church history – Unmasking Sophistry

The Early Reformation

Andy Sochor | Kentucky, USA The four previous articles in this series focused on the apostasy that led to the development of the Roman Catholic Church. This was the product of the mindset that Paul warned the brethren in Thessalonica about: “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus

Weddings and Funerals in the Meetinghouse—No. 2

By Weldon E. Warnock Brother Ralph Williams said in a review of my February article on “Weddings and Funerals in the Meetinghouse” that “The real issue is: WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY? If such practices are allowable a simple N.T. precept, example or necessary inference is all that’s necessary.” But the issue is not one of

The Development of Papal Power

By Andy Sochor | Kentucky, USA The pope is arguably the most influential religious figure in the world today. Yet there was a time when the one who occupied this office was even more powerful than the current pope. He would not only be the highest-ranking member of the Roman Catholic Church, but he would

The History of the Institutional Controversy

By Jefferson David Tant | Tennessee, USA Those who have a general knowledge of churches of Christ today are aware of the fact that a division took place during the last half of the 20th Century. This division took place over doctrinal issues concerning the organization, work, and mission of the Lord’s church. In many

The Protestant Reformation Movement

By Emmanuel Oluwatoba | Niger, Nigeria Introduction Up until the year 1500, the Roman Catholic Church was very powerful both politically and religiously. During this period, the Roman Catholic Church had been seen as an institution plagued by internal power struggles. Popes and cardinals lived like kings having temporal and spiritual power; they commanded armies,

Jesus Built His Church

By Andy Sochor | Kentucky, USA With this article, we are beginning a new series that will continue over the next several issues in which we will be taking a broad look at “church history.” We will discuss the changes that took place after the time of the apostles, the rise of the Catholic Church,

Early Persecution

By Andy Sochor | Kentucky, USA As the apostles were commissioned to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19), this would include preparing these disciples to face persecution for the cause of Christ. Jesus warned about this in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and