Facts About The New Testament Church: The Identity of the Church

By Jimmy Tuten, Jr.

There are over three hundred religious bodies in America. Out of this vast number of churches only one can lie identified as the New Testament church. How one goes about identifying the church is the purpose of this writing.

The dictionary defines “identify” in the following manner: “sameness of essential character . . . The condition of being the same with something described or asserted; as to establish the identity of stolen goods”. This means that if we want to identify something, we have to point out the distinguishing marks or characteristics of the thing to be identified. To illustrate: suppose you were seeking to identify a stolen 1974 auto. To simply give the style and color would not be sufficient. There are many models bearing the same style and color. If you give the serial number, the license and title number you have properly identified it. No other auto will bear these marks of identity.

So it is with the church. If we want to identify it we must present the identifying characteristics. We do not look for one that simply worships. All churches worship. We do not look for one that loves the Lord. All but Satanic churches love Him. We have to be more specific and definite. We turn to the New Testament for definite marks of identity and compare the church with those marks. What does the New Testament say about the church?

It Recognizes the Authority of the Scriptures

The New ‘Testament church accepts the inspiration of the Scriptures, recognizing that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It accepts the fact that all that. God has given has been revealed by the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:10); that the scriptures are inspired in word and thought (1 Cor. 2:13). It is certified as having been given by the revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal, 1:11-12). The New Testament church therefore speaks as the oracles of God (1 Pet, 4:11). It knows that “whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 Jn. 9). The church appeals to the Scripture for authorization for its practices. It believes in having book, chapter, and verse for all that it does, What is not authorized by general or specific authority is not of God. The New Testament church believes and accepts this fact. This is what makes it a New Testament church, Friend, does the church to which you belong believe in the all-sufficiency of the Word in things religious? Let it be remembered that the approved and universal practices of the first churches (i.e., The New Testament churches) are recorded in Scripture for our learning. These New Testament practices constitute a complete system, adapted to every age and to all circumstances. To be a New Testament church we must be regulated by these principles, We must speak as the oracles of God.

It Is Autonomous In Organization

In Matt, 16:18 Jesus promised to build His church. Following the metaphor of a “building,” Jesus is an architect with blueprints for His church. The church is to be structured or built according to the divine pattern (Heb. 8:1-5).

The divine organization of the church is demonstrated in Phil. 1:1, where reference is made to “the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” Qualifications for bishops and deacons are given in Tit. 1:5-9 and 1 Tim. 3:1-13. The local church is made up of saints with its bishops and deacons, This is the only organization known to the church, There is no arrangement larger or smaller. The collective of saints in any location is the only unit of function. As such it is independent and autonomous. Elders are to be appointed in every church (Acts 14:23). They have the oversight only over the flock over which they have been appointed (Acts 20:17-28; 1 Pet. 5:2). Arrangements such as conferences and synods are unscriptural in nature. Each local collective is to be independent and self-governing. This is an important identifying mark of the church.

Its Name Is “Church of Christ”

Another identifying mark of the New Testament church is its designation. It is called “Church of Christ,” While other names are attached to the church, this name alone shows identity and ownership Jesus Christ built the church (Matt. 16:18), He gave Himself for it (Eph. 5:25-26). lie purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). It belongs to Him. The fact that First Century churches wore the name of Christ is demonstrated in Romans 16:16 – “the churches of Christ salute you,” We can know whether a church belongs to Christ or not by observing the name it wears. Human names are carnal and cause one to glory in men, We are to glory in the Lord (1 Cor, 1:31). We wear the name of Christ in order that we might glorify Him on earth. Every time the expression “church of Christ” is used, honor is given to Jesus Christ.

Its Worship is in Spirit And Truth

Another way to establish the identity of the church is to look at its worship. Concerning worship, Jesus said: “God is spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). “In spirit” refers to ones’ manner of worship, “In truth” has reference to the application of truth. Does our worship conform to the truth? Worship must be in the right frame of mind, but it must also conform to truth. What is worship in truth? To determine this we need only to observe what First Century christians did when they worshipped God. When we observe in this respect what they observed we are identified with them. When we study the Scriptures relating to New Testament worship we find that worship involves five acts: the Lord’s Supper, the contribution (called fellowship), preaching, prayer and singing (Acts 2:42; Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19). These acts were done in the assembly and the assembly was on the Lord’s Day (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 20:7). We can identify the church by observing whether they engage in the five acts each Lord’s Day.

