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

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

It’s Standard and Discipline The New Testament Church It’s Standard and Discipline

Standards & Disciplines Reason for so much division! Churches Have Various Standards & Disciplines Some have creeds / disciplines Some have an earthly head (Pope) Some have a Council / Synod / Convention Some have district leaders Some take votes & change their positions Reason for so much division!

It’s Standard and Discipline The New Testament Church It’s Standard and Discipline I. Jesus is the Only Head

I. Jesus is the Only Head Jesus is the Head of the Church Col. 1:18 Eph. 1:22-23 Eph. 5:23 Means: head is divine Means: He is the only head

I. Jesus is the Only Head Jesus is the Head of the Church Jesus Has All Authority Matt. 28:18-19 All – means none left for man – no human head Under law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:21) All rules, laws, and guides – come from Christ Church is to be subject to Christ (Eph. 5:24)

I. Jesus is the Only Head Jesus is the Head of the Church Jesus Has All Authority His Authority is Expressed Through Word Eph. 3:3-5 – revealed to Apostles who wrote it down Col. 3:17 – must do all by his authority 2 John 9 – stay within the confines of his doctrine

It’s Standard and Discipline The New Testament Church It’s Standard and Discipline I. Jesus is the Only Head II. OT is Not Her Law

II. OT is Not Her Law Old Testament is Not in Force Today Rom. 7:1-4 – separated from law by death of Christ Gal. 3:24-25 – no longer under law Col. 2:14 – took it out of way – nailing to cross 2 Cor. 3:7-16 – old is passing away OT law was given to specific nation (Exo. 34:7; Deut. 5:13)

II. OT is Not Her Law Old Testament is Not in Force Today New Testament is in Force Today (Is Our Law) Jer. 31:31-34 (Heb. 8:6-13) – Old foretold of the coming of the New (old be done away) Heb. 9:16-17 – law of Christ made effective by his death Thus, OT is not the church’s standard – but NT is!

II. OT is Not Her Law Old Testament is Not in Force Today New Testament is in Force Today (Is Our Law) What is the Value of the Old Testament? For our learning (Rom. 15:4) What do we learn? Origin of the world (Gen. 1:1) Origin of sin (Gen. 3:1-6) Beginning of Hebrew nation (Gen. 12) Types of shadows of NT (Heb. 8) Examples of obedience (Gen. 22) Patience (Job) Prophecy that is fulfilled in NT (Isa. 2 – Acts 2; Isa. 53 – Acts 8)

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

III. Bible (NT) is Her Only Guide Bible is A Complete & Perfect Guide It is inspired (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

It Is Inspired Inspiration Plenary Verbal “divinely breathed in” Thus: Given by the breathe of God Plenary (All The Bible) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Tim. 3:16) Verbal (Every Word) “not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches” (1 Cor. 2:13)

III. Bible (NT) is Her Only Guide Bible is A Complete & Perfect Guide It is inspired (2 Tim. 3:16-17) Gives us all we need (2 Pet. 1:3) Can’t add to or take from (Rev. 22:18-19) Once delivered to us (Jude 3)

III. Bible (NT) is Her Only Guide Bible is A Complete & Perfect Guide When We Follow Another Guide - Condemned Worship is vain (Matt. 15:9) Accursed (Gal. 1:6-10)

III. Bible (NT) is Her Only Guide IV. Application & Meaning The New Testament Church 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

IV. Application & Meaning What We Believe & Teach Must Be Found in the Bible Must be according as it is written (2 Cor. 4:13) Must be as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11) Put finger on the text before we believe or practice!

IV. Application & Meaning What We Believe & Teach Must Be Found in the Bible No Creed but the Bible Bible is sufficient for all we teach (1 Pet. 4:11) Bible is sufficient for all we practice (Col. 3:17) Bible is sufficient for establishing faith (Rom. 10:17) Why is there a need for a creed? If says more than Bible – says too much! If says less than Bible – says too little! If says the same (it is the Bible) – we already have!

IV. Application & Meaning What We Believe & Teach Must Be Found in the Bible No Creed but the Bible It Makes a Difference What We Believe Possible to believe a lie and be lost (2 Thess. 2:10-12) There are false teachers (1 John 4:1, 6) Need to careful examine what I am taught (Acts 17:11)

IV. Application & Meaning What We Believe & Teach Must Be Found in the Bible No Creed but the Bible It Makes a Difference What We Believe One Faith (Church) is Not as Good as Another There is one faith (Eph. 4:5) One can be religious and be wrong (Gen. 4:3-5)

“firstborn of his flock” Cain Abel Offering: “Fruit of ground” Offering: “firstborn of his flock” Lord Did Not Respect Lord Respected Not: “By Faith” “By Faith” (Heb. 11:4) Word Rom. 10:17

III. Bible (NT) is Her Only Guide IV. Application & Meaning The New Testament Church 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