#4 Fundamental Foundations Of Faith (Identifying The Church By Its Worship) Series

Fundamental Foundations of Faith

Identifying The New Testament Church by Its Worship

INTRO.

A. In this series of lessons on the fundamentals of faith, we have been studying

the church.

1. In the first lesson, we saw that the church is the “called out” (ekklesia)

2. In the second lesson, we saw that the apostles warned of an apostasy, that the

church would fall away into error.

3. In the third lesson, we discussed several false doctrines that arose from the

apostate church.

B. Today, we will consider how we can identify the New Testament church that was

established by the Lord. How do we know which church is the true church?

Thankfully, God gave us a pattern to follow in the New Testament. If we can find that

pattern, we can find the New Testament church and we can be the New Testament

church.

C. For example, what is the pattern of New Testament worship that we find in the Bible?

If we find that pattern, we can find that church.

I. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH PRAYED DURING WORSHIP

A. Prayers were offered in their assemblies

1. As is indicated in Acts 2:41-42

“41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about

three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in

the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

2. They prayed when they were thankful Col. 4:2

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;”

3. They prayed when there was trouble Acts 12:5, 12

“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by

the church... 12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the

mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together

praying.”

4. No matter what was going on, they were to pray 1 Thes. 5:17

“pray without ceasing”

B. One identifying characteristic of the New Testament church is that they prayed

without ceasing.

II. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH GAVE DURING WORSHIP

A. The church was noted for its giving nature.

1. As is seen in the church in Jerusalem

a. Acts 2:44-45

“44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,

45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all,

as anyone had need.”

b. Acts 4:32-35

“32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one

soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his

own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the

apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace

was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all

who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the

proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet;

and they distributed to each as anyone had need.”

2. Such giving went beyond those in the local congregation

Acts 11:27-30

“27 And in these days, prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then

one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was

going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the

days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability,

determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did,

and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”

B. To aid in the ability to give to good works, a weekly collection was commanded.

1. To provide for the needs of the saints 1 Cor. 16:1-2a

“1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the

churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each

one of you lay something aside…” A specific day of the week was commanded for

the offering to be collected. No other day is authorized. The N. T. church only

takes the collection on Sunday. If a group takes up the collection on any other

day, they are not following the Biblical pattern found in the N.T.

2. Principles were taught to determine how much one should give

a. You give according to your blessings 1 Cor. 16:2

“On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside,

storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”

b. You give according to what you have 2 Cor. 8:12-13

“12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what

one has, and not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not