THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH--MEMORY VERSE: ACTS 2:41

THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

MEMORY VERSE: ACTS 2:41

I. THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED BY CHRIST.

A. The Nature Of The Church.

1. The word church, "ecclesia" is found 115 times in the N.T. It means "assembly". It could never refer to something that was universal, invisible and scattered over the world.

2. A church is referred to as a body, building, etc., which fits the idea of a local visible assembly.

3. The N.T. names of churches enforce the idea of a local visible church. (Church at Jerusalem, Church at Antioch, etc.).

4. While we speak of the church, the home, etc., we do not mean a universal church or universal home.

B. It Was Founded Before Pentecost.

1. The first members were those who had been baptized by John the Baptist. Acts 1:21,22; I Cor. 12:28

2. The 12 apostles chosen and placed in the Church. Mark 3:13-21

3. Discipline of the Church given before Pentecost. Matt. 18: 15-17

4. Its ordinances instituted before Pentecost. Matt. 26:26-29

5. Its commission given before Pentecost. Matt. 28:18-20

6. A business meeting held before Pentecost. Acts 1:15-25

7. Those saved and baptized on the day of Pentecost added to it. Acts 2:41

II. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH.

A. Christ Is The Head Of The Church. c)-1 Eph. 1:22-23

1. His Word, the Bible, is our rule and guide book.

2. The Holy Spirit is the Administrator. Acts 13:2; 20:28

B. It's Officers Of Ordination.

1. Bishops, Elders and Pastor are all the same office. (e)-1 Acts 14:23

a. As pastor he is shepherd of the flock to feed and tend them.

b. As elder he is in a place of respect and authority.

c. As bishop he is the overseer.

3. Qualifications for pastors. I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9

4. Qualifications for deacons. I Tim. 3:8-13

a. Deacon means "servant".

b. Deacons have no authority over the church or pastor, but are servants to the church. If they were ordained, there is perhaps one example of it in the N.T. and that is in Acts 6:6. These 7 men are not called deacons, nor is it said that they were ordained, yet any church would be blessed to have deacons with their qualifications.

C. The Church Is Independent And Self Governing.

1. Nothing is to be done that is contrary to God's Word.

2. No organization has any authority over a church of the Lord. This makes it impossible for a Convention, Association or Fellowship to dictate or exercise authority over a church.

3. No Scripture indicates that a church can join anything.

III. THE TRUE MISSION OF THE CHURCH.

A. The Great Commission It's Only Mission. Matt. 28:16-20

1. This includes preaching and teaching the gospel to all.

2. Baptize and add to the church all who are saved.

3. Teach them the "all things" of God. (The church is not a political or social organization, and has no authority to enter this kind of work).

B. Churches May Cooperate With One Another In Contending For The Faith & also Carrying Out The Great Commission.

1. Churches may consult one with another. Acts 15:2-4, 22-27

2. Churches may give toward a common cause, as in missions. 1 Cor. 16:1; 11 Cor. 8:23-24

3. Each church is the sole and only judge of the means, method and extent of cooperation.

C. The Will Of The Church Is Final.

1. This is in regard to discipline, membership and polity.

2. Of course no church has the right to disobey the Scriptures, but if they do, there is no organization on earth to correct them.