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BIBLE DOCTRINES

Introduction

What we believe about the Church is important. Jesus established the Church while He was here on the earth. It was empowered on the day of Pentecost to carry out the Great Commission. Every Believer should be associated with a local Church. The Believer who is not cannot be in God' s will. The kind of Church that Believers become members of is most important. Let us look at what the Scriptures have to say about the Church and then apply it to our situation today.

I.         THE FIRST MENTION OF THE CHURCH. (Matthew 16:13-20)

            A.        Jesus Announces The Building Of His Church. (16:18)

                        1.         “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build My Church.”

a.    Peter (whose name literally means a little rock) had just given a Holy Spirit directed confession of Christ. (16:16)

b.    Jesus Christ Himself is presented as the true foundation and Cornerstone.

        (1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Peter 2:3-9)

c.    Keeping in mind that Jesus is the True Foundation, the Church is to be built on men inspired by God to do and teach great things and who confess that Christ is the Son of the living God.

1)    In Galatians 2:9, James, Cephas and John are spoken of as pillars.

        (A “pillar” is a post of support.)

2)    Ephesians 2:20 speaks of being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.

3)    Revelation 21:14 says the names of the apostles are in the foundations of the New Jerusalem.

                        2.       “I will build My church.”

                                    a.         Jesus said He would build “My” (i.e. Jesus') Church.

                                    b.         A Church is a called out assembly.

                                    c.         “I will build” speaks of a building process.

3.    “The gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”

        (i.e. The Church is to be an offensive force that will storm the gates of Hell.)

            B.        The Keys Of The Kingdom Of Heaven Are Given. 16:19a

                        1.         Keys have to do with the building of the Church.

                        2.         Peter used these keys on two particular occasions.

a.    On Pentecost (Acts 2:14ff) the message of salvation was given to the Jews.

b.    On the Gentile Pentecost (Acts 10; 15:7-11) the message of salvation was given to the Gentiles.

                        3.        The power to preach the message of salvation was given to the disciples as a collective group.

                                     John 20:19-23

            C.        Binding And Loosing Power Are Given 16:19b.

                        1.        Binding and loosing have nothing to do with the forgiveness of sin.

2.        Binding and loosing have to do with laws declaring certain things as lawful or unlawful.

3.        This had to do with establishing rules in the early Church before the completion of the Canon of Scripture.

II.       SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OF THE CHURCH THAT JESUS BUILT.

            A.        It Was A Local Church.

1.        The Greek word "ecclesia," which is translated “Church,” means a called out assembly and only a local Church can assemble in this age.

                        2.         The word Church is used in two primary senses.

                                    a.        It is used for a local Church in at least 96 instances.

b.        It is used in the institutional sense.

(i.e. As one would use the word family in speaking of all the individual families

Cf. Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:21; 5:23-25.)

                        3.         Scripture teaches of nothing other than a local Church in this age.

            B.        The Beginning Of Jesus’ Church Considered.

                        1.        Jesus' early ministry was directed to the Jews. (Matthew 10:5-7; 15:21-28.)

2.        Jesus began to lay the ground work for the Church when the Jews rejected Him.

                                    a.         The proper manner of discipline was given. (Matthew 18:15-17)

                                    b.         The Lord's Supper was instituted. (Matthew 26:26-30)

                                    c.         A simple form of organization was practiced

                        3.         The disciples initially received the Holy Spirit prior to Jesus' ascension.

                                    (John 20:22)

                        4.         The Church was empowered on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1ff)

            C.        The Mission Of The Church Considered. (Matthew 28:18-20)

                        1.         The Great Commission was given to the local Church.

                                    a.         The eleven were with Jesus by special appointment.

                                                (Matthew 28:10, 16)

                                    b.         God's method is for the local Church to do the work.

                                    c.         Spiritual gifts were given to the local Church. (Romans 12:4-6.)

                                                1)        The Church operates on the body concept.

                                                2)        This allows things to be done decently and in order.

d.        The local Church has a great responsibility that must not be taken lightly.

                        2.         The Great Commission tells all that the Church is to do.

                                    a.         “Go ye”

                                    b.         “Teach all nations” (i.e. “Make disciples.”)

                                    c.         “Baptizing them” (i.e. Those who become disciples.)

d.        “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

                                                1)        Teach them to fulfill the Great Commission.

                                                2)        Teach them all the teachings of Christ.

            D.        The Government Of The Local Church Considered.

1.        There is nothing in Scripture to indicate that any local Church was ever governed by any ecclesiastical hierarchy.

                        2.         Each local Church ordained its own elders. (Acts 14:23)

                        3.         Each local Church chose its own deacons. (Acts 6:1-7)

                        4.         Each local Church sent out its own missionaries. (Acts 13:1-4; 14:27)

                        5.         Each local Church handled its own discipline problems.

                                    (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13)

6.        Local Churches may cooperate on a voluntary basis but there can be nothing legally binding.

            (1 Corinthians 3:9)

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!