Apostolic Fathers/Their Successors
Jesus had instituted an apostolic ministry consisting of an inner circle of the 12 apostles and a larger group of 70 itinerants. The 12 and 70 apostles would be succeeded and serve to proclaim orally the "saying of Jesus" to the first generation of the Christian community. The itinerant ministry was required to renounce all private property and wealth, or what has come to be known as the vow of apostolic poverty. ~~~ Eusebius (A.D. 270- 340) wrote in an Ecclesiasticae Historiate, book I
The name of our Saviour's apostles are in the gospels for all to read: of the 70 disciples/apostles no list has ever been found. It is stated that one of them was Barnabas, who is mentioned several times in the Acts of the Apostles and notably by Paul in writing to the Galatians.
Another is said to have been Sosthenes joint author with Paul in of one epistle to the Corinthians (I Cor. 1:1). In addition to the 70 there were apostles of the Saviour, as you would find if you considered the matter and accepted the testimony of Paul.
Among the shining lights of the period was Quadratus, who according to the written evidence was, like Philip's four daughters, emiment for a prophetic gift. Beside them many others were well knonw at the time, belonging to the "first stage" in the apostolic succession.
These earnest disciples of great men built on the foundations of the churches everywhere laid by the apostles, spreading the message still farther and sowing the saving seed of the kingdom of Heaven far and wide thorugh entire world.
Very many of the disciples of the time, their hearts smitten by the word of God with an ardent passion for true teaching, first fulfilled the Saviour's command by distributing their "possessions" among the needy, then "LEAVING" their homes behind, they carried out the work of evangelist, anxious to preach to those who had never yet heard the message of the faith in one foreign place or another, appoint them presbyters, and entrust to these men the shepherding of those newly converted, they set off another lands and peoples with the grace and cooperation of God.
~~~~ A syriac manuscript claims that in the first century the preaching of the Gospel reached Edessa at the request of King Abgar Uchama (A.D. 13-50). The claim was taken seriously by Eusebius when he wrote his ecclesiastical history in the third century.
Edessa was only 180 miles from Antioch, the point from which a number of early missionary journey began. The document remains interesting in confirming that the early ministry was "Itinerant" observed apostolic poverty, and viewed its mission as "sowing the seed" of the Gospel to bring forth spiritual life in the hearers who received it.
Eusebius wrote: After Jesus ascended, Judas, also known as Thomas sent to King Abgar as an apostle Thaddeus, one of the 70 disciples (Luke 10:1,2) who came and stayed with Tobias.... Thaddeus said to the king "For the time being I shall say nothing; but as I was sent to Preach the word, be good enough to assemble all your citizens tomorrow, and I will Preach to them adn sow in them the word of life... So Abgar instructed his citizens to assemble at daybreak and hear the preaching of Thaddeus. After that he ordered gold and silver to be given to him. But Thaddeus "Refused" them and asked, "If we have LEFT! our own property behind, how can we accept other people's."
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~~~ Clement of Alexandria (A. D. 195) Barnabas 1 of 70 apostles in Luke 10:1,2
The apostolic Barnabas was one of the Seventy apostles and a fellow-worker of Paul, who in person preached the Word along in the ministry of the Gentiles.
To James the Just, John and Peter, the Lord imparted knowledge after His resurrection. These imparted it to the rest of the apostles, and the rest of the apostles imparted it to the Seventy; of whom Barnabas was one.
(I Cor. 15: 1-8) Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again thee third day according to the scriptures: and that Jesus was seen of Cephas (Peter) then of the 12: After that He was seen of above 500 brethren at one time, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some have fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of ALL of the apostles. And last of ALL Jesus was seen of me also, as one born out of due time.
~~~ Tertullian (A.D. 207) Jesus chose also Seventy other apostles (mean Sent ones) beside the Twelve. Now the Twelve followed the number of the twelve fountains of Elim. Therefore, why should not the Seventy correspond to the like number of the palms of that place?
~~~ Eusebius (A.D. 315) After He was risen from the abode of the dead and was received into heaven. Thomas the apostle... by an impulse from God, the Thaddaeus to Edssa to be a preacher and proclaimer of the teaching of Christ. Now, this Thaddaeus was himself also numbered among the seventy disciples of Christ. And the promise of Christ was fulfilled through him.
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The Itinerant apostolic ministry was mandated the Catholic (Universal) commission to evangelize the world, care for the converts and perpetuate the church. Their training took the form of an apprenticeship after ordination, which stressed righteous living, piety and prayer. Their converts were grouped in small assemblies presided over by bishops (church elders) appointed by the apostolic ministers.
Christians did NOT decide to form their own home assemblies, but the apostles appointed their presiding elders in designated homes. A legitimate assembly, therefore, had a designated leader and was NOT an independent Self-Appointed "house church". It was a church meeting in a home as part of a catholic (universal) fellowship in communion with the apostolic ministry. The bishops (church elders), as property holders in the church, offered their homes to serve as places of worship and teaching for small assemblies of limited numbers, and sometimes of "the whole church" in a given locality. The itinerant ministry had NO material possessions with which to exercise power and command prestige. They relied entirely, and solely, on their spiritual gifts and support of the Christian community. The Primitive church was conceived as a model for succeeding generations in matters of ministry, worship and doctrine. That was a principle reason for preserving the "saying of Jesus" and the practices of the apostles in new scriptures. It seems reasonable to conclude that the early Christians conceived the church to be a spiritual community, and also a visible body of believers and followers of Jesus Christ, in communion with the apostles and their successors. The great debate which follow logically upon the thesis of a model ministry, and the church, is whether this Pattern was intended to remain basically unchanged with the passage of time and changing circumstances, or whether constant evolution to meet ever changing conditions were originally envisaged. Jesus himself had very little to say, at least as recorded in the canonical gospels, about church organization and government. It WAS the apostles who set out some guidelines and allude to certain practices, apparently believing that succeeding generations would CONTINUE steadfastly in their doctrine and fellowship. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Apostolic 2x2 Itinerant ministry/Poverty/Chasity
~~~~ The practice of apostolic poverty appear to have been a "Continuing" characteristic of the ministry through down the ages to the point that it was identified:
In the Shepherd of Hermas (A.D. 110-150), Eusebius (A.D. 270-340) Ecclesiasticae historiae book, Heroic of men and women for religion of Jesus Christ written by James D. Macable (1881), and The Pilgrim Church written by E. H. Broadbent (1920)
The Apostolic Fathers
The Books of the New Testament were all written before the end of the 1st century A.D. After John finished writing the Book of Revelation around A.D. 95, the writing of Christian literature did NOT cease. Between A.D. 95 and about 150, a number of works were written by men who had known the apostles and the Apostolic doctrine; they are Known as the Apostolic Fathers, among them Clement of Rome, who was bishop (elder apostle) of Rome, A.D. 91-100. He wrote a letter to the Church at Corinth at about the same time John (apostle) was on the Patmos. This is the earliest surviving Christians documents outside the New Testament. Other writings from the Apostolic Father include: ~~~ Epistles of Ignatius, (A.D. 67-110) apostle (bishop) of Antioch and Pupil of the Apostle John, written around A.D. 110. In his seven letters during his journey from Antioch to Rome for his martyrdom, quotes from Matthew, I Peter, I John, cites nine of Paul's epistles, and his letters bear the impressive of the other three gospels.
