𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 – 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐 (𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬: 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞)

 Establishing the Early Churches: Traditions, Patterns, and Sound Doctrine

The early Christian movement was not a spontaneous or disorganized phenomenon. Instead, it was a deliberate, Spirit-empowered process guided by apostolic leadership, structured teaching, and ethical formation. The work of Abraham J. Malherbe, particularly in Nurturing the Community, provides a window into how the apostles—especially Paul—carefully nurtured local churches through the transmission of apostolic tradition, the establishment of teaching patterns, and the safeguarding of sound doctrine. These three elements—traditions, patterns, and doctrine—formed the backbone of the ecclesial communities and ensured that they remained faithful to the gospel, unified in practice, and resilient amid cultural and theological challenges. This paper explores how these elements were foundational in the life of the early church and indispensable to its growth, stability, and witness.

I. Establishing Traditions: Apostolic Authority and the Transmission of Teaching

The establishment of churches in the apostolic era was rooted in the deliberate transmission of tradition. Malherbe argues that the early Christian communities were founded on the authoritative teaching of the apostles, handed down both orally and in written form, and considered binding and foundational for Christian life and identity.¹ These traditions were not merely historical records but theologically rich proclamations rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ and interpreted through the lens of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Paul emphasizes the importance of maintaining these traditions in multiple epistles. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15, he writes, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”² These traditions encompassed both kerygma (the core gospel message) and didache (moral and practical instruction), functioning together to establish the theological and ethical identity of the early church.

As Malherbe notes, these traditions were not static but adaptable to the needs and challenges of various local contexts.³ Apostolic authority was central in this transmission process, ensuring continuity and fidelity to the teachings of Christ. By faithfully transmitting these traditions, the apostles laid a consistent theological and ethical foundation across diverse congregations.

II. Establishing Patterns: The Role of Formative Instruction

While apostolic tradition provided the doctrinal foundation, teaching patterns offered the instructional structure for community formation. Malherbe emphasizes that these patterns often took catechetical form, similar to a systematic curriculum that outlined the basics of the faith.⁴ These included teachings on Christ’s death, resurrection, baptism, the indwelling of the Spirit, and ethical living. Paul’s reference to handing down teachings “of first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3–5) reflects such a standardized pattern, reinforcing shared beliefs across churches.

Paul’s writings also show that these instructional patterns were dialogical and participatory. As Kevin Giles observes, Paul used verbs like dialegesthai (to reason) and homilein (to converse) to describe his teaching style, emphasizing engagement and dialogue rather than monologue.⁵ This instructional approach encouraged internalization, mutual accountability, and transformation.

Moreover, creedal statements, repeated prayers, and consistent liturgical practices helped the church internalize these patterns. These practices united communities across geographic boundaries and helped anchor believers in the gospel amid pluralistic cultures. As Malherbe highlights, such structured teaching was vital in establishing a reproducible model of discipleship and church life.⁶

III. Establishing Sound Doctrine: Teaching for Faith and Practice

A third pillar in establishing the early churches was the protection and transmission of sound doctrine. This doctrine was not only theological in content but profoundly practical in its implications. The Pastoral Epistles stress the importance of guarding the “deposit” of faith (1 Tim. 6:20) and holding to “sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13–14). Sound doctrine ensured theological integrity and ethical accountability within the community.

C.H. Dodd emphasizes that apostolic preaching always followed a consistent theological structure centered on Christ’s fulfillment of prophecy, death, resurrection, and exaltation, followed by an ethical call to response.⁷ This pairing of belief and behavior underscored the inseparability of theology and praxis in the apostolic tradition.

Paul’s qualifications for church leaders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 stress the importance of moral integrity and the ability to teach. These were not optional virtues but essential characteristics of a community committed to living out the gospel.⁸ The “household codes” found in Ephesians 5–6 and Colossians 3 further reveal how doctrine informed all areas of life—marriage, parenting, work relationships—within the Christian community. Malherbe affirms that this ethical framework was central to the church’s witness in society and to its internal health.⁹

IV. The Role of Pastoral Care and Community Nurturing

Foundational teaching and doctrine needed to be sustained by ongoing pastoral care. Malherbe highlights that nurturing the community involved more than instruction—it demanded spiritual leadership, emotional support, correction, and encouragement.¹⁰ Apostles and church leaders addressed challenges, doctrinal confusion, and moral failures with a shepherding heart aimed at communal health.

Paul’s letters often express deep pastoral concern: for example, his anguish for the Galatians (Gal. 4:19), his tears over the Ephesians (Acts 20:31), and his comforting tone toward the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 2:7–12). These pastoral actions helped form resilient communities that could weather persecution, internal conflict, and theological error while remaining rooted in Christ.

Conclusion

The early church was established through a carefully integrated process involving the transmission of apostolic traditions, structured teaching patterns, and commitment to sound doctrine. Abraham Malherbe’s Nurturing the Community illuminates how apostolic leadership ensured that the local churches were not only founded in the gospel but continually formed and nurtured by it. The theological truths were not abstract; they were lived, taught, repeated, and embodied within the life of the church. Through dialogue, pastoral care, ethical instruction, and theological clarity, the early church developed into cohesive, missional communities. This legacy continues to challenge and inspire the church today to remain anchored in Scripture, unified in belief, and faithful in practice.

Footnotes

1. Abraham J. Malherbe, Nurturing the Community: The Pastoral Epistles and the Classical Tradition (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983), 13–15.
2. 2 Thessalonians 2:15, ESV.
3. Malherbe, Nurturing the Community, 22–24.
4. Ibid., 37–39.
5. Kevin Giles, Patterns of Ministry among the First Christians (Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 1989), 78.
6. Malherbe, Nurturing the Community, 41–43.
7. C.H. Dodd, The Apostolic Preaching and Its Developments (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1936), 17–20.
8. 1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9.
9. Malherbe, Nurturing the Community, 46–50.
10. Ibid., 55–57.