1. How to Do Church
Many are following different recipes for the work, worship and focus of local churches. Jesus gave us the right recipe, not in the gospel accounts, but through the words and works of His inspired apostles. If churches uniformly follow the apostles’ doctrine they will teach and practice the same things on marriage & divorce, orderliness in worship, women keeping silent in church, the collection for the saints, the appointing and oversight of elders, and the discipline of members. They will strive to maintain unity within the church, and share mutual concerns and goals with other faithful churches.

2. Where’s the Recipe for the Local Church?
Many look for it in the gospel accounts
Jesus taught men how to become His disciples (Luke 9:23; John 13:13-15; Matthew 23:23)
But the gospels give us little to no specific direction for the local church
There were as yet no churches! (Matt.16:18; 18:17; 26:26-29; 2 Tim. 2:15)
The Holy Spirit would give the recipe for the local church later to the apostles
John 16:12-13; Acts 2:42
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3. Basic Ingredients for Local Churches
The apostles’ doctrine (1 Cor. 4:17)
The same teaching on marriage & divorce (1 Corinthians 7:17)
Orderliness in worship (1 Cor. 14:26-33)
Women keeping silent (1 Cor. 14:34-35)
Collection for the saints (1 Cor. 16:1-2)
Taking the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Acts 20:7)
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4. Basic Ingredients for Local Churches
The apostles’ doctrine (1 Cor. 4:17)
Appointing elders (Acts 14:23; Titus 2:5)
Oversight of elders (Acts 20:28-30; Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:9-11)
Discipline of members (1 Corinthians 5:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6)
Striving for unity (1 Cor. 1:10; 10:31-33)
Sharing mutual concerns with other churches (Romans 16:4; 2 Cor. 11:28)
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5. The local church has a Divinely ordained recipe for its worship, leadership, discipline and unity.
In the fear and love of Almighty God, let us hold to Christ’s plan for His churches.
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