What Baptist Believe and Bible Teaches About the Church Pastor Jim Preston Lighthouse Baptist...

What Baptist Believe and Bible Teaches About the Church

Pastor Jim Preston

Lighthouse Baptist Church

What Baptist Believe And Bible Teaches About The Church

Ecclesiology

The Doctrine of the Church

“ology” means the study of…

“Ecclesi” means the church or congregation


Some Foundational ScriptureEphesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the

church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

The local church is the only God ordained agency for His work and evangelism today. It is the only institution Christ started or promised to bless.


Some Foundational ScriptureEphesians 1:22-23 And hath put all things

under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.


Some Foundational Scripture1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the

members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

1 Corinthians 12:25-27 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.


Some Foundational Scripture1 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.

Note: Words house and household come from same Greek

root word.


Some Foundational ScriptureEphesians 2:19-20 Now therefore ye are no

more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;


Some Foundational ScriptureMatthew 16:13-19 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea

Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.


Ecclesiology

The Doctrine of the ChurchFour separate areas of study that

we MUST NOT confuse.

“Things that are different are not the same”

1. The Church of God – Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 3:5

2. The Family of God – Eph 3:15

3. The Kingdom of God – Matt 6:33

4. The Nation of God (Israel) Gen 12:2


Definition of word church: Webster gives several definitions, but none that come

totally from the Bible: 1. A building for public Christian worship. 2. A religious service in such a building. 3. A body of Christian believers. 4. A Christian congregation.5. An organized religion as distinguished from the state. 6. A denomination such as the Roman Catholic Church,

the Methodist Church or the Lutheran Church.


What is the Bible Definition?

• Our English word “church” come from the Greek word “ekklesia.” The word “ekklesia” is found 118 times in the New Testament. It is translated "church" 115 times and 3 times "assembly."

• In classical Greek the word "ekklesia" meant "an assembly of citizens summoned by the crier, to the legislative assembly.”

• “Ekklesia” is the Greek word. “Ecclesia” is the word transliterated into English. “Called out assembly” or “congregation” is the literal English translation.


What is the Bible Definition?

• In the New Testament the word church simply means “a called out assembly or congregation of born again, scripturally baptized believers organized together according to Biblical instructions for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission."

• In New Testament times the word was always used to represent a group of people assembled together for a particular cause or purpose.

• Until the reformation the word church always referenced visible, local congregations or the institution of such groups. (Even Catholics believed the church was a visible body of baptized members)


How is the word used in the Bible? The word “church” is used four ways. 1. Over 100 times it is used referring to a particular

congregation such as the Church at Ephesus, the Church at Corinth or the Church at Jerusalem.

2. Once it is used to describe the nation of Israel as an assembly in the wilderness. Acts 7:38

3. Approximately 5 times it is used as a reference to the institution of local churches collectively.

4. Once it is used to refer to the future gathering of believers in heaven. Heb 12:23

5. It is never used to refer to all born again believers or a denomination.


Why so many churches and views? 1. Not because God wants it that way.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

2. Acts 20:29-30 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.


How do we know what is the right church?

1. Jesus is its founder. Matt 16:18 “I will build” • Constantine founded the Catholic Church October

28, 312 AD - Gregory the Great became first real pope in 590 AD

• Martin Luther founded the Lutheran Church 1520• King Henry VIII founder the Church of England

and Episcopal Church 1534 • John Calvin founded the Presbyterian Church 1536• Robert Browne founder the Congregational Church

1592



1. Jesus is its founder. Matt 16:18 “I will build” • John Wesley founded the Methodist Church 1742• Ellen G. White founded the Adventist Church 1863• Mary Baker Eddy founded the Church of Christian

Science 1866.• Charles Russell founded the JWs 1879



1. Jesus is its founder. Matt 16:18 “I will build” • Joseph Smith founded the Mormon Church 1830 • Alexander Campbell & Barton Stone founded the

Disciples of Christ (Church of Christ & Christian Church) 1832

• Phineas Bresee founded the Nazarene Church 1895• William Semour founded what became the

Assembly of God, Church of God and Pentecostal churches 1906 on Azusa Street in LA.



1. Jesus is its founder. Matt 16:18 “I will build” • Aimee McPherson founder the Foursquare Church

1927• Oliver Buswell founded what became the IFCA

1930 (Independent Fundamental Churches of America) This is the parent organization of most Bible and Community churches.

• L. Ron Hubbard founded the Church of Scientology 1955



1. Jesus is its founder. Matt 16:18 “I will build” • Chuck Smith founded Calvary Chapels in Costa

Mesa, CA 1965• Wayman Mitchell founder the Potters House 1970• Oprah started the Church of Oprah March 3, 2008



1. Jesus is the founder. Matt 16:18 “I will build”

• By His authority. Matt 28:18• According to His instructions. 1 Tim 3:15• For His glory. Eph 3:21• During His ministry. Matt 16:18-19; Matt 18:17-18



1. Jesus is the founder. Matt 16:18 “I will build”2. Jesus is the owner. “My Church”3. Jesus is the defender. “the gates of hell will

not prevail against it” His church has an enemy.



4. Jesus is the head. Eph 1:22-23 “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church” Col 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.”



5. Jesus is the foundation. 1 Cor 3:10-11 “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”



6. Jesus is the cornerstone. Eph 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”



7. Jesus is the commissioner. Matt 28:18-20 “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.”


What makes His church special?

