What is your definition of a New Testement Church?

[saturneptune]

At our local church, we are attempting to update the bylaws and Constitution. Some of the issues proving difficult are communion, reception of members, church rolls, and church discipline. Although the mode of baptism has not been a disagreement, the question was raised, when a member comes to join with a Scriptural baptism, was the church performing the baptism a New Testement church? The defintion of a New Testment church also touches some of the other issues.

The problem seems to be that a defintion of a New Testement church has as many definitions as deacons sitting in the room (in this case, 8). My guess is that there is no way to agree on a definition among so many, and not even convinced it is relative.

So, to get a better idea of what others think, what is your definition of a NT church, and do you think a person coming for membership in your local church should have to be baptised previously in your definition of a NT church, even if it was Scriptural?

 

[Aaron]

A New Testament Church is one that believes and practices the doctrines of the New Testament. It's that simple. There will be disagreements over what those teachings are, but as long as they believe in Christ and obey Him as far as they understand, the church is a NT Church.

It might be better to word your by-laws with "church of like faith and practice" instead of New Testament Church, anyway.

 

[preachinjesus]

you are the Church

 

[cowboymatt]

I don't like the term "New Testament church." It doesn't reflect our entire canon and the term has caused way too much division in the church.

Instead, why don't churches try to best inhabit the values and practices set forth in the Bible, while at the same time trying to foster, grow, and fan into flames the gifts that God has given each of their members?

 

[Danny Hurley]

New Testement Church?

Where's the Old Testement Church?

 

[The Scribe]

I don't like the term "New Testament church." It doesn't reflect our entire canon and the term has caused way too much division in the church.

I agree. A New Testament church is like most mega-churches. Watered-down and far from sound doctrine.

 

[rbell]

I agree. A New Testament church is like most mega-churches. Watered-down and far from sound doctrine.

Wow. I didn't know we could know so much about a church based on three words of description. Seems a bit harsh to me...

 

[Danny Hurley]

New Testement Church?

Matthew 18:15 Jesus says-- Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother, 16, But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the CHURCH: but if he neglect to hear the CHURCH, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. This was spoken before the day of Pentecost. by Jesus himself so what kind of Church was this?

 

[JerryL]

I agree. A New Testament church is like most mega-churches. Watered-down and far from sound doctrine.

You are apinting with mighy broad brush there Scribe. Check out John MacAuthur's and John Piper's mega-Churches. No more sound doctrine in the country than those two and they have congregations in the thousands.

 

[swaimj]

SaturnNeptune asked:

...do you think a person coming for membership in your local church should have to be baptised previously in your definition of a NT church, even if it was Scriptural?

For me, the question for the new member is two-fold, in regard to their previous baptism:
1. Is the mode of baptism by which they were baptized acceptable to our congregation?
2. What was the meaning of baptism in the church you were baptized in?

If either the mode or the meaning disagrees with your church's constitution, they should be re-baptized.

 

[webdog]

I agree. A New Testament church is like most mega-churches. Watered-down and far from sound doctrine.

You would consider the "mega church" in Acts 2 to be "watered down"

As for what a New Testament church is...start in Acts 2...

 

[The Scribe]

You are apinting with mighy broad brush there Scribe. Check out John MacAuthur's and John Piper's mega-Churches. No more sound doctrine in the country than those two and they have congregations in the thousands.

I said "most" not all.

 

[TCGreek]

1. For those who do not like the label "NT church" must consider the nature of the seven churches addressed in Rev 2-3.

2. The apostolic deposit must continue in our churches (2 Tim 1:13; Jude 3).

3. Any and every church would not work. Frankly speaking, there're some churches I would not attend. Why? They have departed from the NT model.

4. Last year I read the distinguished John WR Stott The Living Church. In this volume he lists the essentials of a living church.

 

[convicted1]

RE: New Testament church?

Where's the Old Testement Church?

Bro Danny,

Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

Is this what you were asking for? I know you weren't addressing this to me, but I had to find this and post it. It looks like their was a church prior to Jesus' coming, huh?

Willis

 

[Danny Hurley]

Yes convicted one the exactly right!

 

[Tom Bryant]

BTOP
This is from the Baptist Faith and Message (I know that's the kiss of death for some)

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.

 

[TCGreek]

BTOP
This is from the Baptist Faith and Message (I know that's the kiss of death for some)

1. Is this quote Scripturally on target?

2. Are the categories mentioned in the statement all that make up a NT church?

 

[Tom Bryant]

TC,
I think that as far as it goes, yes, it is scripturally sound. The statement goes on to say:

Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.

I'd rather have a more simple statement, but in today's climate where any ambiguity leads to prove the "give them an inch and they'll take a mile" cliche true.

 

[TCGreek]

TC,
I think that as far as it goes, yes, it is scripturally sound. The statement goes on to say:



I'd rather have a more simple statement, but in today's climate where any ambiguity leads to prove the "give them an inch and they'll take a mile" cliche true.

Tom,

I'm in full agreement, for I see not point of dissension.

 

[LORDs_strateuo]

This is my Post number three.

Just thought I would put that out there in case I have posted incorrectly.

Is not the below sripture what a new testament church is. They being a body of belivers?

Act 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.