis in 511. most famous for the Justinian Code, a set of laws that was thought to have begun He invited 33 bishops to discuss rules for behaviour of the gave protection to the ordinary citizen. He built many in Ethiopia or Egypt and people, the king and the church. It was the first formal churches including the Hagia Sofia, a magnificent church spread to Europe and Asia agreement between a king and the church. in the centre of Constantinople. through trading ships. 497 511 527-565 529 ca.540 542-594

OTTO I MADE ALFRED TREATY OF VIKING, CHARLEMAGNE CROWNED HOLY ROMAN ICONOCLASTIC HOLY ROMAN THE GREAT VERDUN MAGYAR EMPEROR BY POPE LEO III CONTROVERSY EMPEROR BY CAPTURES AND MUSLIM (Emperor Leo III vs. John POPE JOHN XII LONDON AND RAIDS of Damascus) SIGNS TREATY THROUGHOUT WITH DANES EUROPE

CHARLEMAGNE (742-814) waged 53 wars during lifetime, expanding the borders ICONOCLASTIC of the Frankish kingdom. He came to Pope Leo III’s aid when a rebellion in the city of CONTROVERSY (726-787) Rome threatened his life. Charlemagne’s army put down the rebellion. In gratitude, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne ‘Noble Emperor’ or ‘Holy Roman Emperor’. When Leo III became emperor he issued a decree Once more the king and the pope were partners, becoming involved in each other’s that images or pictures of business. Illustration: Pope Leo crowning Charlemagne 886-962 886 843 830-950 800 726-787

18 MEDIEVAL CHURCH WALES ST. COLUMBA MOHAMMED, POPE GREGORY THE GREAT FIRST CHURCH BEGINNING CONVERTED FOUNDED FOUNDER BELL IN ROME OF ISLAM BY ST. DAVID; MONASTERY OF ISLAM, POPE GREGORY was made ISLAM OFFICIALLY STARTED CHURCH ON IONA IS BORN Pope in 590, even though he by Muhammad, an Arab BELLS USED would have preferred to remain living in Mecca. He started IN FRANCE; a monk. He is called the Great to see visions and hear voices because he accomplished so CRUCIFIX around 610, and thought much. He sent out God was speaking to him. BEGINNING to the Lombard tribes in Europe TO BE USED IN He said the voices told him and to Britain to teach the people about Christianity. He to write the Qu’ran (Koran), There was no cure and by CHURCHES wrote a manual for priests and bishops to teach them how which contained the true the time it finished, over to preach. He also introduced what became known as religion. However, it is a the half the population of Gregorian chant, a new way of singing praises to God. He heresy because Islam denies Europe had died. was the first pope to negotiate a treaty with a king. that Jesus was God’s Son. 542-594 550 563 570 590-604 604 622

BATTLE OF TOURS ISLAM FIRST MUSLIM MUSLIMS MUSLIMS Jesus should not be used in (Charles Martel prevents Muslims from coming any SPREAD TRANSLATED SIEGE OF CAPTURED CAPTURED worship because they could further into western Europe) FROM INDIA INTO ANGLO- CONSTANT- EGYPT, JERUSALEM only show Christ’s humanity TO NORTH SAXON; INOPLE SYRIA AND and not his divine nature. AFRICA AND LINDISFARNE MESAPOTAMIA; John of Damascus, a Syrian INTO SPAIN GOSPELS LIBRARY OF monk and priest, objected. He said the pictures were ALEXANDRIA important because they DESTROYED reminded Christians that ISLAMIC CAMPAIGNS (637-720) Beginning in 637 the Muslim nation began to expand Christ was a real person. BATTLE OF TOURS (732) Charles Martel, King of the its borders. Their army began by capturing Jerusalem and eventually spread out east to Both men said that images Franks, defeated the Islamic army at the city of Tours. This India and west through North Africa and into Spain. At first the conquering Muslims said or pictures should not be was an important victory because it prevented the Muslims that Jews and Christians were free to worship as they wanted to, but that quickly changed worshipped. from moving any further in to Europe from the south. and persecution of Christians and Jews became common. 726-787 732 711-720 700 674 640-42 637

