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Joel Bomberger

@joelbomb

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Pursuing the fullness of Jesus Christ, whatever the cost.🙏
💍Married @amybomberger •
5 kiddos.👶

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Reading these writings has felt like it’s clarified so many areas that modern Christians argue about all the time.

For the more evangelical Christians who reads this: no I don’t believe these conclusions are “corrupted” or anti biblical.
I think the Bible is the source of all truth, and these specific things are pretty clear in Scripture!

But just like Peter, when he needed revelation in Acts 10 to see the truth that the prophets spoke about regarding the gentiles all along, in the same way these early Church Fathers can clarify many scriptural topics that have always been there.

To the Apostolic traditionalists, I also don’t see (yet) that the need to submit to a Bishop (term Paul used for overseer) requires papal submission or the necessity for Apostolic succession through direct appointment.
But that’s for another topic!

Follow along and check out my full commentaries to see what else we can learn!

Disclaimer:
I’m not a credentialed theologian or scholar, just a Christian Evangelical with over a decade of ministry experience and Bible study.

I’m reading through the Early Church writings for myself, tracing where different doctrines first show up, and letting my own traditions get challenged where they need to be, and letting you see my findings!

My starting point on all of this: Scripture is the ultimate authority for me. These writings are good for edification and insight into early Christian thought, but if there’s no credence for something in Scripture, I don’t let it establish doctrine.

Full topical findings and sourcing on my Substack — comment “SUBSTACK” to get it. by @joelbomb

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23 days ago

This should get interesting:

Comment “Substack” for the link to the articles!

Let me know if you have suggestions along the way! by @joelbomb

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2 months ago

God gives grace to the humble. by @joelbomb

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3 days ago

When I saw these chapters in these early church writings, a lightbulb went off!

So many of these same guardrails are found in Scripture, but the specifics become more focused when these early Christians compiled and expounded on them for Church wide health!

I think so many of our modern day prophetic ministers (myself included) can and have fallen into many of these errors.

In light of all the “exposing” and deception that has happened recently within the charismatic movement, I couldn’t help but think if we understood these guardrails, we could’ve eliminated so much of that manipulative hypocrisy.

What do you think?

Christ have mercy!

Sources: Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 11 and The Didache, chapters 11 to 13. I’m not a credentialed theologian, just reading the early Church writings for myself and sharing what I find. Full findings on my Substack. Comment “SUBSTACK” to get it. by @joelbomb

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5 days ago

Two heavy hitters that we all need to hear. 🙏 by @joelbomb

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6 days ago

🙏Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner. by @joelbomb

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8 days ago

Which challenged you most?

I’ve been loving reading these early Church Writings to get a real window into what the Christians directly after the Apostles taught and were expected to practice!

So many of them are actually found all over scripture, but given more clarity in outworking in texts like these!

A note on what this is: the Didache is strong evidence for ONE church community’s handbook, but not necessarily proof of what every church did. Some traditions hold it with much more weight than that.

It’s a short read, and I go more in depth in my thoughts on it, and my running commentary as a currently “non-denominational” “Charismatic” Christian!

Let me know your thoughts!

Disclaimer:
I’m not a credentialed theologian or scholar, just a Christian Evangelical with over a decade of ministry experience and Bible study. I’m reading through the Early Church writings for myself, tracing where different doctrines first show up, and letting my own traditions get challenged where they need to be, and letting you see my findings! My starting point on all of this: Scripture is the ultimate authority for me. These writings are good for edification and insight into early Christian thought, but if there’s no credence for something in Scripture, I don’t let it establish doctrine. Full topical findings and sourcing on my Substack. Comment ‘SUBSTACK’ to get it. by @joelbomb

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16 days ago

Keep preaching the Word!

Don’t stop sharing with your family, your neighbors, your coworkers.

Even if it feels like it’s not working, don’t stop!

This line jumped out at me in the writings of the vision of Shepherd of Hermas — he was rebuked by God for not leading His family, and His charge to him was to DAILY speak righteousness to his sons. Over and over again like a hammer on anvil, to shape them and form them.

It’s our responsibility, use your words, to lovingly, admonish, encourage, and help by sharing His Righteous Words.

Comment SUBSTACK if you want to read all my findings and commentaries on the early church writings. by @joelbomb

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a month ago

13 years in the making 🎂

Keywords: marriage family husband wife happy Christian love relationship goals married by @joelbomb

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a month ago

Here’s some of my findings.

I’m not a credentialed theologian or scholar, I’m just a Christian Evangelical with over a decade of ministry and Bible study.

I’m currently reading through the Early Church writings.

My goal is to read these writings for myself, and see where different doctrines can be traced, and where my own traditions can be challenged.

I’m writing an in depth commentary and summary on each writing on my substack.

My starting point on all these writings is STILL that SCRIPTURE is the ultimate AUTHORITY.
So though these writings can be good for edification and insight into early Christian thought, if there is no credence for it in scripture, I don’t let it establish doctrine.

I find the insights into heaven fascinating, and with real possible biblical merit given Paul’s writings on rewards and some being saved but “suffer much loss.” (1 Cor 3)

I also love this corroborating account of Philip’s prophetess daughters as seen in acts 21:9.
With some evidence of what their ministry could’ve looked like as female “prophets” in the early church.

The fragments are a quick read, and I source them and provide my full topical findings on my substack.
comment substack to get it!

What do you think about these?? by @joelbomb

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a month ago

IT’S A BOY!🔵🥳
Harvey Ernest Shepherd Bomberger! 🙌💙

We welcomed Harvey into the world on Sept 6th at 10:45pm, after a fairly quick and easy labor. Our 5th baby, and the tie breaker as our 3rd boy!

His name means “battle ready” “steadfast resilience” and “caring protector.”

All of our kids have a Christian Saint with their name—Saint Harvé was a sixth century Monk and Abbot, he was known for his love for nature, poetry, and the saint of those blind and afflicted with eye diseases.

In our current Charismatic and Missional communities, Harvey is significant as a sign for the Angel of the “harvest.” The evangelization of souls for the Gospel of Jesus!

We believe his life will be accompanied by salvations! He will carry a resolute spirit for the Gospel of the Kingdom, and a deep creativity and love for art and writing, caring for the flock of Jesus Christ.🙏✝️

We love you Harvey! So happy you made your entrance into our family!

Glory to You our God, glory to You! taken in Hoag Hospital Newport Beach by @joelbomb

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a month ago

Something I’ve noticed through my reading of the Pre-Nicene fathers so far: they keep drawing every practice and structure back to the nature of God.
The Gospel of Jesus revealed through everything created and orchestrated through the Old Testament.

It seems they understood almost everything as another symbol and reflection of the Gospel from the very beginning!

This isn’t just a bunch of “works” and “rules” to follow.

It’s God’s very nature to emulate.

Couple disclaimers if you’re new here:

• This segment isn’t a defense of Calvinism, or a claim that Clement of Rome was teaching predestination as Protestants would understand it today. I’m just noting the sovereignty language next to the “works” language being significant and helpful!

• For me, as I’m doing this study, Scripture remains the standard, not the Church Fathers. I hold their writings as valuable, reverent reading, not infallible. Where they line up with or expound on things found in scripture is worth noting. Where they don’t, it’s good to call it into question.

Join me on the journey of reading through the early church writings and giving me “non-denomination” “charismatic” commentary on it — And we’ll see where my doctrines get challenged!

Comment “Substack” to get all of my writings from the Didache through ignatius and polycarp! by @joelbomb

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a month ago