N.T. Church Preacher Silcox KL Paulson Discussion of Baptist Church & History Books in Preacher Silcox's library. Instead of starting churches Mr. Clearwaters held it all. Minneapolis/St. Paul has 2 churches under the right conditions. God does NOT measure success by how big your ministry is. Part 4. The Use of the Word Church. Saint: a disciple of Christ or believer in Christ. Baptism: immersion of a believer in water for a particular reason under the proper authority Bishop: means overseer / 'episkopos' 'ekklesia' ----------------- {ek-klay-see'-ah} AV - church (112) - assembly (3) [115] I) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly 1) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating 2) the assembly of the Israelites 3) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously 4) in a Christian sense 4a) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting 4b) a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake; those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body; the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven. ---------------------------- ek-kaleo--called out from (assembly) It cannot be an assembly if it cannot assemble (get together). 115 times in the New Testament. NOT in EVERY case in the New Testament does it mean church. THREE (3) distinct types or kinds of assemblies in New Testament where this word appears: In EVERY case it was a group of people that could assemble. 1. The assembly of Jews "in the wilderness". "This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:" (Acts 7:38). 2. Political assembly. "(23)And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. (24)For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; (25)Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. (26)Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: (27)So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. (28)And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. (29)And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. (30)And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. (31)And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. (32)Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. (33)And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. (34)But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. (35)And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? (36)Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. (37)For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. (38)Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. (39)But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. (40)For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. (41)And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly." (Acts 19:23- 41) Verse 32: It is NOT a spiritual assembly BUT a political assembly. Verse 35: "the townclerk" Verse 37: "churches" - spiritual assemblies Verse 41: "the assembly" - political 3. The Church of the New Testament, spiritual assembly, NOT like the Jews. "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) THREE (3) different ways also. 1. In a plural sense/usage. "The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house." (I Corinthians 16:19) "churches of Asia" (many churches)--NOT a universal church 2. In a particular usage. "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:" (I Corinthians 1:2). 3. In general/generic usage. "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) There are cars in general but there are also particular models. We need to answer whether the reference is speaking specifically or generically. What of the "body"? "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:18) Bob Jones University --> taught 'universal invisible church' The local church is the body. And the body is the local Church. My body is assembled. "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, ...." (Ephesians 1:22-23) Church = body "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;" (Ephesians 4:4). ONE body of the generic sense. Individual churches can fail, but the 'generic' sense of His church cannot fail. Which "one body" is it? It is NOT the Lutheran, Greek Orthodox, or Roman Catholic. Jesus is ONLY in ONE church. A Pentecostal did NOT like this. The Holy Spirit leads according to the Scripture. The Holy Spirit will NOT lead you into false doctrine. "(22)But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (23)To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect," (Hebrews 12:22-23). Context of a heavenly seen--Mount Sion. Verse 22: "angels" "general assembly" - 'paneguris', NOT the New Testament church ----------------- {pan-ay'-goo-ris} AV - general assembly (1) 1) a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities 2) a public festal assembly ---------------------------- "church of the firstborn" - bride of Christ, special assembly in Heaven Matthew 25--Bride of Christ George Ricker Berry's 'Interlinear Greek-English New Testament' "(41)Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (47)Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:41,47) 'basileia'--kingdom, an abstract noun, dominion over which a king rules -------------- {bas-il-i'-ah} AV - kingdom (of God) (71?) - kingdom (of heaven) (32?) - kingdom (general or evil) (20?) - (Thy or Thine) kingdom (6?) - His kingdom (6?) - the kingdom (5?) - (My) kingdom (4?) - misc (18?) [162?] 1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule; not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom 2) a kingdom or territory 3) used in the N.T. to refer to the rule of the Messiah -------------------------------------------------------- I. The kingdom of God--ALL of the saved on the earth at any ONE time. ONLY ONE kingdom - Heaven and earth, the WHOLE universe, universal There are parts to the kingdom. 99.9% of the time its usage is referring the earthly kingdom. "(3)Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4)Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (5)Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:3-5) In Verse 3, is He talking about seeing Heaven? Yes & No. