Scripture Reading1 Timothy 3:14-15

The New Testament Church• Their authority: Apostolic Doctrine

– Matthew 16:19 --- 18:18– Matthew 28:18-20– Acts 2:42

– 2 Timothy 3:16-17– 2 Timothy 1:13 --- 2:2

• “Apostles doctrine” = “commands of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37; 4:17)

• Word taught by apostles is only source to determine acceptable faith & practice

Worship of the ChurchWorship of the Church• Teaching & study of God’s Word

– Acts 2:42; 3:12-4:2; 4:7-12, 18-20; 5:17-20, 28-29; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:12

• Lord’s Supper

–1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 10:16-17; Acts 20:7• Prayer

–Acts 2:42; 4:24-30; 12:5,12; James 5:16-18• Singing

–1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16

• Giving or Contribution– Acts 4:35; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Divinely AuthorizedDivinely AuthorizedWork of the ChurchWork of the Church

Evangelism

Edification

Benevolence

EdificationEdification• The church must help its members grow & develop spiritually

– Ephesians 4:11-16– Hebrews 10:23-25– 1 Peter 2:1-2

• Examples of churches seeking edification– Acts 9:31– Acts 20:31-32

• Worship is the means to edify Christians– not done through recreation, social meals...

• Church today has the corporate responsibility to edify the saints

EvangelismEvangelism• The church must preach the Gospel to lost & dying world

– 1 Timothy 3:15– Acts 8:3-4– Acts 5:42– Acts 13:1-3– Philippians 1:3-5

• Preaching of Gospel necessary for salvation

–Mark 16:15-16–1 Peter 1:22-25

• Church today must provide for evangelism– through preaching in assembly (1 Cor. 14:23)– through support message taught elsewhere

Benevolence to Needy Saints• The church must provide for needy saints in emergency cases of deprivation

– Acts 4:34-35– Acts 11:27-30– 1 Timothy 5:3-16– Romans 15:25-27– 2 Corinthians 8 & 9

• Church is not charged with…– responsibility for benevolent relief to alien sinners– responsibility to provide for the desires of saints– continuous funding of benevolent societies

• Church today must meet benevolent needs which arise from time to time among saints

For That Work To Be Done, For That Work To Be Done, This Church Must...This Church Must...

• Understand the pattern of proper work• Desire to do the work commanded by God• Personally commit ourselves to meet the

responsibility incumbent on each of us• Give generously & joyfully of our…

TIMEMONEY

ABILITY

• If we fail to do so, the work will not get done