Simplicity of worship

1
Simplicity of worship Worship in the book of
Acts was simple. The believers met in houses and
at the temple. The temple was the centre of
Jewish social life believers met there. The
believers did not separate themselves from Jewish
society. Love feast eating together and
remembering the Lords death through the bread
and the wine. Meeting on the first day of the
week. Collection for the poor. Believers met
anywhere.
2
The simplicity of leadership in the early church
ministry gifts. Leaders were Serving the
body of Christ. Building up the body of
Christ. Ministries producing ministries. The
simplicity of leadership through ministry gifts
replaced by positions of power. Ministries
replaced by positions of power. Holding high
office.
3
Justin Martyr (100-165)
Born Samaria First Apology Second Apology
Justin Martyr describes the simplicity of worship
in his first Apology (c.150AD)
4
Justin Martyr (c.100-165)

• First Apology (c150AD).
• Weekly Worship of the Christians
• Believers met on the first day of the week
• Read scriptures
• Broke bread and wine and water
• Extempore prayer by the leader called the
  president.
• Singing
• Bread and wine taken to the believers who are not
  present by the deacons.
• Offering leader has charge of the finances.
• Distributes to those in need.

5
Simplicity of worship left no archeological
evidence of Church life. Early Church came
together for Fellowship (including eating
together) Teaching Prayer Had no special
buildings for worship No images or statues Only
evidence of early church in the first two
centuries are writings. Earliest known church
building (c.240 AD) Dura-Europos (Syria-Iraq
border)
6
Dura-Europos - Oldest Church building. Dates
from about c.240AD.
Picture of Jesus healing the Paralytic
Baptistry (Reconstruction)
Dura-Europos is situated by the Euphrates River
on the border of Syria and Iraq.
7
Development Of Church Basilicas The Old St.
Peters Basilica in Rome
Built by Constantine (4th century)
8
The Early Church was a community of people living
among the people. Believers lived holy lives
within the community There was no separation from
the community. The idea of separating from
society developed through emphasis on ascetism as
a way of holiness. The development of monastic
communities contrasted with the simplicity of
believers within the community.
9
Four Stages of the development of Monasteries
(Schaff). First Stage Asceticism and acts of
self denial. Still closely associated with the
Church in society. Second Stage Living as a
hermit. Anthony (c 251-356) Separation from
society. Moved to mountain caves. Some remained
on a high pillar Simeon Stylites (c.390-459)
father of the pillar saints. Third
Stage Development of Monasteries Pachomius
(c.290-c.346) - first to organise monastic
communities in the East. Gathered a community of
hermits. Having all things common. Over 3000
monks. Fourth Stage Development of monastic
orders in the West Arose around leaders. Began
with Martin of Tours (c.335-c.400) Celibacy,
Strict lifestyle, Totally submitted to authority
of the Church
10
Second phase - Individuals isolating themselves
from society Anthony (c.251-356) Life of
Anthony written by Athanasius. Lived in
Alexandria, Egyptian. Born into family of
wealthy parents. In 285 he gave up his wealth
and began to live the life of a hermit. Anthony
resided in the desert. Later Anthony resided
in an old Roman Fort. Went further into the
desert. The monastery of St. Anthony the Great
was later built here .
11
Anthonys ascetic lifestyle became highly
regarded in waging warfare against the devil.
12
Second phase - Individuals isolating themselves
from society Simeon Stylites (c.390-459)
father of the pillar saints.
Simon Stylites lived on his pillar in Syria for
37 years.
Ruins of the pillar of Simon Stylites in Syria
Wikipedia 'Simon Stylites' (CCASA 2.5)
Simon Stylites on his pillar
13
Third phase Monastic communities Pachomius
(c.290-c.346) The monastic community of
Pachomius The Bodmer papyrus probably came from
here.
Basilica of Pachomius in the foreground The place
where the Gnostic Gospels were found is in the
background
14
Nag Hammadi
The Gnostic Gospels were found at the Nag Hammadi
library which was located here. This was
probably a library of the Pachomius monks. The
books were probably hidden as the Gnostic Gospels
were forbidden.
Nag Hammadi Codices
15
Fourth Phase - Rise of different monastic orders