The Emperor Trajan, on a visit to Antioch, ordered Ignatius to be arrested. Himself presided at the trial, and sentenced him to be thrown to the wild beasts at Rome. En route to Rome, he wrote a letter to the Roman Christians begging them NOT to try to procure his pardon; that he longed for the Honor of dying for His Lord: saying, " May the wild beasts be eager to rush upon me. If they be Unwilling I will compel them. Come, crowds of wild beasts; come tearings and manglings, wrackings of bone and hackling of limbs, come cruel tortures of the Devil; only let me attain unto Christ." ~~~ Papias, (A.D. 70-155) Another Pupil of John, wrote, "An Explanation of the Lord's discourses," in which he quotes from John, and records traditions about the origins of Matthew and Mark. Apostle (bishop) of Hierapolis, about 100 miles east of Ephesus. He suffered martyrdom at Pergamum, about same time as Polycarp, Ignatius, Papias, form the connecting link between the apostolic ages and later.
~~~ Epistle of Polycarp, (A.D. 69-156) Pupil of John Apostle and bishop (apostle) of Smyrna, written to the Philippians' around A.D. 110. In persecution ordered by the Emperor he was arrested and bought before the governor, and when offered his freedom if he would curse Christ, he replied, "86 years have I served Christ and He has done me nothing but Good; how then could I curse Him my Lord and Savior?" He was burned alive.
~~~ Epistle of Barnabas, written between (A.D. 90-120) and addressed to ALL Christians. It was highly regarded in the early church, since it was founded at the end of the New Testament in Codex Sinaiticus.
~~~ The Diache or (Teaching of the 12 (Apostles), written probably around A.D. 100 as catechetical manual to teach the essentials of the faith. It resembles the Letter of James and quotes extensively from the New Testament.
~~~ Justin Martyr (A.D. 95-150) was born about the year that John Apostle died, in his apologies, written about A.D.140, mentions Revelation, and shows the knowledge of Acts and 8 epistles. He calls the Gospels the "Memoirs of the Apostles," and says that they were read in Christian assemblies alternately with the "prophets".
Here is Justin Martyr's picture of the early Christian worship: "On Sunday, meeting is held of all who live in the cities and villages, and a section is read from the Memoirs of the Apostles and the writings of the prophets, as long as time permits. When the reading is finished, he. in a discourse. gives the admonition and exhortation to imitate these noble things. After this, we all arise and offer common prayer. At the close of prayer, the bread and wine and thanks for them as we have before ability, and the congregation answers, "Amen". Then the consecrated elements are distributed to each one and taken of and are carried by the deacons to the houses of the absent." ~~~ The Shepherd of Hermas (A.D.110-150) is an allegory, written about A.D. 150, that is full of symbolism and visions. It is modeled after the Book of Revelation and could be called the Pilgrim's Progress of the early Church.
~~~ Iranaeus (A.D. 130-200) Brought up in Smyrna. Pupil of Polycarp and Papias. Traveled widely and became bishop (apostle elder) of Lyons, in Gaul. Died a martyr. Here in his reminiscence of Polycarp: "I remember well the place in which the holy Polycarp sat and spoke. I remember the discourses he delivered to the people, and how he described his relations with John the Apostle, and others who had been with the Lord; how he recited the sayings of Christ and the miracles he wrought; how he received his teachings from Eyewitnesses who had seen the Word of Life, agreeing in every way with the scriptures."
~~~Tertullian (A.D.160-220) of Carthage; "The Father of Latin Christianity," a Roman Lawyer, a pagan, after conversion, became a distinguished defender of Christianity.
