As one travels across this land it isn’t unusual to see a religious meeting house with a sign reading “Bible Church” emblazoned in large letters. It is one thing to make the claim of being “the bible church,” but it is yet another to actually be such.  There are some biblical prerequisites which must be met before a group may lay claim to being “A Biblical Church.”  Looking at those identifying marks shall be the crux of this lesson. Please  consider  these things in view of judgement to come followed  by eternity (2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Romans 14:12; James 2:12-13; Revelation 20:12-15).

1).   The proper plan from eternity=(Ephesians 3:8-11; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
2).   The proper founder=Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18-23; 16:13-19).
3).   The proper Foundation=Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11; Acts 4:10-12)
4).   The proper terms of membership=Obey Gospel  (Acts 2:22-38,40, 41,47).
5).   The proper names=(Eph. 3:15; Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; Matt. 16:18).
6).   The proper organization=(Only working collective, local congregation).
7).   The proper worship=(The faithful- in "Spirit & in Truth" John 4:24).
8).   The proper authority=Rule of faith=(The New Test. (John 16:12-13).
9).   The proper morals=(1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Matthew 5:31-32; 19:9).
10). The proper mission=(Preach gospel, see to our needy, edify membership).
11). The proper defense of the faith=(Jude 3:2 John 9-11; 2 Tim. 4:1-5).
12). The proper hope=(A crown of life after awhile (2 Tim. 4:6-8; 1 Cor. 9:25).
13). The proper destiny=(Heaven where Christ now is John 14:1-6).

When we speak of  "the church" in its universal aspect or Christ’s people in the aggregate, we are speaking of a relationship, much  as we would say family, vineyard, kingdom, household, flock, group, etc. We mean the rule of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:18; Acts 3:22-23; John 12:48; Luke 6:46). This is what Christ died to bring into existence, and is what the Hebrew writer was speaking of in Hebrews 12:22-28, and what Christ meant when he said, "...I will build My church..." Matthew 16:13-19. Too, this is that about which Paul wrote when he said that he had been "delivered out of the kingdom of darkness and translated into the kingdom of the Son of God's love" in, (Colossians 1:13-14; Ephesians 2:13-17; 3:21).  The blood of Christ is associated with both the term “church” and “kingdom” for they are one and the same relationship (Colossians 1:14; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25). The church therefore is made up of those who have been “washed in the blood of the Lamb of God” when we as penitent believers repented, confessed our faith in Christ and were “baptized into Christ, and into His death” (Romans 6:3-6; Titus 3:5; Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19; John 1:29).

However, in the listing above, most of what I shall be dealing with has to do with more than a relationship to deity, I shall also be speaking of an entity or a collective of Christians in a local  vicinity usually spoken of as a congregation or local church.  This entity by the way, is the only working collective known to New Testament "Christianity" that is authorized to engage in that which is distinctively the function of the local church.  There is no organization larger, smaller nor other than the local church authorized for church work in the New Testament.  Each faithful Christian should seek out a “sound” local church and “join one’s self” to said local group as is indicated in (Acts 9:17-22, 26).

 Each congregation is independent or self ruled under a group of men called elders, bishops, or  pastors respectively. Each of these names describes either something about these men's work or their qualifications to so serve. Since each local church has a plurality of elders, each is therefore forbidden to oversee anything other than the one congregation in which they have been appointed  to serve (Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1; Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5; 1 Thessalonians.  5:11-21; Hebrews 13:7,17; 1 Peter 5:1-5).  Under the oversight of these older married men with faithful children, are  appointed a group of men who are called deacons who serve in more physical matters thereby freeing the elders to attend to things having to do more with spiritual matters, that of edifying and watching out for the souls of each member in the local congregation over which they have been appointed as bishops ( Acts 6:1-6; Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-5).  Christ’s plan for organization of His church is simple as well as effective. Too bad that so many folks aren’t satisfied with the church just as He brought it into being. Thinking, I suppose, that they can improve on His plan has led to many departures from the ancient faith and the “pattern” Christ gave for His body.