It Performs Its God-Given Work

The church has a definite function to perform. We can know what the church is to do by observing the New Testament church’s function. This helps us to identify it. What is the work of the church? It is, first of all, preaching and teaching the gospel. The church is to do this at home and to the extent of its ability abroad (Phil. 1:3-5; 4:15-48). Secondly, it is to edify the saints among its number (Acts 13:1; Eph. 4:11-16; Rom. 1:8-17). Thirdly, it is to relieve the needs of its own needy members (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim. 5:9-10,16). It is not the work of the church to provide entertainment and things of like nature. Also, the church is all-sufficient to perform these tasks. It can, to the extent of its ability, do all that God has assigned to it.

Conclusion

These features identify the church. They tell us what the church is and what it is like. Are you a member of the New Testament church? You can be added to it (Acts 2:47), if you are willing to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38).

Truth Magazine XX: 29, pp. 458-459
July 22, 1976

Overview of The Bible by David Dann – Interview

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David Dann is the author of Overview of The Bible, a series of workbooks that help give us a fundamental understanding of the books of the Bible. One lesson is devoted to each book and discusses the title, author, date, purpose, content, and outline.

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Part 1: Author’s Background

Part 2: Why David Can’t Relax

Part 3: Why Write It?

Part 4: Fear Not

Destructive, Damnable Deceit of the Devil (1)

“When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44).

The devil is the father of lies because he told the first one. He lied to Eve by telling her she would not surely die (Gen. 3:4). Since that time he has worked relentlessly to deceive the whole world (Rev. 12:9). He has lied to you and me, luring us to sin against God and thereby condemning our souls.

Some of Satan’s lies are easily seen for what they are. When he convinced Cain to kill Able, it was easy to see that as sin. Sodom and Gomorrah were caught up in the devil’s deceit, but others looking on could see their perversion for what it was—sick and sinful. Other lies told by the dragon are not so easily detected.

The most dangerous deceit invented by Satan is religious in nature. Nearly everyone reading this will agree that billions of people have been deceived by the false religions of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. More prevalent in our nation, however, are the lies of denominationalism.

Denominationalism is one of the greatest tools used by the devil to damn the souls of men. Denominations are pseudo churches. They are false representations of what the Bible teaches and portrays. They appear like the real thing, but are counterfeits.

Consider the following three points.

  • Denominations were founded at the wrong time: 6th to 21st centuries.
  • Denominations were founded in the wrong place: Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain, USA.
  • Denominations were founded by the wrong men: group of bishops, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, Joseph Smith, etc.

The Church of the New Testament is different.

  • It was founded in the 1st century.
  • It was founded in Jerusalem (Acts 2:47).
  • It was founded by Jesus the Christ (Matt. 16:18).

After sweeping the church into the paganistic error of Roman Catholicism, the devil took men into denominationalism. When men began to see the corruption, ungodliness, and anti-biblical teachings and practices of Roman Catholicism and work their way out, Satan provided multiple paths for them to take. One path led to Lutheranism, another to Calvinism (Presbyterianism), another to Anglicanism (Church of England, Episcopalianism), another to Wesleyanism (Methodist Church), another to Mormonism…and many, many more.

Initially, these different denominations fought hard for their beliefs and practices. They would take one another to task, holding debates and excoriating each other from the pulpit. However, there eventually developed a strong movement to get back to the Bible alone; commonly known as the Restoration Movement. As this movement began to spread like wild fire, the great deceiver pulled another weapon out of his arsenal: tolerance.

It took some time, but Satan has achieved a subtle but destructive goal. He has convinced people that it does not matter what you believe. In former times he used division over the doctrines of men to keep people from the truth. Now he uses compromise and indifference to disguise error.

We now live in a society where churches, for the most part, believe everyone is going to heaven. The mantra of the day is choose the “church of your choice.” They extend the right hand of fellowship to one another despite significant doctrinal differences. One claims salvation by faith alone, another says it is by faith plus something else. One teaches baptism is sprinkling, pouring or immersion, while another insists it is by immersion only. One baptizes infants, another decries that as unscriptural. However, when holidays roll around, they join hands and praise the Lord together. All is forgotten about their many dissimilarities while an emphasis is placed on their few similarities. They pat each other on the back and declare what a great day it will be when they are all in heaven together.

There is only one problem with all of this: it is anti-biblical.

The Bible teaches there is one church (Eph. 1:22, 23; 2:16; 4:4). The Lord prayed that all members of that church are to be united (Jn. 17:20-23). The unity for which He prayed is not one where people bury their convictions or turn a blind eye to others. It is a unity in truth. It is a unity where believers “speak the same thing,” are “joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” that “there be no divisions” (1 Cor. 1:10).