~~~ Eusebius (A.D. 264-340), "Father of Church History" apostle (bishop/elder) of Caesarea of the time of Constantine; Wrote an "Ecclesiastical History" from Christ to the Council of Nicaea. Here is the Website of Eusebius on "Ecclesiastical History":
Apostolic Fathers' early church history writings 1-10. Very fascinating!! Apostolic Succession/Apostolic Fathers
The first Christians had no doubt how to determine which was the true church and which doctrine the true teachings of Christ. The TEST was simple: Just trace the apostolic succession of the claimants. The role of apostolic succession in preserving true doctrine is illustrated in the Bible. To make sure that the Apostles' teachings would be passed down after the death of the apostles Paul, told Timothy "What you've HEARD from me before many Witnesses entrust to faithful men who will able to teach others also (II Timothy 2:2)". In this passage Paul refers to the four generations of apostolic succession---His own generation, Timothy's generation, the generation will teach, and the generation they in turn will teach.** The early church apostolic fathers, who were links in that chains of succession, regularly appealed to apostolic of succession as a test Catholics (Universal) or heretics had correct doctrine. This was necessary because heretics simply put their own interpretations, even bizarre ones, on scripture. For the early church historian J.N.D. Kelly, a protestant writes, "Where in practice was the apostolic testimony or tradition to be found?"... the most obvious answers was that the Apostles had committed it Orally to the church, where it had been handed down from generation to generation. Apostolic Fathers
Clement I (A.D 80) "Through countryside and city the apostles preached, and they appointed, their earliest converts testing them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of future believers... Our apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife for the office of bishop. For this reason, therefore, having received perfect foreknowledge, they appointed those who already been mentioned and afterwards added further provision, if they should DIE, other approved men should succeed to their ministry" (letter to Corinthians 42:4,5,44:1-3)." Apostolic Father: Hegesipus (A.D.189)
"It is possible then, for everyone in the church who may wish to know the truth, to contemplate the tradition of the apostles which has been made known to us throughout the world. And we are in position to enumerate those who were instituted bishops/elders by the Apostles and their successors down to our time, men who neither knew or taught anything like what these heretics rave about" (against heresies 3:31). But since it would be too long to enumerate in such a volume, as this the successions of all the churches, "we shall confound all those who, in whatever manner, whether through self-satisfaction or vain-glory, or through blindness and wicked opinion, assemble other than where it is proper, by pointing out here the successions of the bishops/elders of the greatest and most ancient church known to all, found and organized at Rome by two of most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul! That church which has tradition and the faith with which came down to us after having been announced to men by the apostles. For with this church, because of its superior origin, all churches must agree, that is, all the faithful in the whole world. And it's here that the faithful everywhere have Maintained the Apostolic Tradition." "Polycarp, a disciple of John Apostle, also was NOT only instructed by apostles and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but also by apostles in Asia minor, appointed bishops of the church in Smyrna, whom I saw in my early youth, for he tarried (on earth) a very long time. When a very old man, gloriously and most noblely suffering martyrdom, departed this life, having always taught the things which he had learned from the apostles, and which the Church has handed down, and which alone are true. To these things all the Asiatic church testify, as do also those men who have succeeded Polycarp, down to the present time." Apostolic Father: Tertullian (A.D. 160-220)
The apostles founded churches in every city, from which all the other churches, one after another, derived the tradition of faith, and the seed of doctrine, and are every day deriving them, that they may become churches. Indeed, it is on this account only that they will be able to deem themselves apostolic, as being the offspring of the apostolic churches. Every sort of thing must necessary reverts to its original for its classification. Therefore, the churches, although they are so many and so great, comprise but the ONE primitive church, founded by the apostles from they ALL spring. In this way, all are primitive, and ALL one Apostolic, while they all prove to be ONE in unity. But, if there be any (heresies) which are bold enough to plant their origin in the midst of apostolic age, that they may thereby seen to have been handed by the apostles, because they existed in the time of the apostles we can say "let them produce the original records of their churches; let them unfold the roll of their bishops, running down in due succession." From the beginning, in such a manner that their bishop shall be able to show for his ordained and predecessor, some of the apostolic who continue steadfast with the apostles. For this is the manner in which the apostolic churches transmit their registers: as the church of Smyrna, which record that Polycarp was placed therein by John Apostle; as also the church of Rome, which makes Clement, "I to have been ordained in like manner by Peter." Primacy of Rome/Was Peter the first bishop of Rome?One of the great issues of contention in Christendom has been the question of the authority of the bishops of Rome relative to other Episcopal sees and in the governance of the Catholic (Universal) church. The doctrine of the Roman supremacy was foreign to the churches of Asia Minor. Apostolic Father: Irenaeus on the Primacy of the Roman Church
It was Irenaeus, after he became the bishop of Lyons (France) in southern Gaul (A.D. 178), who defended the claim of bishop Victor of Rome, arguing that the church at Rome had been founded by the apostles Peter and Paul. He proceeded not only to uphold monarchical episcopacy, but also to advance claims of Roman preeminence over the old established churches of Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandria. Irenaeus has long been accepted as the authority for the founding of the Roman sees by the apostles Peter and Paul, the succession of Roman bishops following Peter, and the pre-eminence of the Roman church. His assertions can be questioned for at least two major reasons: firstly, contrary testimony from other apologists; secondly, confusion in his own statement. Irenaeus makes Clement (who may have been the apostle in the New Testament) the 3rd incumbent, but Apostolic Father, Tertullian makes him the 1st incumbent. Clement in his epistle NEVER represented himself as a bishop, BUT as an itinerant apostle, and appears to regard the office of bishop and presbyter as ONE and the same. As for Eleutherus, he was a Montanist, not a Catholic. On notes that if Sixtus were 6th in succession, as in Irenaeus' list, then Peter Could NOT have been the first Bishop. This is true also in the list produced by Hegesippus and one cited by Eusebius. The doctrine of Roman supremacy was foreign to the churches of Asia Minor. Apostolic Father:Ignatius (A.D. 67-110) of Antioch asserted his authority came directly from Holy Spirit, and Polycarp at Smyrna NEVER believes he stood in a succession of the apostles. On the other hand, Ignatius provided evidence that the Roman see was NOT always the guardian of the faith. He made clear that Rome itself was a mission of the Greeks and that his own region of southern Gaul has been evangelized from Asia Minor and NOT from Rome. Indeed, neither Peter or Paul are likely to have been the "blessed apostles" named as founding the church and appointing Linus as First bishop. Peter's presence is documented in the Palestine region until at least A.D. 50 therefore it is most Unlikely Peter could have been a Founder of the early community in Rome. There is also contradictory evidence for the assumption that Paul was the other founder of the church at Rome, because the Acts of Apostles states categorically that the church EXISTED there well before he ever visited that city. When Paul was taken prisoner to Rome, the Christians came to Rome to meet him and his companions at the Forum of Appius. There is also at least ONE historical document which claims he was NOT martyred during the reign of Nero but went on to evangelize in Spain. Original Mission of the Disciples and Apostles' Church
The church was founded, NOT as an institution of authority to Force the name and teaching of Christ upon the world, but only as a Witness-Bearing institution to Christ, to hold Him before the people. Christ Himself, NOT the Church, is the Transforming power in human life. But the Roman Catholic church was founded in the Roman Empire, and gradually developed a form of Government like the political world in which it existed, becoming a vast autocratic organization, ruled from the top. The word "Pope" means "Papa," "Father." At first it was applied to all Western bishops. About A.D. 500 it began to be restricted to the Bishops of Rome, and soon, in common use, came to means Universal Bishop. From the 1st century onward for 500 years Bishops of Rome were NOT Popes. The idea that the Bishop of Rome should have the authority of the Whole church was a slow growth, bitterly contested at every step, and NEVER has, at anytime, been Universally recognized. At the close of the Apostolic age, churches were independent one of another, each being shepherded by church elders/pastors who were appointed by the Apostles. Summary
