1. > The New Testament Church What Is the New Testament Church?
Greek “ekklesia”
The N.T. Church is God’s called out people
from “ek” “kaleo”
(“out” ) (“to call”)
Matt. 16:18-19; Col. 1:13
Why Has God Called Us Out of Darkness?
For Spiritual Fellowship–Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:17-34
To be Equipped to Serve Others–Eph. 4:7-12
To Become Mature (“to the fullness of Christ”)–Eph. 4:13
To be Stable & “to Speak the Truth in Love”–Eph. 4:14-16
To Encourage & Help Each Other–Heb. 10:24-25; Jno.13:34-35
How Has God Completely Equipped Us?
By Giving Us Gifts for Completeness–Eph. 4:8-11; 3:10-11
By Giving Us a Perfect Pattern—The N.T.–2 Tim. 3:16-17;Eph. 6:10-18
By Giving Us His Son!–John 3:16; Eph. 1:16-23
The N.T. church is NOT unimportant, NOT non-essential, NOT a social club, NOT a benevolent organization & NOT a political organization. Rather it is “the pillar and ground of the truth” and the family of God–1 Tim. 3:15.