Rev. David Holwick
Ledgewood Baptist Church
BAPTIST DISTINCTIVE #2: THE CHURCH AS THE PEOPLE OF GOD
I. Churches are expressions of the people of God.
A. Churches should be composed only of born-again Christians.
1) Jesus makes spiritual rebirth a requirement of salvation.
2) Salvation is required for membership in his Kingdom.
a) In the New Testament, churches are considered the
"New Israel."
B. God expects his people to be pure.
1) By baptizing those who do not claim to have faith (ie.,
babies) and admitting them as members, the church opens
itself to the influences of the world.
2) Even those baptized as believers have an obligation to
live wholesome Christian lives, or face expulsion from
the church.
3) To be a member of a church, it is not enough to be saved.
The person should also give evidence of the fruit of
God's grace in their lives.
C. To ensure the purity of the church, we have four practices:
1) Believer's baptism.
2) The candidate's personal testimony before the deacons.
3) A vote on their membership by the whole church body.
4) Continual oversight by those in the church, as the
traditional church covenant teaches.
II. The Church is universal.
A. This is the original meaning of the word "catholic."
B. Jesus Christ is the only head of the universal church.
Ephesians 4:15
1) The Bible nowhere commands a Pope or other human head
over the church. 1 Corinthians 1:12-13
C. All true believers, past & present & future, are members of
the universal church. Revelation 7:9-17
1) Not all true Christians are Baptist, but every Baptist
should be a true Christian.
III. The Church is local.
A. Each church in the New Testament was in a definite location.
1) For example, the seven churches in the book of Revelation.
Note the expression: "To the church which is in...."
Revelation 2:1,8,12,18
2) Wherever "two or three are gathered," Jesus is in their
midst. Matthew 18:20
B. Its membership is local.
1) According to our covenant, and historic Baptist practice,
when members move they should join a like-minded church
in their new area.
2) While "membership" as such is not mentioned on the local
level, it is implied.
a) Notorious sinners must be "cast out" of the fellowship.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5
b) Heaven has a membership roll, so we adopt the same idea.
Psalm 69:28; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 20:12
1> However, membership in a church does not guarantee
salvation. 1 John 2:19
C. Its leadership is local.
1) No outside person or structure should tell us how to run
our church.
a) No one tells our pastor how or what to preach.
b) No one tells us what we have to give for missions or
denominational support.
2) In the New Testament, even "bishops" are purely local.
Titus 1:6-9
a) Only apostles, a special one-time category, had a
larger sphere of influence.
3) While area ministers, national executives and other
positions may be beneficial to the church, the real
strength and guidance must come from local leadership.
IV. The Church is cooperative.
A. Having independent churches does not mean they have no contact
with other churches.
1) Paul's letters in the New Testament describe how his
churches helped out other churches, like the church in
Jerusalem. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
2) Churches are told to welcome those who visit from other
churches. Romans 16:16
B. Early Baptists grouped together in Associations. Acts 15:1-6
1) Associations had only as much power as the churches gave
them.
2) Cooperation can multiply our efforts. Romans 16:4
C. For a long time Baptists have cooperated in larger efforts
with other groups:
1) Evangelistic crusades.
2) Mission endeavors.
3) Social concerns.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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