in the West Benedictine - Founded c.529 by
Benedict of Nursia (c480 c.543) Cluniac -
Founded in 910 at the abbey of Cluny,
France. Cistercian - Founded by Bernard of
Clairvaux 1090-1153. Franciscan - Founded by
Francis of Assissi 1182-1226. Dominican -
Founded by Dominic de Guzman 1170-1221 Augustinia
n - Order founded 1244 by Pope Innocent IV
d.1254. Following the Rule of St. Augustine.
16
Patrick c.390 c.461
At 16 taken captive by Irish pirates sold to
farmer in Northern Ireland. Worked 6 years as
slave farmer. Escaped went to Gaul Went to
Monastic School in Gaul. Returned home but heard
voices calling him back to Ireland. Went back to
Ireland c.432 Preached Christ to crowds in the
open fields. Planted many churches, baptised over
100,000 converts. In Armagh founded a
monastery. Primary Source 'Confessions of Patrick'
17
Columba c.521 - 597 Irish Celtic Missionary Born
in Donegal County, Ireland. Ordained deacon and
priest c.551 In 563 left Ireland with 12 others.
Landed on the Island of Iona. Founded Monastery
on Iona. Evangelised the Picts. Taught those who
already confessed Christ. Started many
churches. Retained close links with Ireland. Died
by the altar in his church while conducting
midnight devotions.
18
The early church was led in simplicity by the
Apostles. The Apostles did not separate
themselves from the community of believers.
There was no separation between clergy and
laity. The church was one body building itself up
in love. Celibacy was not a requirement of
leadership. The Apostle Peter was married. Aquila
and Priscilla were a married couple who led and
taught the church together. A church council was
called at Jerusalem (Acts 15) but the final
decision was made by James not Peter. Peter was
not above being corrected (Galatians 2) Peter
opposed those who lorded over the believers and
John was opposed by one who lorded over the
believers.
19
Leo the Great (c.400-461) For the solidity of
that faith which was praised in the chief of the
Apostles is perpetual and as that remains which
Peter believed in Christ, so that remains which
Christ instituted in Peter. (The Petrine
Doctrine of Leo the Great)
Leo meets Attila. Painting by Raphel (1514)
Attila falls back in terror at the sight of Peter
and Paul. Leo (16th century) is the figure
representing Leo the Great.
20
Sermon of Leo the Great III. S. Peter's work is
still carried out by his successors. The
dispensation of Truth therefore abides, and the
blessed Peter persevering in the strength of the
Rock, which he has received, has not abandoned
the helm of the Church, which he undertook. For
he was ordained before the rest in such a way
that from his being called the Rock, from his
being pronounced the Foundation, from his being
constituted the Doorkeeper of the kingdom of
heaven, from his being set as the Umpire to bind
and to loose, whose judgments shall retain their
validity in heaven, from all these mystical
titles we might know the nature of his
association with Christ. And still to-day he
more fully and effectually performs what is
entrusted to him, and carries out every part of
his duty and charge in Him and with Him, through
Whom he has been glorified. And so if anything is
rightly done and rightly decreed by us, if
anything is won from the mercy of GOD by our
daily supplications, it is of his work and merits
whose power lives and whose authority prevails in
his See.
21
The early church was built upon the Apostles
doctrine. Simplicity of faith the gospel of
Jesus Christ The authority of Scripture alone
(the Apostles doctrine). The simplicity of
faith in the authority of Scripture alone was
replaced by unquestioned submission to the
authority of the Church built upon tradition and
faith. Tradition held to be of equal authority as
scripture. The Church becomes the final
authority Pope holds the Keys.
22
Gregory the Great (c.540 604)
Held highest civil office until he resigned after
he inherited father's wealth in 575 Made father's
home a monastery. And in the same year (575)
became a monk (Benedictine Order). Built 6 other
monasteries in Sicily Became strict
ascetic. Appointed ambassador to Imperial Court
in Constantinople 578 585. Returned to Rome
made Abbot of Monastery he founded. Appointed
Pope in 590
Pope Gregory sent Augustine to evangelise the
British Isles. Augustine arrived in Britain in
597 went to Canterbury with the aim of converting
King Ethelbert.
23

