The New Testament Church Jesus said Upon this

The New Testament Church

Jesus said: “Upon this rock, I will build my church” Matt. 16: 18 • Thus, this is the Lord’s church • Since Jesus is Divine – it is a Divine institution

Old Testament New Testament Church Promised Church Built (Mt. 16: 18) (Act 2: 47) Not built upon OT Is built upon NT (Mt. 5) (2 Cor 3) Thus, It is the New Testament Church!

The New Testament Church Review It’s Standard and Discipline I. Jesus is the Only Head II. OT is Not Her Law III. Bible (NT) is Her Only Guide IV. Application & Meaning

The New Testament Church Review Origin and Establishment I. Origin of the NT Church II. Establishment of the NT Church

The New Testament Church Review Its Nature I. The Saved II. The Church III. The Body IV. The Kingdom V. The House VI. The Temple VII. The Bride

The New Testament Church Review Its Organization I. The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses II. Universally – No Organization III. Local Church Organization

The New Testament Church Its Work

Its Work 1. What is the work of the local church? 2. Obvious that some think – do anything that is good for mankind ü Feed the hungry ü Doctor the sick ü House the homeless ü Entertain the bored ü Educate the young

The Term “Church” Used in Two Senses Universal Local All the saved over the world The saved in a certain locale Matt. 16: 18 Eph. 1: 22 -23 1 Cor. 1: 2 Rev. 2 -3

Distinctions Universal Local Only one (Eph. 4: 4) Many (Rom. 16: 16) No organization Elders (Phil. 1: 1) No work as a whole Work (Eph. 4: 16) No treasury Treasury (1 Cor. 16: 1 -2)

The New Testament Church Its Work I. Determining the Work

I. Determining the Work A. Must Be Authorized

How Authority Is Established Acts 15 Command / Statement VV. 13 -21 – James appealed to direct statement from Amos 9 Approved Example V. 12 – Paul & Barnabas appealed to example of their work & miracles Necessary Inference VV. 7 -11 – Peter appealed to events at Cornelius’ house – infers…

How Authority Is Established Illustrated with Lord’s Supper Command / Statement Observance (1 Cor. 11: 23 -24) Approved Example Time of Observance (Acts 20: 7) Necessary Inference Frequency of Observance (Acts 20: 7)

We Are Asking For: Command Example Necessary Inference Where Is The Passage?

I. Determining the Work A. Must Be Authorized B. Must Be Work of Church – Not Individual

A Difference In The Individual & The Church 1 Tim. 5: 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

“Christian” Acts 11: 26 1 Pet. 4: 16 Own Widows 1 Tim. 5: 16 Buy & Sell Jas 4: 13 Church of Christ Rom. 16: 16 Widows Indeed 1 Tim. 5: 16 Free will offering 1 Cor. 16: 1 -2

I. Determining the Work A. Must Be Authorized B. Must Be Work of Church – Not Individual C. Must Be More Than a Good Work Idea: If it is “Good” – church can do it In order for it to be a good work – First Be Authorized 2 Tim. 3: 16 -17 2 Jno. 9

The New Testament Church Its Work I. Determining the Work II. Scriptural Work

II. Scriptural Work A. Work God Gave the Church to do Work of the Local Church Evangelism (1 Tim. 3: 15) Edification (Eph. 4: 16) Benevolence (1 Tim. 5: 16)

II. Scriptural Work A. Work God Gave the Church to do B. The Church Can Do its Own Work Acts 6: 1 -6 1 Tim. 5: 16

II. Scriptural Work A. Work God Gave the Church to do B. The Church Can Do its Own Work C. What the Church Can Do 1. 2. 3. 4. Can send to a preacher (Phil. 4: 15) Can send a preacher (Acts 11: 22; 13: 1 -ff) Can help needy saints (1 Tim. 5: 16) Can send to another church in work of benevolence (Acts 11: 27)

The New Testament Church Its Work I. Determining the Work II. Scriptural Work III. Unscriptural Work

III. Unscriptural Work A. Social / Recreational

The Social Gospel: n n n n Church Kitchen Fellowship Hall Ball Teams Recreation Programs Day Care Centers Gimmicks To Draw Crowds Etc…

The Church Is Not A Social Order The Gospel Is Not A Social Gospel Rom. 14: 17 John 18: 36 1 Pet. 2: 5 John 6: 26 -27 Rom. 1: 16 -17 1 Cor. 1: 18, 21; 2: 2 -5

Eating In The Building The Issue: Was Not: Was & Is: Is the bld sacred? Can the church have a common meal for social and recreational purposes? Can one eat inside the Building? Can one eat on church property?

Aids Are Authorized Within The Command Aid Eat Bread – 1 Cor. 11 Table, plates … Baptize – Matt. 28: 19 Baptistry, heater Build an ark – Gen. 6: 14 Tool, Animal : n o ti h e s e –t Eph. 5: 19 Books, Tuner s Qu Sing i e r i ty ? h W th o Au Contribute – 1 Cor. 16 Basket, Account Meals for social & rec. purposes (? ? ? ) Kitchen, Fellowship Hall

Common Meals – Individual Matters 1 Cor. 11 20 When ye come togetherefore 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. More than an abuse of the Lord’s Supper!

Incidental Matters While At Building Planned & Sponsored By the Church Talk about politics Political rally Sell / deliver a sold item Church in business See medical advice Church hospital / clinic Eating on property Church kitchen / dinner

III. Unscriptural Work A. Social / Recreational B. Business C. Entertainment There is no: • • • Command Example Necessary Inference

III. Unscriptural Work A. B. C. D. Social / Recreational Business Entertainment Work of another congregation

Local Church Autonomy Limitation of Elders’ Authority 1 . t Pe 4 1 5: Elders Ac Oversight Limited To This ts 20 Local Church : 28 No Authority Cannot Oversee Local Church

The New Testament Church Its Work I. Determining the Work II. Scriptural Work III. Unscriptural Work