I. It is the church in the new testament. (KJV Bible)
Jesus said, …I will build my church, MATTHEW 16:18. He died for His
one church, which He hath purchased with His own blood, ACTS 20:28. In
1 COR 11:25 about communion, He said, This cup is the new testament in
my blood… In the new testament book of 1 CORINTH 12:27 it says, Now
ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. That shows the
church is: Christ and His people, NOT the building into which they go.
Within the one church (global, singular), the congregations (local, plural)
scattered in the land were identified as, the churches of Christ, ROMANS
16:16. In Antioch disciples of Christ were called, Christians, Acts 11:26.
Jesus Christ is the Founder and only Head, of the one true church of Christ,
COLOSSIANS 1:18. Therefore, preachers (ROM 10:14, also called
minister, 1 TIM 4:6, or evangelist, EPH 4:11) are charged to preach His
word only, 2 TIMOTHY 4:1-5. Christians (ACTS 11:26), also called saints
(PHILIP 1:1), are simply the members (1 COR 12:27) of the body of Christ.
The elders are a plurality of those men who have been qualified and
appointed to be overseers and thus to “shepherd the flock” as pastors, caring
for souls and watching over the work of the congregation in their charge,
ACTS 20:17,28. And deacons are qualified and appointed special workers
to assist in the Lord’s church, 1 TIMOTHY 3:13.
"Preach the word" (2 TIM 4:2) means preaching the Bible only, 1 COR
1:18. Every "first day of every week" is the command, example and precept
for partaking the communion, ACTS 20:7; 1 COR 11:23-25. Even the whole
world has sense enough to know that prayer must belong, (1 COR 14:15;
ACTS 2:42), and that singing belongs (1 COR 14:15; EPH 5:19). The church
of Christ must not add to worship that which has no authority from God
(MATT 15:9; JOHN 4:24; 1 COR 4:6), like the playing of instruments.
Finally, the God-approved work of the church is supported through the giving
of freewill contributions, 1 COR 16:1-2.
you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened you." Why
people attend and worship where they do is very telling about their type of
character – spiritual or carnal, ROMANS 8:5-10. Instead of selecting
religion on the basis of one’s parents, or the location, or what “programs”
they have, spiritually wise persons will seek the church about which Jesus
said, "I will build my church", MATT 16:18. Of this one new testament
church, Jesus further stated, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
So what about you? MATTHEW 12:30. Will you be against Him? Or will
you be with Him?