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What is your definition of a New Testement Church?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by saturneptune, Feb 10, 2008.

  1. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    At our local church, we are attempting to update the bylaws and Constitution. Some of the issues proving difficult are communion, reception of members, church rolls, and church discipline. Although the mode of baptism has not been a disagreement, the question was raised, when a member comes to join with a Scriptural baptism, was the church performing the baptism a New Testement church? The defintion of a New Testment church also touches some of the other issues.

    The problem seems to be that a defintion of a New Testement church has as many definitions as deacons sitting in the room (in this case, 8). My guess is that there is no way to agree on a definition among so many, and not even convinced it is relative.

    So, to get a better idea of what others think, what is your definition of a NT church, and do you think a person coming for membership in your local church should have to be baptised previously in your definition of a NT church, even if it was Scriptural?
     
  2. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    A New Testament Church is one that believes and practices the doctrines of the New Testament. It's that simple. There will be disagreements over what those teachings are, but as long as they believe in Christ and obey Him as far as they understand, the church is a NT Church.

    It might be better to word your by-laws with "church of like faith and practice" instead of New Testament Church, anyway.
     
  3. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    you are the Church
     
  4. cowboymatt

    cowboymatt New Member

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    I don't like the term "New Testament church." It doesn't reflect our entire canon and the term has caused way too much division in the church.

    Instead, why don't churches try to best inhabit the values and practices set forth in the Bible, while at the same time trying to foster, grow, and fan into flames the gifts that God has given each of their members?
     
  5. Danny Hurley

    Danny Hurley New Member

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    New Testement Church?

    Where's the Old Testement Church?
     
  6. The Scribe

    The Scribe New Member

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    I agree. A New Testament church is like most mega-churches. Watered-down and far from sound doctrine.
     
  7. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Wow. I didn't know we could know so much about a church based on three words of description. Seems a bit harsh to me...
     
  8. Danny Hurley

    Danny Hurley New Member

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    New Testement Church?

    Matthew 18:15 Jesus says-- Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother, 16, But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the CHURCH: but if he neglect to hear the CHURCH, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. This was spoken before the day of Pentecost. by Jesus himself so what kind of Church was this?
     
  9. JerryL

    JerryL New Member

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    You are apinting with mighy broad brush there Scribe. Check out John MacAuthur's and John Piper's mega-Churches. No more sound doctrine in the country than those two and they have congregations in the thousands.
     
  10. swaimj

    swaimj <img src=/swaimj.gif>

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    SaturnNeptune asked:
    For me, the question for the new member is two-fold, in regard to their previous baptism:
    1. Is the mode of baptism by which they were baptized acceptable to our congregation?
    2. What was the meaning of baptism in the church you were baptized in?

    If either the mode or the meaning disagrees with your church's constitution, they should be re-baptized.
     
  11. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    You would consider the "mega church" in Acts 2 to be "watered down" :confused:

    As for what a New Testament church is...start in Acts 2...
     
  12. The Scribe

    The Scribe New Member

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    I said "most" not all.
     
  13. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    1. For those who do not like the label "NT church" must consider the nature of the seven churches addressed in Rev 2-3.

    2. The apostolic deposit must continue in our churches (2 Tim 1:13; Jude 3).

    3. Any and every church would not work. Frankly speaking, there're some churches I would not attend. Why? They have departed from the NT model.

    4. Last year I read the distinguished John WR Stott The Living Church. In this volume he lists the essentials of a living church.
     
  14. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

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    RE: New Testament church?

    Bro Danny,

    Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

    Is this what you were asking for? I know you weren't addressing this to me, but I had to find this and post it. It looks like their was a church prior to Jesus' coming, huh?

    Willis
     
  15. Danny Hurley

    Danny Hurley New Member

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    Yes convicted one the exactly right!
     
  16. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    This is from the Baptist Faith and Message (I know that's the kiss of death for some)
     
  17. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    1. Is this quote Scripturally on target?

    2. Are the categories mentioned in the statement all that make up a NT church?
     
  18. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    TC,
    I think that as far as it goes, yes, it is scripturally sound. The statement goes on to say:

    I'd rather have a more simple statement, but in today's climate where any ambiguity leads to prove the "give them an inch and they'll take a mile" cliche true.
     
  19. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    Tom,

    I'm in full agreement, for I see not point of dissension.
     
  20. LORDs_strateuo

    LORDs_strateuo New Member

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    This is my Post number three.

    Just thought I would put that out there in case I have posted incorrectly.

    Is not the below sripture what a new testament church is. They being a body of belivers?

    Act 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

     
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