FACTS ABOUT THE LORD’S CHURCH



This lesson is a prerequisite to the study of the Bride of Christ, which will follow in a week or two.



FACT I
The New Testament Church was something the Old Testament saints did not have.
A. Abraham looked for a city.
Heb. 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
B. It was a hidden mystery to them.
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,



They DID have:
1. God’s Love
Deut. 7:8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
2.The Gospel
Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.



Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
3. Grace
Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.



Pro 3:34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
4. Prayer
Isa 55;6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:



Psa 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
5. The Word of God
Rom 3:3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.



BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE A CHURCH
C. It was to include the Gentiles.
Amos 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.



Acts 15:15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
(Some say the church is composed of all saints of all ages, yet also say that the church began on the day of Pentecost. This is not logical.



FACT II
THE CHURCH WAS TO BE BUILT BY CHRIST, PERSONALLY
Psa 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.



Isa 45:13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.



FACT III
CHRIST DID BUILD AND ESTABLISH IT.
A. Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
B. He built it UPON himself.
Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.



I Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
C. He built it FOR himself
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.



Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.



Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.



FACT IV
THE CHURCH EXISTED AND ACTED BEFORE PENTECOST
A. It was instructed as to Church discipline before Pentecost.
Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
B. It held an election before Pentecost
Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.



FACT V
HE PROMISED THAT IT WOULD ENDURE!
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.



Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.



FACT VI
IT WAS WARNED THAT DIVISIONS WOULD COME
Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.



Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.



I Pet 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.



I Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.



FACT VII
DIVISIONS IN GOD’S WORK IS ALWAYS OF THE DEVIL
A. God desires unity
I Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
B. Division is of the spirit of antichrist
I Jno 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.



FACT VIII
THERE IS A WAY OF POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION
A. What is a church (ekklesia)?
1. A called-out body of scripturally baptized believers, covenanted together for the purpose of carrying out the Great Commission.
2. Only a local body, capable of perpetuating itself, could fulfill the requirements of a New Testament Church to;
A. Discipline its members
I Cor 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.



Mat 18:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
B. Meet together in one place.
Ekklesia means a called-out ASSEMBLY
I Cor 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.



Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.



Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
B. It must be scriptural in;
1. Origin - Psa 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2. Doctrine - Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed



Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
3. Practice - Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen



John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.



Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.



FACT IX
THE CHURCH HAS PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES NOT TO BE FOUND OUTSIDE IT.
A. The Holy Spirit as leader and as comforter.
Jno 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
B. A special understanding of the Word.
Jno 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
C. a Special Place of Prayer- To be covered fully in later lessons.
D. The Lord’s Supper - " " " " "