BASIC Principles of Christianity

Lesson 5

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST l. The church can only be identified by characteristics as revealed in the New Testament, by which she can be recognized, reproduced or distinguished from False organizations. (I Corinthians 4:17)2. The importance of this subject can be seen in the fact that the initial departure from Christianity came from the organizational leadership of the church. (Acts 20:29-30)3. The general structure of the Lords church is found in (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11-16; Philippians 1:1)4. There is only one body (church). (Ephesians 4:4)5. The church is not perfect people, but they strive to follow a perfect pattern.

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST l. The church can only be identified by characteristics as revealed in the New Testament, by which she can be recognized, reproduced or distinguished from False organizations. (I Corinthians 4:17)

I Corinthians 4:17

17For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every church.

2. The importance of this subject can be seen in the fact that the initial departure from Christianity came from the organizational leadership of the church. (Acts 20:29-30)

Acts 20:29-3029I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

3. The general structure of the Lords church is found in (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11-16; Philippians 1:1)

Ephesians 1:22-2322and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 4:11-1611And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: 13till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ; 16from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.

Philippians 1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

4. There is only one body (church). (Ephesians 4:4)

Ephesians 4:44There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;

5. The church is not perfect people, but they strive to follow a perfect pattern.

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST l. The church can only be identified by characteristics as revealed in the New Testament, by which she can be recognized, reproduced or distinguished from False organizations. (I Corinthians 4:17)2. The importance of this subject can be seen in the fact that the initial departure from Christianity came from the organizational leadership of the church. (Acts 20:29-30)3. The general structure of the Lords church is found in (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11-16; Philippians 1:1)4. There is only one body (church). (Ephesians 4:4)5. The church is not perfect people, but they strive to follow a perfect pattern.

I. THE ONLY HEAD OF THE CHURCH IS JESUS CHRIST

Matthew 16:18Colossians 1:18I Corinthians 3:11

Matthew 16:18

18And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Colossians 1:1818And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

I Corinthians 3:1111For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

II. THE ONLY RULE OF AUTHORITY IS THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD

Matthew 28:18John 12:28-50II Timothy 3:16-17

Matthew 28:1818And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

John 12:28-50 48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.

II Timothy 3:16-1716Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. 17That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

III. THE APOSTLES WERE BIBLICAL WITNESSES

A. Each of the apostles had to have been with Jesus from the baptism of John until the day of Christs ascension. B. The apostles had to have seen the resurrected Lord. C. The apostles had to have seen the resurrected Lord. D. Each apostle had to be specially guided by the Holy Spirit in order to preserve the testimony of Christ from error. E. The apostles had the ability to confirm their word with signs and miracles.

A. Each of the apostles had to have been with Jesus from the baptism of John until the day of Christs ascension. John 15.27 27and ye also bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. Acts 1.21-22 21Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, 22beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection.

B. The apostles had to have seen the resurrected Lord. (Acts 1:21-22). Acts 1.21-2221Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, 22beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection.

C. The apostles had to have seen the resurrected Lord. D. Each apostle had to be specially guided by the Holy Spirit in order to preserve the testimony of Christ from error.

John 16.1313Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things so ever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.Acts 1.88But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

E. The apostles had the ability to confirm their word with signs and miracles. II Corinthians 12.1212Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.Hebrews 2.44God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.

REVIEW OF BIBLICAL WITNESSES

A. Each of the apostles had to have been with Jesus from the baptism of John until the day of Christs ascension. (John 15:27; Acts 1:21-22)B. The apostles had to have seen the resurrected Lord. (Acts 1:21-22.C. The apostles had to have seen the resurrected Lord. (John 16:13; Acts 1:8) D. Each apostle had to be specially guided by the Holy Spirit in order to preserve the testimony of Christ from error. (John 16:13; Acts 1:8) E. The apostles had the ability to confirm their word with signs and miracles. (II Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4)

IV. PROPHETS The prophets spoke by inspiration, Their work assisted the beginning of the gospel being preached and the progress of the church until the revelation of the word of God was completed and written down.I Corinthians 13:6-10I Corinthians 14:19-33

I Corinthians 13:6-10 6rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; 7beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; 10but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

I Corinthians 14:19-3319howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men. 21In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord. 22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe. 23If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad? 24But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all; 25the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

I Corinthians 14:19-33 Cont: 26What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: 28but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern. 30But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence. 31For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted; 32and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; 33for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

V. EVANGELISTS Ministers or Preachers (Romans 10:14; I Timothy 4:6; II Timothy 4:2-5)Their WorkPreach.Edify the Local church.Appoint Elders. (Titus 1:5)Preacher and Teacher Training (II Timothy 2:20)Defend The Faith (I Timothy 1:3; Titus 1:10-13)

Ministers or Preachers:

Romans 10.1414How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

I Timothy 4.66If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now:

II Timothy 4.2-52For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 4traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away.

Ministers or Preachers: Their WorkTo Preach.To Edify the Local church.To Appoint Elders. Titus 1:55For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;

Preacher and Teacher TrainingII Timothy 2:2020Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor.

To Defend The FaithI Timothy 1:3 3As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine,Titus 1:10-1310For there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, 11whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons. 13This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

VI. THE ELDERSHIP

God ordained that the local church should be overseen in its work and worship.By men qualified for this special task. (I Timothy 3; Titus 1)There was always a plurality of elders over a single congregation. (Acts 1:14,23; 15:2, 4, 6, 22; 20:17, 28; Philippians 1:1)There was only local or independent church autonomy. (Acts 20:17, 18; I Peter 5:1-3)

VI. THE ELDERSHIP

God ordained that the local church should be overseen in its work and worship

By men qualified for this special task.

There was always a plurality of elders over a single congregation.

There was only local or independent church autonomy.

VI. THE ELDERSHIP: Part 2 The same office or work was designated by several names. (Acts 20:17, 28; I Peter 5:1-3)Elder or Presbyter PresbuterosBishop or Overseer EpiskoposShepherd or Pastor PoimenTheir WorkFeed the church (Acts 20:28; I Peter 2:1-3Tend the flock (I Peter 2:1-3)Rule (Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 5:2-3)Watch (Hebrews 13:17)

Supporting ScripturesThe same office or work was designated by several names.Acts 20.17,2817And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church. 28Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.. I Peter 5.1-31The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.

Feed the church Acts 20.2828Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.

I Peter 2.1-31Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation; 3if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious:

Tend the flockI Peter 2.1-31Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation; 3if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious:

RuleHebrews 13.1717Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.

I Peter 5.2-32Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.

WatchHebrews 13.1717Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.

VI. DEACONS The office Philippians 1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

The officeTheir Character I Timothy 3:8-138Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless. 11Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The office Their CharacterTheir Duty Acts 6:1-61Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables. 3Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4But we will continue steadfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word. 5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them

A DEACONS .Office Character Duty

VII. TEACHERS Matthew 28:18

18And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

Special Public Teachers -Acts 13:1

1Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Qualifications James 3.11Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.II Timothy 2.22And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Matthew 28:18Special Public Teachers (Acts 13:1)Qualifications (James 3:1; II Timothy 2:2)

VII. MEMBERS

I Corinthians 12:12-2012For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. 13For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. 16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him. 19And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20But now they are many members, but one body.

Romans 12:3-83For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. 4For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. 6And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 7or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; 8or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

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YOU MAY NOW PROCEED TO LESSON 6THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT