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).
Scroll to the bottom of this page for evidence of the Bible supporting scientific fact and when each discovery was made.
Some things you should know
You should know that in Bible times, the church is called:
- The temple of God (I Cor. 3:16).
- The bride of Christ (Eph. 5:22-32).
- The body of Christ (Col. 1:18, 24; Eph. 1:22-23).
- The kingdom of God’s Son (Col. 1:13).
- The house of God (I Tim. 3:15).
- The church of God (I Cor. 1:2).
- The church of the first-born (Heb. 12:23).
- The church of the Lord (Acts 20:28).
- The churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16).
You should know that the church is:
- Built by Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:13-18).
- Purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28).
- Built on Jesus Christ as the only foundation (I Cor. 3:11).
- Not built on Peter, Paul, or any other man (I Cor. 1:12-13).
- 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:
- Members of Christ (I Cor. 12:27, 6:15, Rom. 12:4-5).
- Disciples of Christ (Acts 6:1, 7; 11:26).
- Believers (Acts 5:14; II Cor. 6:15).
- Saints (Acts 9:13; Rom. 1:7; Phil. 1:1).
- Priests (I Peter 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6).
- Children of God (Gal. 3:26-27; I John 3:1-2).
- Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16).
You should know that the local church has:
- 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).
- Deacons, who serve the church (I Tim. 3:8-13; Phil. 1:1).
- Evangelists (preachers, ministers) who teach and proclaim the word of God (Eph. 4:11; I Tim. 4:13-16; II Tim. 4:1-5).
- Members, who love the Lord and each other (Phil. 2:1-5).
- 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:
- Loved the church (Eph. 5:25).
- Shed his blood for the church (Acts 20:28).
- Established the church (Matt. 16:18).
- Added saved people to the church (Acts 2:47).
- Is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23).
- Will save the church (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23).
You should know that man did not:
- Purpose the church (Eph. 3:10-11).
- Purchase the church (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25).
- Name its members (Isa. 56:5; 62:2; Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16).
- Add people to the church (Acts 2:47; I Cor. 12:18).
- Give the church its doctrine (Gal. 1:8-11; II John 9-11).
You should know, to enter the church, you must:
- Believe in Jesus Christ (Heb. 11:6; John 8:24; Acts 16:31).
- Repent of your sins (turn away from your sins) (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30).
- Confess faith in Jesus (Matt. 10:32; Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10).
- 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:
- Much water (John 3:23; Acts 10:47).
- Going down into the water (Acts 8:36-38).
- A burial in water (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12).
- A resurrection (Acts 8:39; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12).
- A birth (John 3:3-5; Rom. 6:3-6).
- A washing (Acts 22:16; Heb. 10:22).
You should know that by baptism:
- You are saved from sins (Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21).
- You have remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
- Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Heb. 9:22; I Peter 3:21).
- You enter into the church (I Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:41, 47).
- You enter into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:3-4).
- You put on Christ and become a child of God (Gal. 3:26-27).
- You are born again, a new creature (Rom. 6:3-4; 11Cor. 5:17).
- You walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-6).
- You obey Christ (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:48; II Thes. 1:7-9.
You should know that the faithful church will:
- Worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
- Meet on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:25).
- Pray (James 5:16; Acts 2:42; I Tim. 2:1-2; I Thes. 5:17).
- Sing, making melody with the heart (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).
- 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).
- 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:
- One family of God (Eph. 3:15; I Tim. 3:15).
- One kingdom of Christ (Matt. 16:18-19; Col. 1:13-14).
- One body of Christ (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4).
- One bride of Christ (Rom. 7:1-7; Eph. 5:22-23).
- One church of Christ (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-6).
You know that the same church today:
- Is guided by the same word (I Peter 1:22-25; II Tim. 3:16-17).
- Contends for the one faith (Jude 3: Eph. 4:5).
- Pleads for unity of all believers (John 17:20-21; Eph. 4:4-6).
- Is not a denomination (1Cor. 1:10-13; Eph. 4:1-6).
- Is faithful to Christ (Luke 6:46; Rev. 2:10; Mark 8:38).
- 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:
- By doing what people 1900 years ago (Acts 2:36-47).
- Without being in any denomination (Acts 2:47; I Cor. 1:10-13).
You should know that a child of God:
- Can be lost (I Cor. 9:27; 10:12; Gal. 5:4; Heb. 3:12-19).
- But is given a law of pardon (Acts 8:22; James 5:16).
- 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).
