In Order to further clarify a lot of what I say and teach, I am compelled to clarify more about the New Testament model that we are given for the Church.
The New Testament church is the group of believers in Jesus Christ who lived after the time of Christ’s death and resurrection. The church is seen as a continuation of the Israelite community and the fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity.
The New Testament contains several key passages that speak to the nature and purpose of the church. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares that he will build his church, and in Matthew 18:20, he promises that where two or three are gathered in his name, he will be there with them.
In Ephesians 2:19-22, the apostle Paul writes that the church is a “holy temple” in which believers are “built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” This passage emphasizes the spiritual unity of believers and their role as the dwelling place of God on earth.
Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church as a community of believers who devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. This passage highlights the importance of fellowship and teaching in the life of the church.
The New Testament also emphasizes the role of the church as a vehicle for spreading the gospel and making disciples. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commands his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations,” and in Acts 1:8, he tells them that they will be his witnesses “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
In summary, the New Testament church is a community of believers in Jesus Christ who are united in their faith and called to worship God, fellowship with one another, and spread the gospel to the world.