Transcript The church of Christ in the New Testament 11 of 18 “The

The church of Christ in the
New Testament 11 of 18
“The church in Pergamum”
Revelation 2:12-17
Don R. Taaffe,
Gospel Preacher,
Dunedin, Florida
12/20/2009 AM
• 12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These
are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13
"I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you
are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in
me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one,
who was killed among you, where Satan lives. 14 But I have a
few things against you: you have some there who hold to the
teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling
block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food
sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. 15 So you also
have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16
Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war
against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 Let anyone who
has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden
manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is
written a new name that no one knows except the one who
receives it. (NRSV) Revelation 2:12-17
churches of Christ in the
New Testament – 18 Lessons
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Origin of Lord’s church •
The church in Antioch •
The church in Colosse •
The church in Corinth •
The church in Crete
•
The church in Ephesus •
The church in Galatia •
The church in Dunedin •
The church in Jerusalem •
The church in Laodicea
The church in Pergamum
The church in Philadelphia
The church in Philippi
The church in Rome
The church in Sardis
The church in Smyrna
The church in Thessalonica
The church in Thyatira
City of Pergamum
• Also known as “Pergamos” – very rare use of
the name (KJV); the feminine form of Greek “Pergamum” is the common use in Greek and
Latin.
• Still exists today call “Bergama”, the ruins of the
original city still there. The “city of temples.” Very
large today.
• The most northern of the seven cities, the official
capital of Asia Minor, called ‘the most illustrious
city of Asia”.
City of Pergamum
• Little known about this city and church, outside
of these six verses, but what is known is a
congregation that is proving faithful in the midst
of great evil.
• Somewhat indecisive regarding the false
teaching that is trying to infiltrate their holy
ranks.
• Pergamum was the most pagan of the seven
cities, all of which were devoted to some false
deity.
City of Pergamum
• Pergamum became no for its sensuous worship
and an imperial cult, enforcing loyalty to the
“Lord Caesar”.
• Local temples as legal centers for the region,
test of loyalty that would challenge the faith of
Christians, were simple to administer.
• What is learned about this church is that she
was an ancient forebear of our modern
tendencies towards religious compromise to try
to keep peace among brethren.
City of Pergamum
• Pergamum had one of the largest libraries
of the ancient world, over 200,000 books
• We’ve all heard of “parchment” which
originated from this city and is named after
the city
• Its alter in the temples of Zeus was 40 feet
in height, and is considered one of the
wonders of the ancient world
A church in a
Wicked Environment
Revelation
2:13
• The life,
work, surroundings of the church
Revelation
4:2
1 Peter 4:14
13
"I
know
you
are living,
where
Satan's
–A
citywhere
“where
Satan’s
throne
is” – in throne
2
At
once
I
was
in
the
spirit,
and
there
14 If
you
are
reviled
for
the
name
of
Christ,
you
are
Revelation
2:13
is.
Yet
youstood
are holding
fast towith
my name,
and youon
didthe
not
heaven
a
throne,
one
seated
blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit
deny
your(NRSV)
faith
in me
in the
days of Antipas
• Earth
throne
of even
Satan
– Revelation
4:2my
throne!
of God, is resting on you. (NRSV)
witness,
one,a who
was killed
among–you,
• First my
cityfaithful
to build
temple
to Caesar
where
Satan
lives. (NRSV)
Said
“Caesar
is Lord” emperor worship
• Demanded Christians to offer incense to
the emperor – 1 Peter 4:14 (John 4:2024; Phil. 3:3; 1 Cor. 14:25)
A church in a
Wicked Environment
• The author
describes himself as having
Hebrews
4:12
Revelation
2:12
Romans
9:17
“the
sharp
two-edged
sword”
- active,
Revelation
Revelation
2:13
3:8
12
Indeed,
the
word
of
God
is
living
and
sharper
12
"And
to
the
angel
of
the
church
in
Pergamum
write:
17
For
the
Scripture
says
to
Pharaoh,
"For
this
very
2:12;
Hebrews
4:12
"I
know
where
you
are
living,
where
Satan's
throne
813
"I
know
your
works.
Look,
I
have
set
before
you
an
than
any
two-edged
sword,
piercing
until
it
divides
soul
These
are
the
words
of
him
who
has
the
sharp
Galatians
3:26
purpose
Igreat
raised
you
up,
to
demonstrate
My
power
innot
•
The
martyr
“Antipas”
the
faithful
one,
is.
Yet
you
are
holding
fast
to
my
name,
and
you
did
open
door,
which
no
one
is
able
to
shut.
