1. THE CHURCH IS FOR THE SAVED, NOT THE LOST.
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
–BEHAVIOR.
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
–THE CHURCH IS ORGANIZED ACCORDING TO GOD’S SYSTEM. BISHOPS, ELDERS, PASTORS, EVANGELISTS, ETC.,
2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. «The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.»
Titus 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. «It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.»
–IT IS FOR BELIEVERS TO WHOM SPECIAL SPIRITUAL GIFTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN.
Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
–EVERY MEMBER HAS A GIFT AND A DUTY.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
–THE CHURCH SHOULD STRIVE TO BE WHAT GOD WANTS IT TO BE.
Ephesians 5:27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
2. THE CHURCH IS TO BE WHAT GOD WANTS IT TO BE.
–THE PILLAR OF TRUTH.
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
–THE MESSENGER OF THE GOSPEL AND ANCHOR FOR THE BELIEVERS.
Matthew 28:19-20 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.
3. THE CHURCH IS ALL ABOUT JESUS. HE IS TO HAVE THE HIGHEST AND COMPLETE PRAISE.
Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.
–SOME PEOPLE WANT TO STEAL THE ATTENTION FROM THE LORD.
3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
–WORSHIP IS TO SURROUND AND FOCUS UPON JESUS.
Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee.
4. THE GATES OF HELL CANNOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT.
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
HOWEVER, TAKEN WITH OTHER SCRIPTURES, THIS REQUIRES THE CHURCH TO BE OBEDIENT TO CHRIST.
“THE CHURCH THAT GOD BUILT”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
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