ChurchThe English word “church” is translated from the Greek word ekklesia. It simply means “a called-out group.” It does not necessarily have a religious connotation.The Bible uses the word “church” in a universal sense (all saved people everywhere).Ephesians 5:22-27 – The words “church” and “body” are used interchangeably. Church refers to the people who are saved by Christ. The church itself does not do the saving.Matthew 16:16-19 – Jesus was talking about building a saved relationship – not a physical building.Hebrews 12:22-23 – “Church” refers to saved people. We can be alive on earth but have our names enrolled in heaven (as in Luke 10:20).I Thessalonians 4:16 – Even a dead Christian is part of the church in the universal sense.“Church” is also used in a local sense (saved people working together in a congregation).Ephesians 4:4 vs. Romans 16:16 = The word “church” used in different ways.The universal church is composed of Christians – not local churches.Practices of local churches in the New TestamentThey assembled together to worship God and edify each other.Acts 2:42; 20:7; I Corinthians 14:12, 26, 40In the New Testament, we can read about Christians:Singing – Colossians 3:16Praying – Acts 12:5, 12Partaking of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:18-34)Preaching – II Timothy 4:1-5Giving money on the first day of the week – I Corinthians 16:1-2Hebrews 10:23-25 – These acts not only glorify God but build each Christian up in the faith.They appointed men to work as elders and deacons.I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9 – qualifications for elders and deaconsActs 14:23; 20:28; Titus 1:9-11; Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 5:1-3The New Testament uses three different Greek words to refer to those who watch over the souls in a local church. The words are used interchangeably (Acts 20:17, 28; I Peter 5:1-2) and are translated into six different English words: elder/presbyter, overseer/bishop, pastor/shepherd.I Timothy 3:8-13 – qualifications for deaconsII Timothy 4:5 – The role of preachers. (It is a common misconception to call preachers pastors – preacher and pastor are separate roles.)Dealt with sin among membersMatthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1-10 – Christians are to jump in and help when a fellow church member begins to sin.I Corinthians 5:1-13 – How to handle a sinning member. We can’t just pretend everything is okay! II Thessalonians 3:6, 10-15Sin has a dangerous influence within a congregation.
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