The Papacy is an Italian Institution. It arose on the ruins of the Roman Empire, in the name of Christ occupying the throne of the Caesars; a revival of the Image of the Roman Empire inheriting the Spirit thereof: "the Ghost of the Roman Empire come to life in the garb of Christianity." The Popes mostly have been Italians!! The Papacy's method: It brought itself to power through the prestige of Rome, and the Name of Christ, and by shrewd political alliances, and by deception, and by armed force; and by armed force and bloodshed has maintained itself in power. Papal Revenues: Through a large part of its history the Papacy, by the sale of ecclesiastical office, and its shamless traffic in indulgences, has received vast revenues that enabled it to maintain, for much of the time the most luxurious court in Europe. Personal Character of the Popes: Some of the popes have been good men; some of them unspeakable vile; the most of them have been absorbed in the pursuit of Secular power. Papal claims: Yet, in spite of the character of the general of Popes, their methods and the secular and bloody record of the papacy, these "Holy Fathers" Claim that they are "Vicars of Christ" "Infallible" and that they "hold on this earth the place of "Almighty God," and that Obedience to THEM is necessary to Salvation. Forerunners of the Reformation
Albigenese, Carthari, Waldenses, Patarenes, Poor men of Lyons, Passgini, Josepini, Arnaldistae, etc. In Southern of France, Northern Spain and Northern Italy. Preached against the immoralities of the priesthood, pilgrimages, worship of Saints and images, completely rejected the clergy and its claims; criticized church conditions; oppose the claims of the Church of Rome. By 1167 they embraced possibly a Majority of the population of South France; by A.D.1200 very numerous in North Italy. In 1208 a crusade was ordered by Pope Innocent III; a bloody war of Extermination! followed; scarcely paralleled in history; town after town was put to the sword and the inhabitants murdered without distinction of Age or Sex; in 1229 the Inquisitor was established and within 100 years were almost utterly rooted out but NOT completely destroyed. They were gradually repressed by the Inquisition except in the Alpine Valleys southwest of Turin where they still are found, the only sect still Surviving, a story of heroic endurance of Persecutions.PART II
The Continuation Acts Of The Itinerant Apostolic Ministry Through The Centuries
In (Matthew 24:14) Jesus said, "And THIS Gospel of the kingdom shall be Preached in ALL the world for a Witness unto ALL nations; and then shall the end comes." In (Matthew 16:13-20) Jesus said to his disciples, " ...And I say unto you, that thou art Peter, and upon this ROCK I will build MY church; and the gates of HELL shall NOT prevail against it." After His resurrection from the dead Jesus said to the disciples in (Matthew 28:16-20), "..All Power is given unto me heaven and earth. Go ye therefore, and Teach ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the End of the world." Tradition in the early church included of the teaching handed over by the apostles to their successors and to the people of God. This apostolic tradition consisted of the central facts, beliefs and observances of the early church. (II Timothy 2:1-2) Paul wrote to Timothy: Thou therefore my son be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast Heard of me among many Witnesses, the same entrust thou to Reliable men, who also be qualified to teacher others also. Paul wrote what he had received and what he had delivered or transmitted in the manner, a disciple passed on what he received from his rabbinic master. The expression "the saying is sure" was meant to reassure its readers that they were the tradition as received from the apostles, who in turn had received it by Revelation and Directly from Christ. The apostles were the "Living Witnesses" of the origins of the New Testament ministry and church; they were the transmitters of the "sayings of Jesus". In a sense they created the tradition of the church, they expound and published it. Luke, the companion of Paul. In the description of the happenings in Acts, certain passages made use of the word "WE." At this point the author includes himself as a companion of Paul in his travels (Acts 16:10-17;20:5-21;27:1;28:16). Eusebius, the early church Apostolic Father who explicit statement is made Luke was the author of both the "gospel of Luke" and "Acts of the apostles." (Ecclesiastical History, 3.4). (Acts 1:8) Reveals one of the purposes Luke had in writing his history, and that this purpose influenced the way the book ended. Luke wanted to "SHOW" how the Church penetrated the world of his day in ever-widening circles (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, ends of the earth) until it reached Rome, the world's political and culture center. The Book of Acts provides a bridge for the writing of the New Testament. As a second volume to Luke's Gospel, it joins what Jesus "began to do and teach" (Acts 1:1), as told in the Gospels with what he (Jesus) continued to do and teach through the apostles' preaching and the establishment of the church. Luke summarized his first volume in (Acts 1:1-3) the theme of his second volume is presented in the words of Jesus to his disciples: "YOU, will be my Witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria and to the ENDS of the earth." The significance of Acts as a historical account of Christian origins. It tells of the founding of the church, the spread of the gospel, the beginnings of congregations, and evangelistic efforts in the apostolic pattern. The life and teaching of Jesus Christ are established in the four Gospel narratives, and the Book of Acts provides a coordinated account of the beginning of the church. Luke had no way of knowing how long the Church would continue on this earth, but as long as it pursues its course, the Book of Acts will be ONE of its major guides. The success of the Roman Empire demonstrated that Christianity was NOT a mere work of man, God was in it.There "HAS BEEN" a chain of Witnesses of the apostolic doctrine and fellowship throughout the centuries. Christianity spread, at first, over the communication and trade networks of the Roman Empire and its borderlands. The 2x2 apostolic itinerant ministry and believer movements have spread from the Eastern Empire to the West, either through the Balkans or by the way of the sea routes to Italy and France.The river routes and valleys of the Danube, Rhine and Rhone were instrumental in the spread of these teachings, but it was the mountain regions of the Alps, Pyrenees, Vosges and Carpathian that afforted isolation and refuge in times of severe persecution. Italy, France, and Low countries were the principals from whence these ideas spread eastward into Central Europe, southward into Spain. From the low countries and France, Germany, England received teachings that quickly spread from the southeastern countries northward. It was eventually in northern England and Wales. The itinerary apostolic ministry and believers are centered in Ireland, Scotland, America, Asia, South America, etc.. The Apostolic itinerant ministry may have taken place beyond Western Europe. The Paulicans spread northward into Ukrainian, Russian and the Georgians regions. Early and then later to the Mongol lands and China. Early Christian apostolic missionaries took the gospel to Iraq, Iran and South India, from the 1st centuries of era upper Egypt and the highland of Ethiopia.According to Church tradition, most of the 12 apostles died as martyrs, and in foreign lands preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew) preached in Palestine for some years, and then traveled to foreign countries. (John the apostle), for a number of years seems to have been his chief residence. According to well-established tradition, his later years were spent preaching in Ephesus. (Peter) was crucified in Rome A.D. 68. (Andrew) of Bethsaida. He and John were Jesus' first converts. He brought his brother Peter to Christ. Tradition says he preached in Asia Minor, Greece, Scythia or Russia today. (Philip) of Bethsaida. Fellow-townsman of Peter and Andrew. Brought Nathaniel to Christ. According to tradition, he preached in Phrygia, and in Hierapolis. (Bartholomew) surname of Nathaniel, who was Cana. Tradition says he preached in Parthia. (Thomas) tradition says he preached in Syria, Parthia, Persia, and India. (James) the Son of Alphaeus tradition had him preach in Palestine and Egypt. (Thaddeus) Tradition says he was sent to Abgarus, King of Edessa; and to Syria, Arabia and Mesopotania. (Paul Apostle). Tradition says he preached in Spain and died in Rome in 68 A.D. Peter, James Simon Zealots preached in the British isles http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/files/magazines/novdec2002/article021102.htm.
