Identifying a New Testament Church

(A fellowshipping church)

Acts 2:46 – 47

Theme: A New Testament Church is identified as a Church of fellowship.

Introduction: This morning we are going to continue our thought on identifying a New Testament Church lets revisit our series thus far. If you recall, first we discussed Christianity today has taken on more identities than any other time in history. We mentioned the traditional churches, contemporary churches, conservative churches, liberal churches, modern churches and primitive churches as examples. We recognized that within every type of church we seem to hear statements similar to these, “we are a new testament church” or “we are based on the principles of the first church.” Remember we are looking at how the Bible describes in detail the first church, not how a denomination, pastor or leadership group defines the first Church. And, how the Bible tells us to be or identify a New Testament Church. Again, some trends that do not specifically identify a New Testament Church are the Mega Church movement, the size of a congregation, style of music, a particular pastor or a denomination. Second, we discussed how the Church is comprised of a peculiar people. How the Church is set apart from the world to be a direction for the world. The word of God has shown us the Church is a sanctified people, a spectacular people, a single people, and a sacrificial people. We know thus far A New Testament Church must have a steadfast people and a peculiar people. Today as we close out this series on identifying a New Testament Church, we are going to look at the fellowship of a New Testament Church. Notice with me...

I. A worshiping Church

II. A witnessing Church

I. A worshiping Church

A. Public worship (formal)

1. Gods word (preaching & teaching)

Saved people don’t attend church, they are the church

2. God music

B. Private worship

1. Family devotions

2. Personal praise & chorus

C. Fellowshipping worship

II. A witnessing Church

A. A Grateful attitude

B. A Gracious reputation

C. A Growing response

Conclusion: Congregations of people are meeting all over this world today celebrating many different ideas or philosophies. Unfortunately, very few of them meet the Biblical criteria of a New Testament church. If you haven’t caught on to the common theme of this series, it is the word Church. The body of Christ, to be part of that body one must be born into it. Not by flesh and blood birth but by a spiritual birth. Then with the public profession of Baptism, you identify yourself with the Church. Do not be confused, baptism, having your name on a membership sheet, church charter or nothing else will take the place of being born again. From my studies, I have found a New Testament church seeks the fellowship of Jesus first, through a relationship of the cross. A New Testament church seeks the fellowship of each other as well through having in common a steadfast life that is peculiar and set apart from the world. This morning as we, close I want to ask if you are part of this New Testament church. Is your fellowship what is should be with the Lord? Is it what it should be with one another? You and I are beginning a journey together; from the pulpit, I don’t intend to legislate anything. I only want us to be part of the New Testament Church, doing what our name implies, reaching out to the world around us with the good news of Jesus Christ through evangelism and ministry. Will you join me in the commitment of being a New Testament Church?