Why is it important to be familiar with church history?
Answered from the commentary of Hamilton Smith, James Boyd, J. T. Mawson and 1 other
It is important to be familiar with church history because it gives instruction, warning and encouragement for the conflicts Christians face, and helps them learn from earlier believers’ experiences, principles, triumphs and defeats. It shows how quickly the professing church departed from the truth, and how evil and error arose even in its early days, as Scripture had warned; seeing this confirms the truth of that warning and strengthens faith. It also shows how God preserved a witness to the truth and graciously recalled His people to it, so that the story of decline is not without light in the darkness. By studying history with Scripture as our guide, we may learn from faithful examples, have our conscience quickened, and be warned against the errors and consequences of the past.
Verses: Acts 7:2, Acts 7:3, Acts 7:4, Acts 7:5, Acts 7:6, Acts 7:7, Acts 7:8, Acts 7:9, Acts 7:10, Acts 7:11, Acts 7:12, Acts 7:13, Acts 7:14, Acts 7:15, Acts 7:16, Acts 7:17, Acts 7:18, Acts 7:19, Acts 7:20, Acts 7:21, Acts 7:22, Acts 7:23, Acts 7:24, Acts 7:25, Acts 7:26, Acts 7:27, Acts 7:28, Acts 7:29, Acts 7:30, Acts 7:31, Acts 7:32, Acts 7:33, Acts 7:34, Acts 7:35, Acts 7:36, Acts 7:37, Acts 7:38, Acts 7:39, Acts 7:40, Acts 7:41, Acts 7:42, Acts 7:43, Acts 7:44, Acts 7:45, Acts 7:46, Acts 7:47, Acts 7:48, Acts 7:49, Acts 7:50, Acts 7:51, Acts 7:52, Acts 7:53, Acts 13:16, Acts 13:17, Acts 13:18, Acts 13:19, Acts 13:20, Acts 13:21, Acts 13:22, Acts 13:23, Acts 13:24, Acts 13:25, Acts 13:26, Acts 13:27, Acts 13:28, Acts 13:29, Acts 13:30, Acts 13:31, Acts 13:32, Acts 13:33, Acts 13:34, Acts 13:35, Acts 13:36, Acts 13:37, Acts 13:38, Acts 13:39, Acts 13:40, Acts 13:41, 1 Corinthians 10:1, 1 Corinthians 10:2, 1 Corinthians 10:3, 1 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:7, 1 Corinthians 10:8, 1 Corinthians 10:9, 1 Corinthians 10:10, 1 Corinthians 10:11, Romans 15:4, 1 Timothy 3:15, 2 Timothy 3:14, 2 Timothy 3:15, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:17, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:2, Hebrews 11:3, Hebrews 11:4, Hebrews 11:5, Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 11:7, Hebrews 11:8, Hebrews 11:9, Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 11:11, Hebrews 11:12, Hebrews 11:13, Hebrews 11:14, Hebrews 11:15, Hebrews 11:16, Hebrews 11:17, Hebrews 11:18, Hebrews 11:19, Hebrews 11:20, Hebrews 11:21, Hebrews 11:22, Hebrews 11:23, Hebrews 11:24, Hebrews 11:25, Hebrews 11:26, Hebrews 11:27, Hebrews 11:28, Hebrews 11:29, Hebrews 11:30, Hebrews 11:31, Hebrews 11:32, Hebrews 11:33, Hebrews 11:34, Hebrews 11:35, Hebrews 11:36, Hebrews 11:37, Hebrews 11:38, Hebrews 11:39, Hebrews 11:40, Hebrews 13:7, Jude 1:3
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What the commentators say
The passages the answer is drawn from, the most direct first, with the words that bear on the question marked.
An outline knowledge of Church History is not only useful to the class of readers referred to, but necessary to all who would tread firmly in the present day, when rationalism on the one hand, and superstition on the other, are luring the unwary into by-paths of worldliness and unrest. In the open page of history we may see the infidelity of the one, and the idolatry of the other; and, admonished by the miserable consequences of each, may be prepared against their insidious approaches in the future. We have not yet seen the end of mystic Babylon, or the beast that carries her.
