Church Matters: Retrieving the Great Tradition

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Chur ch Mat ter s : Ret r i ev i ng the Great Trad i t i on

learned of Christian practice, Pliny writes that “on an appointed day they had been accustomed to meet before daybreak, and to recite a hymn antiphonally to Christ, as a god.” ~ Ibid., p. 23.

A. The fullness of time and the coming of Messiah Jesus, the Lord

1. The biblical promise of Messiah and the primacy of the divine, canonical narrative, Luke 1.1-4 (ESV) – Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, [2] just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, [3] it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, [4] that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

2. The incarnation of Jesus and the inauguration of the Kingdom of God

3. The fullness of time, the Pax Romana , and the Christ event, Gal. 4.3-7 (ESV) – In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary prin ciples of the world. [4] But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. [6] And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

B. The emergence of the apostolic Church: its leaders and traditions

1. The Acts of the Apostles, Peter and the apostles