I plan to lay down in clear and concise terms, what are the objective of any Biblical church. When I speak of a Biblical church, I speak not of a church that has a bible in the building, but a church that is bibliocentric, a bible centered church. A church that believes and practices the scriptures in its preaching, teaching and behavior. Although we have seen many people who have made the claim of wanting to be in a bible teaching church, the sad fact is that many, who have experienced a bible teaching church truly didn’t want to be in one in the first place. What they really meant was this: I want a bible teaching church, so long as it meets my belief or standards of what a bible teaching church is.

• So long as it has great choirs.
• Or that you all speak in tongues.
• Or that you sing great hymns.
• Or that you have a large congregation.
• Or that you have padded pews.
• Or that you meet my emotional, physical or psychological needs.
• Or that you can provide for me a mate.
• Or that it is freeway close.
• Or that it fits into my schedule.
• Or that it doesn’t require any commitment of my life in any way.
• Or that it is a great place to hide from people.
• Or that it has segmented groups, Youth groups, Ruth bands, Senior Groups, etc.
• Or as long as you preach positive messages (positive, being defined, of course, as that which is determined by what makes my flesh feel good and comfortable) and please, whatever you do, don’t preach about sin.

After we finish this series on a bible teaching church, the following truths will be established to us all.

• 1) We will know what a bible teaching church is, from the scriptures, not from our own thinking or tradition.
• 2) You will truly know whether you want to be in a bible teaching church or not.
• 3) You will see what is required of all the membership of a bible teaching church, from the leadership to the door.
• 4) Your decision to find, stay or leave a bible teaching church, will reveal the true motives of what is in your own heart. It will all come down to a choice, either to serve and function in a church, God’s way, or attempt to corrupt God’s church with my own way.

With all of this in mind, let us state some of the objectives of this entire series. What are we going to learn in this study of the church?

• What is a biblical church?
• What is the primary function of the church from God’s perspective?
• What is the primary tool of teaching in a biblical church?
• What is the responsibility of leadership in the church?
• What is the responsibility of everyone else in the church?
• What is the responsibility of believers towards one another?

As we go through this study, many of these truths will overlap, but we will attempt to look at these as individual units, so as to extract as much truth as needed to be grounded in these important areas of the church.

Let’s begin our study with answering this most important question, "What is a Biblical Church?" This is foundational to any beginning study on the church. Without a proper, biblical, understanding of what a biblical church truly is, then everything else that we attempt to study will be useless.

The fact of the matter is, not all assemblies that call themselves churches are indeed churches, in the Biblical sense of the word, church. It is absolutely important that we understand that. We cannot any longer afford ignorance on this issue. If a church is not meeting the New Testament requirements, clearly pointed out in scripture, it is not a church, no matter what the marque says, the people say, the preachers say, society says or anyone else that I left out says. It is only important what the scriptures say, since it is the scriptures that instructs us what a church is and what a church does.

The word for church in the New Testament is the assembly of genuine believers, both worldwide and of all local churches that are gathered in various geographic locations, who are saved by the redemptive work of God, the Father and of Christ Jesus, our Lord, alone, with the salvivic evidence of lives that demonstrate that they have been regenerated (made new) by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 1:1-3 read)

There is no one in the true church of Christ Jesus who is not a believer, a follower of Christ Jesus. Unbelievers have no capacity whatsoever to function in any way that is going to build up the body of Christ, nor do they have the capacity or desire to promote the plans or purposes of the will of God for His people. (I Corinthians 2:12-14 Read) A membership in a local church body does not in any way mean that an individual is a member of the true church. A person MUST come by way of salvation, through Christ Jesus, to be a member of the true church. The Church of Christ Jesus is for believers only!

For example, Acts 2:41-47. When verse 41 says that they received Peter’s word’s (Gospel, message of the resurrection of Christ Jesus), it means that they embraced what Peter preached. They accepted what he said as the truth and responded by their behavior accordingly. Those who received the preaching of the Gospel of Peter, verse 41, are described in verse 44 as those who believed. Those who received the message of the gospel are those who are saved. Acts 11:1-17, 1^st Thessalonians 2:13. So when we see back in Acts 2, that those who received the Gospel message were those who believed the message, and demonstrated their belief with a corresponding lifestyle. (Acts 2:41-47 read). Acts 2:47 also concludes this fact, that those who are saved are the only ones who are truly a part of the true church. God was adding "the saved ones" to the church body. Not the lost, not the religious, not the heretics, not the lookie-loos, not the members on a roll, but "the saved ones," those who were genuine believers, in Christ Jesus, the Lord, to the church. Acts 4:4, 32, 5:12-14, 11:24 (read). You never read anywhere of the Lord adding the unsaved to His church, never, in scripture.

I am not addressing the issue of unbelievers coming into a bible teaching church. They may, and often do, come in to a bible teaching church, but they will never become a part of that church until they are saved. I want to restate the fact, before I move on to the next point, that a person MUST come by way of salvation, through Christ Jesus, to be a member of the true church, His church.

One of the most definitive passages in the scripture that clearly teaches us what the church is, is found in I Timothy 3:15.

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

First, notice that it is God’s personal possession, it is the house of God, not the house of Harley or the house of any man, it is the house of God, the household of God. The Christian community is indeed the household, the family of God.

• 1) It is the household or family of God, as we see in this passage
• 2) Jesus is the church’s only head. Ephesians 1:15-23 (Read).
• 3) The Holy Spirit indwells the church. Ephesians 2:19-22 (Read)NASV.

Ownership, control and spiritual empowerment of the church belongs to God. We have no business attempting to use methods that are not scriptural to function as a church, no matter what the apparent, so-called, results may prove to be. The fact is this, the church is God’s personal possession and if we cannot get that clear in what we are doing, then we need to pack up our bags and go home and forget this church business because I have no desire to do this church business unless I am submitted to His will and word.

