Baptist & the Real Church

“Christ Loved the Church.”

Ephesians 5:25
    Where and when did the Church begin? What constitutes a New Testament church? What is the mission of the church? Why was not the work of a church left to individuals? Has Christ other organizations set up to do what he left for the church to do?

I: When was the Church Organized? New Testament is the last word!
1. Was it during the days of Christ on earth, or at the day of Pentecost?
a. A New Testament church is identified by New Testament standards.
b. “Baptist Churches would not be effected if every man made creed were wiped out.” Dr. E. C. Routh.
2. Jesus founded the Church while he was here in the flesh.
a. They were baptized believers that made up the little band. Acts 1:21-22.
b. They were organized and Judas was made treasurer.
c. They were baptized believers and they were given the Lord’s Supper and sent out two by two.
d. Jesus told the disciples to take their problems to the church. Matthew 18:15-17.
e. The Pentecost converts were added to the Church.
f. The great commission was given to the Church.
3. The church was made up of scriptural baptized believers that were a local visible body.

    The word Church appears 117 times in the New Testament, five times it refers to a designated assembly of gathered people, 109 times to the local body of the Church.

II: How Important is the Church?
1. The importance of the church is shown by the Love Christ had for it.
2. Christ is the head of the church.
3. Christ loves the Church.
4. Christ died for the church.
5. He desires to sanctify, cleanse, make glorious, without spot or wrinkle, holy & without blemish.
6. She is trusted with the stewardship of His work.

III: How Closely does Christ Hold the Church?
1. “My house shall be called a house of Prayer.” Matthew 21:13.
2. “The pillar and ground of the truth.” Timothy 1 3:15.
3. “Christ is the head of the church.” Ephesians 1:22.
4. “Christ is jealous over the church.” Corinthians 2 11:2.
5. “She is the bride of Christ.” Revelations 21:9.

IV: How Should We Conduct Ourselves toward the Local Church?
1. “Behave thyself in the house of God.” Timothy 1 3:15.
2. “Keep the ordinances as I delivered them to you.” Corinthians 1 11:2.
3. Realize that Satan hates the Church and makes it his business to blind members and make them disloyal to the church.
4. Have our minds alert to the fact that Jesus said to Paul, “I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest.” Acts 26:13-15.

Jesus will use the revived church to save lost sinners.