The Church of the Bible

The following track was written by Allen Webster from "House to House Heart to Heart" regarding the church Jesus built: It's beginning, organization, name, worship, mission, and plan of salvation found in God's written and inspired word the Bible.

The church of the New Testament follows the Bible as its only creed.  No man-made creed should be used to supplement Scripture.  Instead it must follow the inspired word of God, which is the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25).  Anything else should be rejected (Galatians 1:6-9).

The Church's Beginning

Founder: Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18)

Where: Jerusalem, as predicted in Isaiah 2:3 and fulfilled in Acts 2:5-47

When: On the Day of Pentecost, after the ascension of Jesus (Acts 2)

Organization

Head: Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23)

Elders: 

Oversee the local congregations (Titus 1:5)

Feed the flock (1 Peter 5:1-3; Acts 20:28)

Meet the qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

Members: 

Remain faithful (Acts 2:41-47)

Serve in the kingdom (Galatians 5:13)

Use talents (Matthew 25:14-30)

Name

As the bride of Christ, the church wears Christs name: (Romans 7:4; Ephesians 5:23; Revelation 21:9)

The Body of Christ (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:23)

Churches of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16)

The followers of Christ are referred to in several ways:

Disciples (John 15:8; Acts 11:26)

Saints (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1)

Brethren (Luke 8:21; Galatians 6:1)

Children of God (Galatians 3:26; 1 John 2:1)

Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16)

Worship

Singing (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19)

Praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Teaching (Acts 20:7)

Communion (1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

Contribution (1 Corinthians 6:1-2)

Mission

Spread the gospel in order to save souls and glorify God (1 Timothy 4:16; Luke 19:10; Matthew 28:19-20).

Plan of Salvation

No one can join the church or be voted in by others.  God adds one to the church (Acts 2:47).  One must follow God's plan in order to be added:

Hear (Romans 10:17)

Believe: Must be an obedient faith, for even the demons believe (Acts 16:31; James 2:19)

Repent (Luke 13:3)

Confess Christ (Romans 10:10)

Be baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-7; Galatians 3:27)

Persevere to the End (Revelation 2:10)

For a free Bible Correspondence Course mailed to your home, please contact Seth Sullivan at the Waynesboro Church of Christ at 601-270-3270 or me at 601-517-6545.