Second, notice that it is the church of the living God. This speaks of the fact, that God is ever living, eternal God. God is not dead, He is not dispassionate, neutral or uninvolved in His church, though many seem to operate under the unimaginable assumption that He is. God is alive and we as a church, His church, are accountable to Him. 2^nd Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (NASV), 1^st Thessalonians 1:8-10, 1^st Timothy 4:10, 6:13-16, Hebrews 3:12, 9:14, 10:31, 12:22. The church is subject to the living God, who commands that she preaches His living word (Hebrews 4:12 Read).

Third, God’s church is called, the pillar and ground of the truth. This is one of the most crucial descriptions that we have in the scripture as to what the church is, and yet, so much of what is being called a church has nothing to do with the truth. It is not a biblical church where there is no truth as its foundation, no matter what anyone says. We need to always remember, it is not what we think, but what Almighty God, the Living God, says about HIS church!

What does this expression mean, the pillar and ground of the truth? The word pillar speaks of a column, which upholds a building. The word ground, is only used here in 1^st Timothy, and it refers to a foundation, a stay, a bulwark. The context is important as to proper interpretation here. The context refers to the lifestyle of the "called out ones," the church, with all within the congregation, and with leadership, including and especially Timothy. The church is its people, the believing community, God’s personal possession, and as such are called out to be the pillars and foundation of truth of scripture by living the truth of the scriptures. These two terms, pillar and ground of the truth, emphasize the certainty and firmness of the truth of the word of God. Each local church, biblical church, God’s church, has in its power to support and to strengthen the truth by her witness to and of the faith, and by the lives of the believing community. Upon the church rest the responsibility and the authority to support and to conserve the truth. The truth, of course, being the word of God. If the members of any so-called church, do not subject themselves under the authority of God and His word, if the so-called pastor(s) will not teach the bible, it is not a church at all.

The church is described as a place where saints gathered. Whereas we emphasized the fact that the church is where the saints gathered (emphasis on the word saints), here we are emphasizing the word gathered or congregated together. The church is described as a place where saints gathered or congregated together. All epistles were written to churches, with the exception of Philemon, and were read when the saints gathered together in corporate worship. You will never find the word church in scripture associated with individuals apart from the gatherings or congregations. I believe that is biblical to state at this time that if you are not a part of a bible teaching fellowship, if you are not gathered together with saints of God for the express purpose of worship, fellowship, prayer and learning the truth, you are not a part of the church according to God’s word. You cannot say that you are in the church without being involved in a fellowship of believers. People who say that they don’t need to go to church as a Christian have no biblical basis on which to make that ridiculous statement. First of all we have clearly seen in Acts 2:47 that the "saved ones" were being added to the church, which was, the "local fellowship". So it is ridiculous to even think for a second that a genuine believer has no desire and no longing for the fellowship of saints when the scriptures teach that saved people are added to a fellowship called the church. The church is a place where saints gathered or congregated together. Acts 4:31, 11:19-27, 1^st Corinthians 11:18, 14:23. Let’s go back to our original text in Acts 2. Acts 2:44-46, 4:32.

We have examined many areas of what a biblical church truly is from the scriptures. Now we want to examine "What is the primary function of the church from God’s perspective." When I speak of function, I am speaking of the stated purposes of what the church should be doing. It is clear that the church has a purpose, or else God would have taken us out of this world. However, the Lord has left us here for a divine purpose, and that purpose is to accomplish His will. Many would offer several things that could be stated as the purpose of the church in this world, but I believe that two clearly stated functions or purposes of the church is clearly,

• 1.) Spiritual growth and maturity
• 2.) Evangelism. We must understand that these are the primary functions of the local church, from God’s perspective.
  
• 3.) God wants His church to grow in spiritual maturity. To this there can be no question. Therefore, the purpose of the gathering of the saints is spiritual growth. That is the primary goal and function of the gathering together of the saints. When we get into the study of the primary teaching tool, we will see clearly how this is accomplished by the scriptures.

Ephesians 3:14-19:
Strengthen (vs 16). To be made strong, to increase in strength by God’s power.

In verse 17, Paul’s prayer and desire is that the Ephesian believers would be rooted. To cause to strike root, to strengthen with roots, to render firm, to fix, establish, cause a person or a thing to be thoroughly grounded.

Being strengthened with supernatural power from God and being rooted and grounded in His love creates an environment where the members of the fellowship comprehend (to lay hold of with the mind to understand, perceive, learn) the depths of the love of Christ (Vss 18-19), which love exceeds and surpasses knowledge alone. In the exercise of this divine love you and I will be filled with all of the fullness of God. Fullness means, to make full, to fill to the full, to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally, to complete. These are all terms of growth in the Christian life and this growth process is one of the greatest primary functions of the church. Spiritual growth, spiritual maturity.

Ephesians 4:11-16:
Perfecting, work, edifying, unity, knowledge, perfect (full grown), fullness, grow up. These are all words signifying clearly, God expressed purpose and function in His church. The church’s primary function is first and foremost, to grow to spiritual maturity.

Philippians 3:13-15:
In Paul’s Christian life, you could very well sum up his entire life in these verses. He says he forgets his pass, and he had a right evaluation of it (dung vs 8). He counted his past as something that was refuse and repulsive and something that needed to be completely forgotten. Then he reached on ahead (stretched out his life) towards the mark (goal) and the prize (heavenly reward). Then notice carefully in verse 15 (read). Paul made it absolutely clear that those who grow to a place of spiritual maturity have a one track mind, they forget the pass and all of its successes and failures, and spend the rest of their lives looking for the heavenly reward that is not only in Christ, but is Christ. If we have a mind that is contrary to God’s stated goal for believers, He will reveal it to us. God will let us all know whether we are thinking properly or not and the mind that thinks properly is the one that is attached to a mature Christian and the mature Christian is one whose focus is heavenward.

Colossians 1:9-11:
These are tremendous terms of spiritual growth. Paul makes it clear that his prayer for the Colossian church was for the abundance of their spiritual growth.

