Can It Be Found Today?

The New Testament Church The Problem: Many churches claiming allegiance to Christ Yet doctrines are all different This is confusing This is against the prayer of Christ for unity

The New Testament Church John 17:20-21 “ I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send me.”

The New Testament Church The Bible teaches us that the Church is the Body of Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23 “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Colossians 1:18 “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first- born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.”

The New Testament Church Jesus Christ is the FOUNDER of the church which He ESTABLISHED and PURCHASED it. Matthew 16:18 “ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.” Acts 20:28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

The New Testament Church The church is not a building or an ecclesiastical organization, or some movement. The church is made up of all those who have been saved from their sins. Acts 2:41 “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:47 “praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

The New Testament Church Christ was the Founder Where did He build His church? Upon the foundation that He was the Christ, the son of God. Where did all of this start? In Jerusalem. Luke 24:47 “and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

The New Testament Church Acts 1:8 “ but you shall 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.” The church began in Jerusalem.

The New Testament Church When was the church established? This is important because many organizations of today can trace their roots back only a short time. Many have a beginning that is documented in various sources. The true church was established on Pentecost (fifty days after the passover) when Jesus was crucified. (27 – 33 a.d.)

The New Testament Church The Creed of the Church is the Bible. It is sufficient 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” It is complete 2 Peter 1:3, “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him, who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

The New Testament Church Jude 3 “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”

The New Testament Church How does one become a member of this church? Some teach “join the church of your choice”. One does not join the church. They are added to it. Acts 2:47

The New Testament Church The entrance comes by obedience to the gospel. Hear Romans 10:17 Believe Mark 16:16; Acts 8:37 Repent Acts 2:38; Luke 13:3 Confess Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 10:32 Be baptized 1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 22:16

The New Testament Church Once one enters the church they must continue in the faith and in growing. 2 Peter 3:18 “but grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity, Amen.”

The New Testament Church The work of the church LIMITED Preaching of the Gospel Edification of the saints Limited Benevolence (only allowed to take care of our own---from the treasury)

The New Testament Church The worship of the Church Singing Praying Preaching Lord’s Supper Contribution Helping people get to heaven

The New Testament Church As members, we support the local church. We contribute our time talents and money to the work we do. It is a serious business (the saving of souls), and we need to apply ourselves scripturally. We are autonomous from all other congregations, even though we practice and teach the same things.

Conclusion We could spend a lot of time (and we will) discussing the work, worship, and organization of the church. The Bible way should be the only way. Our job, is to teach others about the one true church. Our job is to help others get to Heaven, and doing it the right way is the only way.