And the true believer in Christ knows all this, not because he is, as I have indicated, more wise than others, but just because he believes with all his heart what God has caused to be written for our learning. Not only has the whole origin, history, and doom of the world, been plainly marked out in Scripture, but also the history, fall, and finish of the professing church. The history of the ruin of that which was set up at Pentecost in such spiritual power and moral glory, however sorrowful its reading may be, only confirms the believer in the truth of the sacred narrative. Had the church withstood the seductions of the world we might well have been bewildered, for it is not that which we have been led to expect; but as everything has turned out exactly as foretold by the apostles and prophets of our Lord, nothing is there to shake the faith of the feeblest of His people, but everything to encourage, strengthen, and sustain it.
To study and estimate the different characters which pass before us in history, contrasted in everything but their common design, and to trace with the eye of faith the overruling hand of God in all their works and ways, will be found both deeply interesting and highly profitable. It is the study of what God is in government, and of what man is in himself, however richly gifted or renewed by grace. Speaking of those great, we must always add, but, fallible men. There is only One who is infallible, and, thank God, we own no Head, no centre, but Him; and no name but His-the name of Jesus; and it is only from this elevated point of view that we can rightly estimate the characters and events of history.
The rise and early progress of any remarkable movement must ever have an interest for the thoughtful and the inquiring. We see then some of the original labourers at work. We learn something of the springs of the movement. And, whilst noticing results, we can trace the causes which conduced to its success. If that is true of the many remarkable movements of which this world has been the theatre, what shall we say of the rise and early progress of Christianity? That must ever be to the Christian a study of intense interest.
The rise and early progress of any remarkable movement must ever have an interest for the thoughtful and the inquiring. We see then some of the original labourers at work. We learn something of the springs of the movement. And, whilst noticing results, we can trace the causes which conduced to its success. If that is true of the many remarkable movements of which this world has been the theatre, what shall we say of the rise and early progress of Christianity? That must ever be to the Christian a study of intense interest.
In pursuing attentively their history, we find much in it that serves to illustrate the principles which should mark and animate a gathering of christian people with the Lord in their midst (Matt. 18:20).
1879 208 The author has been enabled (and we may all thank God for it) to complete the third and last volume of a work already commended warmly to the reader, which brings down a just and appreciative view of the Church to our own days. No single work conveys anything like the same amount of reliable information; but what the Christian will most value is (along with a spiritual intelligence rarely found, if ever, in ecclesiastical historians) the hearty love of what is good, with a sufficient glance at evil in that chequered history, so humbling to man, so full of testimony to God's grace and fidelity. Again do we urge it on the attention of every child of God who desires help in this study.
The conflict with which we are faced today has been endured by other men in other days. And hence the story of their experiences, the opposition they had to meet, the exercises they passed through, the circumstances of weakness in which they laboured and fought, the principles that guided them, their triumphs and their defeats become of the deepest interest to us, rich with instruction, warning and encouragement. And in reading their story, let us remember that "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures might have hope" (Rom. 15:4).
Scripture, then, not only warrants but commands the remembrance of those whom God has given as leaders of His people. To forget them means, too often, to forget the truth they brought, and paves the way for that "building the sepulchres of the prophets" by a godless posterity who are indifferent to every warning spoken by those prophets. There is a sober, discriminating way of dwelling upon the ministry of faithful servants which encourages our own faith, quickens conscience, and stirs afresh to follow them as they followed Christ.
The apostles had no successors. Both Paul and Peter alike, in the prospect of their own departure, commended the saints — the former to God, and the word of His grace (Acts 20:32); the latter to the written Word. (2 Peter 1:15.) It has been the same in principle with the vessels of testimony of every age. They have lived and served, and have departed to be with Christ. We are left; and what, we ask, is the light in which they should now be regarded? The word of God supplies the answer. (See Heb. 13:7.) We are, in the first place, to remember those who have been our leaders, and who have spoken unto us the word of God; and, secondly, "considering the end of their conversation," we are to "imitate their faith." When bereft therefore of any to whom God had especially committed His testimony in a dark and evil day, the Holy Spirit would lead out our affections in divine channels. And it is a consolation, a divine solace, to be directed to remember such eminent servants of the Lord, and to recall their faith, both as an incentive and an example. To do so in this spirit will obviate the danger of human idolatry, and enable us to glorify God in the energy, the courage, the consecration and zeal, which they displayed.
