Playlist:

playlist Go to the Church, First Century (topic) playlist

Back to the First Century

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Having no central leadership, we have entered an era of seemingly organizational disarray, a crucial time in which we should adjust to what God has done.


Lessons From First-Century Christianity

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Even though the believers of the first century experienced extraordinary events, because of entropy, their zeal atrophied after the shockwaves dissipated.


Is There a True Church?

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Many 'church of God' organizations claim to be part of—or even the only—church of God. The Bible reveals specific characteristics of God's church.


First Love (Part One)

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

A Christian's foremost responsibility is to love God wholeheartedly. A decline similar to the Ephesians' loss of their first love affected the first-century church.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Ten): The Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Ups and downs, blessings and trials, have characterized every era of the church. God's people are always battling something negative between the brief highs.


The Seven Churches (Part Three): Ephesus

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christ's letter to the Ephesians focuses on a people who succeeded in fighting heresy and apostates but, in the process, had left their first love.


Jesus Christ: First Savior, Second High Priest, Third King

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The book of Hebrews teaches that our relationship to Christ as our Savior, High Priest, and King is the key to salvation. He shows us the way to the Father.


Is There a True Church?

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's true church cannot be found without revelation nor can one join the organization; God calls and places each member in its appropriate place in the Body.


Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Outcome based religion exalts numerical growth and feeling good over the truth of God, promoting the use of modern psychology over 'divisive' biblical doctrine.


What Is the Church's Work Today (Part Three)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The primary focus at this time is the repair of the faith once delivered that has seriously deteriorated because of heresy, apostasy, and Laodiceanism.


The Source of Church Characteristics (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The seven churches of Revelation 2-3 all existed simultaneously and the characteristics of five of them will apparently be extant at the return of Christ.


The Mystery of the Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God desires to know whether the spiritual remnants will choose His teaching or assimilating into the world, biting and devouring one another.


Do The First Works

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We also need to return to our first love and diligently do the first works, including fellowship, continuing in the doctrine, and doing things properly.


Was the Early Church Socialist or Communist?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The apostles never required converts to give up property as a precondition for church membership. Rather, the members voluntarily gave, retaining ownership.


"I Will Build My Church"

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Although Peter was given responsibilities of leadership, as connoted from the rock imagery or symbolism, he was not granted the post of 'vicar of Christ.'


Hebrews, Love, and the Ephesian Church

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like the Ephesians, the weary veterans in Hebrews were becoming apathetic through outside pressures, losing their former zeal and devotion to Christ.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Two): Ephesus

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Ephesus church effectively battled various heresies, for which Christ commends it. However, the members lost sight of the reason, having left their first love.


Did the Early Church Practice Socialism? (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

God's Word encourages a strong work ethic, something socialism tends to discourage. Work produces profit, from which a person can generously give to others.


Did the Early Church Practice Socialism? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The witness of the early church was impressive because the members were personally convicted to sell what they had, not because the leadership told them to.


Did the Early Church Practice Socialism? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Many Americans advocate some form of socialism, allowing the government to regulate greater areas of everyday life. Does the Bible support this idea?


Titus (Part Five): A Church in Training

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Paul, realizing that the tiny flock was no match for the Roman Empire, did not crusade to abolish slavery, but instead taught the church how to deal with it.


Is Passover on the First Day of Unleavened Bread? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Matthew, Mark, and Luke each seem to put Passover on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, but a closer look reveals the consistency of Scripture.


The First Day of Unleavened Bread (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Passover takes place at twilight as the 14th of Abib begins. Unleavened Bread begins 24 hours later on the 15th of Abib. The Passover is a preparation day.


Recapture Your First Love!

Article by John O. Reid

First love is the purest kind of spiritual love we as humans can demonstrate. It is a love that truly shows one's heart is completely given to God.


Is Church Attendance Required in the Bible?

Bible Questions & Answers

The New Testament contains numerous examples from Jesus Christ and His apostles regarding attending worship services on Sabbath whenever possible.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled His spiritual responsibilities and can now aid us in fulfilling ours, which includes keeping God's commandments.


A Distant Reflection

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Considering the events and trends exhibited in the modern church of God, will it follow the disastrous example of early second-century Christianity?


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Seven)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The epistle of Hebrews is so vital to Christians in the first century and now because it explains the unique place and power of Christianity's High Priest.


Hebrews as a Sermon (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Even as Hebrews prepared the first century church for persecution, so it is also relevant to today's church as it faces an increasing assault on God's law.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Twelve): The Son's Superiority Over Angels

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Some Jews among the early converts believed that Jesus Christ did not qualify to be the church's High Priest, considering angels to be greater and holier.


The Duality of Prophecy

'Prophecy Watch' by Earl L. Henn

If we really want to understand prophecy, we must understand that many prophecies have a type and an antitype, a former fulfillment and a latter one.


Acts (Part Twenty-Seven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh


Contend Earnestly

Article by John O. Reid

All the signs point to Christ's imminent return, yet the Bible warns us not to let down. Hebrews 10 exhorts us to strive to please God and finish our course.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Three)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Hebrews was written to fulfill several needs of the first-century church. One of the most critical was to explain God's opening of eternal life to the Gentiles.


The More Things Change

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We tend to think of the early Church as a 'golden age' of unity and momentum. But early church members experienced problems similar to what we face today.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The socio-cultural milieu before the writing of Hebrews created difficulties for the Jewish converts to the Gospel, who were deemed to be traitors.