Professor H.L. Martensen as cited in Einar Molland, "Irenaeus of Lugdunum and the Apostolic succession" on February 1854. From the man whose precious remembrance fills our hearts, our thoughts go back to that whole series of Witnesses of truth which, like a holy chain, stretches through times from the days of the Apostles to our days. But, ALL of them are Unanimous in this testimony. The times change and vary, but Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today, ye and Forever; the wisdom of this world, and the realms of this world are changing and grow old, but the wisdom of Christ and Realm of Christ remain Forever. The times change and vary, but Jesus Christ is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever. This consciousness: the teachers, the Witnesses of truth in the Church of Christ, change and vary from Generation to Generation. BUT, the Gospel of Christ is the Same Yesterday, and Today, albeit it is preached with various tongues; and the Spirit of Christ is the same Yesterday, and Today, although it fulfils its functions through various instruments."The Pilgrim Church by E.H. Broadbent and "Praticia official Inquisitions heretic Pravitatis (A.D. 1323-1424). Benard Gui: Manuel de l'Inquisiteur (Paris: Champison, 1926), Vol I, pp, 35-37,51-53,59 Who Was Peter Waldo? Was he the founder of Waldenses? The answer is NO! Peter Waldo (A.D. 1140-1217) of Lyons (France), a successful merchant banker, was aroused to see his need of Salvation by the sudden death of one of his guests at a feast he had given. He became so much interested in the scriptures that in (1160) he employed clerks to translate of the four gospels from Latin into French. A theologian directed Peter Waldo to the Lord's words in (Matthew 19:21) Jesus said, "If thou will be "Perfect" GO and SELL that thou has, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasures in Heaven: Come and Follow me!" (Matthew 19:27-30) Peter said unto Jesus, "Behold, we (12 apostles) have forsaken ALL, and follow thee; what shall we have therefore?" Jesus said unto them, "Verily, Verily, I say unto you, that ye which have Follow Me, in the generation when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye shall also sit upon the 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. And Every One of you that has forsaken houses, brethren, sisters, father or mother, WIFE, or Children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive 100 fold, and shall inherit Everlasting Life." Peter Waldo, therefore (1173) gave up his property to his Wife, sold the remainder and distributed it among the poor. He determined to observe poverty and evangelical perfection, in imitation of the apostles. For a time he devoted himself to the study of the Scriptures and then (1180) gave himself to Traveling and Preaching, taking as a guide of the Lord Jesus words, before sending out the 70 apostles in (Luke 10:1-2) "He sent His disciples 2 and 2 before his face into every city and place whither He Himself would come. Therefore Jesus said unto them, "The harvest truly is Great! but the Laborers are few: PRAY! Ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would SEND forth Laborers into his harvest."Companions joined him, and Traveling and Preaching in THIS way, came to be known as the "Poor men of Lyons". They hold the office of the Apostles, and presumed to preach the Gospel in the Streets and Public places. The Waldes or Waldo converted many people both men and women, and sent them out to Preach as his disciples. Also, after they have been received into the Ministry which they call "a Fellowship", and have promised obedience before their Superior, and that they will observe evangelical poverty, property, but they SELL all that they possess and give the price into a common Fund, and live on Offerings which are given them by their "Believers" and those who sympathizers with them. And, the Superior distributes these among them, and give each one according to his needs. They were divided into TWO classes, the "Perfect" and the "Friends" or "Believers" among the Perfect, bound by vow of poverty, wandered about from place to place preaching. The Perfect, claim they possess NOTHING of their own, neither houses nor possession. Moreover, if they HAD Wives before, they give them up when they received into the ministry.(Romans 1:1,7) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God... to ALL that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be Saints. Some among the brethren devoted themselves entirely to Traveling and Ministering the Word and were Called "the Perfect", and in accordance with the Lord's words in (Matthew 19:21) "If thou will be "Perfect", Go and Sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow ME!" They possessed nothing, had no home, and literally ACTED upon this command. It was recognized that ALL are NOT called to such a path, and that the Majority of believers, while acknowledging that they ALL have belong to Christ, should serve Him while remaining in their families and continuing in their occupations.Those whom they called "Apostles" played an important part in their testimony. While the "elders" remained in their homes and churches, the "Apostles" traveled continually, visiting the churches. A distinction was made between those called to be "Perfect," and other followers of Christ, based on the fact that in the gospel SOME were called to "Sell All" that they had and follow Christ, while others of His disciples were equally called to serve HIM in the surroundings in which HE found them.Married Itinerant Preachers
