A Call for New Testament Christianity

A Call for New Testament Christianity

Jesus died for his church, the bride of Christ. (Ephesians 5:25-33) Man throughout history has corrupted the church that Christ died for through denominationalism, by adding man-made laws to the scriptures, and by following creeds other than the Holy Bible. It is possible today, to be obedient to the will of Christ. Christians can resolve to restore the church to being the church of the New Testament. (Acts 2:41-47)

Some Things You Should Know

You should know that in Bible times, the church is called-

  • The temple of God I Cor 3:16
  • The bride of Christ Eph 5:22-32
  • The body of Christ Col 1:18,24; Eph 1:22-23
  • The kingdom of God’s son Col 1:13
  • The house of God I Tim 3:15
  • The church of God I Cor 1:2
  • The church of the first-born Heb 12:23
  • The church of the Lord Acts 20:28
  • The churches of Christ Rom 16:16

You should know that the church is-

  • Built by Jesus Christ Matt 16:13-18
  • Purchased by the blood of Christ Acts 20:28
  • Built on Jesus Christ as the only foundation I Cor 3:11
  • Not built on Peter, Paul, or any other man I Cor 1:12-13
  • Composed of the saved, who are added to it by the Lord who saves them. Acts 2:47

You should know that members of the church are called-

  • Members of Christ I Cor 12:27 ,6:15,
  • Rom 12:4-5 Disciples of Christ Acts 6:1,7; 11:26
  • BelieversActs 5:14; II Cor 6:15
  • Saints Acts 9:13; Rom 1:7; Phil 1:1
  • Priests I Peter 2:5,9; Rev 1:6
  • Children of God Gal 3:26-27; I John 3:1-2
  • Christians Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16

You should know that the local church has-

  • Elders (also called bishops and pastors) who oversee and tend the flock I Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-4
  • Deacons, who serve the church I Tim 3:8-13 Phil 1:1
  • Evangelists (preachers, ministers) who teach and proclaim the word of God Eph 4:11; I Tim 4:13-16; II Tim 4:1-5
  • Members, who love the Lord and each other Phil 2:1-5
  • Autonomy, and is bound to other local churches only by the common faith shared Jude 3, Gal 5:1

You should know that the Lord Jesus Christ-

  • Loved the church Eph 5:25
  • Shed his blood for the church Acts 20:28
  • Established the church Matt 16:18
  • Added saved people to the church Acts 2:47
  • Is the head of the church Eph 1:22-23; 5:23
  • Will save the church Acts 2:47; Eph 5:23

You should know that man did not-

  • Purpose the church Eph 3:10-11
  • Purchase the church Acts 20:28, Eph 5:25
  • Name its members Isa 56:5; 62:2; Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16
  • Add people to the church I Cor 12:18
  • Give the church its doctrine Gal 1:8-11; II John 9-11

You should know, to enter the church, you must-

  • Believe in Jesus Christ Heb 11:6; John 8:24 Acts 16:31
  • Repent of your sins (Turn away from your sins) Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30
  • Confess faith in Jesus Matt 10:32; Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9-10
  • Be baptized into the saving blood of Jesus Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 22:16

You should know that baptism requires-

  • Much water John 3:23; Acts 10:47
  • Going down into the water Acts 8:36-38
  • A burial in water Col 2:12
  • A resurrection Acts 8:39; Rom 6:4; Col 2:12
  • A birth John 3:3-5; Rom 6:3-6
  • A washing Acts 22:16 Heb 10:22

You should know that by baptism-

  • You are saved from sins Mark 16:16 I Peter 3:21
  • You have remission of sins Acts 2:38
  • Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ Acts 22:16; Heb 9:22; 10:22; I Peter 3:21
  • You enter into the church I Cor 12:13; Acts 2:41,47
  • You enter into Christ Gal 3:26-27 Rom 6:3-4
  • You put on Christ and become a child of God Gal 3:26-27
  • You are born again, a new creature Rom 6:3-4; II Cor 5:17
  • You walk in newness of life Rom 6:3-6
  • You obey Christ Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:48; II Thes 1:7-9

You should know that the faithful church will-

  • Worship in spirit and in truth John 4:23-24
  • Meet on the first day of the week Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25; Pray James 5:16; Acts 2:42 I Tim 2:1-2 I Thes 5:17
  • Sing, making melody with the heart Eph 5:19; Col 3:16
  • Eat the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week Acts 2:42 20:7; Matt 26:26-30; I Cor 11:20-32
  • Give, liberally and cheerfully I Cor 16:1-2; II Cor 8:1-5; 9:6-8

You should know, that in New Testament times there was-

  • One family of God Eph 3:15; I Time 3:15
  • One kingdom of Christ Matt 16:18-19; Col 1:13-14
  • One body of Christ Col 1:18; Eph 1:22-23; 4:4
  • One bride of Christ Rom 7:1-7; Eph 5:22-23
  • One church of Christ Matt 16:18; Eph 1:22-23; 4:4-6

You know that the same church today-

  • Is guided by the same word I Peter 1:22-25; II Tim 3:16-17
  • Contends for the one faith Jude 3; Eph 4:5
  • Pleads for unity of all believers John 17:20-21 Eph 4:4-6
  • Is not a denomination I Cor 1:10-13; Eph 4:1-6
  • Is faithful to Christ Luke 6:46;Rev 2:10; Mark 8:38
  • Wears the name of Christ Rom 16:16; Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16

You should know that you can be a member of this church-

  • By doing what people 1900 years ago Acts 2:36-47
  • Without being in any denomination Acts 2:47; I Cor 1:10-13

You should know that a child of God-

  • Can be lost I Cor 9:27; 10:12; Gal 5:4; Hebrews 3:12-19
  • But is given a law of pardon Acts 8:22; James 5:16
  • Is constantly cleansed by the blood of Christ as he walks in the light of God I Peter 2:9-10; I John 1:5-10