Church Matters: Retrieving the Great Tradition

Session 1: The Apostolic Age, the Ancient Church, the Apologists, and the Great Tradition 13

2. Paul and Gentile faith

3. The Jerusalem Council, the Antiochan center, and the missionary movement

C. The patterns of authority in the apostolic age

1. Jesus and the rule of apostolicity: the centrality of apostolic authority

2. “Apostolicity” as the rule of faith, John 17.20-21 (ESV) – “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, [21] that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

a. For the canonical Scriptures

b. For the governmental structure of the Church

c. For the legitimation of spiritual formation and practice

3. Jesus of Nazareth as the end of revelation, and the apostles as final witness to that revelation

a. Hebrews 1 and the finality of revelation in this age

b. John 17 and the transference of authoritative power to the apostles