The Church

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The Church

• Even at the close of the apostolic period, the
  organization of the Church remained relatively
  simple
• English church lt ME kirke lt Gk belonging to the
  Lord
• 1 Co.1120, Lords supper
• Rv.110, Lords day
• In inscriptions since AD 68

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I Church In NT

• 1. Universal
• All saints, Mt.1618
• Composed of saints, not churches
• Christians are members of the Family, members
  of the Body, etc.

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2. Distributive

• Churches in geographical areas
• Ac.931, the church in Judea, Galilee, Samaria
  (cf. Ga.122)
• Ga.12, churches of Galatia 1 Co.161

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3. Congregational

• We come as individuals w. both vertical
• and horizontal fellowship
• 2 Co.11, local (Cor.) area (Achaia)
• 2 Co.117-8, churches
• Unit church
• Ph.11, limits (1) geography (2) over- sight
• Ph.415, plural pronoun / verb church
  regards them as one
• Ph.225, 30, their minister / servant

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II Essence Of Local Church

• 1. Plurality of saints
• One person is not a church
• Collective action requires a plurality
• One-man team?
• One-cow herd?
• One-duck flock?
• One-man congregation?

6

• 1. Plurality of saints
• 2. Acceptance of common oversight agreement
• Teamwork requires each to give up a certain
  amount of independence
• We need this common mind w. or w/o elders
• No one can decide what the Lord already
  determined SprinklePlay

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We must decide matters of judgment

• 1. Who will teach? What? Time? Where? (1
  Co.14 Ph.21-3, 4)
• 2. Who will lead singing? Songs? Number?
  Book?
• 3. Who will receive support? Amount?
  Location? Duration?
• 4. Making these decisions? When? Where?
  Frequency?

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• 1. Plurality of saints
• 2. Acceptance of common oversight agreement
• 3. Pooling means or abilities
• Treasury a pooling of means as one in order
  to function as a team
• Money in the pot no longer belongs to each
  individual (Ac.51-4)
• Collected money belongs to the purpose for
  which it was given
• 1 Co.161-3, specific purpose
  benevolence
• 2 Co.118 specific purpose evangelism

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III Difference In Individual And Church

• Authorized agent
• Cable TV
• Sign check
• Paint
• The work of the individual is not necessarily the
  work of the church
• Ja.413
• Ep.525, 28-29

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Individual And Church

• Whatever the church does must first be the
  function of the saints
• Mt.1815-17
• 1 individual 2 individuals 3 the
  church
• 1 link 2 links 3 chain
• 1 Co.1214
• 1 Tim.516
• Individual duties vs churchs

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IV Collective Activities

• Assemble. Hb.1024-25 1 Co.1423
• Lords Supper. 1 Co.1133
• Pray. 1 Co.1414-15
• Sing. 1 Co.1415
• Give. 1 Co.161-2
• Edification (teaching). 1 Co.1426
• Evangelism. 2 Co.118
• Benevolence (destitute saints). 2 Co.84
• Discipline. 1 Co.5