The Church In The New Testament

by Bart Campbell

Many continue today to seek and find the right church. The church of the first century, the church that Peter, John, James, and Paul were members of, is the church that was built by the Lord – Ephesians 2:20. If we can find the same church in existence today, it will be the same church of the first century.

How do we know when we find that church? We need to search for the church today that has the same features as the church of the first century had. When we find those features, we have found the right church. Consider:

1) The church in the New Testament was guided solely by the apostles doctrine – Acts 2:42. It had no man-made creed, confession of faith, or catechism – II Timothy 3:16-17. Peter said, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (II Peter 1:3 ESV).

2) The church in the New Testament worshipped on the first day of the week – I Corinthians 16:2. The early Christians sang acappella – Ephesians 5:19, gave of their means – I Corinthians 16:2, observed the Lord’s Supper weekly – Acts 20:7, prayed – I Corinthians 14:15, and studied God’s word – Acts 2:42.

3) The church in the New Testament was organized on a local and autonomous congregational level – Acts 14:23. Each congregation of the Lord’s church had their own elders, deacons, and members – Philippians 1:1.

4) The church was designated “the church” – Colossians 1:18, “the church of Christ” – Romans 16:6, “the church of the Lord” – Acts 20:28, and “the church of God” – I Corinthians 1:2.

5) One became a member of the church as a result of being baptized, being a penitent believer – Acts 2:36-47.

This was the church as it existed in the first century, the church, as I said, Peter, James, John and Paul were members of. The church at Fifth Street East in Lancaster, aims to be that same church as was established in the first century.

We have no man-made creeds, confession of faith, or catechism. We follow the apostles’ doctrine as revealed in the New Testament. We worship on the first day of the week by engaging in acappella singing, praying, studying God’s word, giving of our financial means, and observing the Lord’s Supper as the Lord instituted – Matthew 26:26-29.

If you were to ask, “How do I become a member of the church of the first century?” You would be kindly told that as a penitent believer, you must be baptized. When the people gathered at the temple area on the day of Pentecost asked, they were told – “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” – Acts 2:37-38 (ESV).

We plead for the church now (in this century). Such is pure, simple, and beautiful New Testament Christianity.