Publisher's Synopsis
This is a book about mission. The new edition of THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH traces the history of the phrase "apostolic church" in the third article of the Nicene Creed - and how and when the "mission" meaning was erased, but also how it still survives. The book begins by presenting research into the concept of "apostle" in ancient Greek history (the word first appears as a naval term), and then delves into the office of the Jewish "apostle." Jesus did not invent the word apostle. Jesus' apostles did much the same as the Jewish apostles, except for one thing which the Jewish apostles never attempted. The book then considers the broader use of the term apostle in the New Testament, something which has been glossed over in the past, but for which there is a long history in ancient times. Mission work by apostles in the second century is then considered, apostles that succeeded the Twelve Apostles, who evolved into a kind of "Great Sanhedrin," (After the Jewish Great Sanhedrin) in Jerusalem. These other apostles brought the Christian faith all over the world.Christian mission work in the second and third centuries is looked at, and the reason for the change in title from "apostle" to "missionary" is uncovered.The phrase "apostolic church" appears before the Council of Nicaea, in other Christian missionary creeds. Their history is shared.At the Council of Nicaea a process of converting the emphasis of the phrase is accomplished. The book takes a long look at the history of the council, and how the meaning of "apostolic church" was narrowed.The last part of the book suggests ways to recover the full meaning of "apostolic church."Questions for discussion follow after each major part of the book.
