Welcome to Episode 40 of the Greg SCHREFFLER Show™. Today, as we conclude this faith study series, we shift our focus to how the early church confronted doctrinal challenges, preserved truth, and ultimately guided the formation of the New Testament canon.
[Research Notes]

1 Timothy 5:18 (ESV) - γραφή (scripture) https://bibleapps.com/greek/1124.htm
George W. Knight III, Ph.D., The Pastoral Epistles (NIGTC, 1992) - https://www.everand.com/book/535924907/The-Pastoral-Epistles
The Didache 13:1–2 - https://evidenceunseen.com/theology/historical-theology/the-didache-the-lords-teaching-through-the-twelve-apostles-to-the-nations
πνεῦμα – Spirit - https://biblehub.com/greek/4151.htm
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/romans/8-9.htm
ὁ οἰκῶν ἐν ἡμῖν - Who dwells in us - https://www.christiandiscipleschurch.org/content/theological-metamorphosis-chapter-08
2 Timothy 1:14 — https://biblehub.com/text/2_timothy/1-14.htm , https://www.bibleref.com/2-Timothy/1/2-Timothy-1-14.html , https://ambassadorsfortherisenchristministries.org/2009/06/30/the-pneuma-hagion/
Calvin, Jean (John) - https://www.studylight.org/commentary/2-timothy/1-14.html
ἀνακρίνω – examine - https://www.recyclethebible.org/recycle/greek_lex.php?num=350
https://www.biblicaltraining.org/library/doctrine
N.T. Wright, Ph.D., Paul and the Faithfulness of God (2013) - https://christianpublishinghouse.co/2025/10/13/these-things-entrust-to-faithful-men-2-timothy-22/

Up to this moment, the church has been built, tested, and expanded—through apostles, persecution, structure, and discipline. But now, a new threat emerges. Not from Rome. Not from open opposition.
From within.
What begins as distortion will become system.
What begins as deviation will become doctrine.
And what challenges the church will ultimately force it to clarify what it truly believes.
Because truth, if it is not guarded, will be redefined.
The Bible, Internet, ChatGPT
Bible Study & Commentary Sources
• Bible Hub
https://biblehub.com
(Greek lexicons, interlinear, multiple translations)
• Enduring Word Commentary — David Guzik
https://enduringword.com
(Verse-by-verse pastoral and historical insights)
Scholarly Sources
Irenaeus of Lyons
• Against Heresies
• https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103.htm
Michael S. Heiser
• The Unseen Realm
• https://lexhampress.com/product/49522/the-unseen-realm
Ron Rhodes
• The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations
• https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/books/the-complete-guide-to-christian-denominations-9780736965330
Chuck Missler
• Learn the Bible in 24 Hours
• https://khouse.org/store/detail/learn-the-bible-in-24-hours
Gospel of Thomas
• Translation (Nag Hammadi Library):
http://gnosis.org/naghamm/gosthom.html
Apocryphon of John
• Translation:
http://gnosis.org/naghamm/apocjn.html
Gospel of Mary
• Translation:
http://gnosis.org/library/marygosp.htm
Secret Book of James
• Translation:
http://gnosis.org/naghamm/jam.html
Gospel of Truth
• Translation:
http://gnosis.org/naghamm/got.html
Didache
• Translation:
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0714.htm
Muratorian Fragment
• Translation:
https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/muratorian.html
Historical Context Resources
• Nag Hammadi Library
https://gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl.html
(Primary source collection of Gnostic writings)
• Early Christian Writings
https://www.earlychristianwritings.com
(Dating, authorship, historical analysis)
Doctrinal Themes Supported
• Apostolic authority vs secret revelation
• Christ fully God and fully man
• Public truth vs hidden knowledge
• Preservation vs distortion of doctrine
• Emergence of canon under pressure
Citation Note:
All non-biblical texts referenced in this episode are used for historical and theological context only and are not considered Scripture. They are included to illustrate the nature of early competing belief systems and the church’s response to them.
πλάνος (planos): https://biblehub.com/greek/4108.htm
τύπος (typos): https://openbible.com/strongs/greek/5179.htm , https://biblehub.com/greek/5179.htm

By the early second century, Churches are multiplying across the Roman world, and those communities now had to establish leadership, guard sound teaching, and preserve the message that had been handed down to them.
The church may have survived persecution. Now it had to navigate growth.
This episode begins at that turning point; when the expanding church must learn how to remain faithful while becoming successful; much larger than the small movement that first began in Jerusalem.

