CHARACTERISTICS OF A NEW
TESTAMENT CHURCH
Any group of people
can get together and call themselves a church but what does the New
Testament say about this? Probably the most important truth is that
Jesus will build His church. ( Matthew 16:18) How can we recognize
local congregations that He is building? According to the NT, the
church exercises accountability and discipline towards those
involved. ( Matthew 18:17, 1 Cor. 5:12, 6:4) Churches have a
plurality of elders to lead and care for them. ( Acts 14:23, 20:17,
28; 1 Tim. 3:5, James 5:16.) A church has multiple gifts represented.
( Acts 13:11, 1 Cor. 12:28)
Churches are in
homes. (Romans 16:5, 23, 1 Cor. 16:19, Colossians 4:5, Philemon 1:2)
Churches are
of a city. ( 1 Cor.
1:2, 2 Cor. 1:1, 1 Thess 1:1, 2 Thess. 1:1)
A church also
appoints people for outside ministries (2 Cor. 8:19, Acts 15:5),
gives to needs (1 Cor. 16:1), cares for eligible widows (1 Tim.
5:16), submits to Christ (Eph. 5:24) , and receives teaching (Acts
11:26). A church should not be divided (1 Cor. 11:18), or humiliate
the poor (1 Cor. 11:22).Prophecy should take place ( 1 Cor. 14:4,5)
and edification occur ( 1 Cor. 14) in the church.
Finally, and of
the utmost importance, a church should be composed of disciples. (
Matthew 28:18-20) Otherwise it will never be a healthy church. The
discipling relationships are the bonds that tie the church together.
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