 

Verse 9: Filled (filled to the full) with the knowledge (Full, experiential knowledge, relationship) will (the purposes of God, His commands and precepts), with all wisdom (of God) and understanding, that is spiritual. The result of that will be a walk that is worthy of this great calling of God in our lives as believers, and it will be a walk that pleases God in every respect. It will be a walk that is fruitful, not only in the fruit of the Holy Spirit, but also bearing fruitful lives, growing greater (increasing) in one’s relationship with God (knowledge). These are terms of spiritual growth and they are to be the continual pursuit of every believer. It will be the pursuit of every believer that understands the primary function of God for His church. Spiritual maturity, spiritual growth.

2^nd Thessalonians 1:1-3:
Verses 1-3: Look at verse 3. Paul said that he was in constant praise to God because their faith was growing beyond measure. Because of that, their love also grew in the same way. God’s love is the greatest fruit of spiritual maturity. It too, will be the pursuit of every believer that understands the primary function of God for His church. Spiritual maturity, spiritual growth.

2^nd Thessalonians 2:13-17:
Verses 13-17: Paul’s desire is that this church is strengthened, established, in all that they say and in all that they do. Spiritual growth and maturity.

1^st Peter 2:1-3:
The word is to be desired unceasingly if any growth is to occur in the Christian life. There is no question whatsoever that the word is the primary tool of teaching in the church and this will be the next point that we will learn in our series of the biblical church. But for now, let’s examine the second of the primary functions of the biblical church and that is in the area of evangelism or the spreading out of the gospel to the lost world.

God did not save men and women, the church, without a purpose towards the lost world. There is a mission to them as well. We need to know that we are commanded by God to give this gospel to the world. Let’s look at some examples:

Matthew 28:18-20:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore (having gone therefore), and teach (make disciples) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching (to impart instruction) them to observe all things (to guard, to watch, to do all things) whatsoever I have commanded (ordered you to do) you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

These men were to reproduce other disciples according to the specifications that Jesus ordered. The apostles were given clear instructions on how this was to be done and they were not given any options of being creative in this area.

• Acts 6:7, 8:1-4, 25, 11:19-23,26 14:1-7, 21-22, 15:7,35 16:9-10, 17:1-6, 20:22-24, 24:5
• Romans 1:1-16, 10:8-18, 15:19-21
• 1^st Corinthians 1:17-18, 9:16-17, 15:1-11
• 2^nd Corinthians 5:14-21
• Ephesians 1:13-14, 6:15-20
• 1^st Thessalonians 2:1-4
• 1^st John 4:9-14

These are just a few samples of many verses that emphasized that the primary function of the church was spiritual maturity and evangelism. Growing and reproducing disciples. God did not create the church as an end to itself, but to function according to His purpose. Let’s go into the next section, what is the primary tool of teaching in the church?

The primary tool of teaching in the church is the word of God.

Acts 2:42.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Those who embraced the gospel message of the Apostle Peter were those who were believers. As we have already stated, when they believed the gospel, they demonstrated their belief by a corresponding lifestyle. It is absolutely evident in the text itself. To continue steadfastly means, that those believers were devoted, to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting or constant care to a thing, to continue all the time in a place, to persevere and not to faint. This is the definition of the word, steadfastly, in the text. Those new converts to Christianity devoted themselves to four areas and they did it with equal zeal, doctrine, fellowship (association, community, joint participation), breaking bread (bread shared at the love feast and at the Lord’s table or any kind of food), prayers a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayers). However, I want to emphasize the main ingredient in this verse or should I say, the main focus and that is the priority of doctrine in the church and what that doctrine will do to those who embrace and apply it. Notice that doctrine or teaching is first on this list of the priorities that the saints followed.

The word, teach, in Acts 14:21, refers to making disciples. Discipleship is all about carrying out the element of teaching that the great commission commands, having gone therefore, make disciples, and after that, teach them to observe, to watch to do all things commanded by Christ.

This was also clearly seen in Acts 20:7 (read). The Disciples heard Paul preach to them. This word preach is not the standard word for preaching the gospel to the Lost, but this word means that Paul had an intelligent discourse with the disciples. His preaching stimulated their thinking. Paul reasoned with them out of the scriptures, he presented an intelligent argument, he thoroughly discussed in great detail his biblical objective. He taught them the truth. He also followed the great commission as Jesus had taught in this area of teaching them to observe all things.

Well what did this following of sound doctrine produce? Look at Acts 2:43-47.

So what is doctrine? What does the word truly mean? Why are so many people confused about it and many others count it as irrelevant? Why do many so-called preachers and pastors, de-emphasize doctrine as that which is antiquated and outdated?

Much of this wrong thinking comes out of ignorance of what the word means. But before we define the word doctrine, it is important to know that everyone has a doctrine. The question is whether it be sound or not, that’s the only question. The word doctrine means, teaching, or that which is taught. It is the act of teaching something. So we can conclude that all of us have a doctrine, even those who reject doctrine as petty and insignificant. They too have a doctrine. False doctrine. As much as the early church emphasized the absolute necessity for true doctrine, it is unbelievable that many so-called churches place the emphasis on other things rather that the need of sound teaching in the church. Unsound, unbalanced, unstable churches are symptomatic of weak theology and unhealthy or no biblical doctrine. A weak pulpit will produce an impotent church body. In fact, as we have seen in 1^st Tim 3, if there is no truth in the place where you call a church, it is not a church at all, according to the scriptures.

Romans 6:17
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Paul says in verse 16 that every person shows the master they serve by their behavior. A slave of sin is a lost person, they have no regenerated lifestyle, they are under the dominion of the devil and are bound to the flesh, they have no supernatural restraints to withstand the onslaught of sin within or without, they are helpless and hopeless, doomed and damned without salvation. Then in this verse, Paul thanks God in that these saints had been slaves to sin, but are now free because they submitted to the doctrine which embodies the sum and substance of Christianity, beginning with the gospel, and continuing with the doctrine of the scriptures. They also submitted, not just with their intellect, but their heart (the seat of their soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors). Everything was submitted to the doctrine of the scriptures.

Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

So important is the issue of sound, biblical doctrine in the church, that Paul urges the church that they needed to keep a close look out for those who instigate dissension or seditions, traps and stumbling blocks in the way of people that are contrary, meaning, those who would cause others to sin by vexing them away from the truth. These are those who come along side of you and me and trouble us as to draw us away from following the doctrine of the scriptures. This of course is intentional, not accidental. It is designed to draw us away from following the truth that we are accustomed to follow. Instead of increasing one’s knowledge in the truth, so as to grow, these individuals come along side of you and prevent growth with agendas which are counterproductive for your spiritual growth. They draw you away from following the doctrine unto foolishness. Paul makes it clear what we are to do to these individuals, we are to avoid them, we are to turn away from them to keep aloof from them, to shun them.

Romans 16:18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

The reason being that these person(s) do not serve nor submit to Christ. They are not obedient to Him at all, instead they are servants, slaves, submitting to their own desires and wants and by smooth talk and language artfully adapted to captivate the hearer, they beguile the innocent, the naive.

Romans 16:19
For your obedience is come abroad unto all [men]. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Their obedience to God and to the doctrine of the scriptures would give them the wisdom and discernment to know the difference between that which is good innocent concerning evil. It is like Paul telling the Corinthian church, in malice be children (infants), but in understanding be men (mature).

1^st Corinthians 14:6
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

If I came speaking to you in tongues, what advantage would it be to any of you except I should speak to you either by revelation (a divine disclosure of the truth) or by knowledge (general intelligence, understanding and wisdom) or by prophesying (foretelling and forthtelling truth) or by doctrine (teaching). Paul makes it clear that speaking in tongues is of absolutely no value to believers if there is no understanding of what is said. Speaking in tongues in a congregation without interpretation is useless to edify anyone, ever. Remember what Peter said, if any man has a speaking gift, he is to speak the word of God. Keep in mind that all four elements described in this verse (revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine) were all forms of teaching.

1^st Timothy 4:6
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

What are the characteristics of a good minister? The bible leaves no guesswork, it tells us plainly. The good minister continually lays down a constant supply of sound doctrine to the body of believers. The result of that foundation is that the body is nourished up, or, fed by the words of faith and of the continuation of the excellent doctrine, the quality of which produces a completeness of the individual. Timothy knew by experience exactly what Paul said to him. He knew all too well the truth of Paul’s statement by way of experience.

1^st Timothy 4:13
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

While Timothy was to wait for Paul’s return, he was urged to pay careful attention to the spiritual mission that was at hand. He was to pay careful attention to the public reading of the scriptures, to the proclamation of the scriptures and to the teaching of the scriptures. This was to be continual and unchanging.

1^st Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

He was to literally, "get a grip" to himself and to the doctrine. Not only as a teacher to others, but especially for himself. He was to continue in them, to persevere in them.

1^st Timothy 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Elders that rule well were to be paid double for their services, especially or above all, those who labor (to grow weary, tired, exhausted with toil or burdens or grief, to labor with wearisome effort, of bodily labor), in the word (the word of God, study of it) and the doctrine (teaching of it).

1^st Timothy 5:18
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward.

Pastors who labor should be rewarded for their hard work. This is not the opinion of a pastor, this is the word of God.

1^st Timothy 6:3
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

Of course there is always a warning to the church to be on the alert for anyone who would come in and to teach other or different doctrines which deviate from the truth. Those who do are those who are characterized by ungodliness, pride, ignorance of the truth, quarrelsome, rotten in their thinking, barren from all truth, and greedy of gain.

2^nd Timothy 3:16
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The word of God, and it alone, is to be the source of teaching in the church. It is the only book that God promises to change a person’s life forever. It is the only tool that will bring a person in spiritual wholeness and completeness. It is the only tool that will bring a person to spiritual maturity. It is the only tool that will equip a person for ministry.

2^nd Timothy 4:1-2
I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

The pastor must continue to proclaim the message of the truth, he must be diligent and unbending in it.

2^nd Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

The time will come, and the time is now, that multitudes in churches everywhere will abandon the scriptures, no longer wanting to fall in love with its majestic words, they will no longer bear up under the disciplines of the doctrine, their lust will drive them away to teachers and teachings that will tickle their depraved flesh.

2^nd Timothy 4:4
And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

The result of a departure from the word is the arrival of myths, lies, stories designed by false teachers to satisfy their wretched lust.

Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

The candidate for the pastorate must be one who has a firm grip on the scriptures, not in an intellectual sense alone, but for his own life. He must demonstrate that he cleaves to what the word teaches. The word is described as faithful, that means that the word is dependable. It will take sound doctrine to admonish and to convict those who are opposition to the truth, to expose them, to bring them to a public shame. Sound doctrine is the only tool that God ordains that will refute any lie.

Titus 2:1
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Continue to utter with one’s voice the pattern of sound doctrine. Titus, in contrast to the false teachers, was to continue to teach sound, healthy doctrine. This was to be continual, not sporadic, but systematic. He was to apply that sound doctrine to every age group in the church.

Titus 2:7
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine [shewing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

In everything the pastor is to be a pattern of good works, first, in his teaching it must demonstrate uncorruptness, meaning, soundness and integrity which brings forth a respectability to the hearers towards the word of God. A sound lifestyle gives credibility for sound speech to impact lives. The pastor is to live so that no one could find fault with him or better, to condemn him, to accuse him of wrongdoing.

Previously, we examined from the scriptures the question, "What is the primary function of the church, from God’s perspective?" Function, being the stated purpose(s) of what the church should be doing. The church has a purpose, both when she gathers together and when she finishes gathering together. When the church gathers together, she gathers for the express purpose of growing towards spiritual maturity. We will see that the church also has a function or purpose when the gathering is over and that is one of evangelism. So what does this word evangelism mean? To find that answer, we must look at the word, evangelist(s).

In the NT used especially of the glad tidings of the coming kingdom of God, and of the salvation to be obtained in it through Christ, and of what relates to this salvation.. To instruct (men) concerning the things that pertain to Christian salvation

God did not save men and women, the church, for no purpose towards the lost world. There is a mission to them as well. We need to know that we are commanded by God to give this gospel to the world. Let’s look at some examples:

Matthew 28:18-20:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore (having gone therefore), and teach (make disciples) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching (to impart instruction) them to observe all things (to guard, to watch, to do all things) whatsoever I have commanded (ordered you to do) you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

These men were to reproduce other disciples according to the specifications that Jesus ordered. The new disciples were to reproduce other disciples in the same fashion. The apostles were given clear instructions on how this was to be done and they were not given any options of being creative in this area. We examine in this particular study, the churches responsibility to proclaim the gospel.

