Where Is The Church Today? By Gerald Van Horn
Text. Acts 2:42
In answering the question we want to define what God wants as a corporate body of believers. Where is the church today? Begs for an answer. Some said. “Oh I know where the church is located !” Others may say, “I know when it meets. I meets each Sunday at 10:45 a.m. (Put your own time in) The question is not directed at the geographical location nor the time that it meets. We see churches in America almost on every corner. How do we know which one is Apostolic(follows the doctrine and the teachings of the Apostles) and a New Testament church? Can we know by the shape of the building? Can we know it is a New Testament church by the size of a cross on it or other religious decorations?
Let us clarify the question. We are asking what is the true Apostolic-New Testament church today? Is there such a thing and if there is how do we go about identifying with it? To properly answer we must first define what a church is. Our forefathers during the reformation brought to us a clear definition of what a church is.
1. The true church is a place where all the Word of God is proclaimed and taught.
2. The true church is where the ordinances are Scriptural, obeyed and celebrated.
It is a great definition to ever come from man. That simple yet profound definition has had an impact on churches since that time. As great as the definition is I must add a third definition that will further identify
the true New Testament church.
3. It must be a place where the Holy Spirit is welcomes, honored and welcome to do the work of Jesus on the earth.
Let’s take each one of these definition and perhaps we will see where the church is today:
#1. The true church preaches all the Word of God.
I Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, and
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
The church is the place where the truth is declared by teaching or preaching. It is the truth and
nothing but the truth.
Philippians 2:15-16 “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke
in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. V.16
Holding forth the word of life;
The church not only preaches and teaches the New Testament but the Old Testament as well. All of the
Word of God is infallible, inspired and inerrant.
Infallible-incapable of being mistaken in a matter of doctrine.
Inerrant- incapable of mistakes.
Inspired-God’s breathed.
Every chapter, every verse is fully the Word of a Devine God. We hold it forth as such.
Illustration: Pillars and columns support a building and hold it together so does all the Word of God. If we take a pillar out it will weaken the building and it may weaken the structure. If we just teach and peach the
New Testament truths only or just Old Testament truths we weaken the structure of the corporate body. We believe that it not only supports the church but it holds the church together. It gives crudenas to the church being a bonofide New testament church.
What the Word of God is Not:
1. It is not your personal testimony. You testimony mat be based on the Word of God but is still your testimony. See 2 Peter 1:19 “We have also amore sure word of prophecy…”
On the day of Pentecost Peter did not preach his personal experience but he preached the Word of God.
Psa. 16:9-10, Joel 2:28, Eech &:14, Gen. 3:15, Isa.53, Psa.22 to mention just a few.
2. The Word of God is not our personal prejudices. One who teaches and preaches their own prejudices
does not teach and preach the Word of God. It may be their own opinion and we dare not substitute it for the Bible. We may have every right to an opinion but it should be stated as such.
3. The Word of God is not necessary our preference. Revelation 10:9-10 Tells us that it may be bitter and sweet. Those Scriptures that tickle the pallet may be easy to digest but can result in spiritual diabetes.
If the Word of God is preached and taught it may be bitter as well as sweet.
The Word of God is God breathed. Preaching and teaching God’s Word is the number one business of the church. The church should not exist for entertainment. But it should be an enjoyable experience. When you go to church it should be an opportunity to hear God’s Word. 2 Peter 1:20-21. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” God said it, I believe it and that settles it.
3. The church should be a place where the ordnances are practiced and celebrated. The two ordnances are water baptism and holy communion. They may be symbols but in them we see the grace of God. In the ordnances God reveals His Word again through them. If we have only the Word of God and not celebrate the ordnances we are not a true Apostolic or New Testament church. We would be only half way there. Also if we deny the ordnances we will fall into error.
Illustration: Martin Luther declared the just shall live by faith and faith alone and shocked the known church world of his time. Luther made one mistake. He never changed his ordnances. The result is in many churches infant baptism is still practiced. The word “baptism” is baptizo which means “to be fully wet.” (Strongs concordance). I do not mean to dogmatic but it should fully represent Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Carl Barth said, “Baptism is the Word seen in the water.” Water baptism is done in public in front of other wittiness. The Communion is an ordnance that must be kept. The cup is a symbol of Christ’s blood that was shed on the cross. The bread is a symbol of the Lord’s body that was marred and bruised. The Communion says that we are victorious with Christ. It is a serious moment when we remember what Jesus did for us. It is a time of great enlightenments.
4. The church should be a place where the Holy Spirit is welcomed and permitted to do His regeneration work Why isn’t the Word and the ordnances enough? The Word and the ordnances are ok in themselves but in the hands of the Holy Spirit they become a powerful weapon for God. Those who understand this will put the Word, the ordnances and the power of the Holy Spirit in balance. Much can be accomplished for God when all factors are present. If we have only the Word there is danger of developing into intellectualism and shallowness can grip our souls. If we have the Holy Spirit only and no Word there is a danger of falling into fanaticism. Jesus said, “The day is coming and is now when men shall worship God in spirit and in truth.” The Word gives us truth. The ordnances give us celebration. The Holy Spirit gives us life.
A proper assessment of a church cannot be made by attending a church one time. The life blood in church is in the faithful church goers. The elements are active in “coming together.” The results are that sinners will be converted and saints will be blessed.
