The Biblical Church
The church is not built by man but rather by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus Christ is the Rock the church is built on (Mark 12:10) and Jesus stated the He alone can build His church (Matthew 16:18). Psalm 127 states that we labor in vain unless the Lord builds the house. This is true of the church or any other labor we set out to accomplish with the hope of our work enduring and becoming successful with eternal significance. The hand of the Lord must be the driving force behind the church; only then will we see the promise of God adding to the church and bringing the lost to salvation in Christ (Acts 2:47, Acts 11:21).
The governments within the majority of churches are often formed into a democratic model. Everything from basic church business all the way up to spiritual matters and appointment of leaders is presented by motions during a business meeting and then passed by popular vote. The vast majority of churches have a government that is contrary to scripture in part or in whole. At [Church's name], we seek to honor God by adopting the governing design directly from scripture. Following is the biblical model for the church, its functions, leadership and the scriptures that support this model.
Assembly of Believers
The scriptures teach two basic principles about believers assembling together.
1. Believers must not neglect coming together with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). God never intended for His people to be lone Christians and He has commanded us to assemble together. We encourage each other, share and meet needs, worship together and minister together. Together we have a better reward for our labor (Ecclesiastes 4:9). When someone falls, another will be available to lift his companion up (Ecclesiastes 4:10). We are also taught in scripture that we can stand stronger together (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
2. Believers gather together with like minded believers. We cannot walk together in the ministry of the Lord unless we are in agreement on the purpose of the church (Amos 3:3). It is pleasant for believers to dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1) and we must walk worthy of God’s calling in unity with a common purpose, bearing each others burdens and standing in the bond of peace from God’s Spirit (Ephesians 4:3, 13).
The Church meets the needs of people.
It is the church’s responsibility to help meet the needs of the local body as well as the community around us. God blesses us so that we can meet the needs around us and not merely so we can lavish in prosperity. We are commanded to bear one another’s burdens; provide for the physical needs of those around us; stand beside one another in adversity and offer emotional encouragement as well. Part of our command to love one another is to be outward focused. This begins by reaching out to those God has placed among us and from there we continue to reach outward to the community and world around us.
References:
Acts 2:45-46
Proverbs 17:17
James 2:15-18
Galatians 6:2
Romans 12:15
Church builds up disciples in Christ
The purpose of the church is to follow the Great Commission of Jesus Christ – to make disciples of all people, baptize them into the faith and to teach them His ways. This is done through obedience to Christ, by teaching and by taking advantage of the open doors God provides to reach people.
References:
Acts 11:22-26
Matthew 28:19-20
Ephesians 4:13
Revelation 3:8
Through prayer, God has given the church the power to touch the world around us for His kingdom. Prayer is seeking God’s face, acknowledging our need for Him and petitioning Him to guide our way. Through prayer, saints have been delivered against all odds, we have the petitions we need to do God’s will, and we lay our burdens down before Him.
References:
Acts 12:4-7
Matthew 18:19-20
1 John 5:14-15
Philippians 4:6-7
Church prays for needs
Through prayer, God has given the church the power to touch the world around us for His kingdom. Prayer is seeking God’s face, acknowledging our need for Him and petitioning Him to guide our way. Through prayer, saints have been delivered against all odds, we have the petitions we need to do God’s will, and we lay our burdens down before Him.
References:
Acts 12:4-7
Matthew 18:19-20
1 John 5:14-15
Philippians 4:6-7