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A call for New Testament Christianity
Jesus died for his church, the bride of Christ (Ephesians
5:25-33). Man throughout history has corrupted the church that Christ died
for through denominationalism, by adding man-made laws to the scriptures, and by
following creeds other than the Holy Bible.
It is possible today, to be obedient to the will of
Christ. Christians can resolve to restore the church to being the church of the
New Testament (Acts 2:41-47).
Some things you should know
You should know that in Bible times, the church is called:
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The temple of God (I Cor. 3:16). |
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The bride of Christ (Eph. 5:22-32). |
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The body of Christ (Col. 1:18, 24; Eph. 1:22-23). |
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The kingdom of God’s Son (Col. 1:13). |
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The house of God (I Tim. 3:15). |
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The church of God (I Cor. 1:2). |
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The church of the first-born (Heb. 12:23). |
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The church of the Lord (Acts 20:28). |
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The churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16). |
You should know that the church is:
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Built by Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:13-18). |
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Purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). |
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Built on Jesus Christ as the only foundation (I Cor.
3:11). |
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Not built on Peter, Paul, or any other man (I Cor.
1:12-13). |
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Composed of the saved, who are added to it by the Lord
who saves them (Acts 2:47). |
You should know that members of the church are called:
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Members of Christ (I Cor. 12:27, 6:15, Rom. 12:4-5). |
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Disciples of Christ (Acts 6:1, 7; 11:26). |
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Believers (Acts 5:14; II Cor. 6:15). |
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Saints (Acts 9:13; Rom. 1:7; Phil. 1:1). |
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Priests (I Peter 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6). |
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Children of God (Gal. 3:26-27; I John 3:1-2). |
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Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16). |
You should know that the local church has:
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Elders (also called bishops and pastors) who oversee and
tend the flock (ITim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-4). |
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Deacons, who serve the church (I Tim. 3:8-13; Phil. 1:1). |
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Evangelists (preachers, ministers) who teach and proclaim
the word of God (Eph. 4:11; I Tim. 4:13-16; II Tim. 4:1-5). |
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Members, who love the Lord and each other (Phil. 2:1-5). |
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Autonomy, and is bound to other local churches only by
the common faith shared (Jude 3; Gal. 5:1). |
You should know that the Lord Jesus Christ:
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Loved the church (Eph. 5:25). |
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Shed his blood for the church (Acts 20:28). |
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Established the church (Matt. 16:18). |
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Added saved people to the church (Acts 2:47). |
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Is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23). |
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Will save the church (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23). |
You should know that man did not:
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Purpose the church (Eph. 3:10-11). |
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Purchase the church (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25). |
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Name its members (Isa. 56:5; 62:2; Acts 11:26; I Peter
4:16). |
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Add people to the church (Acts 2:47; I Cor. 12:18). |
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Give the church its doctrine (Gal. 1:8-11; II John 9-11). |
You should know, to enter the church, you must:
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Believe in Jesus Christ (Heb. 11:6; John 8:24; Acts
16:31). |
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Repent of your sins (turn away from your sins) (Luke
13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30). |
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Confess faith in Jesus (Matt. 10:32; Acts 8:37; Rom.
10:9-10). |
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Be baptized into the saving blood of Jesus (Matt. 28:19;
Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 22:16). |
You should know that baptism requires:
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Much water (John 3:23; Acts 10:47). |
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Going down into the water (Acts 8:36-38). |
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A burial in water (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12). |
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A resurrection (Acts 8:39; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12). |
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A birth (John 3:3-5; Rom. 6:3-6). |
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A washing (Acts 22:16; Heb. 10:22). |
You should know that by baptism:
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You are saved from sins (Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21). |
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You have remission of sins (Acts 2:38). |
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Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16;
Heb. 9:22; I Peter 3:21). |
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You enter into the church (I Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:41, 47). |
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You enter into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:3-4). |
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You put on Christ and become a child of God (Gal.
3:26-27). |
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You are born again, a new creature (Rom. 6:3-4; 11Cor.
5:17). |
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You walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-6). |
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You obey Christ (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:48; II Thes.
1:7-9. |
You should know that the faithful church will:
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Worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). |
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Meet on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; Heb.
10:25). |
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Pray (James 5:16; Acts 2:42; I Tim. 2:1-2; I Thes. 5:17). |
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Sing, making melody with the heart (Eph. 5:19; Col.
3:16). |
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Eat the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (Acts
2:42; 20:7; Matt. 26:26-30; I Cor. 11:20-32). |
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Give, liberally and cheerfully (I Cor. 16:1-2; II Cor.
8:1-5; 9:6-8). |
You should know, that in New Testament times there was:
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One family of God (Eph. 3:15; I Tim. 3:15). |
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One kingdom of Christ (Matt. 16:18-19; Col. 1:13-14). |
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One body of Christ (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4). |
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One bride of Christ (Rom. 7:1-7; Eph. 5:22-23). |
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One church of Christ (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-6). |
You know that the same church today:
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Is guided by the same word (I Peter 1:22-25; II Tim.
3:16-17). |
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Contends for the one faith (Jude 3: Eph. 4:5). |
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Pleads for unity of all believers (John 17:20-21; Eph.
4:4-6). |
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Is not a denomination (1Cor. 1:10-13; Eph. 4:1-6). |
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Is faithful to Christ (Luke 6:46; Rev. 2:10; Mark 8:38). |
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Wears the name of Christ (Rom. 16:16; Acts 11:26; 1Peter
4:16). |
You should know that you can be a member of this church:
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By doing what people 1900 years ago (Acts 2:36-47). |
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Without being in any denomination (Acts 2:47; I Cor.
1:10-13). |
You should know that a child of God:
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Can be lost (I Cor. 9:27; 10:12; Gal. 5:4; Heb. 3:12-19). |
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But is given a law of pardon (Acts 8:22; James 5:16). |
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Is constantly cleansed by the blood of Christ as he walks
in the light of God (I Peter 2:9-10; I John 1:5-10). |
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