Sermon by Missionary Samaroo Sookraj SUB: The History of the Baptist Church. (Pt 2) Intro: 1) Last week we saw the identifying marks of the New Testament Church and churches. 2) I deliberately made no mention of the Baptist Churches, but with those identifying marks one can recognize whether they are true churches or not. 3) The name Baptist does not make one a true church, but rather the belief and practice of Biblical truths by the church. 4) Tonight we will study the Birth and Growth of the NT Church 1. THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH. Matt 16:18. 1 Cor 3:11. A. This statement made by our Lord after Peters statement in Matt 16:16. B. The church is built upon Christ. i) Jesus: I will build My church. ii) The Rock is Christ and not Peter. Peter is "Petros" in the Greek meaning a piece of rock. Jesus used "petra" meaning a mass of rock. iii) The Lord was not going to build His church on a fallible person like Peter. 11. THE CHOOSING OF THE CHURCH. A. This was before Pentecost; the church began before Pentecost. B. The church was a called out assembly, and were called apostles. Luke 6: 12-16. C. God confirms through Pauls writing that the first people in the church were apostles. 1 Cor 12:28. 111.THE COMMISSION TO THE CHURCH . Matt 28:18-20. A. The triumphant, living Lord sends His church as His ambassadors into all the world to proclaim the Gospel. All power.. Go Ye B. The commission is to ... i) disciple all nations. ii) baptize those discipled. iii) instruct in the Lords teachings. C. The commission was given to the Lords church and no one else. D. Because the commission was given to the Lords church, the responsibility to carry it out is upon the Lords kind of churches and where there is responsibility, there also is accountability. 1V. THE ACCREDITATION OF THE CHURCH. A. The command to the apostles. Luke 24:49. This was the Promise of the Father. B. The promise centered upon the empowerment of the church. Acts 1:5,8. C. The empowerment was to enable the church to faithfully witness (carry out the commission) of the Lord Jesus to all the world. D. The Promise of the Father filled the church on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:2. 1 Cor 12:13 V. THE MARVELOUS ADDITION TO THE CHURCH. A. The Spirit filled preaching of the Word was accompanied by the those ordained of God (Acts 13:48) to be added to the church. Acts 2:41, 47. B. Through the continued preaching of the Word many again believed and more were added to the church. Acts 4:4. C. Only believers were added to the church. Acts 2:41. Acts 4:4. Acts 5:14. CONCL: 1) The Lords kind of church that He gave birth to, glorified the Him by faithfully carrying out the Great Commission given to them. 2) Next week, Lords willing, we shall look at the church persecuted, the results and the emerging of false doctrines and practices in the First Century Church. |