Scientific Knowledge in the Bible:
SCIENTIFIC FACT OR PRINCIPLE | DATE OF DISCOVERY | BIBLICAL LOCATION |
Matter is made up of invisible particles | 20th Cent. | Rom.1:20; Heb. 11:3 |
Oceans have natural paths in them | 1854 | Ps. 8:8 |
Day & night occur simultaneously on earth | 15th Cent. | Lk. 17:31f |
Early diagnosis of leprosy | 17th Cent. | Lev.13 |
Blood necessary for survival of life | 19th Cent. | Lev.17:11 |
Blood of animals carries disease | 17th Cent. | Lev. 17 |
Quarantine for disease control | 17th Cent. | Lev. 13 |
Certain animals carry diseases harmful to man | 16th Cent. | Lev. 11 |
Plants use sunlight to manufacture food | 1920 | Job 8:16 |
Radio astronomy (stars give off signals) | 1945 | Job 38:7 |
Arcturus & other stars move thru space | 19th Cent. | Job 38:32 |
Lighting & thunder related | 19th Cent. | Job 38:25 |
Light can be split up into component colors | 1650 | Job 38:24 |
Snow has material (economic) value | 1905, 1966 | Job 38:22 |
Light is a particle (has mass, a photon) | 1932 | Job 38:19 |
Oceans contain fresh water springs | 1920 | Job 38:16 |
Air has weight | 16th Cent. | Job 28:25 |
There is a place void of stars in the North | 19th Cent. | Job 26:7 |
Earth is held in place by invisible forces | 1650 | Job 26:7 |
Dust is important to survival | 1935 | Isa. 40:12 |
The earth is round | 15th Cent. | Isa. 40:22 |
Taxonomical classifications of matter | 1735 | Gen. 1 |
Most seaworthy ship design is 30:5:3 | 1860 | Gen. 6 |
Both man & woman possess seed of life | 17th Cent. | Gen. 3:15, 22:18 |
Infinite number of stars | 1940 | Gen. 15:5 |
Earth was in nebular form initially | 1911 | Gen. 1:2 |
Herbert Spencer’s scientific principles | 1860 | Gen. 1 |
Life originated in the sea | 19th Cent. | Gen. 1 |
Man was the last form of like created | 15th ent. | Gen. 1 |
Sequence of Creation agrees with science | 20th Cent. | Gen. 1 |
Water-vapor cycle | 17th Cent. | Eccl. 1:7; Job 36:27-28 |
All life reproduces “after its kind” | 1862 | Gen. 1; 6:19-20 |
Universe is a continuously spreading expanse | 1948 | Gen. 1:8 |
Universe is immeasurable, limitless | 19Cent. | Jer. 31:37 |
First Law of Thermodynamics (Conservation of Mass-Energy) | 19 Cent. | Gen. 2:2; Heb. 4:1; Eccl. 3:14; Neh. 9:6 |
Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy) | 19 Cent. | Ps. 102:25-27; Rom. 8:21-27; Heb. 12:26-28; Is. 51:6 |
Mankind is of one origin | 1775 | Gen. 2; Gen. 9; |
Heavenly bodies are controlled by immutable law, ordinances | 17th Cent. | Ps. 19:4; Jer. 31:35; Job 38:33 |
Astrology is a foolish pseudo-science | Deut. 18:14; Is. 47:13-14 | |
The moon is a “witness” to the existence of the sun | 16th Cent. | Ps.89:36-37 |
Entire earth has been under water | 1885 | Gen. 1:2-9; Gen. 7:19-24 |
All the oceans have one bed | 16th Cent. | Gen. 1:9-10 |
The earth has “foundations” | 20th Cent. | Job. 38:4-6; Ps. 104:5 Prov. 8:28 |
All flesh is not the same flesh | 20th Cent. | 1Cor. 15:39 |
Protective effect of the atmosphere | 19th Cent. | Isa. 40:22 |
The material universe is built of invisible components | 20th Cent. | Heb. 11:3 |
The oceans have channels, or canyons | 20th Cent. | Job 38:16; 11 Sam. 22:16 |
Static electricity (lightning) causes rain | 20th Cent. | Jer: 10:13 |
Circumcision important | 20th Cent. | Gen. 17:12 |
Circumcision not to be performed until 8th day | 20th Cent. | Gen. 17:12 |
Laws concerning excrement, quarantine, washing & sanitation | 19th Cent. | Numb. 19:5-22; Lev 13-14 |
Dietary Laws re: eating flesh of scavengers & blood | 19th Cent. | Lev. 3:17; 7:23; Lev 17:12-14 |
Head of people, animals, & land for rest | 20th Cent. | Ex. 20:8-11; 23:10-12; Lev. 25:20-22 |
Whole world to be destroyed by fiery explosion | II Peter 3:10-12 | |
(Much of the above taken from John N. Clayton; So. Bend, Indiana) |
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