The Churches the
Apostles Left Behind
Key Concepts from Raymond E.
Brown’s text
Overview
• 6 “models” or suggestions as to how the
Church should be defined
• All can be supported through scripture
• All have strengths & weaknesses
• The living Church is a combination and
ever-changing combination of the
models
1. The pastoral letters
• The Church led by Authoritative Teachers
You should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you:
someone who is blameless… He must have a firm grasp of
the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching,
so that he may be able to preach with sound doctrine and to
refute those who contradict it. [Titus 1:5 – 7a,9]
STRENGTHS
• Stability and continuity are
enhanced
WEAKNESSES
• Creativity can be discouraged
(innovation might not be
stressed)
•Qualifications for leaders are •Clericalism, a chasm between
teachers and taught can ensue
established
2. Colossians/Ephesians
• The Church as the Mystical Body of Christ to be
Loved
And God has put all things under [Christ’s] feet and has made
him the head over all things for the Church, which is body, the
fullness of him who fills all in all [Eph 1:20, 22-23]
See also Eph 4:15-16 & Eph 5:25-27
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
• Love for the Church is encouraged
• A stress on Church as holy can
encourage a hiding of defects to avoid
“scandal”
• Dedication of one’s life to the Church
is fostered
•Local churches are reduced in
importance
• Promotes faith in ultimate holiness of • There is a tendency to devalue those
the Church despite its human sinfulness outside the Body
3. Luke/Acts
• The Church as the Agent of the Spirit
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us impose
on you no further burden than these basics… [Acts
15:28]
STRENGTHS
• The survival of the Church not
dependent on specific persons; the
Spirit will work through new agents
WEAKNESSES
•Does not prepare for disaster
•Is the Spirit always heeded?
4. 1 Peter
• The Church as the People of God
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the
mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light. [1Peter2:9]
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
• Members can have the sense
that real benefits are gained
from belonging
• A sense of exclusive privilege can result
• Community is promoted
•Are outsiders reduced to non-people?
• The priestly dignity of all
baptized is stressed
5. Johannine writings
• A Discipleship of Equals Taught by the Paraclete
I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me
and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you
can do nothing. [John 15:5]
See also John 14:26
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
• A personal relationship with Jesus is • Can foster individualism to the point
where a sense of Church is lost
needed by all Christians
• The equality of all in Christ is
highlighted
• The ongoing teaching of the
Paraclete is available to all
•Can result in uncontrollable divisions
because of appeals to the Paraclete
• The history of the community and
respect for outsiders can be minimized
6. Matthew
• The Church Living by the Torah of Jesus
Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the
Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill…Not
everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord” will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of
my Father in heaven. [Mt. 5:17; 7:21]
STRENGTHS
• Encourages a great respect for
Law and authority
• Unity of Church is stressed
WEAKNESSES
• It is not easy to maintain a healthy
tension between Principle and Love