What does the word “church” mean?
• Church comes from the Greek word Ekklesia, a called-out assembly. Thus, the church is com-
posed of Christians called out from the world.
• It’s important to note that this word does not refer to a building.
Who Established The church?
• Matthew 16: 15-18 - Jesus said he would build His church.
• Acts 20: 28 - Jesus purchased the church with His blood.
When did Christ’s church begin?
• On the day of Pentecost 33AD. (Acts 2)
• Acts 2: 38 - Peter instructed His Jewish listeners to “repent and be baptized for the forgiveness
of sins.”
• Acts 2: 41 - 3,000 people were baptized, forming the first congregation in the Lord’s church.
Acts 2: 47 - God Himself added them to the church.
What qualities MUST Christ’s church possess?
• Christ must be the foundation and focus of the church (1 Corinthians 3: 11)
• Christ must be the one and only head of the church (Colossians 1: 18; Ephesians 1: 22-23)
• The Bible is the only instruction guide for the church. (2 Timothy 3: 16-17)
• The church and its members must possess a scriptural name (Romans 16: 16 - church of Christ);
Acts 11: 26 - Its members will be called Christians.
• Each congregation in the NT was autonomous (independent).
What type of worship MUST Christ’s church have?
• Prayer (Acts 2: 42); Singing (Ephesians 5: 19): Preaching & teaching (Acts 2: 42; 20: 7);
Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11: 23-26); Giving ( 1 Corinthians 16: 1,2)
• God and Christ must be the focus of our worship!
What is the work of the church?
• Evangelize (Preach the gospel): Matthew 28: 19-20; Romans 10: 14-15; Ephesians 3: 10-11
• Edify (To teach, to encourage): Matthew 28: 20; 1 Thess. 5:11; 2 Timothy 4: 1
• Benevolence (Helping needy Christians) - Romans 15: 25-26; 1 Cor. 16: 1
Must I be a member of the Lord’s church to be saved?
• After baptism, God adds everyone to the universal church (Acts 2: 47; Heb. 12: 23)
• The NT teaches us that Christians formed organized congregations in communities.
• Acts 6 - the Jerusalem church addressed the issue of feeding widows in the congregation.
• In Paul’s journeys, he would often work with local congregations.
• If Christians don’t need to identify with local congregations, then elders serve no purpose.
• Hebrews 10: 25 -The command for Christians to assemble on Sundays would have little meaning.
• 1 Corinthians 11: 20-34 - Observing the LS is something congregations do together.
• Most of the epistles focused on the work and problems of local congregations.
• Scriptures are clear that God expects Christians to identify with local congregations.
How do I become a member of the Lord’s church?
• Acts 2: 38 - Obey the gospel: Believe, repent, confess Christ as Lord, be baptized.
• Acts 2: 47 - God adds obedient believers to the Lord’s church.
• Acts 9: 26-30 - After Paul’s conversion, he met with the Jerusalem church.
• Here at Eastside, a Christian wishing to place membership involves a discussion with the elders,
followed by an announcement to the congregation.
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