THE CHURCH IN THE BIBLE

Author Unknown.

1. What is the meaning of the term "church" as used in the Bible?

A. According to the Greek word "ekklesia", from which we derive the English word "church", it means, "a called out assembly."

B. It is used in a general way to refer to any assembly that is called out for any purpose. This is illustrated in Acts 19:23-41. The "Ekklesia" is used three times, once in verse 32, "Some therefore cried one thing, and some another for the assembly (or ekklesia) was in confusion." Here the term is referring to an assembly of silversmiths and men of like occupation. See verse 25.It is used again in verse 39, "But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly or ekklesia)." Here it refers to a Greek court of law. The third use is found in verse 41, "And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly (or ekklesia)." This refers to the same assembly as in verse 32. The general use is found again in Acts 7:38. "This is he that was in the church ekklesia) in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers." It here refers to the assembly of the children of Israel, called out by God from Egypt.

C. Jesus takes this general term and applies it to a particular group or assembly, calling them His "ekklesia," or assembly, or "my church." This is found in Matthew 16:18. "Upon this rock I will build my church (or ekklesia)." He might have said literally, "I will call out my assembly."

2. Who are the members of the church in the Bible?

All persons who are saved. Salvation and church-membership are synonymous in the Bible. This is found to be true through reading Acts 2:47 ... "Praising God, and having favor with all the people.And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Thus we see that at the same time persons were saved, the Lord added them to the church. The text says that persons were saved daily, and that likewise every day these same persons were being added by the Lord to the church.

Compare Acts 5:14 with Ephesians 1:22-23 where the same truth is given.

3. Who were the first members of the church in the Bible?

The logical answer can only be one thing, and that is, "those persons who were first saved." In the book of Acts, the second chapter we have an account of the first persons in the world who were saved by the application of the blood of Christ to their sins (Acts 2:14-47). It is here that Christ first "called out" His assembly, which was composed of some three thousand souls. These persons were "called out: by Christ as He spoke through the gospel message delivered by the Apostles. These persons called out were "His assembly" or His church" in the truest sense, for they were purchased by His blood which had been shed but a few days before. No one could in the real sense of the word be Christ's possession before this time, for the purchase price was not given until Calvary.

Answering the question from logic: What or who makes up the church that Jesus promised?

Answer: Christians.

What is it that makes Christians?

Answer: The Gospel. Romans 1:16. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation." I Corinthians 15:1-2a. "Now I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved."

What are the soul saving facts of the gospel, or "good news?"

Answer: The death, burial, and the resurrection of Christ. I Corinthians 15:3-4."For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures; and that He was buried; and that He hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures."

When were these facts first preached?

Answer: On the first day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem, fifty days after they had been accomplished. Read Acts the second chapter.

What did these three thousand who responded to this message become?

Answer: The first Christians in the world.

Together as an assembly, what did these Christians form?

Answer: The church that Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18.

4. What was required to be saved, and to secure membership in the church in the Bible?

A. They heard the gospel. Acts 2:14-37. "Now when they heard this ..."

B.They believed the gospel. Acts 2:37b. "They were pricked in their hearts."

C. They were told to repent of sin. Acts 2:38a. "Repent."

D. All believers were to confess their faith. Romans 10:9-10. "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

E. They were told to be baptized for the remission of their sins to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38.)

F. Upon their obedience to the steps just stated, they were saved, and together they made up the "ekklesia" or church Jesus had promised in Matthew 16:18.

5. What progress did the church in the Bible make following its origin?

Through persecution the church in Jerusalem scattered into many parts of the Roman Empire, but they "went everywhere preaching the word." (Acts 8:1_4). Congregations were formed in many cities of the Roman Empire. This was accomplished through missionary efforts of the Apostle Paul and others. The history of this progress can be read in the book of Acts.

6. Who is the head of the church in the Bible?

Christ is the head of the church, both universally and locally. In Ephesians 1:22-33 we find: "and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." Christ was given "all authority."

(Matthew 28:18). In all things to the church, "He was given the preeminence." (Colossians 1:18).

7. Who are the officers of the Church in the Bible?

A. Originally there were five officers: apostles, prophets, evangelists, elders, and deacons.(Ephesians 4:11) "and he gave some to be apostles and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers." In Philippians 1:1 we have mention of the office of deacon. This is also found in I Timothy 3:3-13.

B. The first two offices, apostles and prophets, were but temporary offices. They were done away when the purposes for their formation were accomplished. This truth is established from two considerations: (1) From qualifications of these officers. Apostles: Acts 1:22-23. Luke 6:13.

Prophets: I Corinthians 12:10. (2) From the duties of the office. Apostles: Luke 24:46-48. Acts 1:8,22b; Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18. Prophets: I Corinthians 14:29-33; Ephesians 3:5; I Corinthians 13:8-10.

C. The other three offices of evangelist, elders, and deacons are the present divinely given permanent officers of the church in the Bible. These are all the offices that God gave for the direction of the church.God has not left the management of the church up to the wisdom and ingenuity of man, but has given us His plan through His word which furnishes us thoroughly unto every good work. II Timothy 3:16-17. Note: the terms "bishop" and "elder" refer to the same office. See Titus 1:5-7 and Acts 20:17-18. Note further: The work of the minister was done by an elder in the early church.