I
know
that
you
from
spirit,
joints
from
marrow;
it
is
able
to
judge
the
two-edged
sword:
(NRSV)
26
for
in
Christ
Jesus
you
are
all
of my
God
you,
and
that
My
name
might
be children
proclaimed
throughmost
likely
killed
because
of
upholding
the
deny
your
faith
in
me
even
in
the
days
of
Antipas
my
have
but
little
power,
and
yet
you
have
kept
word
thoughts and intentions of the heart. (NRSV)
through
faith.
(NRSV)
name
offaithful
Christ
–(NASB)
Revelation
2:13;
out
the
earth."
witness,
my
one,
who was
killed
among3:8;
you,
and
havewhole
not
denied
my
name.
(NRSV)
Romans
9:17
(Acts 15:17; 9:15; John
where
Satan lives.
(NRSV)
16:23-26)
• “did not deny your faith in him” – (Rev.
2:13; 1 Tim. 5:8) Galatians 3:26
A church in a
Wicked Environment
• “Thou7:21-23
holdest fast my name” – Revelation
Matthew
Revelation
2:13
Acts
11:26
2:13
21
"Not
everyone
who
says
to
me,
'Lord,
Lord,'
will
13
"I
know
where
you
are
living,
where
Satan's
throne
1 Peter 4:16
26
and
when
he
had
found
him,
he
brought
him
to
Matthew
10:33
1
Corinthians
12:3
enter
the
kingdom
of
heaven,
but
only
the
one
who
is.
Yet
you
are
holding
fast
to
my
name,
and
you
did not
• Yet
Christians
must
honor
the
name do
of not
Christ
–
16
if
any
of
you
suffers
as
a
Christian,
John
20:28
So
was
that
for
an
entire
year
they
met
with
33
but
whoever
denies
meunderstand
before
others,
Ino
also
will
3Antioch.
Therefore
Iitof
want
you
to
that
one
does
the
will
my
Father
in
heaven.
22
On
that
day
deny
your
faith
in
me
even
in
the
days
of
Antipas
my
Acts
11:26;
1
Peter
4:16
consider
it aanswered
disgrace,him,
but "My
glorify
Godand
because
you bear
28
Thomas
Lord
my
God!"
the
church
and
taught
a great
many
people,
andyou,
itbe
was
deny
before
my
Father
in
heaven.
(NRSV)
speaking
by
the
Spirit
of
God
ever
says
"Let
Jesus
many
will
say
to
me,
'Lord,
Lord,
did
we
not
prophesy
in
witness,
my
faithful
one,
who
was
killed
among
this
name.
(NRSV)
•
Idols
cannot
speak
“Jesus
is
Lord”
can
your
(NRSV)
in
Antioch
that
disciples
first
cursed!"
and
nothe
one
candemons
saywere
"Jesus
is called
Lord"
except
by
your
name,
and
cast
out
in
your
name,
and
do
where
Satan
lives.
(NRSV)
idol (money,
whatever etc) speak – 1
“Christians."
(NRSV)
the
Holy
Spirit.
(NRSV)in your name?' 23 Then I will
many
deeds
of
power
Corinthians 12:3; John 20:28
declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from me,
•
A
sign
out
front,
a
cross,
a
tattoo?
–
you evildoers.' (NRSV)
Matthew 7:21-23; 10:33
The Lord Reproofs
this church
• “But I have
a few things against you” –
Revelation
2:14-15
Revelation
1
14Corinthians
But
I have a8:13
few2:14-15
things against you: you have some
13
food
isteaching
a causeof
ofBalaam”
their falling,
will
there
who hold
thedoctrine
of
Balaam,
who Itaught
Acts
15:29
• Therefore,
“Hold
fastifto
the
never
eat
meat,
so that
I may
one
of them
Balak
toyou
put
a stumbling
block
before
the
people
oftoto
29
that
abstain
from
whatnot
has
been
sacrificed
(Nicolaitanes;
Gnostics)
–cause
(Rev.
2:14-15;
fall.
(NRSV)
Israel,
so from
that
they
eat food
to idols
idols
and
bloodwould
from
whatsacrificed
is strangled
and
Num.
22:2-5)
1and
Corinthians
8:13; Acts
and15:29
practice
fornication.
15 yourselves
So you alsofrom
havethese,
some you
from
fornication.
If you keep
who
hold
to the
teaching
of the Nicolaitans. (NRSV)
will
do
well.
Farewell."
(NRSV)
• “a
stumbling
block”
• “things sacrificed to Idols”
• “committing sexual immorality”
The Lord Reproofs
2 Peter 2:12-17
Jude
this
church
12 But11-13
these men blaspheme
in matters
they do not understand. They are
11
them!creatures
For theyofgo
the way
ofonly
Cain,
and
abandon
likeWoe
bruteto
beasts,
instinct,
born
to be
caught
and
• Christ
thethe
Ephesians
forpaid
themselves
Balaam's
error
sake
gain,
and
perish
destroyed,
andtocommended
like
beasts they
too for
will
perish.
