A New Testament Church

Jesus said, "I will build my church."  For two thousand years Jesus has been building his church.  The question is, what kind of church is it?  The answer to the question may be found in Acts 2:41-47.

Elements of a New Testament Church

1.  To glorify God by our worship (Acts 2:46, 47).  We do not go to church just to sing songs and to hear a sermon; we go to church to worship God.  Christian activity cannot take the place of worship.  Worship is absolutely essential if we are to live a happy Christian Life (John 4:24).

2.  The church is for fellowship (Acts 2:42).

There is a relationship among Christians that no other group of people on earth can have.

 A genuine Christian has a desire to have fellowship with other Christians.  It is a tragic thing when this desire for fellowship becomes dull or is destroyed.  Our faith is strengthened through mutual fellowship.  As we unite together for prayers and testimonies and preaching we are built up in faith.

3.  The church is a place of service (Acts 2:43-46).  We are saved to serve.  There are many things to be done for Christ.  The harvest is ripe; the grain is ready to be reaped.  The work of God can best be accomplished through the fellowship of a local congregation.  The church with all its imperfections is the organization that Christ is using to fulfill His work on earth.

4.  The Church is for the spreading of the gospel (Acts 2:47).  Christ commanded that we preach the gospel in the whole world.  Every church should have a worldwide ministry.  The early church had no Bibles, no seminaries, no printing presses, no literature, no educational institutions, no radios, not televisions, no automobiles, no airplanes, and yet within one generation, the gospel had been spread to most of the world.