b asic bible course facilitated by s.b. mdlalose part 8: lesson 24, 25, 26 (november 2011) © buhle...
TRANSCRIPT
BASIC BIBLE COURSE
Facilitated byS.B. Mdlalose
Part 8: Lesson 24, 25, 26 (November 2011)
© Buhle Park Church of Christ 2011
THE CHURCH OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
LESSON 24: THE CHURCH OF THE N.T.
“Church” -from Greek word EKKLESIA that means “A called out body”
“The Church” is strictly a New
Testament (N.T.) concept of
religion
In the N.T.Jesus Christ Said… I WILL build
my EKKLESIA ( i.e. Church)Mat 16: 18
Through the GOSPEL of Christ
(2 Thes 2:13-14, 1 Cor 1:24, 26)
How are the members of the body
“called out”?Not everyone
responds to the CALL of the
Gospel (Matt 22:14
The calling is according to His
PURPOSE(Rom 8:28, 1 Tim 1:9)
The “called” are SAVED & ADDED to
the church (Act 2:47)
OWNERSHIP OF THE CHURCH
Jesus Christ is the Owner…”I will Build my Church” (Mat 16:18)
He is the Head (Ruler, King, etc) of the Church (Acts 5:23)
He bought the Church with His own Blood (Acts 20:28)
He is the SAVIOR of the Church (Eph 5:25) The Church hears only his voice (doctrine or
Teaching) [John 10:1-16]
THE CHURCH IS…
1. The BODY of Jesus Christ (Eph 1: 20-23) & He being the HEAD
2. The House of God & Bearer of Truth (1 Tim 3:15)
3. The Kingdom of God (Col 1: 10-23, 4:11, 1 Cor 15:24, Rev 1:6 )
4.The Bride of Jesus Christ (Rev 21: 2&9, 22:17)
ONENESS OF THE CHURCH… Jesus Christ & the Church are ONE, cannot
separate them (Acts 9: 2-6) Jesus Christ has ONE BODY (i.e. Church) (Eph
4:4)The Church is set up
locally due to Geographical
reasons (e.g. church in Corinth, Ephesus,
etc) not due to differences in
doctrine
THE CHURCH IS NOT…
1. A Physical Building
But it’s a group of SAVED people (men & women)
[Act 9:2]
A building does not feel fear or get persecuted
but people(Act 5:11, 8:11)
2. A Denomination
A true church of Christ, CANNOT organise itself into groups that have different
NAMES & DOCTRINES of Men (1 Cor 1:10-27)
The Church was given
ONE name…Christ (Act
4:12)
The Church follows the
Doctrine of Christ only (1 Pet 4:11)
And those who do as such are NOT of
Christ/GOD(Mat 7:21-23, Mat 13:24-
30)
A building is merely an area
where the Church assembles
CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE 1ST CENTURY
THE CHURCH & GROWTH OF DENOMINATIONS INCL. FALSE DOCTRINES
LESSON 25: WORK & WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH In the N.T., WORK/FUNCTION of
the church is divided into 3 phases
1. Evangelization
2. Edification 3. Glorification
The wisdom & truth of God is to
be made known to all by the Church (Eph 3:8-10, 1 Tim
3:15)
The Gospel of Christ to be
preached to the whole world (all
nations) (Mat 28:19, Col
1:23, Rom 10:18
Those who are saved are to be
taught/edified (Mat 28:20) for the building
up of the Church (Rom 14:19, 1Cor 14:26, 2 Cor 12:19
Purpose of edifying the Church (Eph
4:10-13)•Attain Unity & Knowledge of Christ•Unto perfect (mature) man
Those who are in the Church are to “BEAR
much Fruit (John 15:8), Fruit of the
SPIRIT (Gal 5:22-23) & do Good Works (Mat 5:16). All are
done to GLORIFY GOD
The Church also Glorifies God
through WORSHIP & God is PRAISED
(Acts 2:42-47)
CHRISTIAN WORSHIP AS PRACTICED BY THE CHURCH IN THE N.T.
The Church assembles regularly to WORSHIP God & Edify each other (not only on the 1st day the week)
[Acts 2: 42-27, Heb 10:25] through…
Teaching & Listening to the TEACHINGS of
Christ & Apostles(Acts 2:42, 20:7)
Fellowship (sharing)
with one another(Acts 2:42 & 44,
1John 1:7)
Praying(Acts 2:42, 4:23-
31)
Partaking of the Lord’s Supper (Sunday only)
(Acts 2:42, 20:7, 1 Cor 11:17-23)
Singing(No Instruments, but
voices)(Eph 5:19-20, Col
3:16)
Giving(Acts 2:45, 1 Cor
16:1-2, II Cor 9:6-8)
LESSON 26: GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCHChrist ordained/appointed these Leaders & Ministers (Eph 4:10-11) in the Church to…
•Govern as STEWARDS or SERVANTS not Owners (Act 20:28, 1 Pet 4:10) •Be FUNCTIONS (as of the body, see 1 Cor 12 & Rom 12: 4-8) not for Positions, Hierarchy, Power, etc. , as all members are equal (all are kings, priests, servants, saints, brethren, etc [1 Pet 2:9, 1 Pet 4:10]
Purpose: Eph 4:11-16-Perfecting of saints unto ministering works-Building up (edification) of the Church-For all to attain unity & knowledge of Jesus Christ (other words to be like Christ)
MINISTERS IN THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST EXISTING UNTIL TODAY/END OF TIME
Elders/Oversees/
Pastors/Bishops
Function as Shepherds or Leaders and they Teach in
the church(Acts 20:28, Heb 13:17, 1 Pet
5:1-5)
Must be qualified Men (I Tim 3:1-7 &
Titus 1)
Evangelist/Preachers
Function as proclaimers of the Gospel of Christ & God’s Truth in
the Church & the world-They are responsible in the
TRAINING of all church members incl potential elders before they are appointed (Titus 1:5, 1 Tim
5:19-21)
Must be qualified Men & Serve under
Elders(2 Tim 4:1-5)
Deacons
Function as ministers/”servants”
especially for physical needs of the Church, e.g. Managers
of finances, benevolence, church building, etc (Acts 6:1-
5)
Must be qualified Men & Serve under Elders
(1 Tim 3:8-13)
Preferable preachers must be full-time, as they train members
at their homes & meetings & Preach
to the world
Therefore young men CANNOT be Pastors, elders must be old enough with children who have been baptised & are strong/ committed believers
URGENCY & NECESSITY OF HAVING ALL THESE MINISTERS
Jesus Christ did not say that some of these ministries are OPTIONAL, but all are required in the church because they serve a specific function (Paul even saw the necessity & urgency see Titus 1:5)
If the church continues ignoring some of the ministries especially Leadership (Elders, Deacons & Full-time ministers) the church WILL NOT GROW but will regress, can a body grow without a head?
Newly established Churches MUST therefore plan & work hard (Vision & Mission minded) through prayers, fasting & teaching to ensure that a church fulfils
Eph 4:11-16