Standards of the Doctorine of Christ
John 2: 1-13
I: The New Testament Church.
1. Ecclesia — called out.
2. “I will build my church.” Matt. 16:18
3. Jesus used the name twice, 113 times in the N.T. 96 times to the local church.
4. The Church & Kingdom not identical.
a. “The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation; neither shall they say, Lo here, or lo there. For behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 19:
b. The Church is the divine agency for promoting and extending the Kingdom.
5. Founded by Jesus and instructed to his followers. Bought by his blood. Acts 20:28.
II: The Marks of the New Testament Church.
1. Called out people of God.
2. Only saved were accepted.
3. Immersion it’s way of baptism.
4. Empowered by Holy Spirit and fruitful.
5. Democratic in government.
6. Recognized two officers, Elder and Deacon.
7. Lord’s supper a Memorial.
III: No Perfect Churches.
1. No name at first except the town in which it was located.
2. The church at Jerusalem:
a. Majority made up of Jews.
b. Increased 120-3,120 in 1 day, soon reached 5,000 and multitudes were added day by day.
c. Leadership — Peter and James.
d. Persecution — Death of Stephen & James the brother of John.
3. The church at Antioch.
a. Founded by men from Cyprus and Cyrene.
b. Barnabas sent from Jerusalem.
c. Barnabas sent for Saul.
d. Nicknamed Christian.
e. Evangelical and Missionary (Paul and Barnabas).
4. The church at Philippi.
a. Woman prayer on the river banks.
b. Liberality — support of Paul & help to Jerusalem.
c. Spirit of joy in poverty.
5. The church at Thessalonica.
Three graces; faith, hope, and love. Confused about Christ’s return.
6. Church at Corinth.
a. One of the world most wicked cities.
b. Torn by factions.
c. Beset by immorality.
d. Looseness in worship and conduct. “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith.” Cor. 13:5
7. The churches of Asia — Condemned & Commended.
IV: The Marks of False Doctrines.
1. 1st major change in the office of Bishop lording it over small churches.
2. Baptismal regeneration (ceremonial).
3. Infant baptism — for several centuries the babies were immersed — 370 first one recorded — 416 mad a law.
4. 313 the wedding of church & State by Constantine.
5. 451 worship of Mary.
6. 787 Image worship & saints.
V: The People Called Baptists (Ency. Brit. 1903)
1. “The early history of the Baptists both in this century and on the continent, is very obscure.”
a. Zwingli 1527 – “Baptism ought to be given to all who have been taught repentance and change of life, and the sins of all who are willing to walk in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. By this rule are excluded all baptism of infants.”
b. “All who have given themselves to the Lord & have been baptized into the body of Christ should if they lapse or fall into sin, be excommunicated.”
c. That members of the one body take the broken bread and the cup.
Trail of Blood — Cardinal Hosius (Catholic 1524). President of the Council of Trent:
“Were it not that Baptists have been grievously tormented and cut off with the knife during the past 1,200 yrs., they would swarm in greater numbers than all Reformers.”
“It must have already occurred to our readers that the Baptists are the same sect. of Christians that were formerly described as Ana-Baptist. Indeed this seems to have been their leading principle from the time of Tertullian to the present time. (50 yrs. after John).” Edinburg Cyclopedia (Presbyterian)