It is possible today, to be obedient to the will of Christ. Christians can resolve to restore the church to being the church of the New Testament. (Acts 2:41-47)
Some Things You Should Know
You should know that in Bible times, the church is called-
- The temple of God I Cor 3:16
- The bride of Christ Eph 5:22-32
- The body of Christ Col 1:18,24; Eph 1:22-23
- The kingdom of God's son Col 1:13
- The house of GodI Tim 3:15
- The church of God I Cor 1:2
- The church of the first-born Heb 12:23
- The church of the Lord Acts 20:28
- The churches of Christ Rom 16:16
You should know that the church is-
- Built by Jesus Christ Matt 16:13-18
- Purchased by the blood of Christ Acts 20:28
- Built on Jesus Christ as the only foundation I Cor 3:11
- Not built on Peter, Paul, or any other man I Cor 1:12-13
- Composed of the saved, who are added to it by the Lord who saves them. Acts 2:47
You should know that members of the church are called-
- Members of Christ I Cor 12:27 ,6:15, Rom 12:4-5
- Disciples of Christ Acts 6:1,7; 11:26
- BelieversActs 5:14; II Cor 6:15
- Saints Acts 9:13; Rom 1:7; Phil 1:1
- Priests I Peter 2:5,9; Rev 1:6
- Children of God Gal 3:26-27; I John 3:1-2
- Christians Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16
You should know that the local church has-
- Elders (also called bishops and pastors) who oversee and tend the flock I Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-4
- Deacons, who serve the church I Tim 3:8-13 Phil 1:1
- Evangelists (preachers, ministers) who teach and proclaim the word of God Eph 4:11; I Tim 4:13-16; II Tim 4:1-5
- Members, who love the Lord and each other Phil 2:1-5
- Autonomy, and is bound to other local churches only by the common faith shared Jude 3 Gal 5:1
You should know that the Lord Jesus Christ-
- Loved the church Eph 5:25
- Shed his blood for the church Acts 20:28
- Established the church Matt 16:18
- Added saved people to the church Acts 2:47
- Is the head of the church Eph 1:22-23; 5:23
- Will save the church Acts 2:47; Eph 5:23
You should know that man did not-
- Purpose the church Eph 3:10-11
- Purchase the church Acts 20:28, Eph 5:25
- Name its members Isa 56:5; 62:2; Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16
- Add people to the churchI Cor 12:18
- Give the church its doctrine Gal 1:8-11; II John 9-11
You should know, to enter the church, you must-
- Believe in Jesus Christ Heb 11:6; John 8:24 Acts 16:31
- Repent of your sins (Turn away from your sins) Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30
- Confess faith in Jesus Matt 10:32; Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9-10
- Be baptized into the saving blood of Jesus Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 22:16
You should know that baptism requires-
- Much water John 3:23; Acts 10:47
- Going down into the water Acts 8:36-38
- A burial in waterCol 2:12
- A resurrection Acts 8:39; Rom 6:4; Col 2:12
- A birth John 3:3-5; Rom 6:3-6
- A washing Acts 22:16 Heb 10:22
You should know that by baptism-
- You are saved from sins Mark 16:16 I Peter 3:21
- You have remission of sins Acts 2:38
- Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ Acts 22:16; Heb 9:22; 10:22; I Peter 3:21
- You enter into the church I Cor 12:13; Acts 2:41,47
- You enter into Christ Gal 3:26-27 Rom 6:3-4
- You put on Christ and become a child of God Gal 3:26-27
- You are born again, a new creature Rom 6:3-4; II Cor 5:17
- You walk in newness of life Rom 6:3-6
- You obey Christ Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:48; II Thes 1:7-9
You should know that the faithful church will-
- Worship in spirit and in truth John 4:23-24
- Meet on the first day of the week Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25;
- Pray James 5:16; Acts 2:42 I Tim 2:1-2 I Thes 5:17
- Sing, making melody with the heart Eph 5:19; Col 3:16
- Eat the Lord's supper on the first day of the week Acts 2:42 20:7; Matt 26:26-30; I Cor 11:20-32
- Give, liberally and cheerfully I Cor 16:1-2; II Cor 8:1-5; 9:6-8
You should know, that in New Testament times there was-
- One family of God Eph 3:15; I Time 3:15
- One kingdom of Christ Matt 16:18-19; Col 1:13-14
- One body of Christ Col 1:18; Eph 1:22-23; 4:4
- One bride of Christ Rom 7:1-7; Eph 5:22-23
- One church of Christ Matt 16:18; Eph 1:22-23; 4:4-6
You know that the same church today-
- Is guided by the same word I Peter 1:22-25; II Tim 3:16-17
- Contends for the one faith Jude 3; Eph 4:5
- Pleads for unity of all believers John 17:20-21 Eph 4:4-6
- Is not a denomination I Cor 1:10-13; Eph 4:1-6
- Is faithful to Christ Luke 6:46;Rev 2:10; Mark 8:38
- Wears the name of Christ Rom 16:16; Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16
You should know that you can be a member of this church-
- By doing what people 1900 years ago Acts 2:36-47
- Without being in any denomination Acts 2:47; I Cor 1:10-13
You should know that a child of God-
- Can be lost I Cor 9:27; 10:12; Gal 5:4; Hebrews 3:12-19
- But is given a law of pardon Acts 8:22; James 5:16
- Is constantly cleansed by the blood of Christ as he walks in the light of God I Peter 2:9-10; I John 1:5-10