- Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to…the fellowship, to the breaking of bread…”
- Hebrews 10:24-25: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together”
Matthew 18:15-20
- 18:17 – church = group of Christians
- 18:20 – church =
- 2+ people
- meeting together
- under Jesus’ authority
- (Jesus will also be present)
Phil. 1:1: Overseers/Elders, Deacons, Saints
- Philippians 1:1 – city-wide church; 2 offices
- Acts 2:46 – city-church met in houses and temple
Ephesians 4:11-16: Building Each Other Up
- Goal of church = build itself up to the fullness of Christ (i.e. disciple itself)
- By people/”ministers” (4:11):
- Apostle = “sent one”; missionary; initiates new churches
- Prophet = “spokesman for God”; guides and warns present church
- Evangelist = “announcer”; leads non-Christians to Christ
- Shepherd/Pastor = tends to the church and her needs
- Teacher = effectively communicates truths of Jesus/God
- By people/”ministers” (4:11):
Healthy Churches Have:
- Biblical leadership (Phil. 1:1; Eph. 4:11-16)
- Communion (1 Cor. 11:20-21)
- Baptism of new Christians (Acts 2:41)
- Giving/Charity (Acts 4:32-37)
- Spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:26)
- Praying, singing, praising (1 Cor. 14:15-16; 1 Tim. 2:1)
- Discipline toward unrepentant sin (Matt 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:11)
- Understanding/obeying the Bible (Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 4:13)
- Fellowship, including over meals (Acts 2:42)
- Mutual participation that edifies all (1 Cor. 14:26)
All of this is to disciple/grow each other in Christ (1 Cor. 14:26)
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