The New Testament Church

The Church

Introduction

The Church = Ek klesia

Ek = out; kaleo = to call.

Definition: The called out ones, assembly.

A helpful verse that expresses the idea of the true Church being made up of people who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ is Acts 15:14 - “...To take out of them a people for His name.”

Simply put, the Church is a people for His Name.

Seven NT Pictures / Names for the Church:

1. God’s Field - 1 Cor.3:9

2. God’s Building - Matt.16:18; 1 Cor.3:9

3. The Body of Christ - Eph.1:22-23

4. An Habitation of God in the Spirit - Eph.2:22

5. The Bride of Christ - Eph.5:25-27; 2 Cor.11:2

6. The House of God - 1 Tim.3:15

7. The Temple of God - 1 Cor.3:16

Seven Truths of the Church:

1. There is One body

2. Christ is the Head of the body

3. All believers are members of the body

4. The Holy Spirit is the Representative of Christ in the Church

5. The Church of God is holy

6. Gifts are given for the edification of the church

7. All believers are priests of God

Its Threefold Purpose

I. UPWARD – Exaltation of God - To offer up

A. We are to worship the Father - Jn.4:23 “for the Father seeks such to worship Him.”

B. We are to worship the Son - John 5:23 - “That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father.”

C. We are to worship in (or by) the Spirit - Jn.4:24 - “They that worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”

D. We all are to worship - 1 Peter 2:5; Heb.13:15-16

1. The Priesthood – Holy & Royal - 1 Peter 2:5, 9

2. The Products – 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Heb.13:15-16

II. INWARD – Edification of the Church - To build up

A. The Church as a Building - Eph.2:19-23

1. The First Mention - Matthew 16:18

2. The Foundation – Eph.2:20; 1 Cor.3:11

3. The Framework - Eph.2:21-22

B. The Church as a Body - Eph.4:11-16

1. The Persons - 1 Cor.12:12, 22, 23; Eph.1:23; 5:30

2. The Parts - Eph.4:11-16

3. The Purpose - Growing Together - v.16d

C. The Church as a Bride – Eph.5:25-27; 2 Cor.11:2

III. OUTWARD - Evangelization of the World - To lift up

A. The Great Commission - Mark 16:15; Matt. 28:18-20

1. “Go and preach the Gospel to every creature – Mk.16:15

2. “Make disciples of all the nations” - Matt.28:19

B. The High Calling - Acts 1:8 -“And you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Notice the progression from the home base in Jerusalem, reaching out to the surrounding area of Judea and then to the despised and dangerous area of Samaria, and on to the regions beyond!

C. A True Burden - 1 Cor.9:15-23

1. Paul had a winsome way – vs.19c-22a

2. Paul did all to relieve that burden – v.22b

D. A Fulfilled Ministry - 2 Tim.4:5

1. Be watchful in all things

2. Endure afflictions

3. Do the work of an evangelist - Reaching Out!

The Church

Its Fourfold Basis

The Fourfold Basis of the Church is found in Acts 2:42 - “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

I. THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE

A. The Scriptures - Bibliology

B. The Godhead - Theology

C. Satan and Demons - Demonology

D. The Human Race - Anthropology

E. Salvation - Soteriology

F. The Church - Ecclesiology

G. Future Things – Eschatology

2 Tim.3:16 - “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

1. Doctrine ~ What’s Right

2. Reproof ~ What’s Not Right

3. Correction ~ How to Make it Right

4. Instruction ~ How to Stay Right

5. Equipping ~ How to make others Right

II. FELLOWSHIP

A. Persons in Fellowship

1. Name

a. Name to Whom we gather - In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ

b. Names by which we gather - The various names that “believers” are called in Scripture

1) A Plurality of Names

2) A Progression of Names

3) A Problem with Names

2. Numbers - Acts 2:41

a. Quality – Those who gladly receive His Word

b. Quantity – About three thousand souls

B. Principles of Fellowship

1. Reception - Acceptance in Christ – Romans 15:7

a. Acceptance is Instant

b. Acceptance is Interactive

c. Acceptance is Involvement

2. Responsibility - Authority from Christ

a. Headship of Christ - Matthew 23:8 ; Eph.1:15-23; Col.1:18

b. Elders - Plurality of Leadership – Phil.1:1; Heb.13:7, 17, 24

Other names used for elders are:

Overseers - Acts 20:28; Presbytery - 1 Tim.4:14; Bishops - Phil.1:1

1) As a Plurality - Phil.1:1; Heb.13:7, 17, 24

2) As a Pattern – 1 Tim.3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-4

a) Qualifications of elders - 1 Tim.3:1-7

b) Exhortations to the elders - 1 Peter 5:1-4

c. Deacons - Acts 6:1-6

2) Responsibilities - Acts 6:1-4

3) Recognition - Acts 6:3-6

3) Requirements - 1 Timothy 3:8-12

4) Rewards – 1 Timothy 3:13

C. Participation of those in Fellowship

1. Priestly Ministry - 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10

a. Holy Priesthood - 1 Peter 2:5

b. Royal Priesthood - 1 Peter 2:9-10

2. Public Ministry

a. Men – 1 Timothy 2:8;

1) Expression of our Prayers – 1 Tim.2:8

2) Exercise of Spiritual Gifts – Public Teaching and Preaching

b. Women

1) Their Service

2) Their Silence – 1 Cor.14:34-35; 1 Tim.2:11-14

3) Their Submission

a) To the Lord’s Authority - 1 Cor.11

b) To Man’s Authority - 1 Cor.11:3; 1 Tim.2:12

The Head Covering

“Must I wear it?” some ask with dread,

“This covering of cloth upon my head?”

As if the command were stern to obey –

But I ask the question a different way:

If by this simple act I honor the Lord,

And model obedience to His precious Word; If the Church may thus learn, as the Scripture hath said,

Her own sweet submission to her glorious Head;

If thus may the brothers be challenged to lead;

If in this small sign the daughters may read

A woman’s true beauty; If angels discern

And pause from their praises to wonder and learn:

Then I ask, not “Must I?” but “May I?”

3. Personal Ministry - Acts 18:24-26 - Aquila and Priscilla with Apollos

D. Preserving the Fellowship – Unity of the Spirit - Eph.4:3-6

1. One Body

2. One Spirit

3. One Hope

4. One Lord

5. One Faith

6. One Baptism

7. One God and Father

E. Perfecting those in Fellowship – Spiritual Gifts – Eph.4:7-8

1. The Survey of the Gifts (A Spiritual Gift List)

Romans 12:(3-5), 6-8; 1 Cor.12:1-11, 28-31 (12-31); Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11. a. Gifts given to the Christian - Rom.12:6-8;

1 Cor.12:1-11, 28-31; Eph.4:7-8; 1 Pet.4:10-11

1) Sign Gifts - Proof - Gifts given to authenticate the Truth of God

2) Speaking Gifts – Public – Rom.12:6-8; 1 Pet.4:11

3) Serving Gifts – Personal – Rom.127-8; 1 Co.12:9-10

b. Gifts given to the Church - Eph.4:9-16

1) Apostles - v.11a

2) Prophets - v.11b

3) Evangelists - v.11c

4) Pastors - v.11d

5) Teachers - v.11e

2. The Source of the Gifts – 1 Cor.12:4-11

3. The Sphere of these Gifts - 1 Cor.12:4-6

4. The Scope of these Gifts - Eph.4:7, 11; 1 Cor.1:7

5. The Service of these Gifts - 1 Peter 4:10-11

a. For the Good of One Another - v.10

b. For the Glory of God - v.11

6. The Seeking of the best Gifts - 1 Cor.12:31

a. Desire - 1 Cor.12:31

b. Direction - 1 Cor.12:31b - 13:1-2; 14:1

1) According to Love - 1 Cor.12:31b-13:2

2) For the Good of All the assembly - 1 Cor.14:3-4

a. Edification

b. Exhortation

c. Comfort

7. The Stirring up of the Gift - 1 Tim.4:14; 2 Tim.1:6

F. Protecting the Fellowship - Discipline

1. Matters for Discipline

a. Sins of a Inter-Personal Nature - Matthew 18:15-17

b. Those who are Unruly - 1 Thes.5:14; 2 Thes. 3:6-12

c. Those who cause divisions - Romans 16:17

d. An Heretic (KJV) - Titus 3:10

e. Open Immoral sin - 1 Cor.5:11, 13

2. Methods of Discipline

a. Sins of a Inter-Personal Nature - Matthew 18:15-17

b. Those who are Unruly - 1 Thes.5:14; 2 Thes. 3:6-12

c. Those who cause divisions - Romans 16:17; (Prov. 6:16-19)

d. An Heretic (KJV) - Titus 3:10

e. Open Immoral sin - 1 Cor.5:11, 13

3. Motivation for Discipline - Gal.6:1; 2 Cor.2:5-11

a. The motivation is always for the Restoration of the erring believer - Gal.6:1

b. The purpose is Forgiveness - 2 Cor.2:5-11

G. Practical Fellowship - Giving - 1 Cor.16:1-2a

(Outline: H.G. MacKay)

