T HE N EW T ESTAMENT C HURCH C HURCHES OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT E RA : The Church at Jerusalem

I NTRODUCTION We have studied the Nature, Origin, Organization, Mission, Unity and Identity of the Church set forth in the scriptures. Application of these divine principles in congregations in the NT Era. Commended for their righteousness and reproved for their failures and faults.

J ERUSALEM, the First Church Jerusalem the birthplace. Prophesied by Isaiah “…And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” {Isaiah 2:2,3}

J ERUSALEM, the First Church Jerusalem the birthplace. Confirmed by Luke “Then He said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” {Luke 24:46,47}

J ERUSALEM, the First Church Jerusalem the birthplace. Confirmed by Luke “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” {Luke 24:49}

J ERUSALEM, the First Church Pentecost the day. Kingdom would come with power. “And He said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” {Mark 9:1}

J ERUSALEM, the First Church Pentecost the day. Power= Holy Spirit. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” {Acts 1:8}

J ERUSALEM, the First Church Spirit came on Pentecost Kingdom came on Pentecost. “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” {Acts 2:3,4}

J ERUSALEM, the First Church Message is preached for the first time. “…Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” {Acts 2:38}

J ERUSALEM, the First Church Men added to the church. 3,000 first day. “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them... praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” {Acts 2:41,47}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Respectability. Found favor with the people “Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” {Acts 2:47}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Happiness. Gratitude exemplified. “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.” {Acts 2:46}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Zeal. Daily teaching the word of God. “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.” {Acts 2:46}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. United in purpose. Heart and soul ( 4:32 ) “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.” {Acts 2:46}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. United in prayer Prayer for Peter ( 12:5-12 ) “So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them.” {Acts 4:24}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. United in sacrifice Pooled assets together ( 4:32-37 ) “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” {Acts 2:44,45}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. United in fellowship “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” {Acts 2:42}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. United in liberality Stewardship “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” {Acts 2:44,45}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. United in liberality Stewardship “Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” {Acts 4:34,35}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. United in liberality Stewardship “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” {Acts 4:32}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. United in Loyalty “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” {Acts 2:42}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. Triumphantly faithful in persecution – Sadducees “Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees ), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.” {Acts 5:17,18}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. Triumphantly faithful in persecution – Pharisees “Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.” {Acts 6:17,18}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. Triumphantly faithful in persecution – Jewish state “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.” {Acts 12:1-3}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. In Growth – 3,000 ( 2:41 ) – 5,000 ( 4:4 ) – Men and women ( 5:14 ) – Number multiplied ( 6:7 ) “And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.” {Acts 5:14}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. In Organization – Elders “Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.” {Acts 15:6} “Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church…” {Acts 15:22}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. In Organization – Elders “Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” {Acts 11:29,30}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. In Organization – Elders – Deacons “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” {Acts 6:3}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. In Evangelism “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” {Acts 8:4} “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.” {Acts 8:14}

J ERUSALEM, the Model Church In Unity. In Evangelism “Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.” {Acts 11:22}

H OW M EN B ECAME M EMBERS OF J ERUSALEM C HURCH : Obedience to the gospel. “…Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins ; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” {Acts 2:37,38}

H OW M EN B ECAME M EMBERS OF J ERUSALEM C HURCH : Obedience to the gospel. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” {Acts 3:19}

H OW M EN B ECAME M EMBERS OF J ERUSALEM C HURCH : Obedience to the gospel. “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” {Acts 6:7