Series Intro: What is a New Testament church? It is not a building. It is not a social club. It is not something you “do.”
I would suggest that there are certain components which must be part of any assembly which would call itself a biblical “church.” Without these you cannot have a church:
- Gospel believing individuals
- Baptized in demonstration of their conversion
- Recognizably covenanting together
- Regularly meeting around God’s Word
- Under legitimate leadership
- Administering Baptism and the Lord’s Table
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Let’s take a look at the first essential component of a NT local church: Gospel believing individuals
A. Gospel:
- The reason this is the first word of the first sentence of the description is deliberate. The church is centered on the Gospel. Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection on behalf of sinners is the foundation of faith. It is the bond which is deeper than race, thicker than blood, and stronger than any other tie.
- Galatians 1 is clear. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by God the Father (1) after giving himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age (4). If any man or angel attempts to preach another gospel besides that of Jesus Christ, let him be accursed (6-9).
B. Believing Individuals:
- Not unbelievers. It is true that we cannot tell the heart and therefore cannot judge the soul, but we are commanded to judge actions (1 Cor 5). They must profess Christ as Savior and practice obedience to Him. Paul routinely called those in the church to whom he was writing, “Saints” and reiterated their partnership in the gospel (Eph 1; Phil 1:1-11; Col 1:1-8; etc.)
- Not pre-believers. It may be true that our children will grow up to be believers, but they have yet to believe. Saul (later Paul) was not accepted into the church until he had professed Christ. It was in God’s foreordained plan to save him, however there had to be a point in time where he went from unbeliever to believer.
- Not non-humans. This may seem ridiculous, but not in light of our definitions of other institutions. (Plus, at my grandfather’s funeral someone showed up and tried to check their dog into the nursery. True story.) Christ came to redeem all things, but not all things are accepted into our church. I squish spiders and set traps for mice. They may be “in” the church building, but they are not allowed “in” the church.
The church is the Body of Christ made up of those individuals who have been redeemed. Let’s not forget that.
What other evidences of this would you add?