THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

THE ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH IN THE BIBLE

Time: Pentecost, A.D. 34, Acts 2:1
Place: Jerusalem, Acts 2:5
Founder: Christ, Matthew 16:18

Time: Pentecost

1. Acts 2:1 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."
A. This was the first Pentecost celebration following the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
B. Many Jews remained in Jerusalem after the Passover celebrations until after Pentecost as well.
C. Many of those present had cried out for Christ to be crucified.
Place: Jerusalem
2. Acts 2:5 "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven."
A. The church began in Jerusalem.
B. The first converts were devout Jews.
C. These Jews had come on pilgrimages from all over the known world.
D. Many of them would return to their homelands to share the good news of Christ.
Founder: Christ
3. Matthew 16:18 "And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
A. Christ had promised to built his church.
B. There would be many others, not of him.
C. Satan will certainly try to see it destroyed.
D. He who adds to his church, will protect it from destruction.
Foundation: Matthew 16:18; I Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:19,20
4. Matthew 16:16 "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God."
A. Peter spoke for all the apostles of their belief that Jesus is the Son of God.
B. This fact forms the very basic foundation upon which the church is built.
C. This confession of faith is basic to salvation.
5. Matthew 16:18 "And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church."
A. Jesus contrasted unstable Peter with the solid "Rock" of his Lordship.
B. In saying "will build" he also indicated that it was not yet established.
6. 1 Corinthians 3:11 "For other foundation can no man lay than what is laid, which is Christ Jesus."
A. Churches have been established upon all manner of "creeds" and foundations.
B. They often honor their human founders.
C. Christ’s church is founded firmly upon his being the Son of God.
7. Ephesians 2:19-22 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an inhabitation of God through the Spirit."
8. Preaching - Acts 2:14 "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:"
A. Peter is making use of the fact that he "had the keys", or was to be the one used to establish the church.
B. He did this by being the chief spokesman and presenter of the good news.
C. As the scriptures ask in another place, "How shall they hear without a preacher?"
9. Hearing - Acts 2:37 "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles ...."
A. Hearing is essential for there to be a conversion.
B. Unless one hears the message he can not make a decision concerning it.
10. Believing - Acts 2:41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
A. There were about 3000 who heard, believed, repented and were baptized at Pentecost.
B. All who hear the message of Christ make some sort of decision. It may be "no", or "not now", or "yes", but a decision has been made. The hearer has started a pattern, the "no" may become "yes" at a later hearing, but the "not now" may be a pattern that he will never change!
11. Repentance - Acts 2:38 "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."
A. Sincere belief, calls for an action.
B. Note that it is linked to baptism by "and."
12. Confession - Romans 10:9,10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
A. Confession is an expression of our faith with the mouth.
13. Baptism - Acts 2:38 "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.
A. Only baptism, the physical expression of faith, is linked to the promise "for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
B. Note that these people at Pentecost had already heard, believed, and apparently repented for they cried out "what shall we do?" Only after they were baptized were they promised the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit!
The results of doing all these things are that:
14. You are justified - Romans 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into his grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
15. You are sanctified - Acts 26:18 "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."
16. You are forgiven - I John 2:12 "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake."
17. You are reconciled to God - Romans 5:10,11 "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life, and not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."
18. You are redeemed - Titus 2:13,14 "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
19. You are adopted into His family - Galatians 4:4-7 "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
20. You are saved - Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
21. And you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. - Acts 2:38 "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."
A. The Holy Spirit dwells within the Christian an ever present help and guide that he need not sin and slip back to the old ways and even worse circumstances.
B. He is the gift of God to the born again Christian, born of the water and of the Spirit.
22. John 3:5 "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
A. Have you been "born of water and of the Spirit"?

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN THE BIBLE:

THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH IS CHRIST.

1. Ephesians 1:20-23 "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things 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."
A. Christ has reserved the position of head over the church for himself.
B. There is no earthly headquarters of the church in the Bible.
2. All Authority - Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
A. The primary purpose of the church is to "teach" and "baptize".
B. This is a command from our Lord, not a request.
3. Hear ye him - Matthew 17:5 "While he yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."
A. God Himself has endorsed Christ's claim of authority, saying "Hear ye Him."