The New Testament church universal, Christ’s kingdom, has no earthly head nor headquarters. We have no centralized agencies, church owned or operated colleges nor printing companies.  In short, there is no earthly organization for Christ’s church and consequently no function that calls for activation of this universal body of the redeemed through some earthly agency. Christ our King is now on David’s throne in heaven at the Father’s right hand where he rules and reigns until such time as He shall return said church/kingdom back to the Father (Acts 2:22-36; John 10:13-16; Revelation 17:14; 19:16; Hebrews 12:22-28; 1 Corinthians 15:23-28).  The “headquarters” for Christ’s church/kingdom is in heaven where our head resides.  The prophet said He would “sit and rule” and so when He took his position “seated at the Father’s right hand,” that’s when His rule began. We serve “King Jesus,” not a crown prince who is still awaiting his exaltation and coronation as in the case of premillennialism (Zechariah 6:13; Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14; Acts 2:29-36).

As we continue to write about the church one may read about in one’s bible, some of our points will be made more than once as we approach this subject from the thirteen aspects I have listed in the beginning. Spaced repetition is, according to some educators, one of the best ways for one’s readers to grasp and retain information on a given matter, so we make no apologies for some repetition if we are thereby able to accomplish this noble end result.

1). The church/kingdom was in God’s mind from eternity. This is why prophecies concerning this relationship are replete with references to the sacrificial death that the Messiah would die to bring fallen humanity back to the Father by becoming a part of this planned, purposed, purchased entity, the church of Christ. Let us read from Paul’s epistle concerning the “eternal purpose of God” as it relates to the church.

 “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:8-11 NKJV). God had promised early on after sin came into the world that the virgin born Messiah would be sent to save fallen mankind from His sins. He built  the great nation of Israel and kept in tact the lineage through which this would ultimately be accomplished. As the prophets foretold this, they did not understand it. Even the “angels desired to look into” what God had in mind (1 Peter 1:10-12). God had made a covenant with Abraham and promised to bring about a universal system to save all mankind who would  meet the conditions (Genesis 12:1-4; Galatians 3:16-19; Matthew 7:13-21). How would He accomplish the blessing of the whole world. He would make a new law (Jeremiah 31:31-34) that would be a universal law bringing the redeemed into this relationship known as the church or kingdom. The church coming into being where all racial and ethnic barriers would be broken down answered the mystery of the ages (Ephesians 2:10-17). Those who cannot see this often speak disparagingly about the church seeing it as a non-essential to one’s salvation. If only they knew that this relationship answers the mystery and makes known the wisdom of God. The church doesn’t save, the church is made up of the saved. However, the one true church is that of which Christ is the Savior (Ephesians 1:22-33; 1 Corinthians 15:23-28).  This blood bought body is made up of people who have been “purchased by the blood” of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This is why Paul spoke of the church that Christ purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25).
 
2).  We are looking at “marks of identity” for a “church” to be the biblical one. Not only was it planned for from eternity as we noted, it has to have the proper founder. Unless one lived a perfect life and was crucified, buried, resurrected and exalted to the Fathers’s right hand, one has no right to found or begin a religion or claim to bring about a saved relationship between sinful men and the God of heaven. Only Jesus Christ so qualifies. He is the God/man who came in answer to prophecy to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:18-23). So He alone is the proper “founder” or “builder” of the one true church, His! Jesus was declared  to be (recognized as) the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:1-4). He was raised to sit on David’s throne as Peter reminded those folks on the birthday of Christ’s church there in Jerusalem Palestine, which by the way, was where Christ’s church/kingdom had been prophesied to begin (Isaiah 2:1-4; Luke 24:45-49). How beautifully the entire bible fits together when “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15). What a tangled mess when folks “twist the scriptures,” and they do so to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:15-16; Galatians 1:6-9).

3).  A superstructure is no stronger than the foundation upon which it rest. The same is certainly true of the church.  A “church” built on mere men regardless of how good those men may have been, cannot claim to be the new testament church. The foundation of Christ's church is the divine Son of God Almighty as had also been prophesied (Isaiah 28:16), that precious tried corner stone. Paul wrote “other foundation can no man lay than is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11). Peter referred to Christ as “the rock” whom the Jewish builders had rejected (Acts 3:10-12). When Jesus came into the regions of Caesarea Philippi, there was confusion as to His identity. Some said one thing and some another. Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was? Peter confessed by divine inspiration that he was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). Jesus then promised that He would build His church upon that foundational confession of His deity (Matthew 16:18-19).  A “church” without this foundation cannot be identified as the bible church. Besides, Christ said “every plant which my Heavenly Father has not planted shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15:13). And the Psalmist said, “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it” (Psalms 127:1).