19 REFORMING CHURCH THE REFORMATION: HOW IT ALL BEGAN

he Reformation caused a should continue his university studies, but this time and he nailed the list to the church door, where huge change in all of Western in theology. By the time he finished, Martin became everyone could read it. He also sent a copy to the society. Before the Reformation, a university professor and was ordained as a priest. church leaders, and eventually the pope himself everyone in the west went to However, even though he had all that knowledge received a copy. the same church, called the in his head, Martin didn’t understand the Gospel. Pope Leo was not pleased to receive criticism Catholic (universal) church. After the Reformation He thought he had to work as hard as he could to from an unknown priest and university professor, there were two churches: the Protestant Church please God and only then would God forgive his sins. although Martin was surprised that the Pope and (protesting against the Catholic Church) and the But it did not work. Martin knew he was still sinful. other church leaders were so angry with him. He remaining Catholic Church. It didn’t happen all in Then one day, while he was preparing his lecture on had thought they just needed to be reminded of one year. Instead there were a series of events in Romans for his students, God suddenly gave Martin what God’s Word taught and they would stop the different countries that led to the entire period clear understanding. He read, ‘The righteous shall selling of indulgences. Instead, they told Martin called the Reformation. live by faith’. Faith in Jesus Christ, not the works of he was wrong and eventually put him on trial for , brought salvation! From that day, The man who started it all was Martin Luther, who heresy and excommunicated him. However, the Martin knew God’s peace in his soul, and now he lived in the German state of Saxony. Martin’s father Duke of Saxony sent soldiers to rescue Martin and could teach his students and his congregation the wanted him to be a lawyer. However, Martin’s hid him in a castle for a year. During that time Martin true Gospel. life took a very different turn. One night as he translated the New Testament into German, so was traveling home from university, a terrible The next year Martin heard a disturbing rumour. people could read God’s Word for themselves. Then thunderstorm began. Martin was out in the open The pope had sent Johann Tetzel, a Dominican the Duke of Saxony invited Martin to live and teach with no place to take shelter while the lightening Friar, to the towns and villages to raise money for in Wittenberg once more, where Duke could protect was striking all around him. He was very frightened the church. Friar Tetzel was selling indulgences, him from the pope. and he began to pray very hard, asking God to pieces of paper that told people their sins were Martin Luther’s actions officially began the protect him. He even bargained with God: if God forgiven, as well as the sins of their loved ones in Protestant Reformation. He protested again the would keep him safe through the storm, Martin purgatory. Many people believe Tetzel and bought wrong teaching of the Catholic Church leaders, and would give up his law studies and become a monk. the indulgences. But when Martin heard about it he a split in the western church became official. Martin survived the storm and kept his promise to was angry that so many people were being fooled God, even though it angered his father. about God’s salvation. So he sat down and wrote out all the reasons that selling indulgences was Martin joined the Austen Friars monastery. Soon wrong. He ended up writing 95 theses, or reasons, the abbot realized that Martin was very bright and

REFORMING CHURCH 29 The Bible was originally written in the Hebrew the help of his students at Oxford University, but died language (Old Testament) and the Greek language before it was completed. Fortunately his students (New Testament) because those were the languages carried on and in 1396 the entire Bible had been that people spoke at that time. However, as the translated into the common language of the people. TRANSLATINGTITLE Romans took over the known world, Latin became Translating God’s Word wasn’t just an interesting the common language of the people, and the Bible project for scholars. They knew that the Bible was the needed to be translated into Latin. Pope Damasus THE BIBLETITLE most powerful book in the world and that people asked Jerome, a monk and well-known scholar, to needed to be able to read it. With the Bible more begin translating the New Testament in 382 A.D. available, God began to stir people’s hearts toward Twenty-three years later Jerome completed both the reforming the church. Church leaders had drifted Old and New Testaments. This Latin Bible was called away from teaching God’s truth and became more the Vulgate, which meant ‘in the common language.’ interested in power and wealth. With the Reformation, For many years only the Latin Bible was available even came the realization that more translations were though the common language began to change needed. All people, regardless of which language they as the Roman Empire began to break up. During spoke, needed God’s Word. So God raised up men like this time of change and upheaval, few people were Luther, William Tyndale and others to translate His educated or could read so there was not a demand Word into the common languages of their century. for the Bible in other languages. The priests and bishops learned Latin in order to read the Bible and then they would tell their congregations what it said.

During the Middle Ages some translations were made of various books of the Bible. Books, however, were expensive to make at that time because they were copied out by hand a page at a time by monks and nuns in the monasteries. So it was more common to have one book of the Bible or selections of Psalms and prayers in a book for wealthy people to buy. In the 14th century an English priest and scholar, John Wycliffe decided to that the English people needed the entire Bible in their own language. He began his project with