The Bible, Internet, ChatGPT

Scripture References

• Acts 20:17, 28 (ESV)
• Titus 1:5–9 (ESV)
• Hebrews 10:39 (ESV)
• Titus 1:9 (ESV)
• 2 Timothy 4:3–4 (NIV)
• 2 Peter 2:1 (ESV)
• 1 John 4:1 (NIV)
• Titus 3:10–11 (ESV)
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NIV)
• 2 Timothy 1:13 (ESV)
• Jude 1:3 (NIV)
• 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)
• Philippians 3:17 (NIV)

Scholarly Sources

• Philip H. Towner, PhD — The Letters to Timothy and Titus (NICNT, 2006)
• Gordon D. Fee, PhD — 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus (New International Biblical Commentary, 1988)
• Gordon D. Fee, PhD — The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians (NICNT, 2009)
• Richard J. Bauckham, PhD — Jude, 2 Peter (Word Biblical Commentary, 1983)
• I. Howard Marshall, PhD — The Epistles of John (NICNT, 1978)
• John MacArthur, DMin — Titus (MacArthur New Testament Commentary, 1996)
• Douglas J. Moo, PhD — 2 Peter and Jude (NIV Application Commentary, 1996)
• Andreas J. Köstenberger, PhD — Entrusted with the Gospel (2010)
• Michael J. Kruger, PhD — Christianity at the Crossroads (2018)

Non-Canonical / Early Church Sources

• Didache (late 1st century) — Chapters 11, 15
• 1 Clement (c. 96 CE) — Chapters 46–48
• 2 Clement (early 2nd century) — Chapter 4
• The Epistle of Barnabas (late 1st–early 2nd century) — Chapter 4
• The Shepherd of Hermas (2nd century) — Mandate 11
• Ignatius of Antioch — Letter to the Smyrnaeans 8:1 (c. 110 CE)
• Irenaeus — Against Heresies 3.3.1 (c. 180 CE)
• Rule of Faith (2nd century summary tradition)

Notes for Use

• Scripture translations vary by passage (ESV, NIV) as used in the episode
• Non-canonical sources are included for historical context only, not as Scripture
• All scholar references are either directly quoted (short form) or accurately paraphrased

Faith under fire continues. Today the empire strikes back. Paul has been beheaded. Peter has been executed. The apostolic generation continues to fade from history, not by retirement, but by execution. What began in Jerusalem has now collided fully with Rome. Under Nero, cruelty is no longer incidental — it is spectacle. Christians are displayed, mocked, burned, crucified. Their deaths are meant to send a message to would be believers.
The Bible, Internet, ChatGPT (Due To Character Limitation Not All References Are Listed)

Biblical References

Acts 2:47 (ESV)
https://biblehub.com/acts/2-47.htm

Acts 6:7 (NIV)
https://biblehub.com/acts/6-7.htm

Matthew 10:32–33 (NKJV)
https://biblehub.com/matthew/10-32.htm

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
https://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-1.htm

Greek Word Studies

ὁμολογέω (homologeō) — “to confess / declare openly”
https://biblehub.com/greek/3670.htm

μάρτυς / μαρτύρων (martys / martyron) — witness / testimony
https://biblehub.com/greek/3144.htm

ὑπακούω (hypakouō) — to obey / listen attentively
https://biblehub.com/greek/5219.htm

προστίθημι (prostithemi) — to add / increase
https://biblehub.com/greek/4369.htm

Early Church Historical Sources

The Martyrdom of Polycarp

Earliest surviving martyr narrative outside the New Testament.

Lake Translation (Greek + English):
https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/martyrdompolycarp-lake.html

Alternate translation (Roberts & Donaldson):
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0102.htm

Ecclesiastical History

Written by the early church historian Eusebius.

Book IV – Early Church expansion and persecutions
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250104.htm

Early Christian Documents (Non-Canonical Context)

Didache (Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)

https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html

The Shepherd of Hermas

Visionary early Christian writing emphasizing perseverance.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shepherd-of-Hermas

What happens when the apostles begin to fade? When miracles are not central? When persecution intensifies? When believers must live by unseen conviction? This is where Hebrews enters.
RESEARCH:The Bible, Internet, ChatGPT

• Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) – Bible Gateway
  “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
• Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) – Bible Gateway
  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
• Hebrews 11:35 (NIV) – Bible Gateway
  “There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.”

F. F. Bruce – Former Rylands Professor, University of Manchester

“The readers had already suffered for their confession, and the author urges them not to abandon the ground they had gained.”, Enduring Word Commentary on Hebrews

Ben Witherington III – Professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary

“Hebrews calls its audience to public perseverance, not private belief alone.”, Ben Witherington Resources

Michael S. Heiser, Ph.D. – Biblical scholar and author with expertise in ancient Hebrew and Semitic languages; taught on Hebrews in The Naked Bible Podcast indicating the book’s themes of faith and endurance. Transcript: Naked Bible Podcast, Episode 182: Hebrews 4:1‑13

Ron Rhodes, ThM – Evangelical Theological Seminary

Highlights the “not shrink back” principle as an anchor for believers under empire. Ron Rhodes Biblical Commentary

• 1 Clement (Letter to Corinth, c. AD 96) – Early Christian Writings
  Describes believers contending unto death; early post-apostolic endurance
• Shepherd of Hermas, Vision 3 (2nd century) – Early Christian Writings
  Believers tested like stones before being fitted into a tower; metaphor for endurance under trial
• Ignatius of Antioch (Letters, c. AD 107) – Early Christian Writings
  

Early Christian Torture: https://listverse.com/2013/09/24/10-horrifying-tortures-of-early-christians/
Not all references are listed due to character limits.

