by Josh Blackmer

The New Testament definition of “church”

The word church comes from the Greek word ekklesia

1. EK means, “out of"
2. KLESIS means, “called”
3. The literal translation of this word is, “the called out.”

Called by whom, out of what?

1. We are called by God through the _________ II Thessalonians 2:13-1
2. We are called out of ____________ and into __________ I Peter 2:9

The word “church” is used to designate those who belong to Christ. It is used to describe the church every where (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:25), and of the local congregation of a particular city (I Corinthians 1:2).

1. 1 Peter 2:9 __________________________________________.
2. Colossians 1:13 ______________________________________.
3. II Timothy 2:26 ______________________________________.

The New Testament church was established by Christ.

Jesus was the builder and founder of the church.

1. It was _______ by Christ. Matthew 16:18.
2. It was _______ by Christ. I Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20.
3. Christ is its________. Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:22-23; Colossians 1:18.

1. Christ built _____ church Matthew 16:18
2. No other _______ Acts 4:12
3. No other _______ Galatians 1:6-9

The New Testament church began in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after the death of Christ.

The beginning point of the New Testament church is clearly established in the scriptures. It started in Jerusalem in approximately the year 33 A.D. 40 days after Jesus was crucified.

1. Luke 24:46-49; Zechariah 14:8-9 (John 4:10).
2. Acts 2:1-47.

1. Isaiah 2:1-3
2. Daniel 2:44
3. Joel 2:28-32
4. Acts 2:1-47

The New Testament descriptions of the church

The bride of Christ

1. John the baptizer called Christ the _____________ John 3:29.
2. Paul speaks further about this in Ephesians 5:22-32.

• Christ is the _______ and ________. (23)
• We must be in __________ to Him. (24)
• Christ _________ Himself for the church. (25)
• Christ desires that it should ______________.(26,27)
• This mystery is about the _________.(32)

The body of Christ

1. As the head Christ governs and presides over the church (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22,23)
2. Paul spoke concerning the body of Christ in I Corinthians 12:12-27.

• Many ________ yet one ________.(12)
• We were all _________ into the body.(13)
• Now ____ are Christ’s body, and _________ members of it.(27)

The family of God

1. The phrase “house of God” is used to describe the church in I Timothy 3:15; also in Ephesians 2:19 Paul talks of the “household of God.”
2. This term is figurative to imply family. Acts 16:33,34 serves as an example of how the term “house” is a synonym form family.
3. The familial relation is also brought to light in the way we are referred to as sons and daughters of God in II Corinthians 6:18.

1. The message of the gospels was that the kingdom was coming soon
2. Jesus said to some of his followers in Mark 9:1, “Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the ________________________ come with power.”
3. Jesus appointed His disciples unto a kingdom in Luke 22:28-30.
4. Hebrews 12:28 tells us that the kingdom has been received.

1. Salvation and admittance into the New Testament church occur at the same time. Acts 2:38, 41, 47.
2. The saved are in the body of Christ, the church. Ephesians 5:23 (Colossians 1:18).

1. The New Testament church is the greatest, most glorious institution on earth. Ephesians 5:25-27.
2. God is depending upon those who are in His church to maintain the honor and glory of that kingdom (Ephesians 3:20-21).