BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE MINISTRY
P.O. Box 30523 Lipa City 4217
Philippines Tel. (43) 7565052
 
Name____________________________Date_____________
Address___________________________________________

Lesson No. 12

The Identifying Marks of the Lord's Church
By Edwin Jardinel
Are you searching for the right church?  The Bible teaches that Jesus established His church during His personal earthly ministry and He promised that she will continue to exist until the end of the age.  Jesus said,  "...upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt.16:18).  The Lord's church continues to exist until now despite severe persecutions in the past because of what Jesus had promised, " ...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matt.28:20). However, you cannot find or identify a New Testament church unless you know its distinct characteristics.  For example, If you are looking for a mango fruit in the market, and a vendor fools you by pointing to a papaya and say, "Here is a real mango fruit!", you can't be fooled if you know the identifying characteristics of a mango -- based on its color, size, shape, etc.  Today, there are so many churches  founded by men claiming to be the true church of Christ.  To be able to find the true church, you need to know the identifying marks of the Lord's church.
 
  1. Who is the founder of the Lord's church?  Matthew 16:18_________________
  2. Who is the head of the church? Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:20-22 __________________________
  3. The word "church" comes from the Greek word "ekklesia" which means a called out assembly.  The place where Christ started preaching and calling out baptized disciples marks the beginning of the New Testament church. What place was it? Matt.4:17-19; Acts 10:36-37___________________________________________
  4. Did the company of baptized believers start after the baptizing of John the Baptist? Acts 1:21-22_______________Was the Lord's church started after the Baptism of Jesus Christ by John? Matt. chapter 3 and 4___________How old was Jesus when He was baptized? Luke 3:23__________
  5. What is the basis or the Rule of Faith and Practice of the New Testament church? II Timothy 3:15-17______________________Is the bible the final and complete revelation of God to man? Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19_____________
  6. What are the two Scriptural offices in the church? Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:1-12_____________________________________Is it alright for a bishop to marry and raise children?  I Tim.3:2,4,&5_____________________Is there a lady bishop mentioned in the Bible? I Timothy 2:11-12 ____________________(The bishop is also called a "pastor" or "elder" because they have the same function  as in Titus 1:5-7).
  7. What are the two pictorial ordinances in the church?                                           Romans 6:3-5  ___________________                                                                         I Corinthians 11:23-26____________________
  8. What type of church government is practice in a true church? (Please read carefully the following verses and check the right answer: Matthew 20:25-27; 18:15-17; Acts 6:1-5; I Peter 5:1-3; II Cor.1:24; 2:6; Acts 1:20-26).

    9. [ ]  Episcopalian type -- Ruled by one man.  Members of the church cannot take part in the decision making for the welfare of the church, but are simply mere worshippers.
    [ ]  Presbyterian type -- Ruled by a board or council of elders.  This council makes all the decision without prior presentation to, and approval of the congregation.
    [ ]  Congregational type -- A democratic system of church government.  Leadership is applied not dictatorship.  The members are not simply mere worshippers, but they also take part in the decision-making of the church.
    In this type of church government, there is equality even though spiritual gifts and functions varies, and Jesus is recognized as the head.
  9. Is the Lord's church independent and separated from the state? Matthew 22:21____________
  10. Was severe persecution able to destroy and vanish the Lord's church in the face of the earth? Matthew 16:18______________Has the Lord's church continued to exist throughout all ages since it was founded by Christ during His personal earthly ministry? Ephesians 3;21___________Is there a true church today existing?__________Will you join a Scriptural church?_______________


To read Baptist church history, check these sites:

Independent landmark Missionary Baptist Church History
Chart of Baptist History
Trail of Blood 1