The New Testament Church

The New Testament Church • There is one church which Jesus Built. • Division is carnal & sinful. • The New Testament is the standard for gospel teaching & practice.

One Church Jesus said: “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18) Paul taught: “there is one body” (Ephesians 4:4)

Division is Carnal & Sinful Paul taught: “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (I Corinthians 1:10)

Division is Carnal & Sinful Paul taught: “where there are envy, strife and divisions among you, are you not carnal” (I Corinthians 3:3)

NT is the Standard Jesus said: “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48)

The “Turning Away” • Apostasy was promised. • Apostasy began very quickly. • The Lord’s church continued.

Apostasy – “Turning Away” Paul promised: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (II Timothy 4:3-4)

Apostasy – “Turning Away” Paul said to the Galatians: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6,7)

The Lord’s Church Endures The Lord said of the church: “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” (Daniel 2:44)

The “Restoration” Movement in America • A call to forsake human traditions. • Men & women left the denominations. Barton W. Stone Alexander Campbell

The “Restoration” Movement in America • A move to go back to the Bible alone. • “No creed but Christ.” Walter Scott “Raccoon” John Smith

The “Restoration” Movement in America • “Speak where the Bible speaks – remain silent where the Bible is silent.” • “Bible Names for Bible things.” Thomas Campbell

Division & Turning Back • From the late 19th Century to the present there have been divisions that have shattered this unity and compromised the goal of going back to the Bible alone. • In our day many are going back to the denominations (in either name or practice).

Surrendering A Hard Fought Victory Turning back to denominations after standing on the Bible alone is surrendering a hard fought spiritual victory!

Why Study Such Things? We must understand the issues that have caused division to guard against further division in the future.

Issues of Division Among Brethren Part One: Instrumental Music – The Missionary Society – Bible Classes

Instrumental Music One of the first issues that divided those of the “Restoration Movement” in the late 19th century was the question… “Does the Gospel Authorize mechanical instruments of music in church worship?”

Instrumental Music • The New Testament is silent on the use of mechanical instruments of music. • Singing is commanded (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). • Church history reveals that the introduction of this was centuries after the establishment of the church.

Instrumental Music • This issue (and the Missionary Society) led to the development of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination. • Some formerly opposed to this innovation have now accepted it. • Others who continue to worship without instruments do it as “tradition” not faith.

Instrumental Music What is the “human tradition”? Doing something without Scriptural authority? or… Following the simple practice of New Testament Christians? Matthew 15:8.9 “Vain Worship”

The Missionary Society A second issue that divided those of the “Restoration Movement” in the late 19th century was an evangelistic scheme called… The Missionary Society Preacher Human Organization Church Preacher Preacher

The Missionary Society • In the New Testament churches sent out and supported preachers themselves with no “go between.” Acts 13:1-3 Philippians 4:10-20 This has been imitated (in essence) by modern church of Christ in the “Sponsoring Church” arrangement.

Bible Classes In the 20th century some brethren became concerned over the question… “Is the church authorized to support and conduct separate Bible classes for all ages?”

Bible Classes Two concerns… 1. “Does this surrender parental responsibility?” 2. “Should there be women teachers?”

Bible Classes • The NT teaches that women are to be silent in the assembly (I Cor 14:34). • In general, they are to have a quiet disposition and must not teach over a man (I Timothy 2:12). • Yet, there is a context in which they are to teach (Titus 2:3; Acts 18:26).

Bible Classes • It is the primary responsibility of parents to teach children (Eph 6:4). • The church is authorized to support teaching of God’s word in and out of the assembly (I Cor 14:26; Phil 4:15; Acts 20:20).

Bible Classes • If the church could support Paul teaching “from house to house”… • If Priscilla could help teach Apollos outside of the assembly… • If women are to be “teachers of good things” outside of the assembly…

Bible Classes The church is authorized to support Bible classes outside of the assembly for different ages, topics or genders. This does not mean we should create a “Bible School”… But, Christians teaching Christians is authorized.

Tonight Part Two: One Cup in the Lord’s Supper – Support of Human Institutions – The Social Gospel – The Sponsoring Church – The Discipling Movement

The New Testament Church