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14) Lost Nicodemus did NOT see "the kingdom of God". He did NOT understand spiritual things. He did NOT fit in even though he was well trained for the Sanhedrin in religious matters. He was on the outside. Verse 5: one MUST be born into the spiritual realm, the spiritual kingdom of God (on earth). Eventually its final resting place is the kingdom in heaven. "And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power." (Mark 9:1) "kingdom of God" (on earth) Acts 2 "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3) "kingdom of heaven" Dean Burgeon is one of the few, last real scholars. He first studied the Bible 40 years and then defended the Textus Receptus "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17) "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." (John 18:36) "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Colossians 1:13). II. The Family of God--ALL the children of God of ALL ages, whether in Heaven or on earth. "(11)He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (12)But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13)Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:11-13) New Birth How do you get into God's kingdom? You are born into it. "(13)Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. (14)For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (15)Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named," (Ephesians 3:13- 15). The Family of God is composed of ALL of the saved from Adam until the end, whether in Heaven or on earth. ALL saved people are in Family of God. BUT NOT ALL the saved are in the earthly kingdom--some are in the heavenly kingdom. NOT ALL of them are in the local church, the ONE body. Family-by birth > earthly Kingdom-by birth > Church-smallest by baptism 4 hours a day studying III. The Household of God--'ekklesia', assembly, congregation. "(19)Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20)And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21)In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22)In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22) Being a member does not get you rewards unless your are faithful. The local church that Jesus built is like a household, a family. IV. The body of Christ -- this is the same as the local church. "body" -- 'soma' (instrument of life) --------- {so'-mah} AV - body (144?) - bodily (1?) - slave (1?) [146?] 1) the body both of men or animals 1a) a dead body or corpse 1b) the living body--of animals 2) the bodies of plants and of stars (heavenly bodies) 3) is used of a (large or small) number of men closely united into one society, or family as it were; a social, ethical, body; so in the NT of the local church 4) that which casts a shadow as distinguished from the shadow itself --------------------------------------------------------------------- In order to be a body it MUST be able to cast a shadow. The universal & invisible 'church' cannot cast a shadow. Jesus had His body. It was to be a usable instrument or tool to carry on the work of eternal life. The blunder of the 'universal, visible church' came from the Roman Catholic Church. They were talking about themselves. Martin Luther NEVER intended to leave the RCC. He NEVER repudiated his infant RCC baptism. Luther tried to counteract the RCC. He came up with the 'invisible church' idea. These both are a perversion of the word church ('ekklesia'). The 'universal, invisible church' theory has done more to bring in the ONE world government and ONE world church than any other false doctrine. In 1990, Mikhail Gorbechev made a trip to Rome. He was approached and asked if he would head up (be the religious leader of) the ONE world church for the new world order. Satan will have a 'visible church'. -anti-Christ & false prophet The 'invisible church' usurps local church authority. It leads to people NOT tithing; it makes door knocking seem unnecessary. "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:21) Cannot glorify Christ outside [without] His Church. Christ is robbed of His glory in the 'universal, invisible church'. This theory creates disobedience. V. Corporate Entity: the New Testament church is this. NO organic union between New Testament churches. Independency (separatedness) is final. Corporate--formed into a body of associated persons. Entity--distinctiveness, existence by itself. In the pastorate one needs to show compassion and love toward the people. Big Brother is the Holy Spirit. I do NOT NEED a mission board. Which has more scriptural power? The local church is more powerful than a mission board because it is connected with the Holy Spirit. Autonomous assembly (New Testament church). 1. Self-Governing. 2. Self-Propogating (the local church is the mission board). 3. Self-Financing (unscriptural to be in debt). "(19)Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (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. (Matthew 28:19-20) "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." (Acts 13:1) "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" (Ephesians 4:11). "(37)Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (38)Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39)For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (40)And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (41)Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42)And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (43)And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (44)And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45)And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (46)And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47)Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:37-47) "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." (Acts 6:1) Perpetuity (of the local church) - always existing. Jesus promised that His church would NEVER fail. "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) Jesus did NOT promise an easy road or without fights. Jesus' churches NEVER have failed through ALL ages. The Mormons say that the local church failed; they are blaspheming Christ. You NEED to have church authority in order to perpetuate a church. Preachers go haywire. Churches fall away from doctrine. You NEED someone (the Holy Spirit) who can discipline them. "(15)Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16)But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17)And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." (Matthew 18:15-17) The offended should go to the offender. The average church has a complete turnover EVERY 8 years. Why? - Change jobs - People's feelings get hurt. - God's callings away VI. The Marks of the New Testament Church. How may one identify the local church as a New Testament church? The straight Gospel. It preaches repentance & faith. - Luke 24 The right baptism. 1. Accepts ONLY SAVED people as members. 2. Practices ONLY BELIEVER'S baptism (baptize ONLY those who are saved). 3. Has ONLY ONE plan of salvation (Repentance & Faith). 4. Has ONLY TWO Church ordinances (Baptism & the Lord's Supper). 5. It uses the Bible ONLY as the final authority. 6. It believes in the priesthood of ALL believers. 7. It is a pure theo/cracy (God ruled). 8. It has genuine separation of church & state.