After the Church Spread and Grew,What did Jesus Say?

What doctrine came at that time?

Sound Doctrine – What Jesus SaidWatch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

I Timothy 4:16You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

Titus 2:1

1st Century Growth of the Church

Jesus Speaks to 7 Churches1. Ephesus, founded by Paul (Acts 19) on 1st missionary journey

2. Smyrna, believed to have been founded by Paul

3. Pergamum, unknown, but Catholic history suggests Paul had great influence

4. Thyatira, founded by Paul (Acts 16), near Philippi, it is Lydia’s home

5. Sardis, believed to have been the first church founded by John

6. Philadelphia, unknown, perhaps John

7. Laodicea, not founded by Paul, but nurtured by Paul (Colossians mentions)

The Isle of Patmos and the 7 Churches

EphesusI know your works, and your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot bear those who are evil; and that you did test those who proclaim themselves to be apostles, but are not, and did find them liars; And that you have borne much and have endured, and for My name's sake have labored and have not grown weary;Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works; for if you do not, I will come to you quickly; and I will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent. But this you have: that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

- Jesus

The reference to the Nicolaitans seems to refer to possible Gnostics who wrongly felt that various of their physical actions/deeds were not of spiritual consequence. The Nicolaitans were seemingly among those “who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality” (Jude 4, NIV) and/or were certain “semi-Gnostics” who instituted anti-biblical practices—they understood a false gospel. Irenaeus said that they claimed to be descended from the deacon Nicolas in Acts 6:5 and that they “lead lives of unrestrained indulgence” (renaeus. Adversus Haereses. Book 1, Chapter 26, Verse 3). http://www.cogwriter.com/pergamoschurch.htm

SmyrnaI know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who declare themselves to be Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of the things that you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.

- Jesus

Polycarp (69 to 155 A.D.), believed to be one of apostle John's students, played a leading role in the Ephesian church in the second century A.D. It is believed Polycarp was martyred in Smyrna.

Pergamum

I know your works and where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is; but you are holding fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days in which Antipas (the first Christian to be put to death by the Roman state) was My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.But I have a few things against you because you have there those who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. Moreover, you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.Repent! For if you (those in Pergamos) do not repent, I will come to you quickly, and will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.

- Jesus

ThyatiraI know your works, and love, and service, and faith, and your endurance, and your works; and the last are more than the first. But I have a few things against you, because you allow the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants into committing fornication and eating things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her fornication, but she did not repent. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their works. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He Who searches the reins and hearts; and I will give to each of you according to your works.But to you I say, and to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will not cast upon you any other burden, But hold fast what you have until I come.

- Jesus

SardisI know your works, and that you have a name as if you are alive, but are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die. For I have not found your works complete before God.Therefore, remember what you have received and heard, and hold on to this, and repent. Now then, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you shall by no means know what hour I will come upon you.Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.The one who overcomes (especially in Sardis) shall be clothed in white garments (symbolic of being spiritually clean); and I will not blot out his name from the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

- Jesus

Tradition states the city was the first in its area to be converted by the preaching of the apostle John. It also may have been the first city that revolted from Christianity and one of the first that was laid in its ruins. The inhabitants were dimly viewed by their contemporaries for their voluptuous way of life.

PhiladelphiaI know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no one has the power to shut it because you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who proclaim themselves to be Jews and are not, but do lie - behold, I will cause them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the time of temptation which is about to come upon the whole world to try those who dwell on the earth.Behold, I am coming quickly; hold fast that which you have so that no one may take away your crown.

LaodiceaI know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you be either cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and are neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.For you say, 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'; and you do not understand that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire so that you may be rich; and white garments so that you may be clothed, and the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and to anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see.As many as I love (like those in Laodicea), I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.

1. Now I want you to understand what great concern I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; . . . (Colossians 2:1)13. For I bear witness to him (Epaphras, a preacher who was pivotal in the conversion of many people in Colossae) that he has much zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis (4:13).15. Salute the brethren in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church in his house. 16. After you have read the epistle, see that it also is read in the church of the Laodiceans . . . (4:15 - 16)