The Church
The Baptist Faith & Message • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its two scriptural offices are that of pastor/elder/overseer and deacon. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
Memory Verse
Memory Verse
He is also the head of the body, the church;
he is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that he might come to have
first place in everything.
The NT Church is the body and bride of Christ, and stands at the very center of God’s redemptive work. The Church is the people, the ekklesia (a legal term for a gathering of people); and we are a people on a mission.
The Foundation of the Church
The Foundation of the Church
For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the foundation of the Church. All we believe and do, is built upon Him.
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.
Jesus is the Cornerstone, the apostles and prophets are the rest.
The deity of Jesus, His virgin birth, His vicarious atonement, His bodily resurrection and His second coming are the component parts of this foundation… The church has a sure foundation, a safe foundation, a solid foundation, an enduring foundation, an eternal foundation.
- M.E. Dodd
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.”
This is a paramount moment in the life of the disciples, and an amazing revelation from Jesus, Himself.
Peter answered: you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
This is a fantastic truth, and it is the confession of all Christians who experience Jesus.
Jesus’ revelation is powerful:
“flesh and blood did not reveal this to you” - your knowledge of this does not come from human sources. You did not discover this yourself.
But MY Father in Heaven - The only reason Peter was able to fathom this amazing truth, that Jesus is the son of the living God, is because The Father revealed this information. But not just to Peter! If you go back through the Gospels from this moment in reverse, you will discover numerous moments brought about by the Father, for this very revelation.
I want you to think of it like this: All the disciples had been through, all they had experienced with Jesus, all finally came to a very amazing realization at this very moment!
Jesus is asking a simple question: who am I? Have you seen enough, by now, to KNOW who I am? Not speculate, but KNOW?
Who do YOU say I am?
and then the confession!
And Jesus says: on this ROCK - on this confession, this understanding, this KNOWLEDGE: that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God - UPON THAT - Jesus built His church!
AND not even death will overcome it!
The Body of Christ
The Body of Christ
Earlier I introduced a term: Ekklesia - a legal term for a body of people. Specifically, in Biblical use, the term means: the ones called out. A body of people CALLED OUT.
Which is why we are historically known as the called ones. Christians are called out FROM the world, into fellowship in what is known as the church. Called FROM the world, in service to the Lord, IN the world.
For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. Indeed, the body is not one part but many. If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted. And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable. And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, which our respectable parts do not need.
Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.
The same Holy Spirit is at work in all believes, and the church transcends ethnic and social differences: verse 13
Paul used the figure of the human body with its many different members, yet with a basic unity to illustrate the body of Christ: verse 12
Each individual member of the body is a part of the body and belongs to the body: verse 15-17
The church is the body of Christ: verse 27
God has placed each member in the body according to His plan: verse 18
Christians with more obvious gifts should not look down on less gifted believers: verse 21
When one member suffers, the whole body is involved. Members should show concern for one another: verse 26
The NT church in the Bible is usually referenced as a local congregation: to the church in. . . . But we also know that there is a UNIVERSAL application, because Jesus said He was going to “build His church”.
And they sang a new song:
You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slaughtered,
and you purchased people
for God by your blood
from every tribe and language
and people and nation.
So there are local churches, and there is the universal, grand body, church which comprises all believers, from all over creation.
Characteristics of the Church
Characteristics of the Church
Autonomy
Autonomy
BF&M - the local church is ‘ an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers’. Every local church is invested with full autonomy to fulfill the mission that God provides to that congregation. There is no hierarchal system above the local church, as none is found in the Bible.
This is why you can have 2 Baptist churches side by side, and they run a little different, work different ministries, and fulfill different aspects.
Jesus’ Lordship
Jesus’ Lordship
We are all autonomous, but Jesus is Lord over His church. He is the one that denotes what each church can and should do. A church, properly aligned with the Lordship of Christ, receives their orders from Him.