1. It has a divine Origin. Started by Jesus. Matt 28:18 All power given to Him, not some latter day prophet.

2. It has a divine mission statement. Matt 28:19

3. It has a divine doctrinal statement. Matt 28:20(a

4. It has a divine promise of perpetuity. Matt 28:20(b


What are some of the distinctives of a scriptural church? A true church will believe and teach:

The Four big B’s:• Book (Bible) The sole source of authority

Inspired, Inerrant, Complete, Preserved Heb 4:12; Ps 12:6-7; Matt 24:35

• Blood Substitutional death of Christ (Jesus was God in the flesh) Heb 9:22; Ex

12:13; Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:18-19• Blessed Hope Pre-tribulation, Pre-millennial

return of Christ John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11• Bride God’s only institution given the

Great Commission. Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15



Autonomy of local church

• The New Testament church is a local visible, independent, self governing, self supporting, assembly of Scripturally baptized, born again believers organized to fulfill the great commission

• It has two offices: Pastor & deacons 1 Tim 3:1-13



Autonomy of local church (It has two offices) 1. The Bible uses Elder (experience), Presbytery (a

group of elders), Bishop (overseer), Shepherd (protector, feeder & guide), Pastor (care for flock), Teacher (train flock), Minister (servant), Evangelist (soul winner, church planter, like modern missionary), Steward (one who administers the treasures of another), Preacher (delivers a message) interchangeably. 1 Co 12:28; Eph 4:11-12; Heb 13:7,17

2. Deacons (servants of congregation and pastors)



• Preeminence of Christ (Col 1:18) and Priesthood of believers (1 Pet 2:5).

• Total depravity of man (Rom 3:10, 23) and a salvation that is totally by grace (Eph 2:8-9).

• Individual liberty, opportunity and responsibility (2 Co 5:10, 2 Tim 2:5)



Security of the believer (John 10:27-29; Phil 1:6; 2 Tim 1:12; Heb 13:5)

The importance of fulfilling all the Great Commission (Mark 15:16)

Separation of church and state (Mark 12:17; Rom 13:1-7)



Baptist Trinity: (Book, Blood and the Blessed Hope)

Autonomy of local church

Preeminence of Christ and Priesthood of believers.

Total depravity of man

Individual liberty, opportunity and responsibility

Security of the believer

The importance of fulfilling ALL the Great Commission

Separation of church and state


Some interesting quotes by non-Baptist historians:

Zwingli, a bitter enemy of Baptist and a Swiss reformer, co-worker with Martin Luther

“The institution of the Anabaptist is no novelty, but for thirteen hundred years has caused great trouble to the (Catholic) church.”

That means he thought there were Baptist as far back as at least 225 A.D.



Mosheim, a Lutheran historian said,

“Before the rise of Luther and Calvin, there lay secreted in almost all countries of Europe persons who adhered tenaciously to the principles of the modern Dutch Baptist.”



Robert Barclay, a Quaker said,

“There are also reasons for believing that on the continent of Europe small hidden Christian societies, who have held many of the opinions of the Anabaptist, have existed from the time of the apostles.”



John Clark Ridpath, a Methodist said,

“I should not readily admit that there was a Baptist church as far back as A.D. 100, though without doubt there were Baptist then, as all Christians were then Baptist.”



Sir Isaac Newton, said,

“The modern Baptist, formerly called Anabaptist, are the only people who have never symbolized with the Papacy.”


Some interesting quotes by historians:

A book called “Crossing the Centuries” co-authored by W.C. King and US presidents Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt says,

“Of the Baptist, it may be said that they are not reformers. These people, comprising bodies of Christian believers, known under various names in different countries, are entirely distinct and independent from Roman and Greek churches, have an unbroken continuity from apostolic days down through the centuries.” continued on next page..


Some interesting quotes by historians:continued …… A book called “Crossing the Centuries” co-

authored by W.C. King and US presidents Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt says,

“Throughout this long period they were bitterly persecuted for heresy, driven from country to country, disfranchised, deprived of their property, imprisoned, tortured and slain by the thousands, yet they swerved not from their New Testament faith, doctrine and adherence”


Some interesting quotes

Baptist historian John T. Christian writes in the introduction to his History of the Baptists: "I have throughout pursued the scientific method of investigation, and I have let the facts speak for themselves. I have no question in my own mind that there has been a historical succession of Baptists from the days of Christ to the present time."

What Baptist Believe And Bible Teaches About The ChurchWHAT KIND OF BAPTIST ARE WE?

• Just as Satan has counterfeited God’s church and confused many by all the different types of denominations and beliefs, so he has counterfeited Baptist churches as well.

• Just as we may find things we agree on with other denominations but should know why we are different, so we will find many things we agree with other Baptists but should know why we are different.

• It does make a difference what you believe and how and where you serve.


• Fundamental • Biblicist - Literal (says what it means and means

what it says), plenary (complete), verbal, inerrant (entirely true), authoritative (final word or instruction), infallible and inspired

• KJV – TR preserved• Missionary• Pre-Trib / Pre-Mil• Separated – ecclesiastical & personal


• Soul Winning• Non-segregated• Closed communion • Traditional music

What Baptist Believe and Bible Teaches About the Church Pastor Jim Preston Lighthouse Baptist...

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