New Testament Church

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The New Testament Church is the assembly of Christians as described in the New Testament. Direct descriptions of the early church occurs directly in the Book of Acts, and indirectly through the letters written to various early churches by the Apostles, especially Paul.

Contents

[edit] Structural characteristics

[edit] Elders

According to various New Testament passages, each church was headed by two or more Elders, men who were to be married to one believing woman, have believing children, and be men considered upright and blameless. (I Timothy 3:1-7) Elders are likened as a shepherd, being described as the 'keepers of the flock' and cleansing the church of false prophets. As the name implies, Elders were to be older, or at least not new converts.

[edit] Qualifications

  • Blameless as a steward of God; above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6-7)
  • Husband of one wife; a one-woman man (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6)
  • Temperate, sober, vigilant (1 Timothy 3:2)
  • Sober-minded, prudent (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8)
  • Of good behavior; orderly, respectable (1 Timothy 3:2)
  • Given to hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8)
  • Apt to teach; able to teach; he can exhort believers and refute false teaching (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9)
  • Not given to wine (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7)
  • Not violent, not pugnacious (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7)
  • Patient, moderate, forbearing, gentle (1 Timothy 3:3)
  • Not a brawler; uncontentious; not soon angry or quick tempered (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7)
  • Not covetous; not a lover of money; not greedy of base gain (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7)
  • Rules well his own house; his children are faithful, not accused of rebellion to God (1 Timothy 3:4, Titus 1:7)
  • Not a novice; not a new convert (1 Timothy 3:6)
  • Has a good report or reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3:7)
  • Not self-willed (Titus 1:7)
  • A lover of what is good (Titus 1:7)
  • Just, fair (Titus 1:8)
  • Holy, devout (Titus 1:8)
  • Self-Controlled (Titus 1:8)

[edit] Duties

  • Shepherd the flock, setting an example for all (1 Peter 5:1-3)
  • Feed and care for the church (Acts 20:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:12)
  • Teach and preach sound doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:9)
  • Rule and lead (I Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:2,4)
  • Train and ordain others (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:22; Titus 1:5)
  • Refute and rebuke the insubordinate (Titus 1:9, 13)
  • Keep watch over and give account to God for the spiritual well-being of the church (Hebrews 13:17)
  • Serve clothed in Christ-like humility (1 Peter 5:3-5)

[edit] Deacons

A secondary source of leadership came from the deacons, who are to have been married to one believing wife, having children (who didn't necessarily have to be believers), and also being considered upright and blameless. The role of deacon was to be a helper of the church

[edit] Relationship with other churches

Churches in the new testament are autonomous institutions, with no denominational structure, and no church having authority over another church.

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