1. The Early Christian Fathers and Nonbiblical Writings
- The Holy Bible
- New Testament Apocrypha and the Pseudepigrapha
- Other Early Christian Writings
The Apostolic Fathers
The Apologists
The Polemecists
- Conclusion
- Chapter Notes
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1-13 |
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2. The Dispensations of the Great Patriarchs
- Gospel Dispensations: A Divine Reordering
- Apostasy: A Departure from Original, Pure, and Undefiled Religion
- Characteristics of Apostasy
- The Dispensation of Adam--God's Laws for the Redemption of Man Revealed
- The Doctrine of Original Sin Reconsidered
- The Dispensation of Enoch
- The Dispensation of Noah
- The Dispensation of Melchizedek and Abraham
- The Dispensation of Moses
- Early Witnesses Linking Patriarchal Dispensations with the Mission of Christ
- Conclusion
- Chapter Notes
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14-41 |
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3. The Apostolic Dispensation
- Religions in the Meridian of Time
- Unique Distinctions about the Apostolic Dispensation
- The Savior's Authority, or "Keys" and System of Church Government
- Ecclesiastical Offices Required to Build the Kingdom of God
- The Necessity of Approved Priesthood Authority
- Apostles Given Authority to Perpetuate the Savior's Church
- The Bible Introduces the Significance of Melchizedek Priesthood
- The Testimony of the Early Christian Fathers Regarding Priesthood Authority
- "Open Visions" or Revelation, a Consistent Principle during Times of Righteousness
- Conclusion
- Chapter Notes
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42-66 |
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4. Scriptural Predictions of Post-New Testament Apostasy
- Old Testament Predictions of Apostasy after the Apostolic Age
- New Testament Prophecy of Apostasy-A Falling away from Truth
- Apostasy Already in Progress while the Apostles Yet Alive
- Conclusion
- Chapter Notes
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67-76 |
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5. Christianity in the First Century
- The Forty-Day Ministry of Jesus
The Esoteric or Secret Nature of the Forty-Day Teachings
- The Doctrine of the Origin and Destiny of Man in the Early Church
The Pre-Mortal Nature of Man
A Plan Introduced for Man's Eternal Progress
Man's Ultimate Destiny if Faithful
- Salvation Doctrine and Rites Practiced in Primitive Christianity
The Savior's Ministry of Salvation to both Living and Dead
The Preaching of the Gospel to Those Dying without the Law
Baptism for the Dead in Early Christianity
Eternal Reward and Punishment according to the Early Church Fathers
- Other Exoteric and Esoteric Rites Practiced by the Early Christian Church
Washing, Anointing, and the Wearing of White Garments
The Early Christian Prayer Circle
The Mystery of Marriage in New Testament Christianity
- Early Christian Doctrine Regarding the Second Coming of Christ
- Opposition to God's Plan from the Beginning
- Oppression from Jewish Hierarchy
- The Jerusalem Council-The Gospel Is Preached to the Gentiles
- The Tyranny of Rome
- The Fate of the Apostles
- What Priesthood Authority Succeeded the Apostles?
- The Church Immediately Following the Death of the Apostles
- Early Dissension and Schism-The Passing of the Primitive Church
- Episcopal Elections or Ratification Following Divine Appointment?
