1. Which Church Is “My Church” What do you think people really think of, when they use the phrase “MY/YOUR CHURCH”? Some uses of the phrase may not be that big a problem, but others, denote a real problem. Generally speaking, perhaps they mean where they attend regularly to worship God. But I also know, that some are talking about a place where they worship God, as they choose or please, and that does denote a problem. How do YOU use the phrase in your conversations?

2. “My Church” Biblically The phrase is Biblical, Mt. 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus says that upon the confession of Peter, “this rock”, He would build HIS church. (That confession in vs. 15.) The phrase denotes ownership, that Jesus owned this “church”. It is His possession. HIS church is such that “hell shall not prevail against it”, meaning that His death will not prevent its origin. His church would be according to HIS design, not man’s, as directed by His Father in Heaven.

3. “Your Church” I could not venture a guess of the number of times someone asked me “What does your church believe?” This denotes that many see differences in the “churches” of the world, and the concept is that they belong to people. Many speak of the “church of your choice”. But the concept is foreign to the Bible. The Bible speaks of various religions, ie. Pagan, Jewish, and the “Church”. Pagan, or idolatry, for generations were for those who weren’t Jews. To be Jewish, one was born into the family of a Jew. Generations down the line, people outside of the Jewish family lines would chose to live according to the Law of Moses, as a proselyte. But the church was anyone who chose to live after the teachings of Christ, and His apostles!

4. The Bible Church Biblically, the church was simple, all practicing the same things, those teachings of Christ, and the 14 apostles. You never read of various “churches”. You never read of various “beliefs” or “belief systems”. In fact, Paul, indirectly, challenged that concept in 1 Cor. 1:13, “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul?” His points were there were no divisions of Christ’s church, or other means of baptism into His church. Since no divisions, there would be no denominations. Read John 17, where the Lord prayed, that there be no divisions, but unity within His church.

5. His Church His church, the Bible church, all did/taught the same things. 1 Cor. 1:10 says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” As Paul, and Christians would travel from place to place, assembling with the church in other areas, they found them all teaching the same doctrines, and worshiping in the same manner, all according to the Word from God. 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:” In essence, they practiced what the Bible taught.But what did that consist of?

6. Characteristics of the Bible Church First, we look about being part of the church! Acts 2:47 teaches that the Lord adds you to His church after certain criteria have been met, “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” These were told what they were to do to be added, vs. 38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

7. Characteristics of the Bible Church First, we look about being part of the church! Acts 2:47 teaches that the Lord adds you to His church after certain criteria have been met. These were told what they were to do to be added, vs. 38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Those who were ready to follow Christ obeyed, and continued to obey His teachings, vs. 41,42, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

8. Characteristics of the Bible Church First, we look about being part of the church! Next, the worship of HIS church was all the same everywhere. It consisted of 5 things and is specific! The passage in Acts mentions these: “apostle’s doctrine, fellowship (singing), breaking of bread (Lord’s Supper), and prayer”. The 5 th is added later, that of “give as prospered” or giving. Each of these were specific in design and purpose, and were not to be abused. Many today have abused them. Let’s look at these in the order listed above! In doing so, we will notice how religious men have abused each of these.

9. His Worship for His Church Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” –His worship must be according to truth, but many today will not consider the truth behind their practice, thus the lack of truth in doing so. Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 1:6-9. 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

10. His Worship for His Church Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” –His worship must be according to truth, but many today will not consider the truth behind their practice, thus the lack of truth in doing so. Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 1:6-9. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

11. His Worship for His Church Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” –His worship must be according to truth, but many today will not consider the truth behind their practice, thus the lack of truth in doing so. Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 1:6-9. Also, women were not allowed to teach/preach publicly, 1 Tim.2:12, “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” Singing was simply that with the Lord, with no instruments of music. 1 Cor. 14:15, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

12. His Worship for His Church Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” –His worship must be according to truth, but many today will not consider the truth behind their practice, thus the lack of truth in doing so. Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 1:6-9. 1 Tim. 2:12 Singing was simply that with the Lord, with no instruments of music. 1 Cor. 14:15, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. –We teach with song, Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, Heb. 2:12, Mt. 26:30.

13. Singing 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives.

14. His Worship for His Church Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” –His worship must be according to truth, but many today will not consider the truth behind their practice, thus the lack of truth in doing so. Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 1:6-9. 1 Tim. 2:12 Singing was simply that with the Lord, with no instruments of music. 1 Cor. 14:15, Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, Heb. 2:12, Mt. 26:30. Lord Supper, the memorial of our Lord’s death, and the covenant with His brethren, consists of the fruit of the vine and unleaven bread. The church does not have common meals. Mt. 26: 26-29, 1 Cor. 11: 20- 34.

15. Lord’s Supper 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 23 ¶ For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

16. Lord’s Supper 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

17. Lord’s Supper 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

18. His Worship for His Church Jesus taught proper worship of God, Jn. 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 1:6-9. 1 Tim. 2:12 Singing was simply that with the Lord, with no instruments of music. 1 Cor. 14:15, Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, Heb. 2:12, Mt. 26:30. Lord Supper, the memorial of our Lord’s death, and the covenant with His brethren, consists of the fruit of the vine and unleaven bread. The church does not have common meals. Mt. 26: 26-29, 1 Cor. 11: 20- 34. Prayer is our avenue to communicate with God. We give Him thanks, and make our requests which are in compliance with truth. Phil. 4:6, 1 Pet. 3:12, Lk. 22:42

19. Prayer 6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil. 42 saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

20. His Worship for His Church Teaching the doctrine. We must have scripture supporting the doctrine we teach, Gal. 1:6-9. 1 Tim. 2:12 Singing was simply that with the Lord, with no instruments of music. 1 Cor. 14:15, Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, Heb. 2:12, Mt. 26:30. Lord Supper, the memorial of our Lord’s death, and the covenant with His brethren, consists of the fruit of the vine and unleaven bread. The church does not have common meals. Mt. 26: 26-29, 1 Cor. 11: 20-34. Prayer is our avenue to communicate with God. We give Him thanks, and make our requests which are in compliance with truth. Phil. 4:6, 1 Pet. 3:12, Lk. 22:42 Giving is the means of funding the work of the church, on the 1 st day of the week. 1 Cor. 16:1-3, 2 Cor. 8:3-5, 2 Cor. 9:7.

21. Giving There were no pies or cake sales, just free will giving! No tithing envelopes or dues. 1 ¶ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

22. Giving There were no pies or cake sales, just free will giving! No tithing envelopes or dues. 3 For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, 4 beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints: 5 and this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. 7 Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

23. Conclusion We have just discovered what Jesus said was HIS CHURCH. If “your church” does not comply with these practices exactly, then “your church” is not “His Church”. It does not comply with the worship of God, because it is not complying with truth. The “gates of hell will not prevail” against His church, but will prevail against “your church”. Mt. 7:21 says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” The “choice” is simple, not in a church, but in following Christ.