4).  To be made up of the redeemed, therefore to be the Bible church, folks must have followed the divine terms for membership or citizenship in Christ church/kingdom. Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to see or to enter into the kingdom one must be “born again.” Born of the “water and of the Spirit” (John 3:3-5). Many are unaware that one can “join” any denomination in town without ever accepting God’s saving grace on the terms of the gospel of Christ, God’s power to save (Romans 1:16-17). The doctrine of “salvation by faith alone” gains one fellowship in human “churches” but the gospel must be believed and obeyed for one to become a member in the blood bought body of Christ, the bible church (1 Peter 1:22-25; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9). In His great commission Christ told the apostles to preach this gospel to the whole world and promised “...he who believes and is baptized will be saved..” (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:45-47; Acts 2:22-38,40-41,47).

5).  Some say such things as “there’s nothing in a name.” Have you ever heard that? I would imagine some of you have even made that statement at one time or another. Did you realize that God has always placed great significance on names? Well He has. Besides, none of us would think of naming one of our offspring Hitler or Benedict or Jezebel.  Too, if your wife took the name of someone else and refused to honor you by wearing your name, I have a feeling you would be quite upset. If  you forge someone else’s name on a check the banks frown on such an act! You get the point I am confident.  Names identify.  God planned a “new name” for His people and prophesied as to when it would first be given, after kings and Gentiles had seen His righteousness. It was to be within His house within His walls (Isaiah 56:6; 62:2). We read about a brand new name for Christ’s followers  in (Acts 11;26). “...disciples where called Christians first in Antioch.” (See Acts 26:28; 1 Corinthians 1:10-12; 1 Peter 4;16).  There is no salvation in any name other than the proper noun “Christian” this name unites, others divide and Paul said such was a sign of carnality rather than spirituality in (1 Corinthians 3:1-6).  Not only are the members of Christ’s church named “Christian” as a proper noun, but there are several scriptural names by which Christ’s church is called. We accept them all. Most often since there is only one true church it is simply called “the church.” See some other names in numeral 5 at the beginning of this lesson. When Christ said “I will build My church” I wonder how difficult it is to see what that would make it?

6).  Organization: Actually, the universal body of Christ, His church/kingdom is an “organism”  more  than an “organization.”  It is that relationship which citizens of Christ’s kingdom share with Christ and with others of “like precious faith.” It is a family, a body, and we (the saved) are “living stones” in a spiritual household under Christ who is our Savior, high priest, King, and Master (2 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 2:5). Of this relationship Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world..” (John 18:36).  In yet another context Jesus said folks would not say lo, here or there is the kingdom. In other words folks would not point to some location on a map, for said Jesus, “the kingdom of God is within you.” He was speaking of the fact that His kingdom is spiritual in nature even though made up of flesh and  blood citizens  Luke 17:21.  When folks come into this relationship, they come into the presence of  “an innumerable company of angels and to the spirits of just men made perfect,” (Hebrews 12:22-28).

This universal body of believers have no functions assigned to them except in our individual lives as we serve Christ and our fellow man.  For collective functioning as a body, Christ has ordained that “local congregations” are to be established with qualified overseers whom scriptures refer to in the case of overseers as bishops, elders, or pastors.  Under their oversight godly younger men (usually) are appointed as deacons to serve in capacities assigned to them by their overseers (Phil. 1:1-2; Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23; Acts20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Hebrews 13:7,17; 1 Thessalonians 5:11-21). Qualifications which must be met by each of these who serve the congregation  in both their capacities as “elders” as well as “deacons” may be found by reading from (1 Timothy chapter three and Titus chapter one).