Such an itinerant life was ill-suited for "Married State", and to the profession of poverty they added the vow of chastity. Very FEW of them were "Married" in the ministry. Their perpetual missions, poverty, missionary tours, always spent amid warfare and danger, make it easy to understand the reason of the celibacy.They acknowledge the holy scripture as their sole faith, and rejected all that was NOT taught of the New Testament from the day of emperor Constantine in A.D. 312 to the present day. Also, each year they held or celebrated one or two general conventions in some important town, as secretly as possible, assembling as if they were merchants, in a house hired before by one or more of the believers. And, in those assemblies, the superior orders the disposes matters concerning the presbyters and deacons, and concerning those sent to different Parts and Regions to their believers and collect offerings. They say they are the Successors of the Apostles, and are the directors and Confessors. They travel throughout the country, visiting and confirming their disciples. Their disciples and "Believers" Supply them with their necessities. Whenever the "Perfect" go, the "Believers" spread the NEWS of their arrival, and many come to the "HOUSE" where they are admitted are brought to them, and their preaching is heard in assemblies which gather chiefly at night, when others are sleeping or resting.The "Perfect", moreover, do NOT immediately, in the beginning, reveal the secrets of the listeners their error. First they say what the disciples of Christ should be like, according to the words of the Gospel and of the Apostles. Only those, they say, should be the successors of the apostles who IMITATE and hold to the example of their life. On this basis they argue and conclude that the Pope, the bishops and prelates, and clergy, who possess the riches of this world and DO NOT imitate the righteousness of the apostles, are NOT true shepherds, and guides of the Church of God, but ravening and devouring wolves, to whom Christ did not Entrust his Bride the Church, and so they should NOT obey.The Waldes or Waldo and his companions appeal their expulsion from the diocese of Lyons, France by the bishop for violating a ban on Preaching. His preaching at this time was directed against the worldliness of the Catholic Clergy. Their appeal for recognition (1179) to the Third Lateran Council, under Pope Alexander III had already been scornfully refused. They were driven out of Lyons, France by Imperial edict and (1184) Excommunicated. Scattered over the surrounding countries, their Preaching proved very effectual and "Poor men of Lyons" became one of the many names attached to those who followed Christ and His teaching. An old article tells how as the year (1177) "disciples of Peter Waldo came from Lyons, France to Germany and began to preach in Frankfurt and in Nuremberg, but because of the Council in Nuremberg was warned that they should Seize and burn them, they disappeared into Bohemia." Peter Waldo continued his travels and eventually reached Bohemia, where he died (1217), having labored there for years and sown much seed, the fruit of which was seen in the spiritual harvest in that country. The accession of Peter Waldo and his band of preachers gave an extraordinary impetus to the missionary activities of the Waldenses, who until this time had been somewhat isolated in their remote valleys but NOW went everywhere preaching the word. The ministry of Peter Waldo of Lyons, France, whose followers first obtained the name of "Leonists" and who, when persecuted in France, fled to Piedmont, incorporating themselves with the "Vaudois or Vallenses". The relations of Peter Waldo, with the Waldenses, were so intimate, that many call him the Founder of a sect, of that name, though others derive the name from the Alpine Valleys, Vallenses, in which so many of those believers lived. It is TRUE that Peter Waldo was highly esteemed among them (Waldenses), but NOT POSSIBLE that he would have been Their FOUNDER, since they (Waldenses) founded their Faith and Practice on the scriptures, and were followers of those who, from the earliest times, had DONE the same. For outsiders to give them the name of a man Prominent among them, was only to follow the usual habit of their opponents, who did NOT like to admit their right to call themselves, as they did, "Christians" or "Brethren". History of the Ancient Churches of Piedmont: Peter Allix, Page 176-182The bishop of Meaux rightly charge Beza for saying that the Waldenses, time out of mind, had stiffly opposed the abuses of the Roman Church, and they (Waldenses) held their doctrine from Father to Son, ever since the (120 A.D.), as they heard and received it from their elders and ancestors... These believers of the valley could NOT be so called from Valdo (Peter Waldo) of Lyons, France, because he did NOT flourish at the soonest till the year (1160 A.D.), according to Roger Hoveden, whereas the people of the Valleys of Lucerne and Angrogne had the name of Waldenses from the beginning of the 12th Century. I have made it appear, that they separated themselves from the Church of Rome long before, the place their abode, which the inhabitants called les vaux de Lucerne et Angrogne, that is to say, the Valleys of Lucerne and afterwards changed to Valdenses, when the design was laid to make men "Believe" Valdo (Peter Waldo in 1160) was their FIRST Founder.So that all can be said with any authority in this matter is, that some of Waldo's disciples did join themselves with the churches of the Valleys of Piedmont, being constrained there to by the persecution of the Catholic Church which dispersed them far and near."Who were the Waldenses?"
The Vaudois are, in fact, descendant from those refugees from Italy who, after Paul the Apostle (A.D. 67), had preached the Gospel, abandoned their beautiful country and fled, like the Woman (The Bride/True Church) in (Revelation chapter 12), to these wild mountains (the Alps in Switzerland), where they have to this day, handed down the Gospe, from Father to Son, in the same purity and simplicity as it was preached by Paul the Apostle. The Waldenses believed the Apostolic itinerant ministry Succession. "The Church without a name or a Founder." A.D. 33-1800. In the Alpine Valleys of Piedmon,t there had been, for Centuries, congregation of believers calling themselves brethren, who came later to be widely known as Waldenses, or Vaudois, though they did NOT, themselves, accept the name. They traced their origin in those parts back to the apostolic time. Like many of the so-called Cathars, Paulicans, Albigenses, and other churches, these were NOT "reformed" as the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church and some others, but the Waldenses having always maintained, in varying degree of Apostolic tradition.From the time of Emporer Constantine (A.D 312) there had been, or Continued to be, a Succession of those who preached the Gospel and Founded churches, uninfluenced by the relations between Church and State. This accounts for the large bodies of Christians, well established in the scriptures, and free from Idolatry, and other evils prevailing in the dominant Catholic Church, to be found in the Taurus mountains and the Alpine Valleys. According to the Waldenses apostolic itinerant church history, Chapter IV http://www.ccel.org/b/bevan/friends/friends.htm, they were known as "Poor men of Lyons" or "Leonists" and very commonly