Who Are We? – Back to Basics – Notes/Study Sheet

(Acts 2:37-41)

Introduction:

   * Matt. 16:18 – Church promised

   * Mark 9:1 – some would see kingdom come before death

   * John 3:5 – must be “born again”

   * Mark 16:15-16 – He who believes and is baptized will be saved

   * Old Testament Prophecy of church – Isaiah 2, Dan. 2, Joel 2, and Micah 4

1. What did people of the 1^st century do to become Christians?

   * Acts 2: People heard the Word preached, believed it (obviously), repented of their sins, confessed their faith in Christ,

      and were baptized into Christ.

   * Acts 8:12-13; 26-38                                                                       * Acts 10 – Cornelius

   * Acts 16 – Lydia; Philippian jailor

   * Acts 18:8 – Corinthians                                                     * Acts 19:4-5 – Ephesians

   * Acts 9&22 – Paul also heard and was baptized                 * Rom. 6:1-7

   * Baptized into one body, the church of Christ (Eph. 12:13)

   * Baptism “clothes” us in Christ (Gal. 3:27)                         * I Peter 3:20-21

2. How were churches of Christ organized in the New Testament?

   * Completely autonomous & under Christ’s leadership (Col. 1:18). No councils, synods, conventions, etc.

   * Elders rule (Titus 1:5&7; Acts 20:17&28; I Peter 5:1-2)

   * Must be a plurality of elders, not one over a congregation (Acts 20:17; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:5)

   * They shepherd the congregation (Heb. 13:17; I Peter 5:1-4)

   * Deacons serve (Acts 6:1-6; Phil. 1:1)                                * Qualifications - I Tim. 3:8-13

   * Teachers, preachers, evangelists (Eph. 4:11; II Tim. 4:5; Jas. 3:1)

   * Women taught women and children (Titus 2:4)

3. By what name are God’s people known?

   * Romans 16 –

   * Acts 8:1 – The church. Definition:_________________________________________________________________

   * Other references:

            1. Matt 16:19,____________________________ 2. Mark 9:1, John 3:5 ________________________________

            3. Matt. 18:3______________________________4. Col. 1:13________________________________________

            5. I Cor. 1:2______________________________ 6. I Tim. 3:15_______________________________________

            7. Eph. 4:12______________________________

   * Individual members primarily known as Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16; Isaiah 62:1-2). Other names:

            1. Acts 20:7 -                                                               2. I Cor. 1:2 –

            3. I Cor. 15:1 -                                                                         4. Rom. 8:14 –

            5. I Jn. 3:1 -                                                                 6. I Peter 2:9 –

   * Religious titles? Unauthorized! (Matt. 23:9). All praise belongs to God (Luke 4:8). Salvation in Christ (Acts 4:12).

4. The Lord’s church has no denominational markers.

   * No official creeds, manuals, or confessions of faith. “No book but the Bible” (statement from the restoration movemt.)

5. Worship in the Lord’s Church:

   * Lord’s Supper – Acts 20:7

   * Prayer – Acts 2:42; I Tim. 2:1-8

   * Acapella singing – Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16

   * Bible study – I Tim. 4:13, II Tim. 4:1-4, Titus 2:15, Rom. 14

   * Collection of an offering – I Cor. 16:1-2