Local congregations function according to the New Testament pattern in every area in which they are charged  to serve under the oversight of their elders. These men must answer to the “chief elder,” Jesus Christ for how well they oversee the functions of the local church in which they have been appointed by the membership with the leading of the evangelist, to serve (Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-5).  As stated earlier, “there is no organization larger, smaller, nor other than the congregation authorized for collective church work or functions.” Everything we do  must be done by apostolic authority (Acts 2:42; Acts 15:24; Philippians 4:9; 1 Corinthians 11:1). To go  beyond  the teachings authorized in “the apostle’s doctrine” is to break fellowship with the Godhead and with those of “like precious faith” (1 John 1:1-8; 2 Peter 1:1; John 12:48).

One may read the various letters or epistles written by inspired men to the various local congregations and learn  much  about what the functions of local congregations consisted of.  Since the promise of Christ was to guide the New Testament writers into “all spiritual truth,” (John 16:12-13; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:25), one may logically conclude that “the sum total of what churches of Christ engaged in while guided by men (the apostles) with their approval, forms the pattern for what churches of Christ may engage in today as a congregational or collective function.”

7).  Worship: We have been given several Old Testament examples of the fact that when God ordains something in particular, and has even specified what His will is in that matter, His children are not at liberty to alter, substitute, or disregard such. Early on in the Patriarchal age one of the sons of Adam and Eve failed  to honor God’s choices in his worship and was rejected.  His brother did as God commanded or specified, acting “by faith” his worship was accepted. Read about Cain and Abel in (Genesis 4:1-4). Now notice (Hebrews 11:4). Paul said the things written before in the Old Testament were “written for our learning” and “they are examples...” (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11-13).

Acceptable worship may be engaged in only by those who are children in Christ’s family, the church  according  to (John 9:31; Ephesians 3:21; Acts 10:34-35). One  who has not “obeyed the gospel” and thereby been cleansed of alien sins in the blood of Christ, is still in Satan’s kingdom and does  not  have Christ as his high priest between him  and the heavenly Father (John 8:21-24; John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 2:14-18; 8:1-13; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Hebrews 7:12).   The apostle Peter wrote, “..the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers (including all acts of worship ket): but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).   That point now established, we shall note what acceptable worship involved each Lord’s day in local churches of Christ about which we may read in the bible.

As noted earlier, acceptable worship consist of worshiping “in spirit and in truth,” (John 4:23-24). Meaning that the proper attitude must exist in the mind of the worshipers and they must do only that which the Lord Himself has authorized in His revealed word (Colossians 3:17; Luke 6:46; Matthew 15:1-9; Colossians 2:8-10).  By direct command: By approved apostolic examples: by necessary inference, we learn the following was common to Lord’s day worship assemblies in the bible times:

1). The Lord’s supper as Jesus commanded (Matthew 26:26-28; Acts 20:6; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34).

2).  A free will contribution into the local treasury to support all authorized functions of the church in that locality and to have available to support needy saints locally and elsewhere under certain circumstances as well as monies to support the preaching of the gospel locally and elsewhere (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Philippians 4:15-19; 2 Corinthians chapters eight and nine; 2 Corinthians 11:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Acts 13:1-4).

3). God chose  preaching to edify local churches as well as to save the lost (Acts 20:7-9; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Romans 10:8-17; Romans 16:25-27; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 28:20; 2 Timothy 2:2).

4).  Edification of the membership is also one of the local congregations responsibilities. This is accomplished by various means of “breaking the bread of life” to the membership. Bible study classes; Gospel meetings; Lectureships; sermons, etc. Any expedient methods so long as we do not violate other biblical principles in the process (1 Thessalonians 5:11-21; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27).

5). Music: Perhaps one of the most inspiring things done in our assemblies is when in obedience  to the command to “sing”  thereby “teaching and admonishing one another...”(Colossians 3:16).  Human voices engage in “speaking to ourselves in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19), both edifies the body and honors Christ’s choice in music.  The New Testament lists nine passages concerning music and each specify “singing” or “speaking” and “teaching” with the melody being made in the human heart, not on a harp if you please.  If interested you can study the history of “church music” and learn that such things as mechanical instruments are of seventh century origin, not first century. It was about 670 AD when they were first introduced among those professing to follow Jesus Christ.  They caused such a furor that they were not introduced again until some time in the 13th century AD into the apostate Roman church.  They are without New Testament authority and are opposed by those who are members of  “the biblical church of Christ.” (1 John 1:6-7; Romans 16:17-18; 2 John 9-11; Ephesians 5:11).

