Identifying The New Testament Church #8

A. In this series of lessons we have seen that the original, 1st Century, New Testament church had an organizational pattern, a pattern of teaching and doctrine, a pattern of praying, singing and a pattern for observing Lord’s Supper every 1st day of the week.
The question in the year 2002 is a simple one. Does the church of which you are a member practice that New Testament pattern? If not, why not? That brings up the Question? Does it really matter? Can a person be affiliated with the church of the Bible and at the same time be affiliated with a church that does not conform to the patter of Christ’s Church that is set forth in the Bible? Can I follow only that part of the revealed and prescribed pattern of worship given to the 1st Century Church, that appeals to me and ignore the rest of the commands and pattern, and still worship God in Spirit and in Truth? Are those not legitimate questions and valid concerns? Can I substitute my own preferences for God’s commands and still be acceptable to God? You must answer that for yourself.
1. How about this question? Does it matter what name you wear as a Christian? What was the first century church called? How were the early disciples, the first members of Christ’s New Testament Church designated?
(A) There were several appellations employed to describe the first?century believers as disciples, saints, brethren. But from Acts 11 onward, the early disciples are
formally called, “Christians – first at Antioch of Syria.” Acts 11:25-26, “Barnabas
went to find Saul (Paul). And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it
was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many
people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Acts 26:28, King
Agrippa told the Apostle Paul, "Almost you persuade me to become a Christian."
(1) Not only did those in the church refer to themselves as “Christians.” But, those outside of the Church referred to it’s members as “Christians.” 1 Pet. 4:16, “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” What glory does it bring to Christ if we suffer in any other name? Acts 4:12, “There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Would you try to be saved in the name of Luther, Mark, John. Why try to be saved as a Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Penticostal or any thing other than just being a Christian?
(2) “They were first called Christians at Antioch.” The word “Called” Is “chrematizo.” It means, “to utter an oracle.” It designates divine implication. A name given by God. In the business world it meant to bear a title of a business or organization. It speaks of a divine calling. A calling that issues from God as its source. They ere divinely called “Christians.”
(1) Why would men set aside that name Christian or Christ, and designate themselves by the names of human heroes. Why The Lutheran Church, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, St. Luke’s Methodist Church. Why name themselves after some form of organization like the Presbyterian Church? Or adopt titles according to some individual point of doctrine they teach like the Baptist Church in which I grew up or The Pentecostal Church? There is no scriptural basis for these common practices.
(2) The apostle Paul specifically condemns this practice of distinguishing your brand of Christianity by calling your self after the names and teachings of men, thus creating denominational factions and causing divisions in the body of Jesus, 1 Cor 1:10?13.

(3) Tell me please, why are those who profess allegiance to Jesus Christ
dissatisfied with simply wearing the name “Christian”? Why are they not known as
the original, 1st Century church was known— just “churches of Christ,” (Rom.
16:16). Or “churches of God” (1 Cor. 1:2). Either appellation being entirely
scriptural. But whatever you call it, you need to call it what it is, and not what
it is not. Honor Christ and not some man or method or humanly devised
organization.
(1) The church is not a Pentecostal church just because it was established on the day of Pentecost. The church is not a Baptist church just because it advocates baptism, The church is not a Congregational church just because it is organized congregationally. The church is the church of God as stated in 1 Cor. 1:2, because Deity planned it. Congregations are the “churches of Christ” as stated in Rom. 16:16, because Christ gave His life in order to bring them into existence.
(2) The New Testament indicates that we ought to speak as the oracles of God, 1 Pet. 4:11, “If anyone speaks let him speak as the oracles of God,” If you say you speak for God you had better speak the words of God and that means we are to express biblical concepts with biblical terms whenever possible. In matters of salvation we are to speak where the Bible speaks and we are to be silent where the Bible is silent. When you think about it, isn’t that the only way you can worship God in spirit and in truth?
(3) Acts 20:32.

Spur - 06/16/2002 am