Acts

Acts 3:13-20
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Acts 4:1-2
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Acts 5:20, 25, 28
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

Verses 11-16 seem to indicate that there was not only mass healings and mass conversions, but an ongoing teaching ministry to new converts of the faith. There was teaching about the person of Christ, and no doubt, from the Old Testament scriptures.

Acts 5:42
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

This goes right back to my previous point. Not only do we see evangelism, but systematic teaching about Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:1-4
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Here the words, preaching the word, is synonymous with the gospel message. Keep in mind this refers to the proclamation of the gospel message, to the unsaved, outside of the church gatherings.

Acts 8:5
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Acts 8:12
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Here we see Philip’s teaching also included the kingdom of God.

Acts 8:25
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Here the word of the Lord is synonymous with the preaching of the gospel message.

Acts 8:35
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Acts 8:40
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Implied Jesus was preached by verses 30-39

Acts 9:20
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. This was Paul immediately after his conversion.

Acts 9:19-22, 27
But Barnabas took him, and brought [him] to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

Acts 10:36
The word which [God] sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Acts 10:37
That word, [I say], ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

Verses 38-43, confirms this is again, the gospel message to the unsaved gentile hearers (read).

Acts 11:19
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

We see again that the words, preaching the word, is another reference to the gospel message.

Acts 11:20-21
20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

The result was salvation of many hearers, verse 21 (read).

Acts 13:5
And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to [their] minister.

The words, the word of God, is another reference to the gospel. The end result of this preaching was salvation of a Roman proconsul, verse 12 (read).

Acts 13:24-49
And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

Again, when this message was preached, the result was salvation for many gentiles. Again, notice that the word of the Lord, (vs 49) is used as a reference to the gospel message. Notice also that there was no invitation of the lost to come to the fellowship of believers, but rather, the apostles and their helpers, went back the next Sabbath and shared the gospel with them again.

Acts 14:1-7
And there they preached the gospel.

Acts 14:15
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn (be converted) from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

The apostles were ran out of town by the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem, in fact, Paul was stoned to death, but God raised him from the dead and look at what he did in the next scripture reference.

Acts 14:21
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and [to] Iconium, and Antioch,

Do you see what was done to the new disciples? They were being taught the word of God. We can see tat in this passage that both of the primary functions or purposes of the church was being carried out, spiritual maturity and evangelism.

Acts 14:25
And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: Again, the words preached the word, refers to the gospel message.

Acts 15:35
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. (Next Ref.)

Acts 15:36
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, [and see] how they do.

Paul wants to go back to the cities where they have already preached the word of the Lord to look upon the converts to Christianity who came to Christ because of the gospel they preached. Notice again that salvation was the result of the gospel message and teaching to the saints.

Acts 16:6
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Acts 16:9-10
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Verse 10 confirms that the words, preach the word, in verse 6, refers to the gospel message.

Acts 17:1-4
Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

Read verses 1-4 and see again, that the result of the preaching of the gospel was that a multitude of people believed on Christ. Notice that in verse 2, Paul used the scriptures as the foundation of the gospel message. This means that the gospel message comes from the scriprtures and not from some empty religious discussion. The scriptures alone contain the message of the gospel of Christ. 1^st Corinthians 15:1-4 (read).

Acts 17:13
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

The words, the word of God, was synonomus with the gospel message. Let’s read verses 10-12 and see again that the result of the preaching of the gospel was that many believed on the Lord Jesus.

Acts 17:18
Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

Acts 18:11
And he continued [there] a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Look at verses 8-10 and see how the words, teaching the word of God was used (read). I believe that the them, in verse 11, was the believers in Corinth. Paul spent time in Corinth teaching the church the scriptures.

Acts 20:7
And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

The Greek word for preach, is not the usual word that is used for preaching. This word means, to discuss, to thoroughly discuss a matter, to present an intelligent discourse, to teach publicly, to present an intelligent argument. The believers, (disciples) who gathered together, (there was no indication whatsoever that the gathering had unbelievers, since the word disciples meant believers) they were there to learn the scriptures. Paul taught systematically the word of God.

Acts 20:22-25
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

In verse 24, the gospel of the grace of God, (at least in these passages), is synonymous with the gospel of the kingdom. Salvation brings a person into the kingdom of God by placing them under the rule of the king of the kingdom, the Lord, Himself.

Acts 28:31
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Paul was preaching the coming reign of Christ and all things related to the king of the kingdom, Christ Jesus, the Lord.

When we continue in Part 2, we will come back to this juncture and continue to see the priority hat the church has to preach the gospel to the lost and to teach the saved the word of God!

Romans

Romans 1:15-17
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. Notice again that the result of those believing the preaching the gospel is salvation.

Romans 10:8-10
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach. Notice again that the result ot those believing preaching the gospel is salvation

Romans 10:15
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Romans 15:19
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Romans 15:20
Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:

I Corinthians

1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. {words: or, speech}

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:21
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Corinthians 1:23
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1 Corinthians 9:16-17
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

1 Corinthians 15:1
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (Next Ref.)

1 Corinthians 15:2
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. {keep...: or, hold fast} {what: Gr. by what speech} Verses 3-4, tells us what the gospel is. (read)

1 Corinthians 15:11
Therefore whether [it were] I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. Salvation is the result of those who believe the gospel.

1 Corinthians 15:12
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain.

II Corinthians

2 Corinthians 2:12
Furthermore, when I came to Troas to [preach] Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

2 Corinthians 4:5
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

2 Corinthians 10:14
For we stretch not ourselves beyond [our measure], as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in [preaching] the gospel of Christ:

2 Corinthians 11:4
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him]. {with him: or, with me} Here is a warning about some who propagate a false Jesus, with a false gospel. Paul will show us what he thinks about that when we get into the epistle to the Galatians.

