A. Soul-winning and Baptizing.

B. Doctrinal Study.

C. Fellowship.

D. Sitting at the Lord's Table.

E. Giving.

F. Praise.

G. Continuing in Soul-winning.

A. Attendance.

B. Stewardship.

C. Loyalty.

D. Dedication.

Matt. 16:18; Luke 4:16; Acts 2:41-47; 7:38; 13:1-3; 19:32,39; 11 Cor. 1:10,11; 6:14-16,19,20; 16:2; Phil. 1:1,25,26; 2:18; Heb. 10:25; '12:23; Rev. 2:1-5,8-17; 3:1,2,7-22.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching (Heb. 10:25).

The doctrine of the Church is an important doctrine, an intricate one, and one that is often misunderstood. In a limited time, we will not be able to explore all the depths of the subject, nor will we consider fully such tantalizing aspects as the date of the founding of the Church. We will give a simple, yet concise, picture of what the Bible says about the Church, its structure, its operation, and its importance in the lives of individual Christians.

I. THE DEFINITION OF THE CHURCH.

The word translated "Church" comes from two Greek words-ek, which means "out of," and kaleo (call-eh-o), which means "a calling." The word was used among the Greeks of a body of people who gathered for secular reasons in Acts 19:39. It is also used concerning Israel in Acts 7:38. It is used concerning a riotous mob in Acts 19:32,41. This leads us to the conclusion that a church is a called-out assembly. The New Testament Church is a called-out assembly of believers. Hence, for this age the term "Churches" would be more appropriate than the term "Church.

A New Testament Church is a local group of called-out believers who assemble on a scriptural basis for the carrying out of God's commands and commission and for the providing of fellowship, strength, encouragement, edification, and Christian growth to God's people. It is vital that every Christian align himself with such a Church in order that he may participate in the two-fold ministry of being strengthened and strengthening.

There is another sense in which the Church is mentioned in the Bible. Passages such as Heb. 12:23 tell us that there is a Church being formed now that will be completed at the rapture. This is perhaps the Church mentioned in Matt. 16:18. It must be noticed, however, that when our Lord spoke the words, "I will build my church," this is the curative or linear which means, "I will be building my Church." Perhaps it could be better translated, "I will be building and be building and be building my Church." He will continue in this building until the last person is saved and the bride is called out. Then, and not until then, will all believers become a Church, for then, and not until then, will they be a called-out assembly.

Suppose a pastor is taking some out-of-town guests on a tour of his Church property. The Church is in a building program. The pastor drives by the building site, points to the unfinished building and says, "That's our Church building." Now, though they understand what he is saying, he does not mean exactly what he is saying. What he means is that there is a Church building that is being built. It is not yet a Church building. It has not yet been finished or dedicated. Some passages seem to teach us that the word Church is used about this unfinished body of Christ, but until it is a called-out assembly at the meeting in the air, it will not be a Church.

There is a great danger for people to misunderstand this doctrine, causing them to bypass the called-out assembly that God has provided for us here. Many are weak in the faith and unfruitful in their service for Christ because they have bypassed the local assembly, thinking that it is trivial or at best, a nursery for young Christians.

Often God's people mistakenly refer to a building as a Church. It is true that in early Bible days God's presence was peculiarly manifested in a building. From the altar of the days of the patriarchs to the tabernacle of the traveling Israelites to the temple of the Jews, God seemed to dwell in a certain place in a special way. However, in this age the body of the believer is the (temple of the Holy Spirit, as is found in 1 Cor. 6:14-16, 19, and 20. 'Perhaps the thoughtful teacher would want to secure pictures of the Church building, of an individual Christian, and of a group picture of the Church family. The teacher could hold the picture of the Church building in front of the class and ask them what 'they see. The answer, of course, is that they see a Church building. It should be emphasized this is not the Church but simply a meeting place. Then, the picture of the individual Christian could be held up and the pupils would be asked, ""What is this?" The answer is that this is a Christian whose body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Then the picture of the Church family could be held up and the pupils are asked, "And what is his?" The correct answer is, "This is our Church."

