the Biblical Church of Christ

It’s important to identify the one and only Church of Christ because one is baptized into the body of Christ, and only Jesus adds us to it. Acts 2:47 If we want to identify the biblical church, we must identify specific characteristics. We don’t look for one that worships God, because all churches worship God. We don’t look for one that loves the Lord, because all churches claim that they love God. However, only the churches which keep His commandments actually love God. 1 Jn 5:3 Only the New Testament can truly identify the true church of Christ.

It’s Authority Is The Scripture

The New ‘Testament church accepts that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 It accepts the fact that all that God has given has been revealed by the Spirit, and that the scriptures are inspired in word and thought. 1 Cor. 2:10f; 1 Cor. 2:13 It is certified as having been given by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Gal, 1:11-12 It doesn’t add to or take from God’s Word. Rev 22:18,19 It speaks and acts only as the oracles of God instructs. 1 Pet, 4:11 It abides in the doctrine of Christ, and rejects the doctrines of men. 2 Jn. 9f; Mt 15:7-9
The church has the ability to prove its faith with book, chapter, and verse for all that it says and does.  If God didn’t authorize it, the church doesn’t do it. Thus, it believes the Word of God is all sufficient for our salvation. 2 Pet 1:3


It Has Self Autonomy

Jesus built His church upon a Rock, a sure foundation which was structured or built according to the divine pattern. Mt 16:18f; Heb. 8:1-5 The divine organization of the church consists of bishops (elders) and deacons. Phil. 1:1 Qualifications for bishops (elders) and deacons are given in Tit. 1:5-9 and 1 Tim. 3:1-13. The local church is made up of saints with its bishops (elders) and deacons. This is the only organization known to the church. As such, it is independent and autonomous. Elders are to be appointed in every church. Acts 14:23 They have the oversight only over the flock over which they have been appointed. Acts 20:17-28f; 1 Pet. 5:2. Each local church is to be independent and self-governing.

The Name of The Church Jesus built

Jesus is the builder of his church, and the only one who died for it. Mt 16:18f; Acts 20:28  There is only one body, and Jesus is the head of that one body which is identified as the church. Eph 4:4f; Col 1:24 Therefore, if Jesus is the head of the body of Christ, he by interpretation is the head of the church of Christ. Eph 1:22,23ff; Col 1:18; 1 Cor 12:27; Rom 16:16


Worship God in Spirit And Truth

Jesus said: “God is spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth” Jn. 4:24 The Spirit was the one sent to the apostles to guide them unto all truth. Jn 16:13 The truth is the Word of God wherein the gospel is contained. 1 Thess 2:13f; 1 Pet 1:25 The church is the manifold wisdom of God, and the foundation of the truth. Eph 3:10f; 1 Tim 3:15
Early day Christians worshiped God in Spirit and in Truth, and so must we if we are the biblical church of Christ. What did they do?
1. They met on the first day of the week Acts 20:7
2. They partook of the Lord’s Supper Acts 20:7f; 1 Cor 11:24-26
3. They gave of their means 1 Cor 16:1,2
4. The preached Acts 20:7; 2 Tim 4:2-5
5. They Prayed 1 Cor 14:15
6. They Sang A cappella Eph 5:19

 
It Performs Its God-Given Work

The church has a definite function to perform. We can know what the church is to do by observing the New Testament church’s function.
What is the work of the church?
1. Preaching and teaching the gospel. Phil. 1:3-5f; 4:15-48
2. Edifying the Saints Acts 13:1; Eph. 4:11-16; Rom. 1:8-17
3. Helping needy Saints.  (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:9-10,16).
It is not the work of the church to provide entertainment and things of like nature. Also, the church is all-sufficient to perform the tasks it was commanded to perform. It can, to the extent of its ability, do all that God has assigned to it.


Conclusion

These features identify the church. They tell us what the church is and what it is like. Are you a member of the New Testament church? You can be added to it by your obedience to the gospel of Christ. Acts 2:47ff; Rom 10:9,10; Acts 2:38; Rev 2:10
A church is no better than the sum of its members. If its members are corrupt it will produce corruption. If its members are righteous it will produce righteousness. If the church you attend doesn’t bear the Lord’s name, or obeys the Lord’s doctrine, and doesn’t worship God in Spirit and in Truth you are not in the Lord’s church. There is only one church which abides in all these, and it’s called the church of Christ. If you are not in the right church, you are not right with God. Don’t become a member of the church of your choice, but rather the church of God’s choice, the choice of Christ, the choice of the apostles, and every new testament convert__ the church of Christ. The Saints of God are waiting to greet you there. Rom 16:16

True worshipers of God

 Many worship the Lord our God in vain. They waste their time and their resources by teaching the doctrines of men. True worshipers of God do not teach the commandments of men which turn one from the truth. Tit 1:14 Jesus accused the scribes and Pharisees, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9). When one worships with the traditions and doctrines of men, it is a hypocritical worship. If we truly loved God, we would not use the traditions and doctrines of men, because we would only keep the commandments of God. Jn 14:15

When we add to or take from God’s Word, we are not true worshipers of God.Rev 22:18,19 We must speak only the oracles of God to be pleasing unto God. 1 Pet 4:11  We must not teach the wisdom of men, but that which the Spirit of God teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Cor 2:13 How can we add instrumental music, and still be pleasing to God. Eph 5:19 How can we go beyond that which was written, and say we are worshiping God in spirit and in truth. 1 Cor 4:6