Galatians

Galatians 1:8
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Accursed, meaning, a person or thing doomed to destruction, a man accursed, devoted to the direst of woes.

Galatians 1:9
As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

It’s not that we believe the same Jesus in a different way. It is the fact that if you believe the wrong Jesus, you are doomed to eternal destruction. If any man attempts to teach a non-biblical Jesus and a non-biblical gospel, that man is doomed to eternal destruction.

II Timothy

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Read verses 3-4. This reference to the word, refers, not only to the gospel message, but to the teaching of the scriptures.

I believe that the main emphasis, not nessesariliy the total emphasis, but the main emphasis, is on the systematic teaching of the scriptures for this reason. Look at, I Timothy 4:12-16 (read). As long as he was to remain at Ephesus, he was to give himself completely to the systematic teaching and preaching of the word of God, described as:

• 1.) Reading (public reading of the scriptures during the gathering of the saints),
• 2.) Exhortation (proclaimation of the scriptures read), propagation
• 3.) And doctrine (the explaination of the truth read, and proclaimed).

Titus

Titus 1:3
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed (entrusted) unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

God’s saving grace continues to teach us to deny. This means, to renounce something. Grammatically speaking, it means, having denied something. In other words, whatever it is we are to deny, we should have already done it, and would have done it at the moment of salvation. It speaks of a completed act. Coming to Christ through His grace means a renunciation of the former lifestyle, typified by:

Denying ungodliness: Wickedness, evil, godlessness. All of you folks who like to remind others of how evil and wicked you are need to listen very carefully to what I am about to say. You need to understand that according to this passage, your wicked and evil behavior was supposed to be renounced when you received the grace of God. Now, I must conclude that your constant reminder to others that you are evil and wicked is either an excuse to cover up sinful behavior, or, it may be an indication that you are lost and in need of genuine salvation so that you can once for all renounce that wicked and evil lifestyle. This word ungodliness also speaks of opposition to God, which opposition, biblically speaking, is a mark of the heathen and not the believer. Romans 11:26, demonstrates that a person is turned away from ungoly behavior when they are delivered from it (read).

Worldly lust: World affairs, the totality of things earthly. The whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ. It is the unsatifiable lust, cravings, and longings for what is forbidden. These things are to be renounced at the moment of salvation.

This grace continually teaches us not only to deny the former lifestyle, but saving grace continually teaches us that we need to live in a way that demonstrates that we have been truly redeemed by grace. This lifestyle is characterized by:

• Soberly: Self controlled, with sanity, with a right mind, well balanced with the life under control.
  
• Godly: In a Godly manner, fearing God, in a holy manner, rendering to God the reverence and worship emanating from a holy life.
  
• In this present world (age).

These are just a few sample verses of many verses that emphasized that the primary function of the church was not only spiritual maturity but evangelism. Growing and reproducing disciples. God did not create the church as an end to itself, but to function according to His purpose. Let’s go into the next section, what is the primary tool of teaching in the church?

The responsibility of Biblical Leadership to the church body.

The scriptures speak of gifted men given to the church. There is a definite purpose why God has given gifted men to the church. If you miss the purpose of why God gave the gifted men to the church, you will NEVER come to the place of spiritual maturity in your life.

The purpose of the gifted men.

Verse 11: Let’s establish some biblical facts from this verse. Gifted men are given to the church by Christ Jesus, our Lord. Know that from the start. If you are in a church where you have sound, biblical leadership, it was not by accident or by a human election, but by God’s divine decree. The Lord gave gifted men to the church body. Who are these gifted men?

An apostle simply means one that was sent. In the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament, the verb form of the word for Apostle is used over 700 times, the definition meaning, the one sent, with the emphasis on the authority of the messenger, Isa 6:8. The New Testament usage of this word primarily referred to a ministry, an office instituted by the Lord Himself, Luke 6:13. Though most of our familiarity with THE Apostles, comes from the original 12 Apostles, it is clear that these were not the only Apostles, such as:

• Mathias, Acts 1:15-26
• Paul, I Corinthians 15:9

And then you have Apostles of the church, such as

• Barnabas, Acts 14:4, 14, I Cor 9:1-6
• James, the Lord’s brother, Galatians 1:19
• Apollos, I Corinthians 4:1-9

The question arises then, are there Apostles today in the church? If you are referring to any succession of Apostleship from person to person, the answer is no. If you are referring to any official office of an Apostle, the answer is no. These men were foundational to the beginning of the church. In fact, Paul mentions that the Apostles and Prophets were the foundation of the church in Ephesians 2:19-22. The Apostles referred to in this verse are the 12 and others who were given Apostolic authority by them during the beginning of the church age. There is no biblical indication whatsoever that Apostolic succession exist today.

A Prophet is one who speaks forth openly, a proclaimer of a divine message. It is important to note that the words Apostle and Prophets are together and refer to the same office, Ephesians 2:20, 3:4-5. Therefore the ministry of the Apostles had with it a prophetic mode, both forthtelling (Proclaiming existing truth) and foretelling (Predictive Prophecy). Obviously, during the time of the early church, the Prophets ability to foretell events (Predictive prophecy) existed while the New Testament canon was being completed. However, any so-called utterance by any individual, considered to be a predictive prophecy (foretelling) had to be measured by existing scripture, I Corinthians 14:37-38, II Peter 1:16-21, 3:1-7. The majority of prophetic utterances in the New Testament was forthtelling, proclaiming existing truth from the Old Testament. There is no need of any foretelling in the church today and in fact, there is no foretelling of truth, since the scriptures are a closed book.

The word means, a proclaimer of good. In this case, the gospel of Christ Jesus, our Lord. This word is only used three times in the New Testament. In this verse, and in Acts 21:8, II Timothy 4:5. The primary role of an evangelist was spreading the good news of Christ redemption of sinful man. It would also appear that this ministry refers to function, rather than to some official office of an evangelist.

What we have here is actually the same office. In the Greek text, whenever 2 nouns are connected by the word and, and the definite article is in front of the first noun, but not in front of the second, you are connecting equals. This is the case in this verse. All other gifted men have a definite article before them, except before teachers.

