1. WHAT ARE THE MAIN EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE EARLY
CHRISTIAN
CHURCH ?
THE BIBLE SAYS -
Acts to Revelation.
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH HISTORY.(About 30 to
100
A.D.)
FROM THIS WE LEARN-
Having received power from the Holy Ghost, the apostles,
according
to the directions given them by Christ, witnessed unto Him "in
Jerusalem,
and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth."
(Acts 1:8.)
2. WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES TEACH OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST ?
THE BIBLE SAYS -
(a b) Rom. 12:5. We, being many, are one body in Christ.
(b) Acts 5:14. Believers were the more added to the Lord.
(b) Rom. 8:9. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he
is none of His.
(c) Luke 17:20, 21. The kingdom of God cometh not with
observation:
neither shall they say, Lo here! or, Lo there! for, behold, the kingdom
of God is within you.
(c) 2 Tim. 2:19. The Lord knoweth them that are His.
(d) Eph. 5:25-27. Christ also loved the church, and gave
Himself
for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water
by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not
having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy
and without blemish.
(d) 1 Pet. 2:5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a
spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
*(e) 1 Cor. 3:11. Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
(f) Matt. 16:18. The gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.
*(g) John 14:6. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by Me.
(h) Is. 55:11. (My Word) shall not return unto Me void, but
it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing
whereto I sent it.
FROM THIS WE LEARN -
(A) There is only one Church of Jesus Christ.
(B) This Church is composed of all believers in Christ, and
of believers only. (Communion of saints.)
(C) This Church is invisible, since no one can look into
another's
heart and see whether he is a believer.
(D) This Church is holy, because it consists of people who
are made holy by faith in Christ and who serve God with holy works.
(E) This Church bears the name Christian, because it is built
upon Christ, its one and only foundation.
(F) This Church is imperishable, because the Holy Ghost at
all times gathers and preserves a congregation of believers.
(G) This church is the only saving Church, for it is only
by faith in Christ that man can enter heaven.
(H) The church of Jesus Christ is to be found wherever the
gospel of Christ is in use, for according to God's promise His Word
shall
not be preached in vain.
3. WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES TEACH OF VISIBLE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES ?
THE BIBLE SAYS -
(a) Rev. 3:13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit
saith unto the churches.
(b) Matt. 13:47, 48. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a
net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind; which,
when
it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good
into
vessels, but cast the bad away.
FROM THIS WE LEARN -
(A) The Scriptures speak of churches, or congregations,
established
in certain localities for the preaching of the gospel and the
administration
of baptism and the Lord's supper.
(B) In such visible churches there can be, besides true
believers,
also hypocrites who do not belong to the one invisible Church.
4. WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES TEACH OF TRUE AND ERRING VISIBLE
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES ?
THE BIBLE SAYS -
(a) Matt. 28:20. Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever
I have commanded you.
(b) Matt. 15:9. In vain they do worship Me, teaching for
doctrines
the commandments of men.
FROM THIS WE LEARN -
(A) A true visible congregation or larger church body is
one which has, teaches, and confesses the entire doctrine of the Word
of
God and administers baptism and the Lord's supper according to Christ's
institution.
(B) An erring visible congregation or larger church body
is one which teaches false doctrine besides the main truths of the
Gospel.
(Where the doctrine of the Trinity, the deity of Christ and His atoning
work are denied, there is no more Gospel, and hence no church at all.)
5. WHEN DO WE USE THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH PROPERLY ?
THE BIBLE SAYS -
*(a) 2 Cor. 13:5. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith;
prove your own selves.
(b) Matt. 10:32, 33. Whosoever therefore shall confess Me
before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in
heaven.
But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My
Father which is in heaven.
*(b) John 8:31, 32. If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My
disciples
indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
(b) Acts. 2:42. They continued steadfastly in the apostles'
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
(c) 2 Thess. 3:1. Brethren, pray for us, that the Word of
the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.
(c) Acts 8:4. They that were scattered abroad went everywhere,
preaching the Word.
(c) Matt. 28:19. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples
of) all nations.
(c) 1 Cor. 9:14. So hath the Lord ordained that they which
preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.
*(d) Matt. 7:15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
*(d) Rom. 16:17. I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause
divisions and offenses
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned: and avoid
them.
FROM THIS WE LEARN -
We use the doctrine of the Church properly
(A) When we take heed to be and remain members of the
invisible
Church by sincere faith in our Redeemer;
(B) When we join and faithfully adhere to the Church which
teaches the Word of God in all its purity;
(C) When we do all in our power to maintain, promote, and
extend the Church by prayer, personal mission work, service, and
financial
support;
(D) When we avoid all erring churches and all organizations
that profess a false religion.
Before the Next Lesson
FILL OUT Work Sheet No. 15.
MEMORIZE the Bible passages marked with an asterisk (*).
READ Acts, chapters 5-11.