The church serves Jesus. Jesus leads the church, through the ministry of the Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Covenant
Covenant
A church is not merely a volunteer association or group. A local congregation, a local church, is a group of people in covenant together to fulfill Christ’s ministry.
The covenant is found all through the OT. A covenant binds church members together to one another in a sacred bond of love and mutual accountability before Christ.
In this covenant we pledge to one another: trust, faith, eagerness to work together for the glory of Christ, and accountability to one another in effort to live a life set apart for Christ.
Baptized Believers
Baptized Believers
Baptism is the believers public profession of faith in Christ: a sign and symbol of the new birth. It is the Baptism that bids us together and establishes the boundary of membership in the congregation. One must be a baptized believer to enter into covenant church membership.
Ministry of the Church
Ministry of the Church
The church is to fulfill the Great Commission and Great Commandment. Jesus teaches us how to do exactly those things. Christians are obligated to obey the commands of Christ and to use their respective gifts (spiritual and natural), as well as privileges, to accomplish the ministries of the church.
So what are some of the ministries of the church:
preaching the word
observing the ordinances
disciplining its members
ministering according to the Word.
Clearly, you cannot “have church” at a tailgate party! Church consists of some very big things. First and foremost is Worship, and at the forefront of Worship is Preaching the Word!
A church of Jesus Christ MUST place the highest emphases on the proper teaching, preaching and handling of the Word of God.
A Church must hold members accountable to the Word of God, as commanded in the Bible, so that we can restore fallen members to their position of a right standing before God.
“If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he won’t listen, take one or two others with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. If he doesn’t pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.
Christianity is a full impact sport. It is not for spectators! When you are a Christian, you are a soldier in Christ’s army, and a player on the field. Much is expected.
Structure of the Church
Structure of the Church
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus:
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.
A church must have structure. The Bible provides that structure.
Pastors
Pastors
There are several terms used to identify the office of pastoral ministry.
Bishop
Elder
Pastor
Each term is used to describe the same office, and each teaches us about the various aspects of the office of pastor.
Bishop means overseer - someone who oversees the work of others.
Elder designates someone who possess dignity and wisdom, someone who presides over assemblies and can provide counsel.
Pastor describes a shepherd who loves and cares for the believers who make up the congregation.
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.
Baptists see no Biblical establishment for a ‘bishop’ to stand over multiple churches. Instead, the Bible teaches that a pastor is a bishop who tends the congregation.
A pastor/Elder/Bishop is given specific callings and qualifications. Central to this role, and unique to the position of Pastor, is the ability and responsibility to preach and teach the Word of God.
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
Preach the Word! Above ALL OTHER THINGS, a pastor must PREACH!
The office of Pastor is limited to men. This is not a man made designation. It is taught in the Bible. Any opposition to this is recent in years. Baptists have long held to the Scripture’s teachings, and we will continue to do so.
Men and woman are equal before God; we are, however, given different roles.
An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
When you look over the qualifications of a Pastor found in 1 Timothy 3, and elsewhere such as Titus, you will notice that those areas all have masculine words. This is not a translation issue, as even in the Greek and Hebrew of the OT, the terminology for the role of Pastor and Priest, is always Masculine.
God’s instruction is for MEN to assume and fulfill the preaching ministry.
There are plenty of other ministries and responsibilities available within the church for both men and women.
Deacons
Deacons
Deacons serve the church through ministries so that pastors can devote themselves to the preaching and preaching of the Word.
Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch. They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
The Bible sets HIGH standards for deacons as well.
Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. Wives, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Deacons - servants, ministers
Likewise - similarly, in a similar manner
NOT EXACTLY
Now there is no teaching requirement for Deacons, though some do teach.
Some baptist churches allow women to serve as deacons. Some baptist church do not. Local autonomy. It is in the understanding of this scripture and a few other where both find allowances, or not.
The language here is not as set.
You will also notice that there is no leadership position of the deacon. Deacons do not lead the church, the exemplify Christian life; and in that are examples to be followed, and in that sense lead.
