The Characteristics of a New Testament Church
Notes
Transcript
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THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
Matthew 16:18
There are people in this world who do not properly, correctly, or scripturally interpret the Church. Therefore, I would like to give some of the characteristics of the Church based on the Word of God.
I. The Church is an indestructible organization.
I. The Church is an indestructible organization.
A. The Lord Jesus Christ declared that His Church was an indestructible organization: Matt. 16:18.
A. The Lord Jesus Christ declared that His Church was an indestructible organization: Matt. 16:18.
B. The Apostle Paul referred to the church as existing throughout all ages: Eph. 3:21.
B. The Apostle Paul referred to the church as existing throughout all ages: Eph. 3:21.
II. The early church did not boast of its proud steeples.
II. The early church did not boast of its proud steeples.
A. There is not a reference to a church building in the New Testament.
A. There is not a reference to a church building in the New Testament.
B. The early church existed in caves and in dungeons. They existed in cellars and wherever they could find a place to meet.
B. The early church existed in caves and in dungeons. They existed in cellars and wherever they could find a place to meet.
III. The early church used no tricks of the flesh in order to attract.
III. The early church used no tricks of the flesh in order to attract.
A. They got along without a baseball team.
A. They got along without a baseball team.
B. They got along without a basketball team.
B. They got along without a basketball team.
C. They got along without a swimming pool.
C. They got along without a swimming pool.
D. They got along without the things that attracted the flesh, and God blessed them.
D. They got along without the things that attracted the flesh, and God blessed them.
E. A church that wants to be blessed of God should pattern itself after the church of the New Testament if it expects the blessings of God to be poured out upon it.
E. A church that wants to be blessed of God should pattern itself after the church of the New Testament if it expects the blessings of God to be poured out upon it.
IV. The early church was led by the Holy Spirit.
IV. The early church was led by the Holy Spirit.
A. On the memorable first Pentecost, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lord’s people were filled with the Holy Spirit, and it was characteristic of them from that time to our present day: Acts 2:4.
A. On the memorable first Pentecost, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lord’s people were filled with the Holy Spirit, and it was characteristic of them from that time to our present day: Acts 2:4.
B. The early church sent out Paul and Barnabas as missionaries because the Holy Spirit led them to do so: Acts 13:2.
B. The early church sent out Paul and Barnabas as missionaries because the Holy Spirit led them to do so: Acts 13:2.
V. The early church was a preaching church.
V. The early church was a preaching church.
A. Simon Peter was a preacher who preached a message that was centered on the Word of God: Acts 2:14; 3:12; 4:8; 7:2; 8:4.
A. Simon Peter was a preacher who preached a message that was centered on the Word of God: Acts 2:14; 3:12; 4:8; 7:2; 8:4.
B. The early church preached the Word of God with boldness: Acts 4:31.
B. The early church preached the Word of God with boldness: Acts 4:31.
John R. Gilpin
John R. Gilpin, “The Characteristics of a New Testament Church,” in Heart-Stirring Sermon Outlines, Dollar Sermon Library Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1975), 60–61.