1. Regularly - On the first day of the week – vs.1-2a

2. Individually - Let each one of you - 1 Cor.16:2b

3. Proportionately - Lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper - 1 Cor.16:2c

4. Bountifully - 2 Cor.9:6,8

5. Freely - 2 Cor.9:7b - not grudgingly or of necessity

6. Cheerfully - 2 Cor.9:7c

7. Worshipfully - Heb.13:15-16; Phil.4:15-18

2 Cor.8:9 - For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich.

2 Cor. 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

III. THE BREAKING OF BREAD - 1 Cor.11:23-28

A. The Pattern – Matt.26:26-30; Mk.14:22-25; Lk.22:19-20

B. The Proclamation – 1 Cor.11:23

C. The Picture – 1 Cor. 11:24-25

D. The Purpose - 1 Cor. 11:26a

E. The Prospect - 1 Cor. 11:26b

F. The Participants – 1 Cor. 11:27-28

IV. PRAYERS

A. Examples

1. The Lord praying - Mark 1:35; Matthew 26:36

2. The Lord teaching His disciples - Luke 11:1

3. The Lord praying for His Church - John 17

4. The Church praying – Acts 1:14; 4:23-31; 9:11; 12:5-17

5. Paul’s Prayers for the saints – Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21

B. Exhortations

1. The Lord’s exhortation – Luke 18:1

2. Paul’s exhortations – 1 Thes.5:7; Phil.4:6-7; 1 Tim.2:1-2

3. Jam

4. es’ exhortation – James 4:2b-3

5. Peter’s exhortation – 1 Pet.4:7

C. Effects

1. God hears us - 1 John 5:14-15

2. God answers us

3. God uses us – James 5:15-16

The Wife of Noble Character

___A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

___Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

___She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

___She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

___She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

___She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.

___She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

___She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

___She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

___In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

___She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

___When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

___She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

___Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

___She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

___She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

___She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

___She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

___Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

___“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

___Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

___Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31

Sedition and Obama's "Organizing for Action"

___New York Post:

___I do not understand how living in a country with its democracy established over 200 years ago, and now, for the first time in history, suddenly we have one of our former presidents set up a group called "Organizing for Action" (OFA).

___OFA is 30,000+ strong and working to disrupt everything that our current president's administration is trying to do. This organization goes against our Democracy, and it is an operation that will destroy our way of governing. It goes against our Constitution, our laws, and the processes established over 200 years ago. If it is allowed to proceed then we will be living in chaos very much like third world countries are run. What good is it to have an established government if it is not going to be respected and allowed to follow our laws?

___If you had an army some 30,000 strong and a court system stacked over the decades with judges who would allow you to break the laws, how much damage could you do to a country? We are about to find out in America!

___Our ex-president said he was going to stay involved through community organizing and speak out on the issues and that appears to be one post-administration promise he intends to keep. He has moved many of his administration's top dogs over to Organizing for Action.

___OFA is behind the strategic and tactical implementation of the resistance to the Trump Administration that we are seeing across America, and politically active courts are providing the leverage for this revolution.

___OFA is dedicated to organizing communities for "progressive" change. Its issues are gun control, socialist healthcare, abortion, sexual equality, climate change, and of course, immigration reform.

___OFA members were propped up by the ex-president's message from the shadows: "Organizing is the building block of everything great we have accomplished Organizers around the country are fighting for change in their communities and OFA is one of the groups on the front lines. Commit to this work in 2017 and beyond."

___OFA's website says it obtained its "digital" assets from the ex-president's re-election effort and that he inspired the movement. In short, it is the shadow government organization aimed at resisting and tearing down the Constitutional Republic we know as AMERICA.

___Paul Sperry, writing for the New York Post, says, "The OFA will fight President Donald Trump at every turn of his presidency and the ex-president will command them from a bunker less than two miles from the White House."

