Abundant LIFE Lessons
Track 1 – Essentials to Christian Living
Lesson #5 – The New Testament Church
Objective – This lesson is designed to give the student a basic understanding of
the church and its relevance in the life of a Christian.
Format – The format is an individual daily exercise of reading and answering
questions concluding with a weekly discussion in a LIFEgroup setting. (There is
no reading or questions for Sunday.) The LIFEgroup leader will take role and
keep track of the disciple’s progress and faithfulness. Each disciple must recite
the scripture memory to the LIFEgroup leader at the LIFEgroup meeting. Those
who complete each track will receive a Certificate of Completion at an awards
ceremony on a weekend service.
Note – It may be a wise investment to hole-punch the left hand side of the
lessons and organize them in a three-ring binder. Write questions in the margins
during your devotional time to ask at LIFEgroup. Take notes during discussions
for future reference so you can use them when you disciple another new believer
in the future.
Scripture Memory
“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread
from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved. ” (Acts 2:46–47)
Day #1 Reading
There is a lot of confusion within Christianity over the issue of the church. As
with all other significant doctrines, the doctrine of the church is quite simply
outlined in the Bible. The confusion, in my opinion, comes largely from what I
call “street theology.” “Street theology” is what people hear on the street about a
particular theological issue. They adopt an understanding as they hear it without
ever verifying its accuracy and then pass it on to others in the same manner they
received it. Some of the most common misconceptions are viewing the church
as a building where worshipers gather. Another misconception is viewing the
church denominationally, as a discrimination of the sects of Christianity. For
instance, referring to the Baptist Church or the Presbyterian Church or the
Catholic Church is a misguided understanding of the church. Each of these
examples of usages tends to obscure the real meaning of the word.
The word church comes from the Greek word, ecclesia (Ekklesia). Ecclesia is
defined as “a called out assembly.” The word is used 115 times in the New
Testament and all but three times it is translated church or churches. The three
times that it is not translated church or churches it is translated “assembly.” Look
up and read Acts 19:32-41.
Some discussion exists over the nature of the church as to its universality verses
its locality. This week we are going to look to the Bible for some perspective; but
for now, it is important to note that of the 112 times ecclesia is translated church
in the New Testament, about 97 of those instances are referring to geographic
localities—local, visible, organized assemblies. About 15 times it refers to the
church universally and/or generically.
Day #1 Questions
1. What is Street Theology?
2. What are some common misconceptions about the church?
3. From what Greek word do we get our English word, church?
4. What is the simple definition of the Greek word, Ecclesia and thus church?
5. What is the nature of the church most commonly expressed in the NT?
Write out your Scripture Memory
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Day #2 Reading
If the church is an assembly of called out people, it is important for us to
understand to whom we have been called and for what purpose. In Matthew
16:13-19, Jesus is questioning his disciples about their understanding of who he
is. Look up this important passage and mark it for future reference. There are
many notable expressions of truth in this one passage, but we are going to limit
our observations to the topic at hand, the church. The first thing we should note
is the personal pronoun Jesus uses in reference to the church. He calls it “my
church.” The church or called out assembly belongs to him. It is his church. The
church is not the pastor’s or the congregations per se; it is Jesus’ church. As a
matter of fact, he purchased the church with his own blood. Note the following
passage as it applies to the pastor’s responsibility in being a steward or undershepherd of Jesus’ church.
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the
Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath
purchased with his own blood. ” (Acts 20:28)
Look up and read Colossians 1:12-18. Note in verse 18, that the Son (Jesus) is
called the head of the body, the church.
Returning to our passage in Matthew 16, there is one more important expression
to note in regard to the church’s ownership. Jesus explains to Peter that he is
the Rock and upon Peter’s confession of that truth, Jesus would build his church.
Look up and read 1 Corinthians 10:4, Ephesians 2:19-22 and 1 Peter 2:4-8.
Since Jesus is the Rock (Petra) upon which the church is built and we, like Peter
(petro), are lively stones built upon Christ through our belief in Him, we must
recognize not only his headship, but his foundational position in the church. In
other words, His called out assembly is made up of believers called out to the
person and purpose of Jesus Christ. So in our understanding of the church, we
can confidently say, the church is a called out assembly of believers in Jesus
Christ organized for his purpose.
Note – petros = a stone vs. Petra = bedrock or massive rock formations, rock as
distinguished from stones1
1 William Arndt, Frederick W. Danker and Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early
Christian Literature, 3rd ed., 809 (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000).
Day #2 Questions
1. Who is the head and foundation of the church?
2. What is the difference between Petra (rock) and Petros (Peter)?
3. Write out a working definition of the church.
Day #3 Reading
Thus far we have discovered that the church is an assembly of called out
believers in Jesus Christ organized for His purpose. But you may be wondering
by now who makes up the church. Is a church member anyone who attends a
service, gives a tithe, sings a special or teaches a class? The answer to this
question is actually found in two parts and has to do with the nature of the
church.
In the first place, there is an aspect of the church whereby it is a universal,
invisible body made up of all believers in Jesus Christ whether they regularly
attend local worship services or not. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul likens the church
at Corinth to a body. Let’s note verse 13. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized
into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and
have been all made to drink into one Spirit. ” By using the words we all, he is
saying that all Christians are, regardless of their ethnical background (Jew or
Gentile) or where they assemble (Paul was a member of the church at Antioch),
baptized into the body of Christ. Throughout Scripture, there is never a reference
to bodies (plural) only the body (singular). At salvation every person is baptized
(immersed or planted cf. Romans 6:1-6) into the body of Jesus Christ. Everyone
saved from the day of Pentecost till the rapture is a member of the universal
church, as it is often called.