• Gregory the Great (Pope 590 604 AD)
• Held tradition to be equal with scripture, and
  upheld the doctrines of
• Good Works
• Penance
• Purgatory
• Veneration of Relics
• Mass as a sacrifice of the literal body and
  blood of Christ
• Celibacy of the clergy
• Liturgy in worship
• Episcopacy Promoted the authority of the
  Bishop of Rome as head of the Church
• Missions He sought the conversion of
  Anglo-Saxons.
• Music Gregorian Chant
• Believed Church had the right to be involved
  in matters of State.
• Interpreted the Bible allegorically

24
The Donation of Constantine
In the 15th century the donation of Constantine
was shown by Nicholas of Cusa to be a forgery. It
was forged in the 8th or 9th century during the
Frankish Empire
12th century fresco from Rome showing the Emperor
Constantine transferring worldly power to Pope
Sylvester I during the 4th century.
25
The Donation of Constantine affirms that
Constantine, when he was baptized by pope
Sylvester, a.d. 324 (he was not baptized till
337, by the Arian bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia),
presented him with the Lateran palace and all
imperial insignia, together with the Roman and
Italian territory.   The object of this forgery
was to antedate by five centuries the temporal
power of the papacy, which rests on the donations
of Pepin and Charlemagne.   The only foundation
in fact is the donation of the Lateran palace,
which was originally the palace of the Lateran
family, then of the emperors, and last of the
popes. The wife of Constantine, Fausta, resided
in it, and on the transfer of the seat of empire
to Constantinople, he left it to Sylvester, as
the chief of the Roman clergy and nobility.
Hence it contains to this day the pontifical
throne with the inscription "Haec est papalis
sedes et pontificalis."  There the pope takes
possession of the see of Rome. But the whole
history of Constantine and his successors shows
conclusively that they had no idea of
transferring any part of their temporal
sovereignty to the Roman pontiff. History of the
Christian Church, (1910 edition) Volume IV,
Chapter IV, 60, by Philip Schaff
26
Pope crowns Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor
(800 AD)
The power of the Pope was increased through
Charlemagne and Pepin. Land was given to the
Pope and Charlemagne accepted his crown from the
hands of the Pope
27
The False Decretals In the mid 9th century a
collection of letters belonging to Isidore, a
Spanish bishop who died in the 7th century, were
produced. The letters consisted of Church law and
popes letters. But also some letters claiming
to have been written by Bishops of Rome from
Apostolic times. The letters claimed that the
pope had been appointed by the Lord to be head of
the Church, to govern according to his own will,
and the pope had always used this delegated
power. The collection of letters are called the
False Decretals. The letters were held to have
been authentic and increased the power of the
Pope.
28
Hildebrand Became Gregory VII (c.1020/1025-1085)
1. Increased power of the papacy 2.
Introduced celibacy as a requirement of
priesthood. 3. Investiture controversy
appointment of church officials. Pope Gregory
VIIs Dictatus Papae (1075) claimed that only the
Pope as head of the Church could appoint Church
officials.
29
Gregory VII (c.1020/1025-1085) Henry IV wrote to
Pope Gregory VII taking away his protection. Pope
Gregory VII excommunicated Henry IV. Henry IV
backed down
1077 Henry IV walked to Canossa in Northern
Italy. Henry IV stood as a penitent before the
Pope. Wore a hairshirt Stood in the snow
barefooted. Pope lifted the excommunication.
The fact that the Pope was able to humiliate a
King in this fashion elevated papal authority in
the minds of the people.