- The Rise of Heretical Christian Factions
- Apostolic Authority No Longer Present in the Church
- Conclusion
- Chapter Notes
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77-143 |
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6. Councils and Creeds: Early Christianity
After the Death of the Apostles
- Apostasy or "Rebellion" from within the Church, the Principal Cause of Its Demise
- Failure of Attempts to Defend Pure Christianity
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (ca. 69-ca.156)
Justin Martyr (ca. 100-165)
Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. 140-ca. 202)
Tertullian of Carthage (ca. 160-ca. 220)
Hippolytus of Rome (ca. 165-ca. 235)
Clement of Alexandria (ca. 155-ca. 215)
Origen (185-254)
- The Alliance of the Roman Empire with Christianity
- The Christological Controversy: The Nature of the Godhead Altered
The Monarchian Controversy
The Arian Controversy
The Nicene Creed
- God's Relationship to Man
- The Foreordination of Jesus Christ, the Prophets, and all Mankind
- Philosophical Creeds Replace Biblical Teachings
Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople in A.D. 381
Third Ecumenical Council at Ephesus in A.D. 431
Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon in A.D. 451
- The Bible and the Early Christian Fathers on the Godhead
- Early Jewish and Christian Belief in Anthropomorphism (The Divine Embodiment of God)
- The Doctrine of Bible Inerrancy
- The Bible Canon Is Closed
- Philosophical and Allegorical Interpretations Responsible for Corrupt Theology
- The Liturgy of the Eucharist Is Altered
- The Baptismal Rite Is Modified
- The Church in General Apostasy
- Conclusion
- Chapter Notes
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144-200 |
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7. The Church of the Middles Ages: An Era of Divided Fruits
- Christianity during the Middle Ages
- Military Force Used to Quell Theological Differences
The Donatists
The Crusades
The Inquisition
- Simony and Nepotism Replace Inspiration from the Holy Spirit
- The Loss of the Holy Ghost within the Church and Clergy
- The Partnership of Church and State Not Aligned with Biblical Principles
- Uninspired Revisions in Church Government
- Further Corruption and Additions to Church Doctrines
The Speculative Doctrines of Augustine
The False Doctrine of Infallibility
Veneration of the Virgin Mary
Supererogation and Indulgences
The Church Imposes Celibacy upon its Clergy
Pope Proclaims He Is the Vicar of Christ
- Conclusion
- Chapter Notes
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201-241 |
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8. The Renaissance and Reformation Period
- The Forerunners of the Reformation
The Waldensians
John Wycliffe
John Huss
Savonarola and Erasmus
William Tyndale
- First Generation Reformers
Martin Luther
Ulrich Zwingli
- Second Generation Reformers
John Calvin
John Knox
Jacobus Arminius
- Henry VIII: Self Indulgence Gives Rise to the Church of England
- The Counter-Reformation and Reformation of the Catholic Church
- Analysis of the Reformation
The Corruption of the Clergy and Papacy
Justification by Faith
The Bible as the Sole Authority for Christians
The Priesthood of the Believers
- The Reformation-A Final Conclusion
- Chapter Notes
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242-280 |
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9. Freedom in America and Religious Tolerance Inspire
the Great Awakening
- The Inspired Mission of Christopher Columbus
- A New Age of Rationalism and Intellectualism Begins
- Religious Persecution and Intolerance in Europe
- Colonizing America
Jamestown, Virginia
The Mayflower Compact
The Massachusetts Bay Colony
- Religious Intolerance in Early America
Religious Persecution in Virginia
The Exile of Roger Williams
The Banishment of Anne Hutchinson
The Salem Witch Trials
- The Rise of Tolerance and Religious Freedom
- The Great Awakening
Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield
- A New Birth of Freedom
- Conclusion
- Chapter Notes
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281-303 |
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10. The Second Great Awakening and Doctrinal Reformation
- The Age of Reason Inspires a Doctrinal Reformation
The Deist Movement
The Rise of Unitarianism
Universalists
Liberal Congregationalists
Free-Will Baptists
American Methodist Societies
Non-Traditional Christian Societies
- The State of Organized Religion in the Eighteenth Century
- Revivalism Spawns a Second Great Awakening
- Revivalism in Western New York
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304-319 |
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11. A Restoration of the Primitive Christian Church?
- A Claim Worth Examining
- The Restoration of the "Keys" of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods
- The Formal Organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- The Calling of the Twelve Apostles
- The Esoteric Meaning and Purpose of Temples Revealed Anew
The Mission of Elijah and Baptism for the Dead
Eternal Marriage
- The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times
- Conclusion
- Chapter Notes
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320-345 |
