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A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL...

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“A study of the role of the Lord’s church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today” ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE
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Page 1: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

“A study of the role of the Lord’s church in the plan of

salvation, and how to identify it today”

ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE

Page 2: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Key Features of the Church

• Purposed by God

Page 3: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Ephesians 3:8-11 8To me, the very least of all saints, this

grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,

9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;

Page 4: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known

through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Page 5: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Key Features of the Church

• Purposed by God

• Subject of prophecy

Page 6: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

In Old Testament Prophecy

Isaiah 9:6-7 6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Page 7: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

Page 8: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Luke 1:30-33

30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

Prophecy to Mary

Page 9: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne

of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of

Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Page 10: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Key Features of the Church

• Purposed by God

• Subject of prophecy

• Promised by Christ

Page 11: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Matthew 16:18-1918 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

Page 12: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Promised Within Lifetime of Some of His Hearer’s

Mark 9:11 And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

Page 13: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Key Features of the Church

• Purposed by God

• Subject of prophecy

• Promised by Christ

• Purchased by blood

Page 14: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Acts 20:2828 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy

Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Page 15: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Key Features of the Church

• Purposed by God

• Subject of prophecy

• Promised by Christ

• Purchased by blood

• Saved by Christ

Page 16: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Ephesians 5:23-2523 For the husband is the head of the

wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

Page 17: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Key Features of the Church

• Purposed by God

• Subject of prophecy

• Promised by Christ

• Purchased by blood

• Saved by Christ

• Only one church built

Page 18: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

• Ephesians 4:44 There is one body and one Spirit,

just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;

Page 19: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

How Can Man Say the Church is Not Important?

• Purposed by God

• Subject of prophecy

• Promised by Christ

• Purchased by His blood

• Saved by Christ

• Only one church built

It is the kingdom without end !

Page 20: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

We See the Beginning of the Church in Acts, Chapter 2

• “Will build My church” – still future, Matt. 16:18-19

• Kingdom would come with power, and within lifetime of some who heard the Lord, Mark 9:1

Page 21: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Power Came in Jerusalem Acts 2:2-4 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a

noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Page 22: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

We See the Beginning of the Church in Acts, Chapter 2

• “Will build my church” – still future, Matt. 16:18-19

• Kingdom would come with power, and within lifetime of some who heard the Lord, Mark 9:1

• Repentance and remission of sins to be first preached in Jerusalem, Luke 24:47

Page 23: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Acts 2:3838 Peter said to them, “Repent, and

each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 24:47 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Page 24: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

We See the Beginning of the Church in Acts, Chapter 2

• “Will build my church” – still future, Matt. 16:18-19

• Kingdom would come with power, and within lifetime of some who heard the Lord, Mark 9:1

• Repentance and remission of sins first preached in Jerusalem, Luke 24;47

• God added to their number (church, NKJV) those who were being saved, Acts 2:47

Page 25: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

We See the Beginning of the Church in Acts, Chapter 2

• God added to their number (church, KJV) those who were being saved, Acts 2:47

• After Acts 2, congregations of believers called the “church”.

Page 26: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Typical References to “Church” after Acts 2

• “And great fear came upon all the church”, Acts 5:11

• “Great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem”, Acts 8:1

• “Saul began ravaging the church”, Acts 8 :3

• “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace”, Acts 9:31

Page 27: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Identifying Features of the Lord’s Church

Its designation Its organization

Its worship Its mission

Page 28: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Individual Members Called “Christians”

Acts 11:2626 and when he had found him, he

brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Acts 26:2828 Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short

time you will persuade me to become a Christian.”

Page 29: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

1 Peter 4:1616 but if anyone suffers as a Christian,

he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

The scriptures do not recognize varying kinds of Christians as Baptist Christians, Methodist Christians, etc. but solely Christians !

Page 30: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Names Used to Designate the Collection of Believers

• churches of Christ – “ All the churches of Christ salute you” – Romans 16:16

• church of God – “to the church of God which is at Corinth” – 1 Cor. 1:2

Page 31: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

• church of God – “the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to shepherd the church of God” – Acts 20:28

• church of the first-born – “to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven” –

Heb. 12:23

Page 32: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Church Organization Recognized in Two Senses

Universal–Christ the only head

–Composed of baptized believers everywhere

–No earthly organization

Page 33: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Local–Organized with elders

(overseers) deacons, saints

–Composed of Christians in a geographic area

–No organization larger than the local church

Page 34: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Universal

• Christ as head – “And He is head of the body, the church” – Col. 1:18

• All baptized believers – “By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” – 1 Cor. 12:15

• No earthly organization – “ He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and Savior” – Acts 5:31

Page 35: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Local

• Composed of elders, deacons, and saints – “to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, including the overseers and deacons” – Philippians 1:1

• Geographic areas – “churches at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, etc.” – Revelation 2-3

• Organization local only – “Shepherd the flock of God among you” – 1 Peter 5:2

Page 36: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

• The scriptures define what God expects when Christians gather for worship.

– To sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs

– To offer prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and petitions to God

– Observe the Lord’s Supper in memory of Christ's death

– Give to the Lord as we have prospered

– Preach the word of His grace

Page 37: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Colossians 3:16 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with

thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Singing

Page 38: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Ephesians 5:1919 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

Page 39: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Prayer

1 Corinthians 14:1515 What is the outcome then? I will

pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

Page 40: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Lord’s Supper

Acts 20:7 7 On the first day of the week,

when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.

Page 41: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Giving

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 1 Now concerning the collection for

the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each

one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no

collections be made when I come.

Page 42: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Preaching

Acts 2:4242 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Page 43: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

The Church’s Mission is Threefold

Edification or building up of the church

Evangelism or reaching out to the lost

Benevolence or helping needy saints

Page 44: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Edification

Ephesians 4:15-1615 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Page 45: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Evangelism

Matthew 28:19-20 19 “Go therefore and make

disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Page 46: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Benevolence

Acts 11:27-30 27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up

and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.

Page 47: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

29 And in the proportion that any ofthe disciples had means, each of them determined to send a

contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

Page 48: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

Summary• The church was purposed by God,

promised by Christ, and all the saved are in it.

• Christ is head of the one church He purchased with His blood.

• Church members individually are called Christians, collectively the church of Christ or church of God.

• Local body made up of saints, elders and deacons and there is no organization larger than the local church.

Page 49: A study of the role of the Lords church in the plan of salvation, and how to identify it today ALL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES – NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.

• Worship is composed of singing, praying, eating the Lord’s supper, giving and teaching.

• Its mission is to build up its members, teach the gospel to others, and care for needy saints.

• Not authorized to provide social activities, entertainment, recreation, secular education, promote political agendas, nor serve as a universal benevolent institution.


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