Verses
- Acts 7:2–532And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, 3and said to him, Go out of thy land and out of thy kindred, and come into the land which I will shew thee. 4Then going out of the land of the Chaldeans he dwelt in Charran, and thence, after his father died, he removed him into this land in which ye now dwell. 5And he did not give him an inheritance in it, not even what his foot could stand on; and promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when he had no child. 6And God spoke thus His seed shall be a sojourner in a strange land, and they shall enslave them and evil entreat [them] four hundred years; 7and the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God; and after these things they shall come forth and serve me in this place. 8And he gave to him [the] covenant of circumcision; and thus he begat Isaac and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. 9And the patriarchs, envying Joseph, sold him away into Egypt. And God was with him, 10and delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he appointed him chief over Egypt and all his house. 11But a famine came upon all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great distress, and our fathers found no food. 12But Jacob, having heard of there being corn in Egypt, sent out our fathers first; 13and the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren, and the family of Joseph became known to Pharaoh. 14And Joseph sent and called down to him his father Jacob and all [his] kindred, seventy-five souls. 15And Jacob went down into Egypt and died, he and our fathers, 16and were carried over to Sychem and placed in the sepulchre which Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the [father] of Sychem. 17But as the time of promise drew near which God had promised to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18until another king over Egypt arose who did not know Joseph. 19He dealt subtilly with our race, and evil entreated the fathers, casting out their infants that they might not live. 20In which time Moses was born, and was exceedingly lovely, who was nourished three months in the house of his father. 21And when he was cast out, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and brought him up for herself [to be] for a son. 22And Moses was instructed in all [the] wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. 23And when a period of forty years was fulfilled to him, it came into his heart to look upon his brethren, the sons of Israel; 24and seeing a certain one wronged, he defended [him], and avenged him that was being oppressed, smiting the Egyptian. 25For he thought that his brethren would understand that God by his hand was giving them deliverance. But they understood not. 26And on the morrow he shewed himself to them as they were contending, and compelled them to peace, saying, Ye are brethren, why do ye wrong one another? 27But he that was wronging his neighbour thrust him away, saying, Who established thee ruler and judge over us? 28Dost thou wish to kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday? 29And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Madiam, where he begat two sons. 30And when forty years were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai, in a flame of fire of a bush. 31And Moses seeing it wondered at the vision; and as he went up to consider it, there was a voice of [the] Lord, 32I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and durst not consider [it]. 33And the Lord said to him, Loose the sandal of thy feet, for the place on which thou standest is holy ground. 34I have surely seen the ill treatment of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groan, and have come down to take them out of it; and now, come, I will send thee to Egypt. 35This Moses, whom they refused, saying, Who made thee ruler and judge? him did God send [to be] a ruler and deliverer with the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36He led them out, having wrought wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. 37This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, A prophet shall God raise up to you out of your brethren like me [him shall ye hear]. 38This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received living oracles to give to us; 39to whom our fathers would not be subject, but thrust [him] from them, and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, 40saying to Aaron, Make us gods who shall go before us; for this Moses, who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what has happened to him. 41And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. 42But God turned and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in [the] book of the prophets, Have ye offered me victims and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 43Yea, ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of [your] god Remphan, the forms which ye made to do homage to them; and I will transport you beyond Babylon. 44Our fathers had the tent of the testimony in the wilderness, as he that spoke to Moses commanded to make it according to the model which he had seen; 45which also our fathers, receiving from their predecessors, brought in with Joshua when they entered into possession of [the lands of] the nations, whom God drove out from [the] face of our fathers, until the days of David; 46who found favour before God, and asked to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob; 47but Solomon built him a house. 48But the Most High dwells not in [places] made with hands; as says the prophet, 49The heaven [is] my throne and the earth the footstool of my feet what house will ye build me? saith [the] Lord, or where [is the] place of my rest? 50has not my hand made all these things? 51O stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers, ye also. 52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain those who announced beforehand concerning the coming of the Just One, of whom ye have now become deliverers up and murderers! 53who have received the law as ordained by [the] ministry of angels, and have not kept [it].