Identifying the New Testament Church Ephesians 1:22-23

“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, {23} which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Only one (1) Body (cf. Ephesians 4:4).

Introduction As there is only One church… How do we identify it? What are the signs, marks, characteristics of the New Testament church? The standard to use for identifying the New Testament church is God’s word (cf. John 17:17)

John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” By the word of God all things must be proved. If it does not follow the “pattern”, it is not a New Testament church!

Identifying Characteristics Origin of the Church Origin of the Church – Jeremiah 31:31-34; Daniel 2:44 The New Testament Church

Jeremiah 31:31-34 “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; {32} not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD…”

Jeremiah 31:31-34, cont. …“ {33} But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. {34} No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Daniel 2:44 the God of heaven will set up a kingdom “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”

Identifying Characteristics Origin of the Church Origin of the Church – Jeremiah 31:31-34; Daniel 2:44 Builder of the Church – Christ Builder of the Church – Christ – Matt. 16:18; Psa. 127:1; 1 Cor. 3:11 The New Testament Church

Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Psalm 127:1 “Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.”

1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Identifying Characteristics Origin of the Church Origin of the Church – Jeremiah 31:31-34; Daniel 2:44 Builder of the Church – Christ Builder of the Church – Christ – Matt. 16:18; Psa. 127:1; 1 Cor. 3:11 Nature of the Church – Not Social Nature of the Church – Not Social – 1 Tim. 3:15; Luke 17:20-21 The New Testament Church

1 Timothy 3:15 “But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

Luke 17:20-21 “Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with observation; {21} nor will they say, “See here!” or “See there!” For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.’”

Identifying Characteristics Origin of the Church Origin of the Church – Jeremiah 31:31-34; Daniel 2:44 Builder of the Church – Christ Builder of the Church – Christ – Matt. 16:18; Psa. 127:1; 1 Cor. 3:11 Nature of the Church – Not Social Nature of the Church – Not Social – 1 Tim. 3:15; Luke 17:20-21 Government of the Church – Monarchy Government of the Church – Monarchy – Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23 The New Testament Church

Matthew 18:18 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’”

Ephesians 1:22-23 “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, {23} which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Identifying Characteristics Origin of the Church Origin of the Church – Jeremiah 31:31-34; Daniel 2:44 Builder of the Church – Christ Builder of the Church – Christ – Matt. 16:18; Psa. 127:1; 1 Cor. 3:11 Nature of the Church – Not Social Nature of the Church – Not Social – 1 Tim. 3:15; Luke 17:20-21 Government of the Church – Monarchy Government of the Church – Monarchy – Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23 Entrance into the Church Entrance into the Church – Acts 2:41,47 The New Testament Church

Acts 2:41, 47 (41), “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” (47), “Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

YOU YOU Need to be Added to the New Testament Church! 1) You have heard the Gospel preached… 2) Do you Believe?… 3) Are you willing to turn away from sins?… 4) Will you confess Jesus as the Son of God?… 5) Will you submit to baptism in obedience to God, for the remission of sins?…