Topic 3: The Holy

Spirit in the Growth and Development of the Church

The Holy Spirit and the early expansion of the Church

Lesson 1:

Main objective of Lesson 1

Understand better the works of the Holy Spirit in the growth and development of the Church particularly in the early expansion of the Church.

Objectives of Lesson 1 Strive to imitate the commitment and determination of the early Christians to hold fast to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.

Objectives of Lesson 1
Pray for all members and leaders of the Church today to have the same commitment and determination of the early Christians.

Acts 15:7-12

Verse 7
This was a reference to the conversion of Cornelius and his baptism by Peter which manifested Gods design of salvation for the Gentiles. Peter was used by God as his instrument to spread the message of salvation to the Gentiles.

Verse 8
The universalist view of the Church in the Gospel of Luke is stressed. All barriers and discriminations have been removed. The Church is for all of humanity, for the spirit id present in the hearts of all.

Verse 9
Christ had removed the distinction imposed by law between clean and unclean people. In the Council of Jerusalem

what is it all about?

Verse 9
it was about an important issue whether a pagan was saved only by believing in Jesus or whether he must first be justified by his obedience to the Jewish law. Peter proclaimed that the same faith in Christ had saved both Jewish and Gentile Christians. Faith knows no distinctions.

Verse 10
Peter supported Pauls refusal to impose the Mosaic law on the Gentile Christians, for God has bestowed the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household without the preconditions of the observance of the Mosaic law.

Verse 10
Peter appealed for the freedom of the Gentiles from the yoke or burden imposed by the Torah. There should be no imposition that would burden the converts.

Verse 11
Peter formulated the fundamental message of the Gospel: all of humanity is called to the saving faith in Christ.

Verse 12
The whole assembly fell silent. Peters words brought the discussion to a close and the controversy was settled.

We trace the History of Unity and Division within the Church in the long history of the work of unifying grace against all forces of disunity, separation and alienation.  We shall study only three other illustrative examples:

1. Constantine and the Christian Church:

What was the role of Constantine in the early Church?

For almost three centuries, the Christians were persecuted by the Roman Civil authorities. But in the beginning of the third century, a complete change occurred. A new emperor in the West favored Christianity.

In 312 A.D.

Constantine vs Maxentius

In 312 A.D. Constantine fought a gallant battle with Maxentius over the throne of Rome. In the fateful battle of the Milvian Bridge near Rome

Battle of the Milvian Bridge

Constantine emerged victorious.

 He attributed this victory to the Christian God to whom he turned for help.

 Constantine issued the Edict of Milan which put an 1) end to the persecution of the Christians and 2) accorded Christianity full equality with the religious in the empire.

 Constantines conversion to Christianity ushered a new era or epoch not only for the Roman state but also for the Church, for the following
reasons.

 He imposed restrictions on pagan practices and openly favored Christianity. He publicly displayed the Christian symbols and lavished the Church with his generous donations and the erection of basilicas and churches.

 He granted the Christian clergy special privileges as a distinct social class. Sunday, the day when Christians assembled, was made a public holiday, a day of rest.

 Constantine increasingly saw the interests of the state in view of those of Christianity.  He intervened in Church affairs and used the power of his office to ensure unity in the Church.

2. Religious
Controversies: Dogma and Council

The new freedom granted to the Church by the Edict of Milan did not firmly establish and consolidate the unit of the Church. Freed from external forces that endangered their lives, the Christians had time to think and reflect on the meaning and interpretation of the truths of the faith.

 The age of external peace

became for the Church a time of grave religious dissent and divisions.  Ecumenical councils were
convened to settle the controversies.

What is Ecumenical Council?

An Ecumenical council is a conference of the bishops of the whole Church convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice.

 In the fourth and fifth centuries, the following general or ecumenical councils were convened.

Time 325

Place
Nicaea

Main Theme
The divinity of Christ (identity of divine essence between God the Father and God the Son) as opposed to the teaching of Arius (Arianism) to the teaching of Macedonius (Macedonianism) The divine motherhood of Mary as opposed to the teaching of Nestorius (Nestorianism) Two natures (divine and human)in one divine person of Jesus (Doscetism)

381 Constantinople The divinity of the Holy Spirit as opposed 431 451
Ephesus

Chalcedon

 The controversies caused a crisis of belief.  The Councils sought the universal and normative understanding of the truths of the faith

for what purpose?

 hoping to find

security for the Christian belief.

3. Luther Split Christendom

The Church had grown rich and powerful but it was plagued with internal dissension and contradictions.

The protests and assaults of Luther and other reformers damaged the Roman Church but they also began her age of renewal.

An interior and spiritual renewal occurred within the Catholic Church during the sixteenth century and made it once again a vital center of moral spiritual energy in the world.

