FOLLOW THE PATTERN

The New Testament Church

The first church, the Jerusalem church (local congregation), came into being by miraculous power. (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4)

Do you know of any denominational churches that have the same beginnings as the Jerusalem Church?

The Jerusalem church became the prototype or pattern after which all other churches (local congregations) were to be established, and operated under spiritual law (Acts 8:4)

A question you may have is for me is: What do you mean about spiritual law? Well that’s kind of simple. The bible was not on written paper at that time and the Holy Spirit was providing direction and guidance to Christ’s Followers.

So how is it that the believers in (Acts 8:4) new what to say and how to establish churches in other places other than Jerusalem? (Acts2:38,42,46,47) but (Luke 8:11) brings it home.

See the Word is the seed of the kingdom (Luke 8:11) Wherever the Word is proclaimed and wherever men and women obey the gospel, the church is perpetuated.(to continue indefinitely)

The church has been established throughout the world by the preaching of the gospel.

After what we just discussed:

Is it necessary for us to have permission, sponsorship, board, conclave, or conference to establish Christ’s church on a country or community?

Correct, all one needs to do is to preach the gospel in its purity and simplicity and to make converts as the Apostles did on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37-47)

The Nature of the Church

The New Testament church is composed of Saints (members), Bishops (elders), Deacons (servants of the church). Philippians 1:1

Philippians 1:1 NASB95

1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

Each congregation is autonomous of self-governing 1Timothy 3:5 There was no conference, convention, or general overseer that dictates to the churches.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 3

(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)

Worship of the Church

The worship of the church is based on the authority of Christ, examples of the early church we can find in (Acts 2:42)

Singing With or Without Instruments

They Sang psalms and hypms and spiritual songs, making melody with the heart to the Lord (Eph 5:19)

The New Testament church did no utilize mechanical instruments of music in their worship. Instruments was not added by the Catholic Church about the tenth century.

Ephesians 5:19 NASB95

19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

Contrary to what many people think, all worship is not acceptable to God. In Matthew 5:19 Jesus: “But in vain they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” False doctrine nullifies scriptural worship.

Governing of the Church

The government of the church is congregational, i.e. there is no function performed by the universal church. Each congregation manages its own affairs.

Each local church is overseen by elders, served by deacons, and consists of individual who have obeyed the gospel and who reside in that vicinity.

Qualifications of elders are listed in (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1)

Whats The Mission of the Church?

The Mission of Jesus is to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 and the church is the body of Christ. Eph 1:22-23

Ephesians 1:22–23 NASB95

22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Luke 19:10 NASB95

10 “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus commissioned his disciples to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but the that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16)

The early disciples went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4). The apostle Paul said he taught publicly and from house to house (Acts 20:20). Can we say the same?

Philip went to Samaria and preached “the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ,” and “they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12)

Why are more people not baptized into Christ?

Matthew 5:19 NASB95

19 “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Philippians 1:1 NASB95

1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

Acts 8:4 NASB95

4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.

Acts 1:8 NASB95

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Acts 2:1–4 NASB95

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.