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To: marbren

By the second century AD we know of travelling teachers like Valentinius and Lucian who visited the Roman provinces and created the organizations that led to the founding of churches. Justin Martyr was among the most famous early Chnristians and he attracted many students who would themselves one day become “pastors”. Most importantly, by the time of Justin Martyr’s death in 165 AD the Church polity, like communion and baptism, were fully developed. At Church gatherings the congregation heard a portion of the scripture read by a Church leader. Then the same leader, or someone else who Justin called a “Ruler”, sermonized, and led the congregation in prayer which was held standing. By the third century it is posited that a Christian could travel throughout the Roman Empire and wherever a Church was present he or she could expect to find a certain familiar formality with a pastor leading his congregation.


13 posted on 08/16/2011 7:53:33 AM PDT by Melchior
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To: Melchior
The visible church, which does contain the true invisible church BTW, on the outside is silly with pews, budgets, buildings, bowling leagues, pipe organs, steeples etc.

Store front ministries can also be amusing.

Money and attendance seem to be the driving forces.

18 posted on 08/16/2011 8:09:37 AM PDT by marbren (I do not know but Thank God God knows)
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