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The New Testament Church Pattern

Sermon on the Church

Introduction:

1. In our series, we have noted Jesus’ church: The promise to build (Matt. 16:18), and its reality (Acts 2:47).

2. The church is the Lord’s body (Col. 1:18). He is its Head, and the Head regulates the body. We set forth the idea that the New Testament contains a church pattern.

I.   The Scriptures Themselves Set Forth The Idea Of A Pattern.

A. All we know, authoritatively, of the church is found therein.

B. And, the Scriptures are inspired of God, to furnish us completely unto every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

1. Obeying the gospel is a good work — an essential one (2 Thess. 1:7-9).

2. In obeying, the Lord adds one to the church (Acts 2:47).

3. If the furnishing of the Scriptures is complete, then all we need to know of the church is found therein.

4. In the last day, the Words of the Lord will judge us (John 12:48).

II.  There Are Marks, Or Features, Of The Church Set Forth In The Word Of God.

A. It is so in matters of doctrine; truth and error exist, and the Word will cause us to see the difference (1 John 4:1).

B. It is so regarding the Christ. He said that false Christs will come (Matt. 24:24), and the Word will cause us to thus see the real Christ, and expose false ones.

C. And it is so regarding the church of the Lord, the ONE BODY He promised to build (Matt. 16:18). If He has set forth its features, then by the Scriptures we have the standard to see the truth, and see also what is false.

D. And, remembering the lord’s warning: Every plant the Heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up (Matt. 15:13).

1. Every system, every doctrine, every form, every teaching, every false teacher.

2. Jesus Himself said the way is NARROW (Matt. 7:14).

III. What, Then, Would Be Some Marks Of The New Testament Church?

A. We must keep PATTERN in mind.

1. Early on, in Israel, pattern was stressed (Num. 8:4; cf. Heb. 8:5).

2. The Word being authoritative, pattern is indeed set!

B. According to the PATTERN, what are some features of the church?

1. In organizational structure — independent, autonomous congregations; the New Testament is silent as to any organization larger than a local congregation (Phil 1:1).

2. In local rule — Elders appointed as overseers (Acts 20:28); whose rule is within the local congregation (1 Peter 5:2). And, plurality of elders.

3. Worship according to New Testament simplicity:

a. Prayer (Acts 2:42).

b. Study (Acts 2:42).

c. Giving — freewill contributions on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7).

d. Lord’s Supper — first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

e. Congregational singing (Eph. 5:19; col. 3:16).

4. The Bible as the only rule of faith — NO CREED (Matt. 3:16-17).

5. As to NAME — the church identified by Biblical terminology for the church.

a. Church of God (1 Cor. 1:2).

b. Church of Christ (Rom. 16:16).

c. Church of the Living God (1 Tim. 3:15) All N. T. terms, honoring of God and Christ, not man, man’s things.

d. Followers of Christ called by the proper name set forth in the Word: CHRISTIAN (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).

6. In sum: ALL THINGS as authorized by the Word of God (1 Peter 4:11).

Conclusion:

1. In doing the RIGHT things — faith, repentance, confession and baptism — the Lord adds men to the RIGHT church — His own!

2. We urge that you obey now. The world offers plenty of variations, all to the pleasing of Satan. The New Testament of Christ offers you the RIGHT course!