33 MISSIONARY CHURCH GOD’S WONDER OF THE AGE

hen George Whitfield was many crowds that size often gathered in outdoor he was boy. As an adult, Wilberforce helped to have growing up in Gloucester, places to hear George present the Gospel. When slavery banned in the British Empire. Many other England, his dearest wish he preached, no one stirred or made a noise. Even people were also converted who then went on to was to be an actor. He often people who didn’t want to know about God came be missionaries to many countries. skipped school to practice for to hear him because of his gift of oratory, and they his schoolboy performances. His mother wanted got the Gospel too. him to go to Oxford University but his parents didn’t George, however, didn’t think that God was calling have the money for the tuition. So George paid for him to a single church to pastor. Instead he was his own education by working at the university as a called to evangelize, which meant he travelled from servitor. He waited on wealthy students by taking place to place preaching, always preaching. On care of their clothes, bringing them meals and even horseback or in a carriage, George travelled up and helping them with their assignments. In between down England and Wales many times, preaching seventeen year old George attended classes. every day. He visited Scotland 14 times and Ireland George became interested in the reading the Bible twice. Then he turned his sights on the American when he was 15, but it wasn’t until he met John and colonies, which he visited seven times. Visiting Charles Wesley that he began to realize he needed all thirteen colonies, he travelled over 1100 miles ‘the new birth.’ He decided to join the Wesley’s’ “Holy (approximately 1770 km) over dirt roads, going Club,” which was a group of university students through forests and taking canoes along the coast eager to explore the Bible and live to please God. line if there were no roads. For thirty-four years During that time, George experienced a conversion George preached the gospel until he literally wore or what John Wesley called ‘the new birth.’ George out his body. Doctors told him to slow down, but he was ready to dedicate his life to serving God. The said: “I would rather wear out than rust out.” following year in 1736, George was ordained a God used George to bring many people to faith and in the Church of England. influence others to serve God. Jonathan Edwards, George’s training in the theatre helped to make him after hearing George preach, was encouraged to a good preacher. He had learned how to project, keep preaching to his congregation. Very soon or make louder, his voice so that even in crowds afterwards the First Awakening began. William of 20,000 people, everyone could hear him. And Wilberforce heard George Whitfield preach when

MISSIONARY CHURCH 45 MODERN CHURCH REVIVAL IN KOREA IT ALL STARTED WITH A PRAYER MEETING. estern missionaries had been from a widow and he now promised to give it back. working in Korea for many After he sat down there was silence, and then slowly years. By 1906 they had some others in the congregation stood up one at a time. converts and had built a few They each confessed how they too had sinned churches in the main cities and against God. The church service, which had begun mission stations in the rural areas. In that year some at 7 p.m., didn’t end until 2 a.m. the next morning. Presbyterian and Methodist missionaries, who lived Over the next few month people began to change. and worked in Ping Yang, decided to start praying They returned what had been stolen. together regularly at noon. After a month, when nothing out of ordinary began to happen, one of They forgave those who had hurt them. Even a them suggested they stop because it interrupted the known robber turned himself into police after he missionaries’ work. But rather than stop, the group was converted. decided to move the prayer meeting to 4 p.m. and By the middle of the year over 30,000 people had pray until suppertime. They prayed every day for six been converted to Christianity and the churches months, asking God to bring revival to the Korean churches and bring about many conversions in the in Ping Yang were overflowing. The revival spread cities and countryside. out to the rest of the country. Missionaries were overjoyed. Just like at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit In January 1907 something happened during a came to the disciples meeting in the upper room, so special week of prayer at Central Presbyterian Church the Holy Spirit was convicting and calling thousands in Ping Yang. Right in the middle of the service, of people to repentance and faith. Churches were so Keel stood up. Everyone was startled at the full they had to have several services each day. Whole interruption and even more startled when he began villages in the rural areas were converted. to speak. He told the church that he was like Achan from the Old Testament, who had stolen money and When the news of the Korean revival reached clothing when the Israelites had conquered Jericho. Manchuria, two missionaries traveled down to Ping revival, the answer was “prayer.” When they asked Elder Keel said that God would not bless the church Yang to find about it. When they asked what special about how the Gospel was spread, the answer was until he confessed his sin: he had stolen money things the missionaries had done to bring about the “every Christian evangelizes his neighbour.”

MODERN CHURCH 59 CONCLUSION

Christ’s church is more than 2,000 years old. She has experienced times of persecution and times of difficulty with heretics within, along with times of great blessing. Yet, the church still exists today. Many kingdoms have come and gone and many leaders have lived and died throughout human history. Nothing that is started by people is permanent. But Christ’s church is different. The kingdom that Jesus established with his death and resurrection is a permanent one, because God himself is the founder. His kingdom will not pass away as human ones have, but will continue until Jesus returns.

We can learn many lessons from our past, from zealous Christians who have tried to live as God commands us, and from those opposed God’s kingdom. We can see what is right and what is wrong. We should also be encouraged that even when the church is under attack from people who think they know better, God is still in control. Jesus gave this promise to the Apostle Peter and to every Christian down through history:

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:17-18