Presented by the New Antioch Church of Christ;  Hillsboro, Alabama

The Lord's Church in the 1st Century

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The Lord's Church is an institution that is God conceived of and designed before the foundation of the world.  This is important because there is a false teaching prevalent among some who claim that the Church is only a "stop-gap" hastily developed by God due to the death of Christ.  This is totally false.  Jesus said that "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:"  [Matthew 25:34].  The fact is, the Old Testament prophets (through inspiration) foretold of the coming kingdom.  Click here for more on Old Testament prophecies concerning the Church.
God established ONE Church.  Not Many.  Not Several.  But only ONE.  This is not just our doctrine.  We are only human and have no authority over God to change His Word.  The fact that there is only one church is found in the Bible.  The Apostle wrote that "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;..."[Eph. 4:3].  Jesus said that He "... will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." [Matthew 16:18].  Notice the singular use of the word church by Jesus.

The Bible uses the words "church" and "kingdom" interchangeably.  The words describe Christ's Body on earth but they show different relationships.  The word church describes a horizontal relationship that we share with other Christians.  The word kingdom shows a vertical relationship that we have with God the Father.

Since God has placed Jesus as head of the Church, then it is Jesus who has the authority.  Jesus gave some of this authority to the Apostles.  Christ established the Church and gave it an identity.  He also, through the inspired Apostles gave the Church some divine characteristics.  These are:

  • Christ is recognized as the builder.
  "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." [Matthew 16:18]
 
  • Christ is the foundation.
 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 3:11]
 
  • There is no source of authority other than Christ.
 "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man."  [John 5:26-27]


"  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." [Matthew 28:18]
 
  • The names of the members are scriptural.  Members are called Christians (only).
   And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.  [Acts 11:26]
 
  • Worship is on the first day of the week.  Worship consists of preaching, Lord's Supper observed, giving, singing, prayer.
  And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.  [Acts 20:7]      


Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. [1 Corinthians 16:2  ]    

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. [Colossians 3:16]


 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.  [1 Timothy 2:8 ]
 
  • The terms of membership are scripturally observed; hear, belief, repent, confession, and baptism by immersion.
  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.   [Acts 2:38 ]


 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. [Mark 16:16]


How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?   [Romans 10:14]  


 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  [1 John 1:9]
 
  • Governing power of the local congregation in the hands of (local) elders, also called pastors or bishops.
 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.  [1 Timothy 5:17]
 
  • Unity in faith and doctrine.
 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  [Ephesians 4:3]
 

These are the identifying marks of the church as found in the New Testament.  They are the characteristics of the 1st century church, which was founded by Christ and taught by His Apostles, and they are the pattern that modern day churches should follow.  This is the call of the Restoration Movement-to try to return worship to that which was practiced in the New Testament and which was pleasing to Christ.  To do away with factions, denominations, and splintered groups.  To restore unity.  To call Bible things by Bible names and to do Bible things in Bible ways.  In doing so, a person is no longer a member of a denomination or a sect but simply a Christian.

Click here to learn about the apostasy or "falling away" of the early church or use the other links to return to the Restoration Movement main page or the home page.

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