they were called the Waldenses. They had their own history of themselves, which was handed down from father to son. It was this, that they said that about the year A.D.320 after Christ, that the Roman Catholic church had fallen into "Worldliness" and was "Corrupted" through evil teaching under Pope Sylvester (A.D.320). For the Roman Emperor Constantine, instead persecuting the Christians, had begun to honor them, and to give them worldly power and riches, and the bishops became lords and princes, and the things of God were judged by worldly judges, and NOT by the word of the Lord. And, because their fathers had "HELD FAST" to the ancient teaching of the apostles of the Lord, they had been persecuted and killed. And, many of them fled to the mountains of Italy, and Switzerland, and France, and some of the other countries, and God had kept them as the "Apple of His eyes", and they could "NEVER" be Destroyed, though they had to suffer hardship, persecution, and death, from generation to generation.And, so, as time went on, they were to be found in many races, and in many lands, and wherever they went, they brought the Word of God, as they believed the apostles taught it. It was said of the Waldenses, that their whole manner of thought and action was an endeavor to HOLD FAST the character of original Christianity. The brethren in the Valleys Never Lost the knowledge and conscious of their origin and Unbroken history there.The Brethren from Bosnia and other Balkan countries making their way through Italy, came to the South of France, finding Everywhere ,those who shared their faith. The Roman Catholic clergy called them "Bulgarians, Cathars, Patarenes, and other names, and following the habit of centuries in Asia Minor and in the Balkan countries affirmed that they were Manichians." An Inquisitor ( of Catholic church) Reinerius Saccho (a former Waldense), who died in 1259, has left it on record: "Concerning the sects of ancient heretics, observe that there have been more than 70 the sect of the Manichaeans, Arians, and Runcarians and the Leonists (Peter Waldo) which have infected Germany, have through the favor of God, had been destroyed. Among all these sects which still Exists or which have formerly existed. For some say that it has lasted from the time of the Pope Sylvester (A.D.300), others from the time of the Apostles. For there is scarily any land, in which this sect does not Exist. Reinerius Saccho, a Former Waldesian himself who later became a Roman Catholic Inquisitor wrote "Of the Sect of Modern Heretics" (1254) in S.R. Maitland, trans, History of the Waldeneses and Albigenses (London C.J.G and F. Rivington, 1832), pp. 407-413 1. First they (Waldenses) say that the Roman Catholic Church, is NOT the Church of Christ, but a church of malignants and that is "Apostatized" under Pope Sylvester (A.D. 314-335). They (Waldenses) are the Church of Christ, because they observe both in word, deed, the doctrine of Christ gospel and of the Apostles.2. Their (Waldenses) second error is that all vices and sins are in the church, and they ALONE live righteously. Scarily anyone in the Roman Church, but themselves, preserve the evangelical doctrine. They (Waldenses) are the Church of Jesus Christ. They are the true poor in spirit, and suffer persecution for righteousness and faith. 3. The Church of Rome is the Harlot in the Apocalypse (the book of Revelation). They (Waldenses) despise all the statutes of the Church, because they are heavy and numerous. The Pope is the head of ALL errors. The Pope and all Bishops are homicides on account of wars. 4. The Catholic clergy ought NOT to have possessions; that no ONE ought to bow the knee before a priest. Where the angel says to John the Apostle, "See thou do it not". That no one is greater than another in the Church. That it is a BAD thing to found and invest churches and monasteries. That the Bishops and Abbots ought NOT to have royal rights. They reprobate titles of dignity such as Pope, Bishops etc.. also that no one is to be forced into believe also. They say those monastic rules are the traditions of the Pharisees. Reinerius says, "The Waldenses first error is a contempt of ecclesiastical power, and from whence they have been delivered up to Satan of the heretics of with their own inventions. And being persecuted by the Catholic Church, the Waldenses affirmed that "They Alone are the Church of Christ and his disciples." The Waldenses say that the Doctrine of Christ and the Apostles is sufficient for Salvation without the statutes of the Catholic Church. The tradition of the Roman Catholic church is the tradition of the Pharisees, and that there is more made of transgression of a human tradition than of a divine law. In Strassburg in A.D.1212, the Dominicans had already arrested 500 persons who belonged to churches of the Waldenses. They were of all classes, nobles, priests, rich and poor, men and women. The prisoners said that there were many like them in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Bohemia, etc.. 80 of them, including 12 priests, and 23 women were given over to the flames. The goods of those executed were divided between church and civil authority, which placed its power at the disposition of the Catholic Church. A decretal of Pope Gregory IX, in (1263), declared "We excommunicate and anathematize all heretics Waldenses, Albigenese, Cathars, Patarenes, Poor men of Lyons, Passagini, Josepini, Arnaldistae, Speronistae, and others, by whatever names they may be known, having indeed different faces, but being UNITED by their tails, and meeting in the same point through their vanity." The Catholic church, in the 11th and 12th century, did NOT comprehend the significance of these apostolic preachers and their followers. They assumed the itinerants were merely ignorant, lacking theological preparation and doctrinal instruction. By the 13th century the Catholic church hierarchy still believe the apostolic itinerant ministry gained widespread success because of the pastoral deficiencies of the clergy. The response typical of an authoritarian institution was to resort to "Force" to "Destroy" heresy with the aid of the state power. Waldensians' activity was NOT limited to the Alps-maritime region. John Bale in his catalogue mentioned some Waldensians who had begun to teach in England in (1164). Then in the summer of (1199), the bishop of Metz informed Rome that Waldensians were holding secret meetings in his diocese in which "MEN and WOMEN Preached," using a French translation of the Bible.
