Transcript A Local Congregation of The Church A LOOK INTO THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH! (What was its purpose and function? How was a congregation.

A Local Congregation
of The Church
A LOOK INTO THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH!
(What was its purpose and function? How was a congregation organized?
how did they assemble? What is the importance of this precedent?)
Purpose and Function
•1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members,
and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also
is Christ.
•1
Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou
oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
•Ephesians
3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
•John
4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father
seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him
must worship him in spirit and in truth.
•Phillipians
2:14-16 Do all things without murmurings and
disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God,
without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among
whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I
may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither
Purpose and Function
•1 Corinthians 12:12 TO BE ONE BODY
•1 Timothy 3:15 TO BE A PILLAR AND GROUND OF TRUTH
•Ephesians 3:21 GLORIFY GOD BY JESUS CHRIST
•John 4:23-24 TO WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
•Phillipians
2:14-16 TO SHINE AS LIGHTS UNTO THE WORLD,
HOLDING FORTH THE WORD OF LIFE
•Romans
12:13 HELP THE SAINTS (FELLOW BROTHERS AND
SISTERS IN CHRIST).
Organization
•Romans 12:4-6a
Members of The Body
For as we have many members in one body, and all
members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in
Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts
differing according to the grace that is given to us,
•Working members
•Ephesians 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into
him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the
whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every
joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of
every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in
love.
•Teachers
•2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to
teach others also.
Christ
Organization
Qualified Offices
•Elders, Pastors, Bishops, (?Shepherds?)
•Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church,
and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on
whom they believed.
•Must be qualified -- 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9
•Sees to the spiritual needs of the membership (i.e. what is taught)
•Deacons
•Acts 6:1-3 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the
Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily
ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples
unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of
God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you
seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,
whom we may appoint over this business.
Christ
Organization
Temporary Helpers
•Evangelists
•2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after
their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do
the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
•Has oversight of a congregation until qualified men are appointed as
Elders.
Christ
How They Assembled
Sing 1 Corinthians 14
v.15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also.
How They Assembled
Pray 1 Corinthians 14
v.15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also.
How They Assembled
Teach 1 Corinthians 14
v. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and
exhortation, and comfort.
v.12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye
may excel to the edifying of the church.
v. 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding,
that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an
unknown tongue.
v. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be
comforted.
v. 34-35 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted
unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also
saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at
How They Assembled
Commune 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
Lord’s
Supper
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That
the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And
when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my
body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the
same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup
is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in
remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup,
ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat
this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the
body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him
eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh
unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the
Lord's body.
How They Assembled
Contribute
•1
Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I
have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the
first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath
prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
•2
Corinthians 9:1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is
superfluous for me to write to you:
• 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so
let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful
giver.
•2
Corinthians 9:12 For the administration of this service not only
supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many
thanksgivings unto God;
Importance of Precedent
•Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
•Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
•Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men.
Conclusion
God’s Design
Man’s Corruption?
Purpose
To glorify, praise, and worship God! To glorify & entertain each other.
To socialize. To have fun.
Organization
(God Ordained Offices)
Two or more elders for spiritual
oversight. Two or more deacons for
congregational needs. Evangelist
for temporary help.
One elder, Senior or Junior
Pastor. Music pastor, Pope,
Priest, or Rabbi. One preacher
or teacher.
Singing
With voices to praise God.
Musical Instruments
Praying
Pray to God through Christ our
mediator from our hearts.
Praying to Mary, Allah, or
Saints. Praying vain repetitions.
Teaching
The able male members of the
congregation do the teaching to the
assembly of the entire
congregation.
One man is paid to do the
majority of the teaching when
others are capable. Splitting
congregation into classes to
teach.
Communion
On every first day of the week.
Once a month or year, twice a
year, only on Christmas, only on
Easter, on Christmas when it
does not fall upon Sunday.
Contribution
On every first day of the week as
God has prospered and as we
Once a month or year, twice a
year. Must give 10%