8). Authority: All of the bible is God’s word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). However, we do not get our authority to act from Moses or the prophets today. God attempted to drive this lesson home on the mountain of transfiguration when Peter James and John witnessed Christ’s transfiguration and saw Moses and Elijah there talking with Christ. Peter wanted to honor the law giver Moses-the prophet Elijah-as well as Christ with three tents of worship. God spoke from heaven and said, “this is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, Hear Him” (Matthew 17:1-5). The  apostle  Paul gives what makes up an entire chapter in 2 Corinthians 3:1-18  showing  the  abolition  of the Old Testament  and the binding of the New for followers of Christ  today. The Hebrew writer said when the priesthood was changed, so was the law in (Hebrews 7:12). The apostle Paul told the brethren in Galatia that if they attempted justification by the law, you have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Hebrews 10:1-9; Colossians 2:14).

9). Morals: Today there are many preachers, priests, and religious leaders in denominations across the land who would like to be identified with New Testament religion and the church which Christ established, who not only are unwilling to admit to what this lesson is about thus far, hence what the bible teaches on its identity, but who are unwilling to be lead by the morals of the New Testament of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Homosexuality-Sodomy-Drunkenness-Adultery-Profanity-Reveling- Taking  innocent  life by abortion,  Divorce and Remarriage for any cause  and such are not only being condoned, they are being engaged in with the sanction of the leadership of some denominations. Some are even sanctioning  Same Sex Marriages!    Is it any wonder the world is in the mess it presently is, morally speaking, when religious leaders,  those who claim to be representing the will of Christ  before the world are in league with Satan  themselves??  Read the following: (Matthew 5:28-32; Matthew 19:1-5; Romans 7:1-4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 19-20; Galatians 5:19-21; Matthew 5:13-16; Romans 12:1-2).  People can’t go to heaven guilty of engaging in such immoral behavior (Revelation 14:13; 21:8; 22;14-15).

10).  Mission: I have already come at this aspect of the identity of “sound” New Testament congregations  from several approaches.  Such will be found acting only in the capacity given or authorized by the word of Christ (Colossians 3:17). They preached the gospel to save the lost. They preached and taught the word of Christ to edify the membership in the most holy faith, and they relieved their own needy among them.  This forms the pattern for the mission of local churches of Christ today.  No social, political or governmental involvements.  The church  has a mission  much too high and much more holy than such mundane worldly activities. You don’t read anything  about “family life centers” nor “all purpose  rooms” for fun and  frolic under the misguided use of the word “fellowship halls” etc., in the bible.  Let me say it one more time: “The sum total of what churches of Christ engaged in when men guided by the holy Spirit were present among them, forms the pattern for what churches of Christ may do today with Christ’s approval.” That’s not about it, that’s it!

11).  Defense of the truth: As the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), the local church is to not only sound out the truth of Christ to the community and as far and wide as ability allows, but is to “defend the truth” of Christ against all enemies of the truth as well (Jude 3 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; 5:21; 1 John 3:1; Matthew 7:15; 2 John 9-11; Ephesians 5:11; Romans 16:16-18; Titus 3:10).

12).  Hope: Christ’s people, His church are to be looking forward to the time of His return and their hope is “laid up in heaven” and is not corruptible in nature (1 Peter 1:3-5;  John 14:1-6; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; 1 Corinthians 9:25).  The idea that Christ is to return to this earth, set up an earthly kingdom and reign for 1000 years  is not the hope that sustained first century Christians, nor is it the hope of Christians in this century. Paul wrote of the after life as being enjoyed in a new body fit for that heavenly habitat (1 Corinthians 15:1-58; 2 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Paul wanted to depart this life and be with Christ (Philippians 1:21-24; 2 Corinthians 5:1-9).

13).  Destiny: This is just  another way of saying what we said above. Where Christ now is, is  where the faithful  Christian  hopes to go when this life ends. Are you ready for the home of the soul as you now are spiritually speaking? (2 Cor. 13:5).