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

T HE C HURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT Lesson 24 The church we read about in the N.T. Lesson 25 Work & Worship of the Church Lesson 26 Organisation & Government of the Church

L ESSON 24: T HE C HURCH OF THE N.T. “Church” -from Greek word EKKLESIA that means “A called out body” “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 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)

O WNERSHIP OF THE C HURCH 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 C HURCH 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)

O NENESS OF THE C HURCH … 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 C HURCH IS NOT … 1. A Physical Building But it’s a group of SAVED people (men & women) [Act 9:2] 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) 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) 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) 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

C HURCHES OF C HRIST IN THE 1 ST CENTURY

T HE C HURCH & GROWTH OF DENOMINATIONS INCL. F ALSE DOCTRINES

L ESSON 25: W ORK & W ORSHIP OF THE C HURCH 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 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 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 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) The Church also Glorifies God through WORSHIP & God is PRAISED (Acts 2:42-47)

C HRISTIAN W ORSHIP AS PRACTICED BY THE C HURCH 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… 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) 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) Fellowship (sharing) with one another (Acts 2:42 & 44, 1John 1:7) Praying (Acts 2:42, 4:23-31) 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) 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) 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) Giving (Acts 2:45, 1 Cor 16:1- 2, II Cor 9:6-8)

L ESSON 26: G OVERNMENT OF THE C HURCH 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] 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: 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) Purpose: Eph 4: 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)

M INISTERS IN THE C HURCHES OF C HRIST EXISTING UNTIL T ODAY / 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) 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 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) 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) 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) 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

U RGENCY & N ECESSITY 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