Do We Have 'Eternal Security'?

'Ready Answer' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Are we 'once-saved, always-saved'? Once God grants us His grace, are we assured eternal life? The fallacies of the doctrine of 'eternal security' are exposed.


The Wisdom of Men and Faith

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The pressures and conflicts that the church has undergone is part of the spirit of the time that has embroiled religious and political institutions worldwide.


Hebrews as a Sermon (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God designed the sermon of Hebrews to motivate God's people, who are going through the same turmoil as those living in 65 AD, facing persecution from society.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

When Hebrews was written, the newly converted Jew to the Way encountered persecution from the established religion and culture similar to what we experience.


Damnable Heresies

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Many heresies have crept into the church over the past several years. Here is how Satan works to introduce heresy into the church, and what we can do about it.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus Christ warns us to hold fast to true doctrine. Secular historians help us discover the identity of the small flock repeatedly rescued from apostasy.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God inspired the book of Hebrews to answer the difficult questions church members were struggling with during the tumultuous first decades of the church.


Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong?

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Herbert Armstrong, while not infallible or sinless, nevertheless served as the custodian of the truths of God, occupying the role of God's messenger.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Hebrews emphasizes that spiritual growth and glorification depends on an individual's relationship with Christ, the centerpiece of the Book of Hebrews.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Four)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

We often spend so much time engaged in our present-day trials that we fail to understand and learn from the experiences of Christians of the past.


Avoiding Superficiality

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Success in spiritual things does not consist in growing large and powerful, but humbly living by faith, overcoming, and yielding to God's shaping power.


A Search for Identity

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God gave His approval for the destruction of the Worldwide Church of God into numerous groups, allowing heresies so He could see who really loves Him.


False Gospels

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A major clue for discerning false gospels is that any teaching attempting to change the nature of God or Christ or their doctrines is anti-Christ and false.


Unity (Part 1): God and HWA

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

A major cause in the splitting of the church has been the wholesale rejection of the doctrines Herbert Armstrong, under God's inspiration, restored.


Hebrews 2: God Is Present

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God's people must immerse themselves daily in the Scriptures. While sinning Israelites consider God to be absent, He is nevertheless present with His saints.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The frightful conditions during the 1st century are typical of the times ahead. To weather these circumstances, we need the encouragement of Hebrews.


Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Faith is difficult enough to maintain on its own, but greatly confused when the pastor dilutes correct doctrine with 'benign' false doctrine from the world.


Preparing the Bride

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

A Statement of Purpose and beliefs of the Church of the Great God.


Guard the Truth!

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

The true church of God is an invisible, spiritual organism, of those people that have and are led by the Spirit of God, who hold fast to apostolic teaching.


No One Else Matters (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Sin has tainted the most faithful leaders. Most (perhaps all) church leaders have skeletons in their closets, but we follow them as they follow Christ.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Eight): Hebrews 1

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Hebrews 1 delivers a knock-out punch to skeptics like many first-century Jews who claimed He falls short in qualifying as our High Priest and Savior.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Book of Hebrews is a must-read for all members of God's church who seek the key for spiritual growth through a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.


Man's Greatest Challenge (Part Four)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Satan's biggest targets for disinformation are God's called-out ones. How can the true disciples be identified?


Hebrews: A Message for Today

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The book of Hebrews provides reasons to recapture flagging zeal, focusing on the reason for our hope and faith, establishing Christ's credentials.


What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The scattering of the church was an act of love by God to wake us from our lethargic, faithless condition. The feeding of the flock is the priority now.


Trumpets Is a Day of Hope

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We are on the threshold of the greatest period of testing ever to come upon mankind. We need a sense of hope and faith to stay focused on our calling.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The book of Hebrews clarifies that the persecution on the early church did not come directly from God, but He did stir the pot that caused the persecution.


Facing Times of Stress: Persecution

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Persecution involves a wide spectrum, ranging from torture, physical beating, social excommunication, imprisonment and death. Our boldness should match Paul's.


Suffering Disgrace For Christ's Name

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We can always expect new challenges, including persecution, and must never be content with standing still, but must press on to spiritual maturity.


A Truth About Revelation 2 and 3

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

In the Day of the Lord, Christ stands in the midst of all seven churches. We are to learn from the lessons from all seven, not get sidetracked by eras.


Acts (Part Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our historical and theological roots are advanced in a polished, chronological narrative (Acts), perhaps designed as a trial document authored by Luke.


Where Did The Original Apostles Go?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Scriptures are largely silent about the exploits of the apostles other than Paul. We have only general comments concerning their spheres of activities.


From Faith to Love

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Peter provides not only an effective antidote to corrosive heresies, apostasy, and false teachers, but also a practical formula for spiritual growth.


Creator, Sustainer, Head (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The book of Hebrews resonates for the church of God at this time due to the strong parallels between our circumstances and those of the first century church.


Don't Give Up!

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We must reorient our focus onto God's Word and His message of hope, never giving up our quest for righteousness and integrity in the midst of immorality.


The Beatitudes, Part One: The Sermon on the Mount

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The Sermon on the Mount is as vitally important today as when Christ preached it. It contains the way we are to live as God's representatives on this earth.


'Go Ye Therefore Into All the World...'

'Ready Answer' by Staff

To understand Jesus' command, we need to examine what else He said to the same people. We should also determine just whom He commissioned to preach.


Acts (Part One)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The book of Acts could have been an exculpatory trial document designed to vindicate Paul and the early church, showing that Christianity was not a threat.