In Lesson 9: The Church (Part 1), we learned about the Church being the Body of Christ, of which, Christ is head (Col. 1:18). We also learned that Christ established one church (Ephesians 4:4), and that all true Christians are members of that one church (1Cor. 12:27). We also learned that the church established by Jesus teaches that a lost sinner receives forgiveness of sins in Christ when he or she repents (i.e. changes his/her mind) and is baptized (Acts 2:38). Let’s take a look at other aspects of the church of the Bible…
I. Read Acts 2:42-47
a. What 4 things do the members of the Church of the Bible devote themselves to?
1. ______________________ (Bible study).
2. ______________________ (gathering of disciples).
3. ______________________ (the Lord’s Supper).
4. ______________________ (speaking to God).
b. According to Acts 2:44-47, do the members of the Church of the Bible help, care and treat each other like family? _____
II. Read Hebrews 10:24-25
a. According to verse 24, what should the members of the Church of the Bible encourage each other to do? ___________________________________________
b. According to verse 25, should we get into the habit of missing church services? ___________
The Organization of the Church
III. Read Ephesians 4:11-12
1. According to Ephesians 4:11, what 5 offices did God give to the Church?
a. _______________________
b. _______________________
c. _______________________
d. _______________________
e. _______________________
IV. Read 1Timothy 3:8
1. According to this passage, what’s another office of the Church? _________
2. Did the Bible mention anything about the office of Reverend? ______
3. Did the Bible mention anything about the office of Father? (See Matthew 23:9) ___
4. Did the Bible mention anything about the office of Pope?_____
5. Did the Bible mention anything about the office of Senior Pastor? _____
6. Did the Bible mention anything about the office of Junior or Youth Pastor? _____
V. Read 1Timothy 2:11-12 & 1Corinthians 14:34
1. According to these passages, are women allowed to speak in the churches? ____
2. Therefore, are women allowed to be preachers or pastors in the churches? ______
3. If a group teaches that it is OK for women to speak in the church, are they a true Body of Christ?
______
Names Used to Describe the Church
VI. Read 1Corinthians 12:27
1. What is the Church called here? ______________________
VII. Read 1Corinthians 1:2
1. What is the Church called here? ______________________
VIII. Read Romans 16:16
1. What is the Church called here? ______________________
There are thousands of churches today, each claiming to follow the Bible. But the only way to identify the Church of the Bible is to ask questions like: “How is one saved?”; “Do you take the Lord’s Supper each Sunday?”; “Do you believe women can be preachers in the church?” etc. We are called to test the spirits because many false prophets have gone into the world (1John 4:1). If it doesn’t match up with Scripture, then it is not the church of the Bible. The Church of Christ is a church whose desire is to simply go by the Bible alone. We are simply Christians and Christians alone. Our desire is to be simply disciples of Christ. Our goal is to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent. Why not visit the church of Christ in your area?
Simply click on the blue link below and in the rectangle, type in your home town. A list will appear of all the churches of Christ in your area. Call the church and speak to the preacher or elder or teacher there and ask the following questions to make sure they are teaching truth:
- What must one do to be saved? Compare his answer to Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:16.
- Do you take the Lord’s Supper each first day of the week? Compare his answer to Acts 20:7.
- Do you sing a cappella (pronounced ‘ah-cah-pel-lah’ which means, ‘without instruments’) or do you use musical instruments in the Church? Compare his answer to Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16.
- Do you allow women to teach and preach at church services? Compare his answer to 1Timothy 2:11-12.
If all four answers line up with the Scriptures provided, then go and visit. Go to this link to locate a church of Christ near you: https://churchzip.com.
What has the Lord taught you in this Bible lesson?
