Sermon Tone Analysis

VII.THE CHURCH: We believe in the one true Church, the body and bride of Christ (Eph.1:22-23;

5:25-32), composed of all true believers of the present age (1 Cor.

12:12-13); and the organization of its members in local churches for worship, for edification of believers, and for world-wide gospel witness, each local church being autonomous but cooperating in fellowship and work (Eph.

4:11-16).

We believe confession of faith and triune immersion to be the two essential scriptural requirements for membership in the local church (Matt.28:16-20;

Acts 2:38).

Each local church shall determine its own additional membership requirements (Acts 2:42-47), and the discipline of its own members (1 Cor.

5:3-5).

Triune immersion may not be circumvented except for medical reasons of a physical nature.

1.

There is Only One True Church

1.There is only {one} {true} Church: Ephesians 4:4-6 {evkklhsi,a, evk+ kale,w citizens called out from their homes into some public place Acts 19:39; an assembly; church}

A. We Are Christ’s Body

a.This one true church is described as the {body} of Christ: Eph.

1:22-23{cf Eph.

2:16; 3:6; 4:4,12,16; 5:30; Rom.

12:5 “one body in Christ”: we’re the body,Christ is the Head – He is on top, the brains & boss; all eyes look to the face/Head}]

B. We Are Christ’s Bride

b.This one true church is described as the {bride} of Christ: Eph.

5:25-32{What did the Husband do for His bride?

Died for her because of His love for her (v25).What is the Husband doing for His bride?

Sanctifying her, with the aim of glorifying her}

C. We Are All Included

c.This one true church is comprised of {all} true believers: I Cor.

12:12-13{1 Cor.

12:27; 1 Jn.

5:1 – whoever believes in Christ is born again & Spirit baptized}

i.It is comprised of all true believers “of this {present} age”: i.e. from theDay of Pentecost in Acts 2 until the Rapture (1 Thess.

4:13-17).

{This group includes all the ‘sleeping’ (deceased) NT saints now residing in heaven; excludes OT saints.}

ii.This one true Church is referred to as the invisible or {universal} Church.{This is the church as God sees it, on earth and in heaven; 2 Tim 2:19.

We can’t see people’s hearts and view their spiritual state as God does.}

Conclusion: We believe in the one true Church, the body and bride of Christ, composed of all true believers of the present age.

2. There Are Many Local Churches

2.The one true church is organized in {local} assemblies: Eph 4:11-16

A. We Like to Get Together

a.In the Book of Acts, saved disciples {congregated} in local assemblies.

i.Three examples: (1)Acts 2:41-47 {the local church at Jerusalem}

(2)Acts 11:19-26 {the local church at Antioch}

(3)Acts 14:21-23 {the local churches in Galatia}{the NT letters to the Churches and Rev. 2-3}

ii.So while there is only one universal Church, there are {many} local churches.

These are the visible manifestation of the invisible body of Christ.

B. We Have Leaders

b.There are two Biblical {offices} for leadership in local churches: Phil.

1:1

1. Elders

i.The office of {Elder}

acts 14 23

(1)Acts 14:23 {note: plural ‘elders’ singular ‘church’ – plurality of Elders}

(2)1 Tim.

3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9 {Spiritual qualifications for Eldership}

2. Deacons

ii.The office of {Deacon} (1)Acts 6:1-6 {Deacons serve in practical areas to free Elders for prayer & ministry of the Word (v4); note the Spiritual qualifications for deacon in v3 & v5}(2)1 Tim.

3:8-13 {Spiritual qualifications for Deacon & Deaconness; cf Rom.

16:1 }

C. We Have a Purpose

c.

What are the {purposes} of the local church?

1. Worship

i. {Corporate & private worship} : Heb.

10:23-25 “23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” ;

Rom. 12:1-2 “1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

{Sunday worship; esp.

practicing Baptism & Communion; Mid-wk; daily devotions}

2. Discipleship

ii.

{Edification of believers} :

1 Cor.

14:12 “12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.”

,26 “26 What is the outcome then, brethren?

When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.

Let all things be done for edification.”

;

Eph 4:11-16 “11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”

{keyword: oivkodomh.n

; men are given to the church to equip saints to build the body}

3. Evangelism

iii.

{Evangelism of the lost} : Mark 16:15 “15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

; Acts 1:8 “8 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.””

{this GreatCommission is world-wide in scope: begins at home & aims to the ends of the earth}

4. Starting New Churches

iv.

{Reproduction of itself} : Acts 11:19-26 “19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.

20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.

23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.

And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.

25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.

And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; …” {the mother church in Jerusalem reproduced herself in a daughter church in Antioch: missionaries/Elders}v.

{Fellowship and Missions work} :

Rom.

15:25-27 “25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints.

26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them.

For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.”

;

Phil.

4:16-18 “16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.

18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” {Done with other like-minded assemblies; there is power in Fellowship support}

Conclusion: We believe in the organization of its members in local churches for worship, for edification of believers, and for world-wide gospel witness, each local church being autonomous but cooperating in the fellowship and work.

3.How does one become a {member} of the Church?

{how do I belong?}

a.To become a member of the {universal} {body} of Christ:

i.Christ is the {builder} of His church: Mat.