However, the universal church has not yet been assembled together, corporately
(Hebrews 12:23). What the Bible refers to as the church most often is the local,
visible, organized assembly of believers who have obediently acknowledged their
“baptism in Christ” through the ordinance of baptism in water. Look up and read
Acts 2:37-47. When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, about 3000 people
heard the gospel and demonstrated their repentance through water baptism.
Note particularly verse 41, “Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand
souls.” The way people become a member of a local church is through
repentance and baptism. According to verse 38, when a person repented they
received the gift of the Spirit; when they were baptized they were added to the
church (verse 41).
Day #3 Questions
1. What is the difference between the universal church and the local church?
2. What is required to be a member of the universal church?
3. What is required to be a member of the local church?
Write out your Scripture Memory
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Day #4 Reading
Just before Jesus ascended to sit on the right hand of the Father, he gave the
church its marching orders. This command is known as “The Great
Commission.” We have five accounts of this commission given to the Apostles
who were the original framework of the church (Look up and read Ephesians
2:20; 3:5). Each of the accounts highlights one of the important aspects of “The
Great Commission.” We will look at these in order of the books of the Bible.
1. The first account highlights, the program of the Great Commission:
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in
earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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. ”
(Matthew 28:18–20)
2. The second account highlights the parameters of the Great Commission.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ”
(Mark 16:15)
3. The third account highlights the preaching of the Great Commission.
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ” (Luke 24:47)
4. The fourth account highlights the plan of the Great Commission.
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so
send I you. ” (John 20:21)
5. The fifth account highlights the power of the Great Commission.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth. ” (Acts 1:8)
Day #4 Questions
1. What is meant by “The Great Commission?
2. What is the Preaching of the Great Commission?
3. What is meant by the Plan of the Great Commission?
Write out your Scripture Memory
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Day #5 Reading
A quick recap of what we have discovered about the church would show the church as a
called out assembly of baptized believers in Jesus Christ who are on a mission to share
the gospel with the entire world. Within the church there are two offices and two
ordinances that are important for us to be aware of. We will discuss these offices and
ordinances at length in future studies, but for now let’s get familiar with them so we have
a comprehensive understanding of the church’s nature and purpose.
In the first place the Bible speaks of two offices within the church. The first office is that
of elder. Sometimes this office is called bishop or pastor. The titles are synonymous
with the same office, but describe the different aspects of that office. Look up and read
1 Peter 5:1-4. The English word elder comes from the Greek word Presbyteros and
means a church official. The word carries the idea of being mature. The passage also
gives of the responsibilities of the elders as feeding the flock of God (pastor) and taking
the oversight of the ministry (bishop). Look up and read Ephesians 4:11-13. The word
pastor comes from the Greek word Poimen and means one who is a leader and
guardian of a flock. Then look up and read 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. The
expression “office of a bishop” comes from the Greek word Episkope and means the act
of watching over or supervising. See also, Acts 20:28. The next office is that of deacon.
The English word deacon comes from the Greek word, Diakonos and means servant or
one who assists. While there is some discussion as to whether the word actually refers
to an office or just the act of serving, we must assume it is an important role in the
church, because it is given qualifications along with those of the bishop. See 1 Timothy
3:1-7. Also, Acts 6:1-7 gives us an example of the roles of the deacon in the church.
Finally we have the two ordinances. We discussed the first ordinance, baptism, in length
in an earlier lesson; let’s look at the second, The Lord’s Supper, briefly. The Lord’s
Supper, sometimes called communion, is an ordinance within the church that draws the
church together for reflection, examination and anticipation. Look up and read 1
Corinthians 10:16 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-34. Communion consists of bread and wine
as a reflection of what Christ has done for us on Calvary. His body was broken and his
blood was shed for our sins. It is also a time of examination that we might consider our
spiritual health. It is finally a time of anticipation that we might think of the Lord’s
imminent return. While one church may serve the Lord’s Supper in a slightly different
manner from another, the key for this lesson is to understand it is a church ordinance
given by the Lord.
Day #5 Questions
1. What are the two offices?
2. What are the three titles given for the office of an elder?
3. What are the two ordinances?
4. What does the Lord’s Supper encourage in its participants?
5. Based on your understanding of the church thus far, what can we assume
would be a prerequisite for partaking of the Lord’s Supper?
Today, recite your Scripture Memory to someone.
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Signature
Day #6 Reading
Hopefully, we have a pretty good idea of what the church is, what it does, who it
belongs to and who its officers are. Today, we will look briefly at its function on a
practical level as it applies to our everyday lives. In other words, looking at the
Scriptures, here is what we should expect the church to do.
1. Preach and teach the Bible, God’s Word, as the foundation of truth in a
society. Look up and read 1 Timothy 3:15 & 2 Timothy 4:1-2
2. It should provide a place of fellowship and prayer for God’s People. Look up
and read Acts 2:41-47 & Hebrews 10:24-25.
3. It should be a place to observe the ordinances. Look up and read 1
Corinthians 11:23-34
4. It should strive to reach the community and the world with the gospel. Look
up and read Acts 1:8 & 2:46-47.
5. It should be a place to edify the saints. Look up and read Ephesians 4:11-16.
6. It should be a place where Christians can exercise their spiritual gifts. Look
up and read 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.
7. It should be a place where Christians are held accountable for their sins and
their need to repent. Look up and read 1 Corinthians 5:1-13.
Day #6 Question
1. What is the foundation of truth in a society?
2. Name one of the functions of the church you deem important.
3. Looking back over the daily readings, please write out the full definition of the
church.
Write out your Scripture Memory
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