13 of
They
will be
back in
Revelation
2:6
opposing
the
Nacolaitans
doctrine
– is to carouse
with
harm
for
the
harm
haveare
done.
Their idea
of pleasure
Korah's rebellion.
12they
These
blemishes
on
your love-feasts,
6Phil
Yet
this
is
to
your
credit:
you
hate
the
works
of
the
1:14
in
broad
day-light.
They
are
blots
and
blemishes,
reveling
in
their
pleasures
Revelation
2:6
while they feast with you without fear, feeding themselves.
They
while
theymost
feast with
you. Ibrothers
14
Withhate.
eyes
full
of adultery,having
they never
stop
Nicolaitans,
which
also
(NRSV)
14
and
of
the
and
sisters,
been
are
waterless
clouds
carried
along
by
the
winds;
autumn
trees
• These
doctrines
stand
asexperts
a figurative
sinning;
they seduce
the unstable;
they are
in greed — an accursed
made
confident
indead,
theofuprooted;
Lord
by
my
dare
without
twiceleft
13imprisonment,
wild
waves
sea,
representation
spiritual
compromise
with
brood!
15fruit,
They have
the straight
way and
wandered
offof
to the
follow
the
casting
upthe
the
foam
of
their
own the
shame;
stars,
for he
to
with
boldness
and without
wayspeak
oferror,
Balaam
sonword
ofto
Beor,
whogreater
loved
wageswandering
of
wickedness.
just
gain
favor
with
infidels
– 216 But
whom
the deepest
darkness
been
reserved
forever.speech
(NRSV)
was
for2:12-17;
his wrongdoing
byhas
a donkey
—
a beast without
—
fear.rebuked
(NRSV)
Peter
Jude
11-13
who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness. 17
• Jesus
hateswithout
the doctrine
ofdriven
the by
Nicolaitans
These
men are springs
water and mists
a storm.
– Revelation
2:6;
Philippians
1:14
Blackest
darkness is reserved
for them.
(NIV)
The Lord Reproofs
this church
•1
This
church
John 2:15-16
Romans
12:2 lacked discipline – allowed the
Galatians
6:14
world
to
creep
into
the
church
–
Romans
215
Timothy
Do
not
4:2
love
the
world
or
the
things
in
world. The
2 Do not be conformed to this world, butthe
be trans14
May
I
never
boast
of
anything
except
the
cross
of
our
12:2
2love
Preach
of the
Father
word!
isBe
notready
in those
in season
who love
and
the
outworld;
of sea16
formed
bythe
the
renewing
of
your
minds,
so that
you
may
Lord
Jesus
Christ,
by
which
the
world
has
been
crucified
•son.
It
needed
to
glory
only
in
Christ
and
his
for
all
Convince,
that
is in
the will
world
exhort,
the—
with
desire
all is
longsuffering
ofgood
the flesh,
and
discern
what
isrebuke,
of —God
what
and the
to
me, and
IGalatians
toeyes,
the world.
(NRSV)
cross
–the
6:14
teaching.
desire
of
(NKJV)
the
pride
in riches — comes not from
acceptable and perfect. (NRSV)
•the
We
are but
toldfrom
not the
to love
world or the
Father
world.the
(NRSV)
things in the world – 1 John 2:15-16
• The brethren at Pergamum were tolerating
the world in the church – 2 Timothy 4:2
(Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Thess 3:6)
The Lord’s Warning
Revelation
• “Repent2:16-17
and Overcome” – Revelation 2:1616
Repent,
else I will come to you quickly and will
2 John
11 or 7:10
Corinthians
17
fight
them
with
the
sword
mouth.
17
11
for
he
whogrief
greets
him
shares
inofhisMy
evil
deeds
. ofto
10
Foragainst
godly
produces
a repentance
that
leads
• The
guilty
party
must
reform.
(A
change
"He
who has
ear, let
him hear
what
the
Spirit
says
(NKJV)
salvation
andan
brings
no regret,
worldly
grief work
purpose,
determination
ofbutmine
would
to
the churches.
who overcomes7:10
I will give some
such
reform.)
–him
2 Corinthians
produces
death. To
(NRSV)
of
hidden
to eat.Jesus
And I will
give him
a white
• Ifthe
they
didmanna
not reform
would
expect
stone,
and on the
a newfellowship
name written
the church
to stone
withdraw
ofwhich
the no
unfaithful.
one
knows except him who receives it."' (NKJV)
• Otherwise others became partakers of the
evil deeds – 2 John 11(1 Cor 5:1-8)
The Lord’s Warning
•Revelation
Two things
2:17promised to those who
– Revelation
2:17
17“overcame”
"He who has an
ear, let him hear
what the Spirit
to eat To
ofhim
hidden
manna – Ias
says– Allowed
to the churches.
who overcomes
will give
manna
heaven
–we
someIsrael
of the ate
hidden
mannafrom
to eat.