The word for Pastors is actually the word for shepherds and it is translated such in every other use of this particular Greek word. It speaks of the one whose responsibility is to tend, feed and protect the flock of God committed to his or their care. Interestingly enough, this particular Greek word is used almost exclusively of Jesus, Himself. Jesus being the greatest example of shepherding God’s flock. John, chapter 10, is probably the greatest demonstration of the life of the shepherd. Look at I Peter 5:2.

The main emphasis of this word, teachers is on the person, the man. Most of the references in scripture refers to Jesus, Himself, which again, just as with the word shepherd, makes HIM the greatest example of teaching. The primary function of the teaching Shepherd was to teach the doctrines relative to the Christian faith, as well as exposition from the Old Testament scriptures. In our age, a teaching Shepherd is one who provides an exposition of all the scriptures. This is the primary function of the teaching Shepherd, to tend, feed and protect the flock and to teach the doctrines relative to the Christian faith, and to provide an exposition of all the scriptures to the flock in his (their) care. So what is the purpose of all these gifted men to the church? What is the need for these men?

For means: Towards a goal. The purpose of gifted men given to the church is for the goal of perfecting the saints. What does that mean? The noun form of this word, perfecting means: Equipping, completely furnishing. The verb form of this word is interesting as well.

• 1.) Perfect - completeness - Luke 6:40
  
  
• 2.) Perfectly joined together - restoration - I Corinthians 1:10
  
  
• 3.) Mending the nets - repaired - Matthew 4:1 Let me ask a simple question. Why would you want to mend your fishing nets? To catch more fish. Jesus uses this analogy of catching fish for being fishers of men. We need to be perfectly joined together as a fishermen’s net so that we can reach the greatest amount of people for Christ, not only at the level of salvation, but also at the level of bringing them into a local church where they can be ministered to, edified, discipled and sent to repeat the process again to other lost men and women everywhere.

The main concept behind the word, perfecting, is the concept of being complete, equipped for a task.

1.) Such equipping of the saints, and the task for which we are to be equipped for, is IMPOSSIBLE without the gifted men in the church.

2.) Such equipping of the saints, and the task for which we are to be equipped for, is IMPOSSIBLE outside of the local church body. The scriptures make it clear that the place where this equipping process of the saints is to take place is in the local church. This is a church epistle. It is instructions given to local churches, not individual saints apart from the local church body.

I. The work of ministry. This is a most interesting instruction. Not only is there a responsibility on the part of leadership to build up, to perfect, to equip the saints, but there is also a responsibility on the part of each and every member claiming allegiance to the Lord to serve each other in the body of Christ. We all are accountable to one another and responsible for serving one another. Now, we need to see the purpose of this work of ministry that all of you are responsible to fulfill. Notice the word, for. It is the same word that was used earlier in this verse. For means: Towards a goal. The work of ministry in the local church body is not an end to itself, but it is for a goal, and that goal is edification of the body of Christ.

II. Edification of the body of Christ. Edification means to build up. It could mean to build a building. We as a church, are God’s building. I Cor 3:9, Ephes 2:21-22. It is the responsibility of the congregation to build up one another. We have for so long attempted to circumvent and side-step God’s plan to make the pastor(s) responsible for the church’s lack of growth, both spiritually and numerically, when in FACT many a church body refuses to submit to God’s plan of body ministry and the building up process of one another. It is your responsibility to build each other up. You are just as much accountable for the process of accountability and edification a leadership is in teaching you the truth so that this process can be done.

III. Until we all come to the unity of the faith: The church body needs to grow together. It is the desired goal of God, for His church, that we all grow up, that we all reach the place of Christian maturity. We need to be united in what we believe, and in whom we believe. This will not happen if the perfecting, work of ministry and edifying process is not implemented by each member of the body. This still is not and end to itself, there is yet another goal that must be obtained.

IV. The knowledge of the son of God: This does not refer to intellectual knowledge alone, but to full knowledge, experiential knowledge. Growing in your relationship with Christ collectively as a church body. This is not an end to itself, there is still a goal to obtain.

V. Unto a perfect man: This phrase is singular because the church is seen as one, united in purpose and objective. Individualism is the mark of immaturity. Still, there is another goal to be reached.

VI. Unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: Genuine maturity, spiritual attainment, and spiritual stature will develop with any church body that employs God’s method of church growth. There is still another goal that this entire process will produce.

VII. That we henceforth be no more children: If a church body is going to be able to minister properly, then its members must be rid of arrested development as well as abandoning childish attitudes and actions. Childish behavior is not to be tolerated by any church, but rebuked and urged on to spiritual growth. This is demonstrated clearly in I Corinthians 3:1-4 and Hebrews 5:12-14. Instability in one’s life is a definite sign of spiritual immaturity. Not only that, but it is a great danger as well.

VIII. Tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine: Do you ever hear people say, "I’m so confused about preaching or I’m so confused about what the truth is or how to know what God is saying." That is exactly what this verse is saying. Tossed to and fro means that you are going in circles, to be swung around like a spinning top and left dizzy. Biblical truth is absolute, false teaching leads to confusion. Biblical truth does not confuse because it is absolute. You either believe truth or you don’t, it is as simple as that.

IX. By the slight of men, by cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive: The agents of error are men. The source of error is demons. I Tim 4:1 False teachers are tricksters, who use crafty, slick methods to appeal to the immature Christian who do not submit to the growth and ministry process. These men are unscrupulous, ruthless, unethical, unprincipled, who stop at nothing to undermine God’s truth. One of the telltale signs of spiritual immaturity and a rejection of the process of spiritual growth is the clamoring after false teachers. People who are believers who tolerate false teachers in any fashion demonstrate spiritual immaturity and no growth to speak of. The danger in refusing to grow is that you become fodder for the enemy. Worse, you can become a tool of the enemy, by which, false doctrine can enter in, whether we are talking about false doctrine that you bring in from listening to errant teaching, or the false doctrines that comes from your own confused mind!