When error is taught or practiced by anyone, it is to be exposed, not ignored (Eph. 5:11). False teachers are to be marked, not given to pulpit for a joint-worship service (Rom. 16:17, 18). Fellowship is to be refused, not pursued (2 Jn. 9-11).

Denominationalism is a major religious lie created and promoted by Satan. Those who participate in it will lose their souls. We need to work to get people out of it, not apathetically watch them drown in it.

— Steven F. Deaton

UNITY: The Unity of the Spirit

By Roy E. Cogdill

God has not left man free to devise his own basis of unity. If believers are to be united, it must be upon the basis which God has willed. Worldwide union without the unity revealed by the Spirit to be the will of God and the commandment of Christ will accomplish nothing but to deceive the hearts of men who do not know the truth.

There is but one God and Father of us all and all of us must believe in and worship the same God. There is but one Lord, law-giver, and therefore, but one source of spiritual and eternal by this same authority without the conclaves, councils, and congresses which men have devised. “Christ is the head over all things to the church, which is his body” (Eph. 11 :23). Men can unite under no other head whether it be the Catholic Pope, or the Mormon president. All human sources of authority are divisive and are in conflict with the authority of Christ.

So also there is “One Spirit” (Eph. 4:4). The unavoidable implications of this principle of divine truth are extensive and fundamental in the unity that pleases God and for which Christ prayed. Let us consider some of these implications.

1) If there is one Spirit and the work of the Spirit is divine revelation, then there is but one revelation! This should be as clear as the sunlight. Paul tells us only the Spirit of God can reveal to us the mind of God (1 Cor. 2:10-11). He further states, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God (1 Cor. 2:12).

If all of God’s will is revealed by one and the same Spirit to us all, then it should and must follow that we all receive the same message. God’s Spirit does not speak one thing to one man and another thing to another man. The Holy Spirit speaks and reveals the same message to all men. If there is one God, and that one God has but one mind, then God’s will cannot in any wise allow confusion of ideas or words to express those ideas. Paul declared, “For God is riot the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Cor. 14:33). Therefore, where confusion of ideas and doctrines exist, they cannot be charged to God and they are not pleasing in His sight.

Moreover, when God’s mind or will is revealed by the Spirit of God and only the Spirit of God, there is no confusion or conflict in that revelation. If the Spirit has faithfully revealed God’s mind and only the mind of God, and there is no confusion in the will of God, then there cannot be any confusion in the revelation of God’s will made by the Spirit of God. This leaves absolutely no room for differences in things believed and taught. The revelation of the Holy Spirit is exactly the same unto us all. God speaks the same thing to us all. We either are willing to accept that revelation, the same revelation, without addition or subtraction, or alteration, or we refuse the will of God. This demands unity in Faith and practice upon the Word of God alone as Our standard.

2) If there is but one Spirit and the work of that Spirit is divine revelation, there is, then, but one rule by which all of us must walk. We are to walk, as Christians, by the same rule (Phil. 3:16). That, rule is &,en as the will of Almighty God by the Spirit and does riot vary, therefore, we are to walk after, by, or in the same Spirit (Romans 8:1-17). In fact, in these verses Paul admonishes that Christians are to walk, be led by, live, mind, be in the same Spirit. If this is true, the Spirit will dwell in us and bear witness that we are the children of God. Guided by the same Spirit, living and walking by the same rule of righteousness, we will be agreed and can walk along together (Amos 3:3).

3) When the same Spirit guides us as members of the body of Christ, which is His church, we will walk and work together, each of us serving in our individual capacities as members of that body but in perfect .symphony and harmony as members of the same body living, walking, and serving by the same rule or led by the same Spirit. This very valuable lesson was fully taught by Paul to the Corinthians. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many (1 Cor. 12:12-14). “But God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: that there stiould be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another (1 Cor. 12:2425).

This is the only basis for unity that is pleasing to God. As long as we go along pretending and professing that the Spirit of God speaks one thing to one man and another thing to another man, conflicting and confusing in their nature, we will make a mockery of God’s will and the revelation of it given by the Spirit and will cause men to be confused by our pretenses and professions.

If we are interested in unity, then we must remember that the only unity that pleases God is based upon the fundamental principle that we must all be led by the same Spirit through the same Word revealed by Him. Divine revelation without human compromises is the only basis of unity possible.

Truth Magazine XX: 29, p. 457
July 22, 1976