THE CHURCH

First Principles: The Church – An informative study of church history by examining the development of various denominations since the first century.

Purpose:To gain a deeper understanding of God’s eternal plan for the church — and to expose the false traditions that have led to the creation of religious denominations. In the Kingdom study, we see how God foretold the coming of the church throughout the centuries. Jesus preached for 40 days after His resurrection about the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Colossians 1:15-18 15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. – NIVUK

  • The church is the body of Christ. The body needs the head. Christ is the head over the body. Could you separate your head from your body? The church is essential to Christianity! There is no such thing as solo Christians. You have to be connected to the body.

Diagram of Christ as the head of the church

Ephesians 2:19-22 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. – NIVUK

  • We were once strangers to Christ, but now we are members of His household. The church is not merely a meeting — it is a household, a pillar, and the foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
  • The church is the family of God.

Diagram of God's relationship to the church

  • The cornerstone of the church is Christ, and the foundation is made up of the Apostles and Prophets. The Apostles represent the New Testament, and the Prophets represent the Old Testament. Together, they form the biblical foundation of the church.

WHAT HAPPENS AT BAPTISM?

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 — We are all baptized into the body of Christ, which is the church.
  • Romans 6:3-4 — We are also baptized into Christ Himself. Baptism is the moment we become Christians — sons and daughters of God — and at the same time, members of the church, the family of God.

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 10I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: one of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’

13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptised in the name of Paul? – NIVUK

  • There should be no divisions within the church. Following personalities — and eventually their writings or traditions — has caused these divisions.
  • The word “denomination” (from Latin) means “a group under a name.” This is unbiblical.
  • Explain the graphic below.

Diagram of Church History

Ephesians 4:4-6 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. – NIVUK

  • The Bible teaches that there is only one body of Christ. (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
  • God sees one church — all baptized disciples around the world who are committed to obeying His Word. This is called the “church universal” — the one true church.
  • A local congregation is called the “visible church.” In the first century, all the “visible churches” made up the “church universal.” However, because many visible churches today have departed from true doctrine — and because not all sold-out baptized disciples are in the same fellowship — we should strive to be part of a local congregation where everyone is committed to living by God’s Word.
  • The Greek word for “church” is “ekklesia,” which means “assembly” or “called out.” (“Ek” means “out,” and “kaleo” means “to call.”) To be a disciple is to be called out from the world. Therefore, the church in the Bible was the assembly of the called out.

FIVE CHURCH-BUILDING CONVICTIONS

  1. The dream to evangelise all nations in this generation (Acts 13:47)
  2. Discipling is a command from God — not optional (Matthew 28:18-20)
  3. A central leadership under a central leader (Numbers 27:12-18; 1 Corinthians 4:15-17)
  4. A Bible church — not just a New Testament church (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
  5. Speak where the Bible is SILENT, and be silent where the Bible speaks (Genesis 2:19)

1 Corinthians 12:14-27 14And so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. – NIVUK

  • We need the body of Christ active in our lives.
  • Every part of the body needs one another.
  • Be relationally involved in the life of the church.

Hebrews 10:23-25 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – NIVUK

  • We must not give up meeting together by missing church gatherings. Would you choose to live in a place without a church of sold-out disciples?
  • The fellowship helps us remain unswerving in our commitment.
  • Another purpose of fellowship is to encourage one another to remain faithful.
  • We must prioritise all meetings of the body. (e.g., Sunday and midweek services, Bible Talks, devotionals, discipling times, Global Conferences, etc.)

1 Corinthians 7:39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. – NIVUK

  • Marriage must be “in the Lord.”
  • Dating, like marriage, is a partnership where you are “yoked together.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
  • Disciples should date and marry only other disciples.

THE GRACE OF GIVING (CONTRIBUTION)

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 1Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. – NIVUK

  • Our weekly contribution should be a thoughtful, deliberate spiritual decision.
  • This is a command of God.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 6Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. – NIVUK

  • Giving should come from a cheerful and generous heart.
  • Our mission contribution serves to fulfil Jesus’ dream of world evangelism.
  • This is collected once or twice a year to support world evangelism.