Marks of the New Testament Church

AIM:

To show that the marks of the churches of the New Testament period are the same marks that characterize Baptist churches today

POINT OF CONTACT:

Have you been confused by the many, many different kind of churches and wondered which one is the right one. Today we want to study the marks of a New Testament church and then identify such a church in today's world.

INTRODUCTION:

Of all the churches in existence, only the Baptists can lay claim to being a New Testament church. They are the only group that can consistently say they have the same marks that distinguished the New Testament church. Today we want to study those marks.

I. It's Head and Founder -- Christ

He is the law-giver, the church is only the executor of His laws (Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18). The New Testament church did not make laws nor did it submit to laws made by any others except Christ.

II. It's only Rule of Faith and Practice -- The Bible (II Timothy 3:15-17; Acts 2:41-42)

The New Testament church did not have an earthly head who was infallible in ecclesiastical matters. Peter, who it has been claimed, was the first Pope was not the leading Pastor of the church at Jerusalem, James was (Acts 15:13). Also, Peter was openly rebuked by Paul when he (Peter) acted inconsistently with Christian teaching and conduct in the church at Antioch (Galatians 2:11-14).

III. It's Name: "Church", "Churches" (Matthew 16:18; Revelation 2, 3; 22:16; Galatians 1:1)

We have no indication that they were called "Baptist Churches," but we do know that the first church was made up of born again believers who had been baptized by John, the Baptist. In later years, after apostate and unscriptural churches came into existence, Scriptural churches were called Anabaptists because they rebaptized folks that came from unscriptural churches.

The first churches were separate and independent churches. The church at Jerusalem did not in any sense control the church at Antioch. Neither did that great missionary church at Antioch, control in anyway the churches that were established by their missionaries, Paul and Barnabus (Acts 13-15).

The first churches were to be perpetual, that is, there were to be churches like them in existence until Jesus returned (Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20; I Corinthians 11:26).

IV. It's Form of Government -- Congregational

All members were to have equal voting privileges (Matthew 20;24-28; 23:5-12). These churches were to be both Theocratic and Democratic.

V. It's Members -- Only Saved people and only people who of their own free will and accord united with that Congregation (Ephesians 2:21; I Peter 2:5; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 2:8,9).

Salvation is by grace (unmerited favor) through faith in Christ alone. No one became a member by restraint or compulsion. Eg. When Constantine came to power, in 313 A.D. he united the unscriptural churches (those that taught baptismal regeneration) with the government (State) and commanded that his soldiers be baptized. Later infants were baptized and not of their own free will.

VI. It's ordinances -- Believer's Baptism, followed by the Lord's Supper (Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:41,42)

Baptism by immersion was to follow the act of saving faith. The requirements for observance of the Lord's Supper are:

A. The New Birth

B. Scriptural Baptism

C. Membership in that Local Church

D. Following the Apostles Doctrine or Walking in the Ways of the Lord.

These ordinances were to be perpetual, that is, they were to be practiced until Jesus comes (I Corinthians 11:26). They were for the purpose of preserving precious gospel truth.

VII. It's Officers -- Pastors and Deacons (I Timothy 3:1-16; Philemon 1:1)

The Pastor was the under-shepherd of the flock (the Local church). He was to be the overseer, the director, of the work. The Deacons were his helpers and helped to take care of some things that he could put them in charge of that would free him (the Pastor) so that he could more efficiently and effectively minister the Word of God.

VIII. It's Work -- Getting folks saved (through the preaching of the gospel) (I Corinthians 15:1-4); Baptizing them (with a baptism that meets all the requirements of God's Word); and teaching them "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:16-20).

Every facet of the work of the church should have these purposes for service and if they do not then there is no scriptural reason for their existence.

IX. It's Financial Plan -- Tithes and Offerings. (I Corinthians 9:14; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; I Corinthians 16:1,2; II Corinthians 8:14)

God intended for every person to give equally according to their income. The tithe is that measure of which He has declared is equitable for all. We should even give above our tithes (II Corinthians 9:6-12).

Some churches have devised other schemes and methods for income. Some charge for some so-called spiritual benefits from the church such as for Baptism, but there is no scriptural precedent for this, either by precept or example.

X. It's Independence -- Separation of church and state (Matthew 22:21)

Scriptural churches never sought State or government financial support nor approval as the only religious faith to be followed by the people. The religion of Christ is to be individual, personal, and voluntary. There should be no physical nor governmental compulsion.

CONCLUSION:

The church that Jesus built and promised perpetuity to (Matthew 16:18) had the above marks or characteristics. These marks have been found in every century since the time of Christ.

Churches with the above marks are in the world still, today and we do not have to look very hard to find that they characterize Missionary Baptist Churches. If you were to take one of the churches that existed in New Testament times such as the church at Ephesus and bring it into existence today and establish it in an American city, what would you call it? You would have to call it a missionary Baptist Church.

Are you a member of a scriptural church? If not, you should be. God expects you to be.

The realization that Baptists are the true church should not cause us to be proud and to in any sense hold it over others but it should cause us to want to help others to come to the knowledge of the truth so that their individual lives will be more pleasing and useful to God and it should cause us to be willing to work harder to preserve the status and strength of our church.

QUESTIONS:

1. Who is authorized to make laws or rules of a religious nature?

2. Who is to execute religious laws and work?

3. What is the sole authority for church practice and belief?

4. Was Peter infallible?

5. Why were scriptural churches through the centuries called Anabaptists?

6. Were the first churches independent of each other?

7. In the New Testament churches, were there any who had a greater voice in deciding church issues than others?

8. What is Baptismal regeneration?

9. Who were members of the early churches? Name the two requirements for membership.

10. What were the two ordinances of the early churches?

11. What were the requirements for partaking of the Lord's Supper?

12. What was the purpose of the ordinances?

13. What are the two scriptural offices in the early church?

14. What is the work of a New Testament church?

15. How is a New Testament church supposed to get the money it needs for its existence and work?

16. Is it scriptural for a church to charge for baptism or observance of the Lord's Supper?

17. Is a scriptural church ever to be a so-called State-Church? Eg. Such as the church of England -- Episcopal Church, or the Church of Scotland -- Presbyterian Church, etc.

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