Characteristics Of A Biblical Church.

[Scott Hutchinson]

This is something quite interesting.
http://lfix.co.uk/oliver/christian/biblical_church.html

[kingdomapostle]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

This is something quite interesting.
http://lfix.co.uk/oliver/christian/biblical_church.html

That article not sound in every point.

[Dagwood]

I agree with some while others I do not. No need in expounding on which...

[Michael The Disciple]

I agree with some of the things. Excellent point about "paid Pastors". I agree concerning Eldership that it should be plural whenever possible and should be male. Also on segergating children and spending money on expensive buildings.

I think above all a New Testament Church must have right foundation doctrine. It must be Oneness. They must believe Acts 2:38 is the full plan of salvation. They must teach Biblical discipleship. They must teach the commands of Jesus. How about the gifts? Certainly a mark of a real Christian group.

Any New Testament Church should teach the post tribulation rapture. Also that the dead are dead apart from the resurrection at the last day and that the wicked will be cast into the Lake of Fire and suffer the wages of sin even death.

Real New Testament Churches will also teach the headcovering/vail for Women who pray or prophesy in the Church.

The end goal of the Church is to present everyone perfect in Christ so any Church who teaches it not should not be taken seriously.

[Sister Alvear]

We might be surpized...if we really went back into time...lol...

[Scott Hutchinson]

http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/institute.html

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I agree with some of the things. Excellent point about "paid Pastors". I agree concerning Eldership that it should be plural whenever possible and should be male. Also on segergating children and spending money on expensive buildings.

Yes, these are excellent points, I agree too.

I think above all a New Testament Church must have right foundation doctrine. It must be Oneness. They must believe Acts 2:38 is the full plan of salvation. They must teach Biblical discipleship. They must teach the commands of Jesus. How about the gifts? Certainly a mark of a real Christian group.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by biblical discipleship?
Can you elaborate on what you mean by “teach the commands of Jesus?

Any New Testament Church should teach the post tribulation rapture.

LOL. Prophecy is speculatory.

Real New Testament Churches will also teach the headcovering/vail for Women who pray or prophesy in the Church.

Bah, legalistic banter. The point was modesty in worship, not a law. Lol

The end goal of the Church is to present everyone perfect in Christ so any Church who teaches it not should not be taken seriously.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by “perfect in Christ”?

I ask these questions because my church is a network of house churches. I find people’s thoughts on this very interesting in light of experience in this area.

Thanks,

GBY!

[Michael The Disciple]

Being a house Church in itself does not make a group a New Testament Church. I have been mainly in them all my Christian walk. Unless they walk in truth all they have to offer is they are smaller.

[Scott Hutchinson]

I didn't agree with every point myself,but alot of this is valid.
Most of the Protestant church world has a post Reformation institutional mindset from that varies from the New Testament practice.

[Michael The Disciple]

Aquila

Can you elaborate on what you mean by biblical discipleship?
Can you elaborate on what you mean by “teach the commands of Jesus?

The first thing Jesus commanded the Apostles to do after baptism was to teach his commandments to the convert.

28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt. 28:18-20

Biblical discipleship is the walking out of these commands.

Aquila

Can you elaborate on what you mean by “perfect in Christ”?

Sure. Paul put it this way.

4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Col. 4:12

Its being perfect and complete in all the will of God.