THE OFFICERS AND LEADERS OF THE CHURCH:

4. Evangelists - Ephesians 4:11,12 "And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets, and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
A. Evangelists, pastors, and teachers are servants of the Lord using their special talents in his work.
B. Their's is described as a "work of the ministry"
C. That the Church, the body of Christ, might be blessed.
5. Elders - I Timothy 3:1-7 "This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, (elder), he desireth a good work."
A. The elder, bishop, pastor, or shepherd, all referring to the same office, has a Spiritual responsibility to lead the church aright.Note the experience, and the spiritual qualifications in these verses, as well as the leadership qualities and teaching abilities which are included.
B. This is not a work for a new convert, or a novice.
6. Deacons - I Timothy 3:8-13 "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;"
A. The deacons are to have basically the same spiritual qualifications.
B. But, there is nothing said about teaching abilities, this is not to say that they will not be teachers, both Stephen and Phillip were deacons, in addition to being successful teachers and evangelists..
Members of the church:
7. Baptized Believers - Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
A. Clearly all members of the church will be baptized believers.
8. Acts 2:41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls, and they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
A. At Pentecost, there were people of all languages and backgrounds, but they had in common the fact that they all believed the word and were baptized for the remission of their sins. Scripture calls this being "born again."
9. Acts 2:47 "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
A. The Lord, the head of the church, did the adding, and He still does this today.
B. Don't be concerned about "hypocrites" in the church. The Lord knows, he does the adding, and he will separate the sheep from the goats at the final judgement.
C. The original Greek text in this verse says "were being saved"and not "should be saved." This verse does not endorse the theory of predestination.
10. Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
A. The church is the body of Christ. One is baptized "into Christ" or "puts on Christ"
B. The church is blind to national or ethnic identities which are only of this world.

THE GOVERNING OF THE CHURCH:

11. Congregational - Acts 6:3,4 "Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business, but we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."
A. When a specific need arose, the church selected spiritual men to handle the task.
12. Acts 13:1-3 "And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."
A. The church "fasted and prayed" and sent them to their work.
13. Acts 14:23 "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."
14. II Corinthians 8:19 "And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:"
The worship of the church:
15. Acts 2:42 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
A. After the basic pattern of the Synagogue worship, there were four elements of worship in the church.
1. "Apostle's Doctrine"
2. "Fellowship"
3. "Breaking of Bread"
4. "Prayer"
B. To leave any of these out does not fulfil the needs of the "body" and the individual Christian.
16. Acts 20:7 "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight."
A. The church had regular assembly to fulfil their needs.
B. They met on the "first day of the week." called the "Lord's Day" in Revelation 1:10.

THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH:

17. Acts 4:32 "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."
A. There was a multitude of believers by this time.
B. They were or one heart and soul.
C. They were concerned for the needs of one another.
18. Ephesians 4:2-6 "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
19. Division is sinful - Romans 16:17,18 "Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that serve not our Lord Jesus Christ are such, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
20. I Corinthians 1:10 "Now I beseech you, brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement."

SCRIPTURAL NAMES FOR THE CHURCH AND IT’S MEMBERS

THE NAME OF THE CHURCH:

1. Church of God - I Corinthians 1:2 "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the Lord, both theirs and ours:"
A. Clearly this is a description rather than a proper name.
2. Church of the firstborn - Hebrews 12:23 "Unto the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect."
A. Again this is more of a description than a proper name.
B. Of interest, note that their names are "written in heaven".
3. Body of Christ - I Corinthians 12:27 "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."
A. Again it is a descriptive term.
B. But note that the body is one with the head, Christ.
C. The name must honor the head, not another.
4. Church of Christ - Romans 16:16 "Salute one another with an holy kiss, the churches of Christ salute you."
A. Here again it is descriptive.
B. But it also bears the name of Christ, and honours him.
C. This is really the nearest to a proper name to be found in the Bible.
The name used for individual members of the church:
5. Disciples - Acts 6:1 "And in those days, when the number of disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration."
A. A disciple is a learner. This term was often used of followers of the way.
6. Saints - Acts 9:13 "Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem.
A. Many people think of being a saint as something unattainable.
B. The Bible speaks of all Christians as being saints.
7. Brethren - Acts 6:3 "Therefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report ..."
8. Christians - Acts 11:26 "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."

CREED

The creed of the church is Jesus Christ: (belief)
1. II Timothy 1:12,13 "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
2. Preached Christ - Acts 8:5 "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them."
3. Acts 8:35 "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."
4. Acts 2:22 "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you , as ye yourselves also know. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands and have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death:"
5. Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
6. They believed in Christ - Acts 4:12 "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
7. They confessed Christ - Matthew 16:16 "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
8. John 1:49 "Nathaniel answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel."

