Doomed edifice : the eclipse of the prophetic ministry and the spiritual captivity of the church

In the early years, Christian congregations looked to the apostles and prophets for leadership. But before the end of the first century, the apostles and prophets were systematically eclipsed by the office of the bishop. Doomed Edifice examines the daily lives of the early Christians in the midst of paganism, the structure and worship of the early congregations, and traces events that led to deterioration of doctrine and the eventual ascendency of the institutional Church in the fourth century. The author contends that the Church is in captivity today for its apostasy and rejection of the prophetic ministry--the same sin for which Israel was exiled. Although the Church may not determine for itself when its captivity is complete, it can realign itself to the Kingdom in anticipation of its restoration. P. W. Baker has earned his living for many years in the fields of Information Technology and health care, and now writes from his home in Virginia In The Early Years, Christian Congregations Looked To The Apostles And Prophets For Leadership. But Before The End Of The First Century, The Apostles And Prophets Were Systematically Eclipsed By The Office Of The Bishop. This Book Examines The Daily Lives Of The Early Christians In The Midst Of Paganism, The Structure And Worship Of The Early Congregations, And Traces Events That Led To Deterioration Of Doctrine And The Eventual Ascendancy Of The Institutional Church In The Fourth Century. The Author Contends That The Church Is In Captivity Today For Its Apostasy And Rejection Of The Prophetic Ministry - The Same Sin For Which Israel Was Exiled. Although The Church May Not Determine For Itself When Its Captivity Is Complete, It Can Realign Itself To The Kingdom In Anticipation Of Its Restoration.--publisher Info. Ecclesia -- Early Organization And Worship -- The Ecclesia Changes -- The Rise Of The Episcopacy -- The Ecclesia Becomes The Church -- Excursus On Episcopacy -- Excursus On The Supernatural Gifts -- Recapitulation -- Conclusion. P.w. Baker. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In the early years, Christian congregations looked to the apostles and prophets for leadership. But before the end of the first century, the apostles and prophets were systematically eclipsed by the office of the bishop. Doomed Edifice examines the daily lives of the early Christians in the midst of paganism, the structure and worship of the early congregations, and traces events that led to deterioration of doctrine and the eventual ascendency of the institutional Church in the fourth century. The author contends that the Church is in captivity today for its apostasy and rejection of the prophetic ministry--the same sin for which Israel was exiled. Although the Church may not determine for itself when its captivity is complete, it can realign itself to the Kingdom in anticipation of its restoration. Religion,General In the early years, Christian congregations looked to the apostles and prophets for leadership. But before the end of the first century, the apostles and prophets were systematically eclipsed by the office of the bishop. This book examines the daily lives of the early Christians in the midst of paganism, the structure and worship of the early congregations, and traces events that led to deterioration of doctrine and the eventual ascendancy of t he institutional Church in the fourth century. The author contends that the Church is in captivity today for its apostasy and rejection of the prophetic ministry - the same sin for which Israel was exiled. Although the Church may not determine for itself when its captivity is complete, it can realign itself to the Kingdom in anticipation of its restoration.--Publisher info