And I will
giveshall
him a
find
every
spiritual
need
and
the
physical
white stone, and on the stone a new name written
needs well be met
which no one knows except him who receives it."'
–
We
will
receive
a
white
stone
written
upon
(NKJV)
it – (going back to the time of Judges and
a white or black stone show a vote)
indicating a vote of innocence and
covenant with Christ
The Lessons Learned
1 Corinthians 3:6-11
•6Job
sometimes
think
wegave
can
IWe
planted,
Apollos watered,
but God
thehide
growth.from
7 So
34:22
Luke
12:30-31
neither
the
one
who
plants
nor
the
one
who
waters
is
anything,
God
–
Job
34:22
22
There
is
no
darkness
nor
shadow
of
death
Where
1
John
3:20
30
For
all
these
things
the
nations
ofone
thewho
world
seek
but
only
God
who
gives
the
growth.
8
The
plants
and
the
•the
He
is
aware
of
our
good
deeds
and
our
workers
of
iniquity
may
hide
themselves.
(NKJV)
20
whenever
our
hearts
condemn
us;
for
God
is greater
one
whoand
waters
a common
each
will
receive
after,
yourhave
Father
knowspurpose,
that youand
need
these
bad
–hearts,
1 John
3:20;
Luke
12:30-31
than
our
and
he
knows
everything.
(NRSV)
wages
according
to
the
labor
of
each.
9
For
we are
God's
things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God,
and
all these
•things
servants,
Sometimes
working
together;
we tobecome
you
God's
frustrated,
field, God's building.
it
shall
be added
you.are
(NKJV)
10seems
According we
to theare
gracesowning
of God givengood
to me, like
a skilled
seed
only
master
builderlittle
I laid ainfoundation,
someone
else–is we
building
to reap
return,and
reap
badly
on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11
forget
God
gives
the
increase
–
1
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has
Corinthians
3:6-11
been
laid; that foundation
is Jesus(Gal.
Christ.6:6-10)
(NRSV)
2 Peter 2:4-11
The Lessons Learned
4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into
hell and committed them to chains of deepest darkness to be kept until
the judgment; 5 and if he did not spare the ancient world, even though he
•saved
Living
near Satan’s throne –many of our world
Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought
leaders
today
maybe
asif evil
as the
thecities
Emperor
a flood
on a world
of the ungodly;
6 and
by turning
of Sodom
in the
days
of the church
of Pergamum
andwas
Gomorrah
to ashes
he condemned
them to extinction
and made them
an
of whatimagine
is coming to living
the ungodly;
and if he rescued
Lot, a
• example
However
in a7 country
where
righteous man greatly distressed by the licentiousness of the lawless 8(for
Christ
would
uswas
put
to death
thatworshiping
righteous man, living
among
them dayhave
after day,
tormented
in his
soul bycondones
their lawless deeds
that he saw and heard),
9 then the
•righteous
America
homosexuality,
fornication,
Lord
knows how
to rescueand
the godly
from trial, and to
keep the unrighteous
serial
divorce
remarriage,
looking
the
under punishment until the day of judgment 10 — especially those who
other way at lying, cheating, laziness, foul
indulge their flesh in depraved lust, and who despise authority. Bold and
language,
extramarital
sex
and the
willful,
they are not dirty
afraid tojokes,
slander the
glorious ones, 11
whereas
list though
goesgreater
on and
onand
– power,
2 Peter
angels,
in might
do not2:4-11
bring against them a
slanderous judgment from the Lord. ( NRSV)
Summary
Acts
2:38 2:10was the church of subtle
•Revelation
Pergamum
10
Do
notPeter
fear said
whatatoyou
are about
to suffer.
38compromises,
Then
them,"Repent,
and let
every
one
group
pretending
toBeware,
see and
evil, least
should
distracted
the
devil
isbaptized
about
tointhrow
some
yoube
into
prison
so
ofhear
you
beno
thethey
name
ofofJesus
Christ
for the
enough
and
risk
the
disappointment
that
you may
bereject
tested,
andshall
for
ten
days
yougift
willofhave
remission
oftosins;
andityou
receive
the
the
and
disapproval
thedeath,
worldand I will give you the
affliction.
Be
faithful of
until
Holy
Spirit.
(NKJV)
•crown
Let us
raise
above these false doctrines and
of life.
(NRSV)
become strong and faithful.
• The starting point is our baptism in Christ
Jesus – Acts 2:38
• And being faithful unto death –
Revelation 2:10