“The Nature of the New Testament Church”

Ben Bailey

          Simple laws of logic and reasoning tell us that a thing will be made according to its kind.  In Genesis chapter one the phrase “according to its kind” or a similar statement occurs 18 times.  In this phrase, God is trying to tell us that a creation naturally follows its pattern.  For example, birds are not created after monkeys and giraffes do not follow the pattern of a whale.  Each creation follows and represents its maker’s pattern.  This lesson is extremely important when it comes to the nature and pattern of the New Testament church.  In this article we will again notice what the church was not meant to be to better help us identify the church of the Bible.

Not a Social Club.  To many people, the church is nothing more than a glorified social club.  It is a place to dress exquisitely for and be seen rubbing elbows with the elite of society.  For some, going to church is nothing more than a good public relations move.  It is very interesting to note just how faithful candidates for political office become around election time.  The Jews had the mindset that their religion could be used for social purposes, but Jesus strongly rebuked them.    Jesus condemned the Jews because they wore elaborate clothing, loved the best seats, and the cleric title “rabbi” (Matt. 23:1-12).  This same rebuke is true to those who today who want to make the church into nothing more than a modern day civic club.  To understand that the church is not a social club, we need to realize that we are not the center of worship.  God is the center of our worship and we must make him the focus of our worship services, not ourselves (Jn. 4:24).

Not an Afterthought.  With the recent rise in premillenial fiction books such as “Left Behind” and others, the church is being looked at more as an afterthought, than an original plan.  Many in the premillenial camp believe that God planned to set up a 1000 year reign on earth, but His plan was thwarted and the church was created as an afterthought until the original plan could be set up.  While this may be an attractive view to many, the Bible teaches the church has always been God’s original plan.  Paul said God was making his power known to princes and principalities through the church, which was “according to the eternal purpose” (Eph. 3:10-11).  This passage clearly teaches that the church has been in the mind and plan of God from all eternity.  The church is much more than an afterthought.  It is the forethought and divine plan of God that will last until Christ comes to receive it unto Himself (1 Cor. 15:24, Matt. 16:18-19). 

            The church of Christ was never meant to be a club for the elite of society and it definitely was not quick fix in the mess-up of God’s plans.  Is the church that you are going to a more of a social club than a place of worship to God?  Is it considered a mistake in the plans of God?  If so, then it is high time to return to the pattern of the New Testament Church.  If you are looking for a congregation that is striving to be the church of the first century come and worship with us at the McLish Avenue Church of Christ.