"I will build MY church; and the gates of Hades
shall not prevail against it"
Its Founder: Jesus Christ (Mt 16:18).
Its Beginning: On the first Pentecost after the crucifixion, resurrection and ascention of Jesus (Acts 1-2, 11:15).
Its Names: Several names are used in the New Testament, such as: the churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16), the church of God (1 Cor. 1:2), the church in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1, 2 Thess 1:1). They indicate the church belongs to God/Christ, and any of them may be used when referring to the church. Division was condemned (1 Cor 1:10), and denominations did not exist in the time of the apostles (Eph 4:4-5).
Its Organization: The organization of Christ's church is also part of that once and for all (time; "hapax" ) delivered faith (Jude 3), it is not to be an ever changing entity throughout time (Gal 1:6-9; 3:15), it was Christ's perfect bride in the 1st century, and if that pattern is followed, it is Christ's perfect bride today.
In the New Testament church there was no earthly head office, each church was independent (Acts 20:32) and met in member's homes (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phile 2; For more info on house churches click here).
Christ is head over all things to the church (Eph 1:22-23), of which He rules and reigns over from heaven, through the New Testament (Acts 20:32); The Father gave Christ the words (Jn 12:49); He in turn gave them to the apostles and New Testament prophets (Jn 17:8, 14; Gal 1:12) who were given "all the Truth," "in the Spirit," (Jn 16:13; Eph 3:3-5) "once for all" time (Jude 3), and they wrote it down, and is that which we call the New Testament, and it was written in a manner that when we read it, we can understand it (Eph 3:4) and they are the very words (1 Thess 2:13; 1Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21), the commands of God (1 Cor 14:37; 2 Pet 3:2), and are that by which we are unified, made one under Christ (Jn 17:20-21).
There was to be a plurality of elders in each church (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Tit 1:5; Ja 5:14; 1 Pet 5:1) who made decisions in the areas of expedience, who are also called bishops, presbyters, overseers or pastors (Acts 20:17, 28; Tit 1:5, 7; Eph 4:11), who must meet the qualifications set forth in God's Word (1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9), and if there are no qualified men, then all the members are to make the decisions in the areas of expedience (Acts 6:5). The elder's rule (Heb 13:17) only extended to the church among them (1 Pet 5:2), yet the Bible teaches that the church in one area may and did consist of many smaller separate groups assembling together in member's houses (Acts 8:3; 20:17, 20; Rom 1:7; 16:3-15; 1 Cor 1:2; Tit 1:5; Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phile 2), the New Testament knows nothing of the larger congregations that we see meeting in buildings today, we (Christians) are God's building (1 Cor 3:9).
Deacons also had to meet certain qualifications (1 Tim 3:8-10) and were responsible to "serve well" the tasks assigned to them (1 Tim 3:13).
All Christians are referred to as saints (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:1, ect.), and priests (1 Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6; 5:10). There are no artificial classes in the Lord's church, no popes, no cardinals, no archbishops, etc. Titles of prominence such as "father", "teacher", "master", ect, are condemned (Mt 23:7-10), the word "reverend" is found one time in the Bible and it refers to God (Ps 111:9), His name alone is reverend. The term "holy Father" is used once by Christ in Jn 17:11 again in reference to God the Father, this term is used repeatedly by Roman Catholics in reference to their pope.
Its Mission: To preach the gospel so that souls may be saved (Lk 19:10; 2 Tim 4:2). The church takes the gospel to those who have not heard (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15-16), so that they might have an opportunity to hear, believe and obey (Rom 1:5; 16:26).
It also teaches, encourages, admonishes, and exercises discipline over those who are Christians so that they might grow and mature spiritually (Mt 28:20; 1 Tim 4:16; 2 Tim 3:14-17; 4:2; 2 Pet 1:1-11; Mt 18:15-17; 2 Thess 3:14-15).
Are these teachings brought forth where you assemble, are you in Christ's church? Is your religion from heaven or from men?
"That you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written" 1 Cor 4:6
Contact us:
Kenneth Windbiel
715-557-1126
kensanwind@yahoo.com
We teach publicly and from house to house (Acts 20:20),
therefore if you would like to set up a house teaching session
or meet in a public place to discuss the gospel of Christ,
please contact us through any of the options listed upon
this web site.
"Greet also the church in their house . . .
All the churches of Christ greet you" Rom 16:5, 16
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" 1 Pet 4:11
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