The New Testament Church
Can It Be Found Today?

Introduction
The Problem:
There are many churches claiming allegiance to Christ.
Yet their doctrines are all different.
This is confusing!
This is against the prayer of Christ for unity that He prayed for in John 17.
Jesus Prayed:
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.”

What Is 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.”
Who Started 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.”

Who Makes Up 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.”
Where Did The New Testament Church Start?
Christ was the Founder
It was established 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.”
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.
This was also according to prophecy.

When Did The New Testament Church Start?
This is important because many organizations of today can trace their roots back only a short time.
Many groups 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.)

What Does The New Testament Church Teach?
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 faith of the New Testament Christians is the same faith we have today recorded in the Holy Bible if we follow it as our guide.

Entrance INTO The New Testament Church
How does one become a member of this church?
Some teach “join the church of your choice”.
Some are allowed to “buy their way in”.
One does not join the church or purchase a membership.
They are added to it. Acts 2:47
The entrance INTO the New Testament Church 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
Staying In 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 Has A Work To Do.
The work of the church
Is Specifically LIMITED
Preaching of the Gospel
Edification of the saints
Limited Benevolence (only allowed to take care of our own---from the treasury)
Many different groups do all sorts of works that are not commanded in the scriptures.

The New Testament Church In Its Worship
The worship of the Church is LIMITED to what it can do.
If we follow the examples from the Bible, we can do those same things they did in the New Testament.
These are:
Singing
Praying
Preaching
Lord’s Supper (First day of the week ONLY)
Contribution (First day of the week ONLY)
Helping people get to heaven (always).

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 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.
Invitation

By Carey Scott

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