Sunday, May 21, 2017 am
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
2017
How to Identify the New Testament Church
Having discussed what the church is and how authority is established for
who we are and what we do, we now want to begin addressing various
elements of the NT church.
Today we begin by answering the question, How do Identify the New
Testament church?
In
America alone there are hundreds of different denominations and churches
claiming to be the one true church.
Because of conflicting teaching and organization they CANNOT all
be correct. 1 Corinthians
14:33 tells us God is not the author of confusion.
Ephesians 3:10-11 tells us that the church reveals the manifold
wisdom of God and that it was a part of God’s eternal purpose.
The church we read about in the New Testament was established in
the first century. THAT
church hasn’t changed.
And whether we are talking about the church universal or the
design and organization of a local church – we need to acknowledge that
it is God’s pattern.
Recall that as we began our study we noted that the term church is used
in a universal sense to describe all who are saved and in a local sense
to describe a group of the saved who have joined together in an ordered,
arranged and organized way to do the work God has prescribed for us to
do.
ALSO, if one is looking for the true church, how do you find it?
The answer is to look to the pattern established in God’s word
and find a congregation that is striving to follow that pattern.
Ask questions and look for various characteristics that show its
focus – are they based upon what the Bible teaches, or are they the
innovations of men? In this
lesson we are going to summarize how to identify a LOCAL church of God’s
people. NOTE:
This lesson serves as an introduction to some of the things we are going
to address as this study moves forward.
a.
Matthew 28:18-20 – “All
authority has been given to Me, in heaven and on earth…”
b.
Ephesians 1:22-23 – He
is head of the church, and it is His body.
As head of the church, He governs what we are and what we do.
c.
Colossians 3:17 –
whatever you do in word or deed, do all with His authority.
The New Testament church recognizes and respects the authority of
scriptures.
a.
The NT church will only
accept into its membership those who are saved.
And while we may not be perfect in our efforts, we should try and
respect God’s word as to how one is saved.
b.
We must obey the gospel!
i.
Romans 10:17 – we need
to hear that word
ii.
Mark 16:16, John 3:16,
Romans 10:9-10 – believe (not just believe in, but actually believe what
God’s word says)
iii.
Acts 2:38, 3:19, Luke
13:3 – repent of our sins
iv.
Romans 10:9-10, Acts
8:37 – confess Jesus as the son of God, and Lord
v.
Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16,
Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:20-21, etc. – be immersed for the remission of
your sins.
vi.
Live faithful –
Revelation 2:10, 14:13, Hebrews 10:25-29, etc.
Christians are those trying to live according to God’s pattern.
c.
Christians are called
upon to join the church – cf. Acts 9:26-27 – as Paul sought to join the
brethren in Jerusalem. The
word “join” means to attach oneself to, to begin an association with
(L&N 34.22), etc.
a.
What one calls
themselves is important.
Names identify who we are.
We understand that with our own names.
We can mention someone by name, and others who know them know
what you are talking about.
b.
Romans 16:16 – we ARE
the church of Christ. Paul
here describing congregations that belong to Christ.
Why do we call ourselves the “church of Christ”?
Because we are!
Philippians 2:9-11
c.
Other designations –
church of God 1 Corinthians 1:2, 10:32
1 Thessalonians 1:1 – church of the Thessalonians (one of many local
designations)
Hebrews 12:23 – the church of the firstborn (a reference to Christ)
d.
Since a name is an
identifier, when congregations use unscriptural names – they are
identifying as something different than what the Bible says – consider
churches named after men (Lutheran), or doctrines (Baptist), or
organizational structure (Catholic, Methodist, Episcopalian, etc.)
By their very name they are distinguishing themselves for
something other than belonging to Christ.
e.
How are its members
identified? Christians - Acts 11:26. This was a divine calling.
We are also designated as brethren, saints, disciples, children (of
God), etc. Again, each of these
is descriptive of relationship.
a.
Local churches are
autonomous and independent.
A study of the New Testament will show that congregations were
self-governing (autonomous) and independent of each other.
Each congregation existed as if it were the only one on earth.
Acts 9:31, 16:4-5 – by describing individual congregations, we
see distinction (not in belief, but in organizational structure); 1
Corinthians 16:1-2 – Paul gave instructions directly to each
congregation; see also 4:17.
In the Bible you do not find earthly headquarters, congregations
surrendering their autonomy in work or organization to another
congregation.
You do find cooperation, but it is always done while maintain this
autonomy (i.e. their cooperation was concurrent – more than one
assisting in a work – 1 Cor. 16:1-2 – several congregations helped needy
brethren in Jerusalem, several churches supported Paul – 2 Corinthians
11:8, etc; but not collective – pooling resources into a single treasury
overseen by a congregation).
b.
Elders, deacons and
saints – Philippians 1:1.
Elders were appointed based upon a high standard (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus
1:5-9). Their authority was
limited to their local work – Acts 14:23 – in every church; 20:28, 1
Peter 5:2.
Deacons were appointed, based upon qualifications and designed to serve
– 1 Timothy 3:8-13, etc.
Then there are the saints – the members of a local body
a.
God has given the church
specific works to do. Many
denominations, in the name of doing good, are engaged in all different
types of works and activities.
But as we have briefly addressed, God’s work for the church is
specified and limited.
b.
Evangelism and teaching
– churches (congregations) helped in spreading the word of God – 1
Thessalonians 1:8 – from you, the word of God has spread…
Acts 13:2-3 – the church helped to send Paul and Barnabas to
preach elsewhere. Churches
supported preachers in preaching the gospel 2 Corinthians 11:8,
Philippians 4:15-16
c.
Edification – building
up the members individually.
Ephesians 4:11-12, 16; 1 Corinthians 14:26
d.
Benevolence – the church
can help its needy saints – 1 Timothy 5:16.
Also we read of congregations helping brethren in other places –
Acts 11:27-30, and locally – Acts 6:1-6
e.
Worship – sometimes
grouped together with edification (because true worship edifies), one
purpose for the church is to worship God.
a.
We are to worship in
spirit and in truth – John 4:24, Acts 2:42, etc.
b.
There are 5 acts of
worship that God has designated and with each of them we specific
instructions and boundaries to be respected.
We are to sing praises to God (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19),
offer prayers to Him (Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 14:15), study His word
(Acts 2:42, as declared to Timothy and Titus, etc.), and on Sundays we
partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7) and give (1 Corinthians 16:2)
c.
A good way to identify a
church as untrue is to look at its focus in worship – is it about
entertaining the audience, attracting larger crowds, appealing to
emotions OR is it about praising God according to the pattern He has
prescribed.
a.
Purity – Christians are
to strive to live pure lives and it will be a reflection of the Lord’s
church.
A true church will deal demand purity of life in its members – and deal
with ungodliness.
1 Corinthians 5:6-8 – leaven will destroy the character of the church.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul specifies how we associate with
brethren given over to immorality.
b.
The true church will
teach the truth on godly living – Romans 12:1-2 – calling for
transformed lives. Matthew
6:33-34, etc.
c.
Every part does its
share – Ephesians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, etc.
d.
Unity – continually
scriptures call for us to strive for unity – Ephesians 4:1-3,
Philippians 2:1-2, 1 Corinthians 1:10, etc.
These are some things we ought to consider as we strive to be the church
we read about in the Bible, and as we seek to find the one true church
therein. What are we doing
to ensure that we truly are THE church of Christ?