The seeds of spiritual and interior reform were already present prior to the Lutheran revolt but doubtlessly the Lutheran Reformation intensified the movement of the Church renewal.

1. Mt. 28: 16-20

The Gospel speaks about the great commissioning of the Apostles. It contains a general command to go forth and make disciples of all nations. A definite command was given to them to proclaim the universal will of God to save all peoples and nations.

This mission is a continuing one. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, the Church must walk the same road which Christ walked: a road of poverty, obedience, of service and selfsacrifice.

After the resurrection, Christ sent his apostles throughout the whole world just as he had been sent by the Father. He commanded them to make disciples of all nations.

2. The Missionary Outreach of the Church A.The Gospel was brought to America and Asia

2. The Missionary Outreach of the Church

B. The greater part of the early mission in Latin America was carried out by the mendicant orders (who begged alms to support themselves), particularly the Franciscans and the Dominicans. They were joined by the Jesuits later.

2. The Missionary Outreach of the Church

C. The Jesuits were the pioneers in establishing schools and mission churches.

2. The Missionary Outreach of the Church

D. The greatest missionary in Asia was Francis Xavier (1506-1552). He was known as the Apostle to the East. He preached the Gospel in India, Malacca, Japan and Malaysia.

2. The Missionary Outreach of the Church E. The man who was to open the great mission land in China was a Jesuit missionary named Mateo Ricci.

He learned the Chinese language, religions, philosophies and customs. At the time of his death, there were about two thousand Christians in China.

The spiritual revival of the Catholic Church during the nineteenth century rekindled the missionary spirit and zeal, and ushered in a whole new period of mission.

Pope Gregory XVI (1831-1846) was considered to be the spirit of this new missionary epoch of great importance. Here was the remarkable revival of religious orders of men and women, a great many of them dedicated to missionary work.

They included the rejuvenated orders such as the Jesuits, Franciscans and Dominicans. Numerous Protestant missionary societies also emerged.

The missionary work of both the Catholic and Protestant churches opened a new epoch in Christian history when Christianity went out to the world: China, Japan, Korea, India, Africa, etc.

3. Contributions of Christianity Christianity has continued to spread throughout Asia, Africa and Europe. Ranking as the leading religion of humankind, it has greatly affected the development and progress of the world in the following ways:

1.It has abolished many barbaric customs or practices of the past such as the offering of human sacrifices to the gods, the killing of the infants, slavery and blood feuds.

2.It has inspired artists, writers and scholars to produce masterpieces in painting, architecture, sculpture, music, literature and philosophy, thus, enriching world culture and civilization.

3. It has strengthened family relationships as it teaches children to love and honor their parents and the parents to love and give their children the best that they can give. It sanctifies marriage and condemns abortion, adultery, polygamy and immorality.

4. It has helped to improve the condition of the poor. The Church condemns the exploitation of the poor by the rich.

5. It has given the people a sublime code of ethics based on love of God and fellowmen, brotherhood of men and Christian virtues, such as honesty, truthfulness, faith, hope and charity.

Topic 3: Action of the Holy Spirit in the Church Lesson 3: The Holy Spirit and the Churchs Missionary Outreach to the Whole World

For the Church to fulfill its mission; she must walk the same road which Christ walked: a road of poverty, obedience, service, and self-sacrifice even unto death. Does the Church of today walk the same road which Christ walked? Support your answer.

 Every Christian has the God-given calling of becoming a missionary. As a Catholic Christian, how would you share in the Churchs mission of evangelization? What is the basis of the mission of every Christian? What help does a missionary need in order to be able to accomplish his mission?

Summary of Key Points:

The commission of the Apostles to preach the Gospel to all nations signifies the universal character of the apostolic mission. The Church makes Christ more fully present to the world by her way of life which mirrors Christ poverty, obedience, and sacrifice.

 The span of the missionary work of the Church through the centuries and the rise of great missionaries confirm the nature and calling of the Church as founded by Christ a universal Church.

Integration:

What did you learn from the lesson?

Integration:
Doctrine: The Holy Spirit inspires the Church to witness to the truth, goodness and unity of authentic discipleship. He unites the Church by uniting its members with Christ and with one another.

Integration:
Morals: The Holy Spirit calls us to witness to Christ through our good free words and deeds in the world today.

Integration:
Worship: The Holy Spirit inspires us to authentic Christian prayer in our daily life. We pray that we may be more committed and more determined members and leaders in the Church today.

Integration:
1. How does your knowledge of the life of the early Church help you better understand the life and mission of the Church today?

Integration:
2.How can you witness to Christ in your life as a student? How can you be the arms and hands of Jesus for the accomplishment of His mission today?

Integration:
4. Compose a prayer asking

God for the Church to possesses a life inspired by the early Christian communities.