Home / Salvation / The Lord's Church / F.A.Q./ This Weeks Teaching

THE LORD'S CHURCH

Its Founder: Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:18).

Its Beginning: On the first Pentecost after the crucifixion, resurrection and ascention of Jesus (Acts 1-2, 11:15).

Its Names: Several names are used in the New Testament, such as: the churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16), the church of God (1 Cor. 1:2). They indicate the church belongs to Christ, and any of them may be used when referring to the church. Division was condemned (1 Cor 1:10), and denominations did not exist in the time of the apostles (Eph 4:4-5).

Its Organization: The organization of the Lord's church is also part of that once and for all (time; "hapax") delivered faith (Jude 3), it is not to be an ever changing entity throughout time, it was Christ's perfect bride in the 1st century, and if that pattern is followed, it is Christ's perfect bride today.

In the New Testament church there was no earthly head office, each congregation was independent and met in member's homes (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phile 2; For more info on house churches click here).

Christ is head over all things to the church (Eph 1:22-23), of which He rules and reigns over from heaven, through the New Testament (The Father gave Christ the words, Jn 12:49; He in turn gave them to the apostles and New Testament prophets, Jn 17:8, 14; Gal 1:12; who were given "all the Truth" "in the Spirit," Jn 16:13; Eph 3:3-5; and they wrote it down and is that which we call the New Testament, and it was written in a manner that when we read it, we can understand it; Eph 3:4; and they are the very words, 1 Thess 2:13; 1Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21; the commands of God, 1 Cor 14:37; 2 Pet 3:2; and are that by which we are unified under Christ, Jn 17:20-21).

There were elders at each congregation who made decisions in the areas of expedience, who are also called bishops, presbyters, overseers or pastors (Acts 20:17, 28; Tit 1:5, 7; Eph 4:11), who must meet the qualifications set forth in God's Word (1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9), and whose rule (Heb 13:17) only extended to the congregation among them (1 Pet 5:2). There is always a plurality of elders (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 21; Tit 1:5; Heb 13:7, 17), and if there are no qualified men, then all the members are to make the decisions (Acts 6:5), no one man is to lead a congregation.

Deacons also had to meet certain qualifications (1 Tim 3:8-10) and were responsible to "serve well" the tasks assigned to them (1 Tim 3:13).

All Christians are referred to as saints (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:1, ect.), and priests (1 Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6; 5:10). There are no artificial classes in the Lord's church. Titles of prominence such as "father", "teacher", "master", ect, are condemned (Mt 23:7-10), the word "reverend" is found one time in the Bible and it refers to God (Ps 111:9).

Its Mission: To preach the gospel so that souls may be saved (Lk 19:10; 2 Tim 4:2). The church takes the gospel to those who have not heard (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15-16), so that they might have an opportunity to hear, believe and obey (Mt 7:21; Rom 6:17; 10:14-17; Heb 5:9; 1 Pet 1:22).

It also teaches, encourages, exhorts, and chastises those who are Christians so that they might grow and mature spiritually (Mt 28:20; 1 Tim 4:16; 2 Tim 3:14-17; 4:2; 2 Pet 1:1-11; Mt 18:15-17; 2 Thess 3:14-15).

Are these teachings brought forth where you assemble, are you in the Lord's church?

"That in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written"

Contact us:
Evangelist - Kenneth Windbiel
715-866-4873
kensanwind@centurytel.net

We teach publicly and from house to house (Acts 20:20),
therefore if you would like to set up a house teaching session
or meet in a public place to discuss the gospel of Christ,
please contact us through any of the options listed upon this web site.

 Salute the church that is in their house . . .
The churches of Christ salute you. Rom 16:5, 16