CHURCH DISCIPLINE

The New Testament:
1. The only Rule of Faith and Practice - Galatians 6:16 "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God."
2. Philippians 3:16 "Nevertheless, whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing."
3. II Timothy 3:16,17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
4. Human Disciplines are not of God - Matthew 15:9 "But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men ."
5. Galatians 1:8 "But though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
6. Galatians 1:9 "As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH

THE LORD'S DAY:

1. Set Apart - John 20:19, 26 "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you." and "And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you."
A. In addition to arising on the first day of the week, Jesus chose the first day of the week to appear to His disciples on two occasions.
2. Claimed - Revelation 1:10 "I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,"
A. John, during his exile to Patmos habitually set aside the first day of the week as time for prayer and meditation.
B. This "first day of the week" is here spoken of as "the Lord’s Day."
3. Observed - Acts 20:7 "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight."
A. Paul knew that the church would gather on the first day of the week for the purpose of observing the Lord’s Table, Communion.
B. He wait until that time in order to speak to the whole group which would be at one place.
4. I Corinthians 16:2 "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
A. The Corinthians are here instructed to "lay by in store" their offerings for the poor in Jerusalem.
B. This became the custom for all offerings to be set aside.
The Lord’s Supper:
1. A Memorial - Luke 22:19,20 "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave it unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me, likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."
A. Christ, himself, established this "memorial of His death" before it even came to be.
B. He used the food on the table at the Passover feast, to give them a new meaning for Christians.
C. The bread, representative of His body, was broken, remembering that His body was broken at Calvary.
D. The "fruit of the vine", was representative of his blood which was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.
2. Participation - I Corinthians 10:16 "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?"
3. Unity - I Corinthians 10:17"For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread."
A. The communion service draws together all Christians.
B. All Christians are a part of the body of the Lord, thus are one in Him.
4. Proclamation - I Corinthians 11:26 "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come."
A. We remind ourselves.
B. We witness to those outside of His death for all mankind.
5. Lifegiving - I Corinthians 11:28-30 "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."
A. This is a time for self examination.
B. To renew our faith.
C. To know that to neglect or abuse the service brings condemnation.
D. It is not meant for non-Christians.
The Lord’s Baptism:
1. The Subject - Mark 16:16 " He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
A. Baptism is as necessary to salvation as is faith.
B. A non-believer is not a suitable candidate for baptism.
C. Child, or adult it will have no meaning.
2. Acts 8:12 "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
A. The natural result if belief is to obey in baptism.


3. Acts 8:37 "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
A. The one question Philip asked was if he believed.
B. These words express one’s belief.
"That Jesus is the Christ the Son of God."
4. Action - Romans 6:4,5 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection."
A. Baptism pictures our burial with Christ.
B. And our being planted with Him.
C. Which result in the beginning of our new life in Christ.
5. Colossians 2:12 "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
A. Even as Christ was raised from the dead, we too are risen to a new life in Him.
6. Acts 8:38,39 "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."
A. The baptism of the Ethiopian, graphically pictures the "water and the Spirit" of John 3:5, the confession of faith, the burial and resurrection, and the joy in the Lord.
7. Design - Acts 2:38 "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."
A. The baptisms at Pentecost clearly show the immersion in water of a repentant believer, for the remission of sins, and the gift of the Spirit.
No Additions! - No Subtractions! - No Substitutions!
8. Deuteronomy 4:2 "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you."
A. God forbade tampering with His commands under the Law.
9. Revelation 22:18 "If any man shall add to these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
A. And again also under the Grace of the New Testament He forbade adding tp His commands.
B. To add the books of men, and consider them as binding as those of God, regardless of what source, or to consider the commands of God to be of little or no importance, are equally sinful and will be punished.
10. Galatians 1:8 "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
11. Revelation 22:19 "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
The Purpose of the church:
Preach the Gospel:
1. Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Make Disciples:
2. Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
3. Matthew 28:20 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
All Nations:
4. Luke 24:46,47 "Thus it is written, and thus it behoveth Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Commit to Faithful Men:
5. II Timothy 2:2 "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."
6. Matthew 9:37,38 "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest."

(ALL SCRIPTURES ARE FROM THE KING JAMES VERSION)