BASIC BIBLE COURSE Facilitated by S B Mdlalose

BASIC BIBLE COURSE Facilitated by S. B. Mdlalose Part 8: Lesson 24, 25, 26 (November 2011) © Buhle Park Church of Christ 2011

THE CHURCH OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Organisation & Government of the Church Lesson 26 Work & Worship of the Church Lesson 25 Lesson 24 The church we read about in the N. T.

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 How are the members of the body “called out”? Not everyone responds to the CALL of the Gospel (Matt 22: 14 Through the GOSPEL of Christ (2 Thes 2: 13 -14, 1 Cor 1: 24, 26) The “called” are SAVED & ADDED to the church (Act 2: 47) The calling is according to His PURPOSE (Rom 8: 28, 1 Tim 1: 9)

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 2. A Denomination A building is merely an area where the Church assembles But it’s a group of SAVED people (men & women) [Act 9: 2] A true church of Christ, CANNOT organise itself into groups that have different NAMES & DOCTRINES of Men (1 Cor 1: 10 -27) And those who do as such are NOT of Christ/GOD (Mat 7: 21 -23, Mat 13: 24 -30) A building does not feel fear or get persecuted but people (Act 5: 11, 8: 11) The Church was given ONE name…Christ (Act 4: 12) The Church follows the Doctrine of Christ only (1 Pet 4: 11)

CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE 1 ST 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 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, 1 Cor 14: 26, 2 Cor 12: 19 The wisdom & truth of God is to be made known to all by the Church (Eph 3: 8 -10, 1 Tim 3: 15) Purpose of edifying the Church (Eph 4: 10 -13) • Attain Unity & Knowledge of Christ • Unto perfect (mature) man 3. Glorification 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 1 st 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, 1 John 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: 12, II Cor 9: 6 -8)

LESSON 26: GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH Christ 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 Must be qualified TIME Elders/Oversees/ Pastors/Bishops Evangelist/ Preachers Deacons Function as Shepherds or Leaders and they Teach in the church (Acts 20: 28, Heb 13: 17, 1 Pet 5: 1 -5) 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) Function as ministers/”servants” especially for physical needs of the Church, e. g. Managers of finances, benevolence, church building, etc (Acts 6: 1 -5) Men (I Tim 3: 1 -7 & Titus 1) Therefore young men CANNOT be Pastors, elders must be old enough with children who have been baptised & are strong/ committed believers Must be qualified Men & Serve under Elders (2 Tim 4: 1 -5) Preferable preachers must be full-time, as they train members at their homes & meetings & Preach to the world Must be qualified Men & Serve under Elders (1 Tim 3: 8 -13)

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