FIrst church

[jimkhong]

If Nero is the one mentioned in the Apocalypse or “Revelation”; then what would be its’ date? I was thinking these scriptures where around 70 AD. And no later and they must not be. But Nero was Emperor from 54 to about 68 if I am correct. So would that make Revelation between 54 and 68? IDK,.Might someone? The Qumran scrolls are indeed interesting. I think they affect Catholics and Christianity at large myself too. Not just scholars of religion.

We don’t know for sure but most scholars today date the Book of Revelation to the early fourth quarter of the first century, a bit earlier than the end of first century we were taught when younger.

The main lesson of Qumran to me is more that the situation of Judaism and Christianity is much more complex then our earlier text books had it. Today our understanding of alternative and apocryphal OT/NT books is becoming mainstream and with it our understanding that the early Church was not a single orthodox catholic church gathering steam in its inevitable progress towards become the world wide entity it is today, but really plenty of competing groups with slightly differing shades of beliefs with the Catholic Church being just one of many - one that triumphed eventually. We are still not entirely sure where Qumran sits in that spectrum.

In that sense, yes Qumran was one of the many finds that contributed to our understanding. The scrolls themselves were already known to scholars but it is good to have some original manuscripts.

 

[billcu1]

We don’t know for sure but most scholars today date the Book of Revelation to the early fourth quarter of the first century, a bit earlier than the end of first century we were taught when younger.

The main lesson of Qumran to me is more that the situation of Judaism and Christianity is much more complex then our earlier text books had it. Today our understanding of alternative and apocryphal OT/NT books is becoming mainstream and with it our understanding that the early Church was not a single orthodox catholic church gathering steam in its inevitable progress towards become the world wide entity it is today, but really plenty of competing groups with slightly differing shades of beliefs with the Catholic Church being just one of many - one that triumphed eventually. We are still not entirely sure where Qumran sits in that spectrum.

In that sense, yes Qumran was one of the many finds that contributed to our understanding. The scrolls themselves were already known to scholars but it is good to have some original manuscripts.

My knowledge is mostly Qumran and Nag Hammadi. Unfortunately there, a number of scrolls were burned and used to light fire before they knew what they were.

 

[jimkhong]

My knowledge is mostly Qumran and Nag Hammadi. Unfortunately there, a number of scrolls were burned and used to light fire before they knew what they were.

Nag Hammadi again is the same. It just tells us that there was wide diversity in thinking in the early church. Most of these became extinct as heresy, leaving only the orthodox catholic church which claims direct descend of its teachings from the Apostles. It just got blown ridiculously out of proportion when some people, including in the media then accepted what was contained in the manuscripts as factual truth instead of just alternative views. Cue in the conspiracy theorists.

By all means read Qumran and Nag Hammadi but just keep them within the wider context of what is known of those times. They did not supersede known history, but merely augment it.

 

[GaryM]

Christ established His Church at Pentecost in Jerusalem, with Simon Peter as its’ earthly head. It was, and is, One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. There were no First, second, third, fourth churches. Our Lord did not create a “Roman Church” or an Egyptian Church. The schisms which have divided the Church’s communion are the work of the devil. We should all be working for the restoration of full communion of the Apostolic Churches.

Where’s the Like button?

 

[Herculees]

So this “Church of Jerusalem” taught all we do? As in the sacraments anyway? Was the Didache around then?

Jesus did “NOT” found a church! Jesus was, is, and always will be a Jew!

 

[Borealis]

Jesus did “NOT” found a church! Jesus was, is, and always will be a Jew!

Umm…

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

How exactly did Jesus “NOT” found a church? Are the scriptures in error?