rantingpohonku

Theme: The History of Salvation: From the Old Testament to the New Testament and the Journey of the Church Until Today

Key Verses:

• Genesis 12:1-3 – God’s call to Abraham and His promise for the nations.
• Isaiah 53:5 – Prophecy about the suffering Messiah.
• Matthew 28:19-20 – The Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
• Acts 2:42 – The life of the early church.
• 2 Timothy 3:16 – The importance of God’s Word in the life of believers.

1. Introduction Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we will explore the history of God’s people from the Old Testament, the New Testament, to the present church era. This history is crucial because it reveals how God has worked throughout time to fulfill His plan of salvation for the world.

2. The Old Testament: The Beginning of the Plan of Salvation In the Old Testament, God initiated His plan by choosing Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). From his descendants, the nation of Israel was born, receiving the Law through Moses (Exodus 20). God continuously sent prophets to guide His people, but they often strayed from His will. However, God remained faithful and promised a coming Messiah (Isaiah 53:5).

3. The New Testament: Fulfillment in Jesus Christ Jesus Christ came as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. Through His death and resurrection, He opened the way of salvation for all (John 3:16). After His resurrection, He gave the Great Commission to His disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), forming the foundation for evangelism worldwide.

4. The Early Church and Its Growth After Jesus ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost (Acts 2), marking the birth of the church. The apostles preached the Gospel, faced persecution, but the church continued to grow. The Apostle Paul played a significant role in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles.

5. The Council of Nicaea 325 AD: The Foundation of Christian Faith In the 4th century, the church faced the heresy of Arianism, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. To preserve the purity of the faith, Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. In this council:

• It was affirmed that Jesus is of the same essence as the Father (John 1:1, Colossians 2:9).
• The Nicene Creed was formulated, affirming the Christian faith in the Trinity.
• The council also established the date of Easter and rejected teachings contrary to the Bible.

6. The Church Throughout History Until Today After the Council of Nicaea, the church continued to grow, facing various challenges such as church schisms, the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, and the development of modern churches today. God’s Word remains the central foundation of the church throughout history (2 Timothy 3:16).

7. Conclusion and Call to Action Church history teaches us that God always preserves His people. As believers, we are called to remain faithful in our faith, proclaim the Gospel, and live according to God’s truth. Let us stand firm in our faith and be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16).

Closing: May this sermon remind us that our faith has a solid foundation in God’s plan of salvation. Let us hold on to the true teachings and strive to live in His truth. Amen.