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Warnings of The Departure Introduction:
We want to continue our study of the “church” in this lesson. The
word church used 74 times in the New Testament. Four
times it is used not referring to the Lord’s body but an assembly of people.
Acts 7.38 the church or congregation in the wilderness. Acts
19.32, 93, 41 it is translated assembly in these verses. Church
is used referring to the “universal church”
in passages such as Matthew 16; the local assembly in 1 Corinthians 11.18; and the local congregation in 1
Corinthians 1.2. The
word “churches” used 36 times in the New Testament.
Therefore, we have a total of 110 times where the church is referred to.
In every case it is used referring to local congregations. I)
The Church In The Beginning A)
Jesus prayed for unity among His followers, John 17.20-21 1.
Based upon being in the body of Christ. 1
Corinthians 12.12-13 2.
That was based upon respecting Jesus’ authority and His word, unity in
doctrine, Acts 2.42
a. They were to preach the Gospel of Christ,
1 Peter 4.11
b. This unity is seen in them being “Christians” and nothing more or
less, Acts 11.26. B)
The Local congregation is the largest organization in the Bible 1.
Christians in a specific locality were to assemble together to worship and serve
God. 2.
Each congregation was autonomous or independent of each other. They were all to
remain in the doctrine of Christ; they worshipped and served God but no one
congregation dictated policy or doctrine to another congregation.
a. Ex. Jerusalem did not oversee any other congregation in the Book
of Acts.
b. Ex. Antioch was not the sponsoring church; Paul left C)
Characteristics of the local congregation 1.
Local government, Acts 14.23.
a. The elders at Philippi
were to oversee the flock at
b. Decisions were to be made at the congregational level,
1 Corinthians 16.3-5 2.
Local treasury, Phil. 4.15-16; 1
Corinthians 16.1-2 3.
Local discipline, 1 Corinthians 5.1-13. 4.
A group that works together
a. They assembled, Acts 20.7
b. Each Christian or member participates, Acts
2.42 II)
First Century Issues A)
During the time of the Apostles issues were addressed by them 1
Doctrinal problems –
a. Issues related to the Law of Moses – circumcision, observance of
Sabbath Day, dietary laws, etc.
b. Issues related to idolatry – eating of meats sacrificed to idols,
going to the temple of an idol,
c. Issues related to the deity of Christ 2.
Problems in attitude – Diotrephes 3.
Church discipline B)
Warnings expressed 1.
Jesus, Matthew 7.13-20 2.
Peter, 2 Peter 2.1-3 3.
Jude 4, 16-19 4.
John, 1 John 2.18-19; 4.1, 5-6 5.
Paul
a. Acts
20.29-30 – Savage wolves
b. 2 Corinthians 11.12-14 Satan
will transform himself into a minister of
light
c. Romans
16.17-18 false teachers
d. 2 Thess. 2.3-12 the son of perdition
e. 1 Timothy 4.1-3 false doctrines
f. 2 Timothy 2.16-18 false doctrine will spread like cancer, it will
over throw the faith of some.
g. 2 Timothy 4.2-4 they will turn aside to fables. III)
Departure From the Organization A)
New Testament elders 1.
Must be qualified, 1 Timothy 3.1ff; Titus
1. 2.
Were to oversee the local congregation, 1
Peter 5.2 3.
There was always a plurality; they were limited by the doctrine of Christ, were
limited to the local congregation.
a. Elders were not regional elders
b. Elders were not legislators but overseers B)
Organizational Changes 1.
One elder started to be seen as the chief or head elder. There became a
distinction between these head elders; county elders and city elders. Eventually
he became the 2.
Elders started to get together and have meetings.
a. At first the elders would
talk about various issues and come to some decision and then go back to their
congregations. It was up to the congregation what they would do.
b. After a time they started to say that since the Apostles were gone
they were in line to make decisions for the church. The local congregations were
bound by their decisions. 3.
They had effectively changed the organization of the church. In the 2nd
Century five Bishops came to have preeminence
-- C)
Changes in Doctrine 1.
Gnosticism 2.
2nd to 4th Century – Holy water, penance for sins, Latin
Mass, Images of Saints and Martyrs, Extreme Unction, purgatory, instrumental
music, celibacy of the priesthood, indulgencies, confession of sins to the
priest, sprinkling for baptism, veneration of saints, etc. Conclusion:
The various warnings given in the Bible were for a purpose. Once the Apostles
were gone the Christians would face challenges and temptations. Some start to
teach false doctrine and others would see the church as a means of power and
wealth. But some held true to the Word of God. If we do so today we will also be
members of Christ’s church. |