This is outlined very plainly in Phil. 1:1. Even the casual observer will notice that there are three groups mentioned concerning the Church structure: saints, pastors, and deacons. There are three titles given to the pastors. First is the word 01pastor" which means "shepherd" which means that God has given to the pastor the watch-care of the flock (saints) - Second is the word "bishop" which means "overseer." The pastor is to be the overseer of the entire Church program. This does not mean he is to be the dictator, but it means that he is to oversee the total ministry of the Church. Third, the pastor is called an "elder." This points to wisdom, counsel, and advice, which every faithful pastor owes to his people.

The deacons of the Church are servants chosen because of the heavy load that the pastor carries. They are his helpers to help him carry the responsibilities and burdens of the Church. Under no condition are they his bosses. Many Churches have found it wise to form the deacons into an advisory board to work with the pastor in prayerfully seeking God's will concerning the Church and its ministry, enabling them to make proper recommendations to the Church concerning the Lord's work.

Acts. 2:41-47. Notice the program carried out by this typical, healthy Church at Jerusalem.

A. Soul-winning and baptizing. Verse 41.

B. Doctrinal Study. Verse 42a.

C. Fellowship. Verse 42b.

D. Sitting at the Lord's table. Verse 42c.

E. Giving. Verse 45.

F. Praise. Verse 47a.

G. Continuing in soul-winning. Verse 47b.

These are just a few of the wonderful things that the Church offers to God's people for their growth in grace.

When a person becomes a member of a local assembly he assumes some obligations. Some of these are:

Read Heb. 10:25. Every Christian should be faithful to all the public services of his Church. One of the sweetest passages concerning the life of our Lord is Luke 4:16, "And He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read." Though there was no New Testament Church when Jesus was a lad, He nevertheless was faithful to the synagogue. How much more faithful should we be to the New Testament Church founded by our Lord Himself!

1 Cor. 16:2 teaches us that we are to bring our monetary gifts on the first day of the week. Since the first day of the week was the day that the New Testament Church met for fellowship, the apostle was no doubt talking about our bringing tithes and offerings to Church with us as we come.

The Christian, especially the Christian child or young person, should build his life around his Church. His social activities should be Church-centered. His closest friends should be from his Church. His dates should be chosen from the young people at Church, and whenever it is possible, he should attend a school operated by his Church.

V. EXAMPLES.

There are many Churches or assemblies mentioned in the Bible. It might be wise for us to learn five of the good Churches and five of the bad and at least one characteristic about each: (1) The Church at Jerusalem was the first New Testament Church (Acts 2:47). (2) The Church at Antioch sent out the first missionaries (Acts 13:1~3). (3) The Church at Philadelphia was the Church of brotherly love (Rev. 3:7-13). (4) The Church at Smyrna was a suffering Church (Rev. 2:8-11). (5) The Church at Philippi was a joyful Church (Phil. 1:25,26; 2:18). (6) The Church at Laodicea was a lukewarm Church (Rev. 3:14-22). (7) The Church at Corinth was a divided Church (1 Cor. 1:10,11). (8) The Church at Pergamos was a worldly Church (Rev. 2:12-17). (9) The Church at Ephesus was a Church that had left its first love (Rev. 2:1-5). (10) The Church at Sardis was a dead Church (Rev. 3:1,2).

The teacher should testify for 60 seconds or so concerning what his Church means to him. He should mention such things as he was saved, baptized, met his best friends, met his mate for life, was married, surrendered his life in a special way, etc. Teacher, ask God at this point to make your heart warm as you seek to influence your pupils to realize the importance of their Church in their lives.

1. The Church is a _________________________ assembly of believers.

2. The Church is not a _____________________. It is _____________________________ .

1. The _________________________________ is a "Shepherd."

2. The _________________________________ are chosen servants.

Five Purposes of a Church are: _______________________, ____________________________,

_______________________, ______________________, and ___________________ (Acts 2:41-47).

Obligations to the Church: ____________________, ___________________, ______________________,

_____________________________ .

Memory Verse: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

Short Version: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.

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