8. What type of government does the Church in the Bible employ?

The government is essentially congregational, but with the rule of elders in order to prevent confusion of action. The congregation is consulted whenever they as a whole are influenced or affected in any action to be taken; otherwise the rule of the elders is used to govern the body, their decisions being directed by the head of the church, Christ Jesus. Study carefully the following scriptures: Acts 6:1-6; 13:1-3; I Corinthians 5:4-5; II Corinthians 8:19; Acts 11:30; 20:17; 21:17-18.

9. How did the Church in the Bible express its worship?

By continuing steadfastly in "the Apostle's teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers." (Acts 2:42). By speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with their hearts to the Lord. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Compare Acts 20:7;and Hebrews 10:25.

10. What about the unity of the Church in the Bible?

There is only "one" church described in the New Testament. Its oneness can be observed in the following words of description:

It is referred to as ONE body. (Ephesians 1:22-23 and I Corinthians 12:13); It is called ONE fold, or flock. (John 10:16); It is spoken of as "the kingdom" ONE kingdom. (Matthew 16:19); It is called "the way", ONE way. (Acts 9:2); It is called "God's building", ONE building. (I Corinthians 3:9);

It is called "a spiritual house), ONE house. (I Peter 2"5); It is called "My church", ONE church.-(Matthew 16:18); Any division of this body was condemned and corrected. (I Corinthians 1:10-13 and Romans 16:17-18).

11. What names were applied to the individuals, and to the Church?

A. There were various names given to the individual Christians, each of which had its own meaning.

Here are some of them: "Disciples", (Acts 6:1), which means "learners": "Saints", (Acts 9:13), which refers to the character of the Christians: "Brethren", (Acts 6:3), which refers to the relationship of the believers to oneanother: "Christians", (Acts 11:26), which points out our ownership, that is, "one of Christ's".

B. There were also numerous names applied to the collective body of the church. Here are some of them: "the church", (Acts 9:31): "church of God", (I Corinthians 1:2): "church of the first born",(Hebrews 12:23): "churches of Christ", (Romans 16:16): "churches of the saints", (I Corinthians 14:33).

Note: These names are all divinely given under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Therefore,as those who wish to obey God, we will employ the names He has given whenreferring to individuals or to the church.

12. What is the creed of the Church in the Bible?

Since the word "creed" means simply, "I believe", and since this belief is related directly to salvation, the creed of the New Testament church was found not in a form of words, but in a person, and that person Christ Jesus. "For in none other is there salvation." (Acts 4:12, also see II Timothy 1:12). When a man wanted to be saved, he was not asked to subscribe to any manmade set of beliefs. He was told that salvation would be found in Christ. (Acts 16:31). He was then instructed as to what to do to enter into Christ for salvation. (Acts 2:37-38; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:1-4).

13. What memorials were observed by the Church in the Bible?

A. The Lord's Day, the first day of the week. This was the day set aside by Christ through His resurrection. (Luke 24:1-2; and John 20:26), On this day the church met together to express their worship to God through Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10; and Acts 2:42). The day of Pentecost was on the first day of the week.

B. The Lord's Supper. This institution was established by Jesus (Luke 22:19), to be participated in by all His children. (I Corinthians 10:16-17). It was given as a picture of the unity of God's people,(I Corinthians 10:17); a means of proclaiming the Lord's death, (I Corinthians 11:26); and as a means of sustaining life in Christians, (John 6:53-58, and I Corinthians 11:30).

14. What type of discipline is found in the Bible?

The only rule of faith and practice was found in the words as they now appear in the New Testament; words that were given through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles. The church was governed entirely by the words of the Lord which are said to furnish us "completely unto every good work", (II Timothy 3:16-17, and II Peter 1:3). God's directions for the management of the church were complete and final.

15. How was the Church in the Bible financed?

By tithes and offering of God's children.

A. Tithing is the plan of God for the support of His work. (I Corinthians 9:13-14). "Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar." This is speaking of the priests of the Old Testament who served in the temple and before the altar. Paul says they have their portion for their service,and that portion given to them by the people was the tithes and the offerings. Now Paul applies this teaching to ministers of the gospel, and he says, "Even so (or in the same manner) did the Lord ordain (or make a law) that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel."

B. Malachi warns of the danger of robbing God. (Malachi 3:8-10). Jesus upholds the tithe. (Matthew 23:23).

C. Jesus raised every standard of the Old Testament. He never lowered a standard. (Matthew 5:20-22; 27:28; 43-44). Therefore, the tithe must be the minimum.

16. What were the purposes of the Church in the Bible?

A. To preach the gospel. (Mark 16:15; Acts 8:4). This was done by the evangelists and by each individual Christian publicly and from house to house. (Acts 20:20; 5:42; 11:12-15).

B. To make disciples. (Matthew 28:19a). That was to contact men and women and through the instruction of those persons to make them "learners of Jesus".

C. To baptize those persons who have come to a knowledge of their need of salvation and see in Jesus their saviour. (Matthew 28:19b).

D. To teach these same persons "all the words of this life." (Acts 5:20; Matthew 28:20).

E. These persons were to be gathered together into congregations, and to be committed unto faithful and able men in self governing, self supporting, and self extending churches. (II Timothy 2:2; Acts 13:1-4).