Pope Innocent III declared that secret home assemblies, unlicensed preaching, and disobedience to the command of bishops were NOT to be tolerated. By 1270, the Waldensian Preachers were gathering out disciples in various German states, Austria, Bohemia, Moravia, Hungary, and Poland. The danger for the Catholic Church was that the Bible text conveyed to the general population, by Waldeneses preachers Untrained in theology, appeared to contradict MANY of the doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church, whose clergy was NOT always highly respected. A later writer. Pilichdorf, also a bitter opponent of Waldenses, says they existed from the time of the Pope Sylvester (A.D. 335-390) were the Waldenses. Some have suggested that Claudis, of Turin (A.D. 817) was the "Founder" of the Waldenses in the mountains of Piedmont. He and they had much in common, and must have strengthen and encouraged one another, but the "Brethren" called Waldenses, were of MUCH older origin. Marco Aurelio Rorenco, was ordered in (A.D 1630), to write an account of the history and opinions of the Waldenses. He wrote that the Waldenses are so Ancient as to afford no absolute certainly in regard to the precise time of their origin, but that all events in the 9th and 10th Century they were NOT a New Sect.The Waldenses Believe In Apostolic Succession:
The Brethren in the Piedmont Valley Never LOST the knowledge and consciousness of their origin and Unbroken history there. When from the 14th Century onward, the valleys were invaded and the people had to negotiate with surrounding rulers, they always emphasized this. To the Prince of Savoy, who had the longest dealing with them, they could Always assert without fear of contradiction, the uniformity of their faith from Father to son, through time Immemorial, even to the very age of the Apostles.(Dr. Allix the Waldenses upon the church of Piedmont Page 188-191)They (Waldenses) declared themselves to apostles successors, to have authority and Keys of bindings and loosing. They hold the church of Rome to be the Whore of Babylon (Revelation 17) and that ALL obey her are Damned, especially the clergy that subject to her since the time of Pope Sylvester (A.D.335-395). To Francis I Of France they said, in 1544 "This confession is that which we received from our Ancestors, even from Hand to Hand, according as their predecessesors in ALL time in EVERY Age have Taught and Delivered. Let your Highness consider, that this religion of the present Day, or a religion discovered for the FIRST time, only a few years ago, as our Enemies falsely pretend, but it is religion of our fathers and of our grandfathers, yea, of our forefathers and of our predecessors still more remote. It is the religion of the Saints and of the Martyrs, of the Confessors and of the Apostles."When they came into contact with the 16th century they said: "Our ancestors have often recounted to us that we HAVE existed from the time of the Apostles. In all matters nevertheless we agree with you, and thinking as you think, from the Very Day of the Apostles themselves, we have ever been consistent respecting the faith." On the return of the Vaudois to their valleys, their leader, Henri Arnold, in 1689 said: "That their religion is as primitive as their name is venerable, and is attested even by their adversaries. Henri Arnold, continues "It would NOT be difficult to prove that this poor band of faithful were in the valleys of Piedmont more than 400 years before the appearance of Martine Luther or Calvin and subsequent lights of the Reformation." The Waldenses believe there is ONE holy Church, compromising the whole assembly of the "Elect and Faithful", that have existed from the beginning of the world, or that shall be to the "END" thereof. Of their church, the Lord is the head. It is governed by his Word and Guided by the Holy Spirit. In the Church, it behooved "ALL Christians" to have fellowship. For Her (the Church) He (Christ) prays incessantly, and his prayer for it is most acceptable to God, without which there could be "NO Salvation." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why? did the apostles go 2 and 2?
The Heroic of men and women for religion of Jesus Christ
Written by James D. Macable (1881)
The Pilgrim Church
Written by E. H. Broadbent (1920)
Soon after the introduction of Christianity into Italy (A.D. 70) by the apostles, the people of these valleys become converts to the faith preached by Paul! the apostle. They accepted and taught the doctrines of the apostles and practice the simple rites or usages as described by Justin or Tertullian apostolic fathers' writings.
The Vaudois apostles themselves called themselves only the name of Christians. They were required to commit memory of the Gospel of Matthew and John, the general epistles, and a part of those of Paul. They were instructed, moreover during 2 or 3 successive winters, and trained to speak Latin, and in Italian. The apostles were supported by voluntary contribution of the believers among whom they ministered the Word of God. One part of the contribution was given to the ministers, second to the poor, and the third was reserved for missionaries of the church.
The Vaudois apostles had NO property, goods or homes! or family; it they had these they LEFT them. Their life was one of self-denial, hardship and danger. They traveled in utmost simplicity, wihout money, without a second suit, their needs being supplied by theirs followers.
~~~ The Vaudois apostles always went Two and Two, an elder and a younger man, of whom the latter waited on his older companion. Their visits were highly esteemed, and they were treated with every token of respect and affection.
The older apostle on his part, thus made his preparation by "Training" for the church Successors! worthy of it. The older man tasks being accomplished he could die in peace, with consolotary assurance of having committed the sacred trust of the Gospel into prudent and zealous hands. Their maintenance of the absolute authority the word of God, and of the doctrine of Salvation by Jesus Chrsit. The Vaudois therefore, are not schematics, but "Continued Inheritors" of the church founded by Jesus Christ and the early apostles.
The younger apostles were thus imitated into the dedicated duties of "Evangelization" each of them is under experienced guidance of a man of years in the ministry, who accordingly to the disciples was his superior and mentor.
In the annual synod, special gathering, which was held in the valleys inquiries were made concerning the conduct of the ministers and changes of residence, were made among them. Those actually employed in the ministry were exchanged from place to place every THREE years. Two of them always exchange with another, accepted the aged preachers, who no longer able.
Supreme legislative power was vested in the general convention, which met one or twice a year and was orginal compose of the apostles but a later date only of those senior members among them. The apostles admonished those who behave ill, and if remonstrance's of ex-communication, but it was very rare!
Very FEW of the Vaudois apostles were married in the ministry because their perpetual missions, their poverty, their missionary tours, their lives spent amidst warfare's and danger, make it easy to understand the reason of their CELIBACY!
Such an Itinerant life was ill suited for married state and to the profession of poeverty they added the vow of Chasity. The apostles were not allowed to perform manual labor, but to depend for the subsistence on the members of the sect known as "FRIENDS" these continued to live in the world, married, owned property, and engaged in secular pursuits. Their generosity and alms were to provide for the materials needs of the "apostles or the perfect."
Their missionaries were everywhere, proclaiming the simple truths of Christianity, and stirring the hearts of men and women to their very depths in Hungary, in Bohemia, in France, in England, in Scotland, as well as Italy.
Owing to the dangers of the times they usually traveled as business men and often the younger men carried light wares, as knives, etc... for sale. They never asked for anything; many undertook serious medical studies thaty they might be able to care for the bodies of those who they met with. The name "Friends of God" was given to them. Great care was used in commending men to such service, since it was felt that one who devoted man was worth more than 100 who call to this ministry was less evident. The Apostles choose poverty.
Regular individual reading of the Scriptures, regualar daily family worship, and frequent conferences were among the most higly-prized means of maintaining spiritual life. They valued education as well as spirituality; many who ministered the Word among them had taken a degree at one of the Universities. Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) bore a double testimony to them when he said that among the Vaudois educated laymen undertook the functions of preachers.
In (John 14:6) Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man comes unto the Father but through me." (Galatians 1:8-9) Paul wrote: but though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel than which we Preach unto you let him be accursed (eternal condemned)...If any man preach any other gospel unto you than ye have received, let him be accursed.
(Ephesians 4:1-14) Paul wrote Endeavoring to keep the UNITY of the Spirit in the bond of Peace. There is One Body, and One Spirit, even as ye are called One hope of your calling. One Lord, One faith, One baptism, One God and Father... 