___Sperry writes that, "The ex-president is setting up a shadow government to sabotage the Trump administration through a network of non-profits led by OFA, which is growing its war chest (more than $40 million) and has some 250 offices nationwide." The OFA IRS filings, according to Sperry, indicate that the OFA has 32,525 (and growing) volunteers nationwide. The ex-president and his wife will oversee the operation from their home/ office in Washington DC.

___Think about how this works.. For example: Trump issues an immigration executive order; the OFA signals for protests and statements from pro-immigrant groups; the ACLU lawyers file lawsuits in jurisdictions where activist judges obstruct the laws; volunteers are called to protest at airports and Congressional town hall meetings; the leftist media springs to action in support of these activities; the twitter sphere lights up with social media; and violence follows. All of this happens from the ex-president's signal that he is heartened by the protests.

___If Barack Obama did not do enough to destroy this country in the 8 years he was in office, it appears his future plans are to destroy the foundation on which this country has operated on for the last 241 years.

___If this does not scare you, then we are in worse trouble than you know.

___So, do your part. You have read it, so at least pass this on so others will know what we are up against. We are losing our country and we are so compliant. We are becoming a "PERFECT TARGET" for our enemy!

Charles Krauthammer

SEX!!!

___God created Adam. He then created Eve from Adam as a "helpmate." Eve deceived Adam, and he sinned. We have inherited the sin nature from Adam. Eve and the "daughters of Eve" were sentenced to pain in childbirth. Adam was sentenced to hard labor of a different kind!

___God also provided the solution to the "sin problem" in Jesus, and a blessing to those who love him and do his will. It is called sex! Within the context of marriage, sex has God's stamp of approval. The marriage bed is "undefiled" for a husband and wife. That means sex is created for their mutual pleasure.

___The world has perverted sex and made it common. We see Hollywood exposed. The road to fame and fortune requires young beautiful people to perform sexual favors to get that "role of a lifetime!" They say power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely!

God is not Finished With Israel

___Israel is still God's chosen people. Covenants with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) are still intact. Messiah (Jesus) will come as conquering King and sit on David's throne.

___For Obama and Kerry to insist on a two-nation divided Palestine shows their profound ignorance of Bible prophecy and lack of faith in God's promises. The PLO is a known terrorist government controlled by Hamas. Hezbollah and Hamas are terrorist puppets of Iran, and Iran will use these mercenary terrorists to fulfill its goal to "wipe Israel off the face of the Earth."

___In Deuteronomy 30: When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come on you, and you take them to heart wherever the Lord your God disperses you among the nations, and when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. The Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you.

___In Genesis 15: On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates." Israel (the covenant is extended to Isaac and Israel) was given all of the land from the Nile River in Egypt to the Euphrates River in Iraq. This is forever.

Call to Prayer For America

___Before and after the election both pastors and “christian media” used 2 Chronicles 7 to motivate people to pray. The covenant applies to drought, locusts and pestilence and is specific to Israel at the dedication of the temple completed under King Soloman. The problem with applying covenants between God and Israel to the United States of America or to the Church is that we are in the dispensation of grace, not law. We do not obligate God to act by completing a checklist of deeds. The phrase “I will hear from Heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” is for Israel under law rather than America under grace.

___The problem with replacement theology is that it negates the free gift of salvation and places one under law. If God saves us, then our salvation is secure. If we earn even a portion of our salvation, then we can lose it. If God is obligated by our deeds, then we have doubts when He fails to keep the promise that we have made for Him.

___We live in the age of the church of Laodicea which is characterized by the “lukewarm” church. It is rare that christians, so called, do in-depth Bible studies. They hear a verse taken out of context and repeat it without checking the context. Another scripture is “one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” The simple-minded say “God's timing is different than man's.” The statement is true, but the context is Jesus Christ's second coming. I use this as one of my 3 ways that the Bible reveals a “young Earth.” Please see my in-depth study of Genesis' six + one days of Creation, 2 Peter 3:8 and Luke 3 (Mary's geneology back to Adam, August 2009).

Dispensations

Dispensations (Eph 3, Col 1):

1) Innocence (Eden)

2) Conscience (fall to flood)

3) Human Government (Noah)

4) Promise (Abraham)

6) Law (Moses)

7) Grace (Jesus)

8) Millennial Kingdom (Jesus)