The Eastern Orthodox Church claims that Mark/Markus/Marcus of Jerusalem was the 16th bishop of Jerusalem with true apostolic succession. While the Roman Catholic Church and the Continuing Church of God accept that the previous 15 bishops/pastors/overseers had that succession, we do not accept that Marcus does. Marcus arose after the Jewish Bar Kokhba revolt (c. 132-135 A.D.). According to sources, he endorsed lawlessness and persuaded professors to Christ to abandon apostolic teachings in order to remain in Jerusalem after Emperor Hadrian made decrees against practices such as the Sabbath, Passover, and teaching the law in the Bible. Those leaders prior to Marcus reportedly had the truth in purity and the "standard of orthodoxy,' but Marcus changed that. Were his changed practices adopted by others? Was cowardice, to not offend the Roman Empire, a factor? What about Justin Martyr and Sunday? Did true Christians go along with Marcus or did they flee? Were any persecuted who held to the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3)? Did the faithful retain what is called aspects of the Mosiac law like the Sabbath, Passover on the 14th, and avoiding unclean meat? Were people like Marcus warned against by Jude 4? What were reasons that the Romans liked Sunday? Why is Easter not Passover? Did Thebuthis rebel against church governance? Did Marcus' example impact others, such as those in Athens? Could Marcus' actions been a factor in the later formation of the Greco-Roman Catholic confederation? Did the Romans want Christians to eat biblically unclean animals? Did the faithful Nazarene Christians flee and separate from the compromisers that followed Marcus? Did Marcus' decision lead to the writing of false gospels? Despite Marcus' takeover, did Irenaeus claim Jerusalem was no longer profitable to produce good fruit? Was not relying on proper church leadership and the word of God what led to Marcus' rise as well as that of the Greco-Roman confederation? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this sermon.

A written article of related interest is available titled 'Marcus of Jerusalem: Apostolic successor or apostate?' URL: Marcus of Jerusalem

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