THE PATTERN FOR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
There are hundreds of religious organizations “churches” with about as many different ways for an individual to become a part of those organizations. The entrance requirements range anywhere from “just believe” to “having a congregation ‘vote’ you in as a member.” The views regarding the idea of the church range anywhere from “your church isn’t important just as long as you are saved” to “you have to submit to the rules of our leaders to be a part of this church.” Somewhere between such extremes lies the truth of God’s word. So again we ask, “Is there any word from the Lord?” Well, of course there is.
I – Identifying the Church
1. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the ___(a)____ of __(b)___, which is the ____(c)_______ of the living God, the ___(d)_____ and ___(e)___ of the ___(f)___ (1 Tim 3:15.)
Ans.: (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
2. From question #1, what makes the church significant?
Ans.:
Now let us examine this concept from the standpoint of the prophet Isaiah
3. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's ____(a)______ shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and __(b)___ ___(c)_____ shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the __(d)____, and the word of the LORD from ______(e)________. (Isa 2:2-3)
Ans.: (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
This prophecy teaches us that answer (a) of question #3 is the foretelling of answer (a) of question #1.
4. What does 1 Timothy 3:15 teach the house of God is?
Ans.:
5. Among all of the mountains (spiritual high places), the mountain of the LORD’S house would be higher than them all. Which nation was the primary recipient of the Old Testament Law of Moses? (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 5:1-3)
Ans.:
6. In the fulfilling of Isaiah’s prophecy which nation(s) would be the recipients of that law?
Ans.:
7. From what place would that law begin to go forth?
Ans.:
8. In Jerusalem, on the Day of Pentecost following the ascension of Jesus into Heaven, we learn that 3,000 souls were baptized into Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38, 41). Then we learn that these saved souls were, “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the _________daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47)
Ans.:
9. This fulfillment of the words of the prophets not only indicates the place of the beginning of the Lord’s church, but also the time of its beginning. It occurred in approximately A.D. 33 in Jerusalem when the apostles of the Lord added those saved souls to His church. Jesus also prophesied that He would build His church (kingdom) while many of the people of His day were still alive.
The apostle Peter declared, “. . . Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). And at vss. 18 and 19 Jesus declared “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my ____(a)______; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the ____(b)______ of ____(c)____ and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Ans.: (a)
(b)
(c)
10. The means of entrance into the Lord’s church, the kingdom of God are clearly set out in the Book of Acts. From Acts chapter two we learn that the beginning of the church coincided with the conversion of the 3,000 souls on Pentecost Day (Acts 2:36-47).
They were “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the ____(a)_____daily such as should be ___(b)______” (Acts 2:47).
Ans.: (a)
(b)
II - Yes, the scriptures give us a pattern to help us to identify the Lord's church in our time. They also give us the pattern for salvation. So what must one do to be saved?
11. Salvation is __(a)__ ____(b)______ (2 Timothy 2:10).
Ans.: (a)
(b)
TO BE SAVED THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT ONE MUST:
12. ___(a)______ the _(b)___ of ___(c)____ (Romans 10:17). (But this does not place us IN CHRIST)
Ans.: (a)
(b)
(c)
13. ____________that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24). (But this does not place us IN CHRIST).
Ans.:
14. ___________ of sin (Luke 13:3). (But this does not place us IN CHRIST).
Ans.:
15. _____________ with our mouths that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9, 10). (But this does not place us IN CHRIST).
Ans.:
16. Be ____(a)____for the ___(b)_____ of ___(c)____ (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16)
Ans.: (a)
(b)
(c)
(This places one “into Christ” where His blood washes away all sins and where salvation exists -Romans 6:3, 4; Galatians 3:27). It is in this baptism that we take part in the death of Christ wherein He shed His blood, and His burial and His resurrection and this is how we are “BORN AGAIN” by the water and by the Spirit (John 3:3-5).
17. Then after becoming a Christian, the word of God instructs us, “...be thou _____(a)______ unto ____(b)______, and I will give you the crown of____(c)______” (Revelation 2:10b).
Ans.: (a)
(b)
(c)
18. This is how Saul of Tarsus called upon the name of the Lord to be saved. Ananias the preacher told Saul, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be ____(a)_______, and __(b)____ __(c)____ thy __(d)_____, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
Ans.: (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Yes, when Saul, who became the beloved apostle Paul, called upon the name of the Lord by being baptized into Christ, the blood of Jesus washed away his sins. Have you done this? Have your sins been wash away in the blood of Jesus?
ARE YOU IN THAT SPIRITUAL LOCATION?
19. When one follows the teachings of Romans 6:3-5, he is united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
“But God be thanked, that ye were the _____(a)_______ of __(b)___, but ye have ____(c)______ from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made __(d)_____ from ___(e)____, ye became the servants of ____(f)____” (Rom 6:17-18).
Ans.: (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
If you have not yet obeyed the gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-3) by being baptized into Him, why not contact me so we can arrange for you to obey the God given pattern for salvation.
Contact me if I may be of assistance to you in changing your spiritual location.
END PNTC-3