Today we’re going to talk about faith after fire. In Episode 34, we ended with Jesus saying in John 16:7 (NKJV): “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the HELPER will not come to you…”

Jesus was not promising emotional comfort. He was promising divine indwelling presence. And that changes the nature of faith. Because prior to Pentecost, faith meant trusting the promises of God while awaiting fulfillment. After Pentecost, faith becomes Spirit-empowered proclamation of fulfillment.
The Bible, Internet, ChatGPT

Primary Biblical Texts

• Acts of the Apostles
• Epistle to the Hebrews
• Bible Gateway
  https://www.biblegateway.com
• Bible Hub
  https://biblehub.com
  
  

Commentary & Scholarly Sources

Michael Heiser

• The Unseen Realm
  https://drmsh.com

Ron Rhodesg

• Reasoning from the Scriptures series
  https://ronrhodes.org

Chuck Missler

• Acts teachings & briefings
  https://khouse.org
  
  

F. F. Bruce

• The Book of Acts (NICNT)
  
  

Craig S. Keener

• Acts: An Exegetical Commentary
  
  

Darrell L. Bock

• Acts (Baker Exegetical Commentary)

Pastoral & Devotional Commentary

• Enduring Word
  https://enduringword.com

Greek Word Study Tools

• Bible Hub Greek Lexicon
  https://biblehub.com/greek/
• Blue Letter Bible
  https://www.blueletterbible.org

Now, in Episode 34, we stand at a critical bridge between faith seen and faith required—preparing to examine what faith becomes after the resurrection and ascension, when Christ is no longer physically present yet remains fully authoritative.

[Research Notes]

The Bible, Internet, ChatGPT

https://nealobstat.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/what-is-faith/

https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1010&context=sod_fac_pubs

https://logosofagape.com/2018/07/25/pistis-pisteos-and-pisteuo-a-greek-word-study/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bible/comments/1e7298z/anybody_a_greek_scholar_in_here_looking_at_faith/

Lexical tools used:

• BDAG — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other
• BibleHub.com Greek and Hebrew Lexicon (cross-referenced with

A continuation of mustard seed faith. What does that mean? How is it applicable today? Does this mean my faith is worst than I thought?

The Bible, Internet, ChatGPT
Canonical Scripture References
(All Scripture accessible via Bible Gateway or Bible Hub for translation comparison)
•Matthew 14:22–33 — Jesus walks on water; rebuke of little faith
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+14%3A22-33
•Matthew 16:5–12 — Warning about leaven; disciples misunderstand
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16%3A5-12
•Matthew 17:14–21 — Healing failure; mustard seed teaching
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+17%3A14-21
•Mark 4:30–32 — Parable of the mustard seed
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+4%3A30-32
•Luke 17:5–6 — “Increase our faith”; mulberry tree imagery
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17%3A5-6
•John 6:5–13 — Feeding of the 5,000; disciples tested
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A5-13
•John 15:1–5 — Abiding in Christ
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A1-5
•Romans 4:4–5 — Faith versus works
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+4%3A4-5
•1 Corinthians 3:6–7 — God gives the increase
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+3%3A6-7
•Hebrews 11:1–6 — Definition and nature of faith
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+11%3A1-6
•Hebrews 12:2 — Jesus as author and perfecter of faith
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A2
Greek Word Studies
•πίστις (pistis) — faith, trust, allegiance
Bible Hub Lexicon
https://biblehub.com/greek/4102.htm
•ὀλιγόπιστος (oligopistos) — “little faith,” deficient trust
https://biblehub.com/greek/3640.htm
•μένω (menō) — to remain, abide
https://biblehub.com/greek/3306.htm
Non-Canonical / Second Temple Jewish Sources
(Contextual only — not treated as Scripture)
•1 Enoch 93–94 — Apocalypse of Weeks (faithfulness across generations)
https://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/boe/boe096.htm
•Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 2:1–6 — Testing of the faithful
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Sirach+2%3A1-6
•Dead Sea Scrolls — Rule of the Community (1QS)
https://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/explore-the-archive/manuscript/1QSa-1
Scholarly Commentary & Credible Sources
Michael S. Heiser, PhD
Hebrew Bible scholar; expert in Second Temple Judaism
•The Unseen Realm
https://lexhampress.com/product/47111/the-unseen-realm
•Faith, worldview, and allegiance discussions
https://drmsh.com
Chuck Missler
Bible teacher; systems analyst; prophecy commentator
•Mustard seed & faith teachings archive
https://www.khouse.org
Ron Rhodes, ThM, PhD
Systematic theologian; apologetics scholar
•Faith under grace commentary
https://www.reasoningfromthebible.com
David Guzik
Pastor and Bible commentator
•Enduring Word Commentary (Matthew 17; Luke 17)
https://enduringword.com
Botanical & Historical Context
•Mustard Seed (Sinapis nigra) — size and growth characteristics
Encyclopaedia Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/plant/mustard-plant
Primary Study Platforms (Listener Resources)
•Bible Gateway — translation rotation
https://www.biblegateway.com
•Bible Hub — lexicons, interlinear, commentaries
https://biblehub.com
•Enduring Word — verse-by-verse commentary
https://enduringword.com