 The only kind of response that God will accept is the kind of worship Jesus referred to as He talked with the woman at the well_ “spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). Worship is to be of a spiritual nature. To worship in spirit is to worship from the heart. It involves understanding, meaning, and feeling. To worship in truth is to worship by the teachings of the truth, the Word of God (Jn. 17:17). The Word of God must be the standard by which we worship. Early Christians followed this rule when “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). As Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Cor 11:1

The TRUTH Authorizes 5 Acts of Worship:

• The Lord’s Supper
• It is to be observed every first day of the week in memory of the Lord’s death (1 Cor. 11:23-26f, Acts 20:7).
• Giving of our Means
• We are to give of our money as we have prospered without grudging or of necessity. (2 Cor. 9:7-14).
• Prayers To God
• Prayers are to be offered in praise, with thanksgiving to God (1 Cor. 14:15).
• Singing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
• We are to glorify God in singing with our voices only. (Eph 5:19f; Col. 3:16).
• Preaching and Teaching God’s Word
• Preaching and teaching of God’s Word is to be done in and out of season edifying the body (the church) of Christ. (Acts 20:7ff; 2 Tim 4:2-5; Eph 4:12).

 The bible instructs us to “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Col 2:8 Let us not be like the young prophet who was sent to King Jeroboam with a message, and God told the prophet not to eat bread or drink water in that land, and not to return the same way he came. The prophet followed these commands until an older prophet told him a lie, that God had told him it was all right for the young prophet to eat with him. The young prophet died, not because of wickedness or lack of sincerity, but by believing a lie.1 Kings 13:15-24

Let no one steal your salvation by worshipping God falsely. We cannot judge a thing to be true just because a person said it. The young prophet lost his life to a lie. Even elders can be wrong when it comes to God’s Word. Paul told the elders from the church in Ephesus, “Among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:30). Men have many differing ideas on what constitutes true worship. Jesus summed up true worship in one statement. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Jn 4:24 The devil didn’t abide in the truth but rather in lies. Jn 8:44 Strive to be a true worshiper of God by following God’s truth and reject the lies of men.

the second coming of Jesus Christ

We hear a lot about the second coming these days. Many see that the year 2012 is the last year of mankind, and that God will send Christ back to claim the righteous, destroy the earth, and bring down a new heaven and a new earth. The bible tells us a lot about what Christ will do on that faithful day, and it leaves a lot from our view. Let’s examine the second coming of the Lord according to the scriptures.

The Difference Between the 1st & 2nd Coming of Christ

The difference between Jesus’ first coming, and the second can be illustrated in the story of a young man whose car was wrecked in a snow storm that left him severely injured. A benevolent man came along, and took the young man to his cabin, and nursed the man back to health. Years later this same young man entered into a court room charged with a capital offense. His judge was the same man who had saved him in the snow storm. The accused man was elated to discover that his judge was the same man who had once saved his life. Expecting to be released the young man said to the judge, don’t you recognize me. I am the man you once saved. The judge said, yes I do remember you, but back then I was your savior, but today I am your judge. 2 Cor 5:10f; Heb 10:30


Why Jesus Will Return

It was prophesied that Jesus would come upon the earth, be crucified, and would arise again the third day. 1 Cor 15:3,4 The apostles foretold of Jesus second coming. Paul not only tell us that Jesus will come again, but as importantly, why he will come again. Paul said Jesus was coming back to avenge the saints by punishing the wicked, and rewarding the righteous who obeyed the gospel. 2 Thess 1:7-9

What We Don’t Know

God never had it revealed the day or the hour that Jesus would return. Mt 24:36,  Therefore it is incumbent for all to take heed, watch and pray, for we don’t know when that time will be. Mark 13:33 It is stated that Jesus’ return will come like a thief in the night when mankind is least expecting it, though the righteous seek, and watch daily for his return. 1 Thess 5:1-5


What The Scriptures Revealed

The scriptures tell us in some detail what will happen when Jesus returns. The apostle Paul described the mystery of Jesus second return this way: Christians shall all be changed from this mortal body very quickly at the last trump. Death will have no reign over the the saints of God because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the victory which comes by Jesus’ great sacrifice, and our obedience of the gospel of Christ. 1 Cor 15:51-58
Paul went on to say, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thess 4:16-18
Peter said it very clearly when he said Jesus will come as a thief in the night. Heaven and earth, and all that is contained therein shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat. 2 Pet 3:10-12 All shall pass away except the Word of God which shall judge us all. Mt 24:35 f; Jn 12:48


How We Can Prepare

Jesus first warned all of mankind of his second coming by condensing it to one word, WATCH! Mk 13:37 Paul said that faithful brethren had no need of him warning them of Jesus return for they knew Jesus would come Unexpectedly. He said, “Let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober.” For Christians, God has not appointed us a day of wrath, but a day of salvation that we should live together with Christ. 1 Thess 5:1-11
To be fully prepared all must obey the gospel of Christ, and remain faithful unto the end. All those who do this will receive a crown of life, and will look forward to the second coming of our Lord. 2 Thess 1:7-9ff; Mk 16:16; Rev 2:10
To those who reject the gospel, enjoy this life to its fullest, for the day will come when Jesus will take vengeance upon you, and that without mercy. Knowing therefore the terror of God, and on behalf of all who suffer for the cause of Christ, change now, because there is coming a day that option will no longer be afforded unto you. 2 Cor 5:11f; 1 Pet 4:16 Now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation! 2 Cor 6:2