Here’s another of these verses read, quoted incorrectly. This has nothing with verbalization. A person who uses this verse will say, "brother, you need to speak the truth in love. You’re not speaking the truth in love." The verse refers to DOING the truth, HOLDING fast to the truth, being followers of the truth, and doing that in love of it. Instead of floundering with the truth, we need to be doing the truth as a church body. The net result again will be growth in every way, looking more like Christ, the church’s head.

Gifted men and gifts given to every believer in the church, energized by God’s power, working towards each other, will produce a growing church assembly.

What is the Biblical Church? The Responsibility of Biblical Leadership (Part 2)

This is the last day that we will be studying on this subject of the biblical church. This morning we will be looking at the responsibility of leadership to the church body and tonight we will be looking at the blessed hope of the church.

Ephesians 4:11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (KJV)

We already saw that God gives gifted leaders (men) to the church body. These men consist of apostles, prophets, evangelist and pastor-teachers or teaching shepherds. The Apostles laid the foundational of the church age. There are no apostles today.

Then you have prophets. It is interesting to note that in some passages of scripture, apostles and prophets were listed together, referring to the same office. It is true also that there were prophets other than the apostles. These men has the gifts of foretelling, which is, predictive prophecy, and forthtelling, the proclamation of existing truth. The majority of prophecy in the New Testament was forthtelling, proclaiming existing truth.

Then the next group are evangelist. These are the men who spread the good news of salvation through Christ Jesus. The word evangelist speaks of function, rather than some official office of an evangelist. These were the church planters. They would go into a city where Christ was not named, preach salvation through Christ Jesus, set up the church, where the teaching pastors would come in and feed that flock.

The next group of gifted men are the Pastor-Teachers or the teaching shepherds. The word for pastor means shepherd. The primary function of a pastor-teacher or teaching shepherd is to teach doctrine relative to the Christian faith, as well as exposition from the entire bible. His function is to feed, to tend and to lead the flock that belongs to God and that God has placed in his care. Is there a need for these men in today’s church? The church has suffered because of the absence of these men. So why do we need them?

Ephesians 4:12: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (KJV)

First of all, God has placed these men in the body for the purpose of perfecting the saints. Perfecting the saints refers to equipping the believers in the church body for a specific spiritual goal or objective. In this case, there are many spiritual goals and objectives that the local church body needs to be equipped for. I don’t see where anyone else has that ministry. I am always suspect when those who are not gifted in this area attempt to act as if they are a pastor protem. They are functioning out of their place. In other words, they don’t have any right nor biblical authority to be acting as if they are being used in the equipping process of saints if they are not called into this area of giftedness. God gives to the church, the gifted men, whose responsibility is to perfect the saints. This process is not given to the body, but to the gifted men. All those who are not the gifted men that God has given to the body are to be in the fellowship so that they can learn from God’s gifted men and then grow to a place of spiritual maturity for the purpose of using spiritual gifts to serve and to build up one another. The process of equipping the saints is impossible without gifted men in the church, and it is impossible outside of the local church body. The local church is the place where the equipping process is to go on. So what is the responsibility of these men?

The goal or objective of God’s gifted men is that of perfecting saints, or equipping saints for the work of ministry or service towards one another.

There is a responsibility of each and every saint of God to serve one another. That service cannot take place to its maximum potential if professing believers are never around to participate in the equipping process. This work of ministry also leads to another goal and that is the building up process of the church body. We have for so long attempted to circumvent and sidestep God’s plan to make the pastor responsible for the church’s lack of growth when in fact many a church body refuses to grow by submitting to God’s plan of equipping the saints and the building up process that is the result of that equipping.

Ephesians 4:13: Till we all come in the (1) unity of the faith, and of the (2) knowledge of the Son of God, unto a (3) perfect man, unto the (4) measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (KJV)

It is God’s clearly stated plan that the church body grows together, and when all minds and hearts are like-minded, this will happen. The equipping process causes the church to serve one another and then to grow together. We are also to grow in our knowledge of the son of God (Christ). This word for knowledge refers to full, experiential knowledge. In simpler terms, we are, as a church body, to perfect our daily walk with Christ. We are to cultivate and maintain a close, real relationship with the Lord, whom we profess to love. This will produce a unity in purpose and objective. Individualism is a mark of spiritual immaturity. The church is to grow together. When the process of growth takes place, then genuine maturity, spiritual attainment and spiritual growth will take place. The church will look more and more like Christ and live like Christ towards one another. This growth will be a preventative measure against false teaching and false teachers.

Ephesians 4:14: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (KJV)

That we be no more Children. If a church body is going to be able to serve one another properly, then its members must be rid of arrested development as well as abandoning childish attitudes and actions. Instability is a sign of spiritual immaturity and also a great danger to the entire church body. You are succeptable to being misled into following false doctrine and false teachers.

Tossed to and fro carried about with every wind of doctrine: Do you ever hear people say, "I’m so confused about preaching or I’m so confused about what the truth is or how to know what God is saying." That is exactly what this verse is saying. Tossed to and fro means that you are going in circles, to be swung around like a spinning top and left dizzy. Biblical truth is absolute, false teaching leads to confusion. Biblical truth does not confuse because it is absolute. You either believe truth or you don’t, it is as simple as that.

By the slight of men, by cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive: The agents of error are men. The source of error is demons. I Tim 4:1 False teachers are tricksters, who use crafty, slick methods to appeal to the immature Christian who do not submit to the growth and ministry process. These men are unscrupulous, ruthless, unethical, unprincipled, who stop at nothing to undermine God’s truth. One of the telltale signs of spiritual immaturity and a rejection of the process of spiritual growth is the clamoring after false teachers. People who are believers who tolerate false teachers in any fashion demonstrate spiritual immaturity and no growth to speak of. The danger in refusing to grow is that you become fodder for the enemy. Worse, you can become a tool of the enemy, by which, false doctrine can enter in, whether we are talking about false doctrine that you bring in from listening to errant teaching, or the false doctrines that comes from your own confused mind!

Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (KJV)

Here’s another of these verses read, quoted incorrectly. This has nothing with verbalization. A person who uses this verse will say, "brother, you need to speak the truth in love. You’re not speaking the truth in love." The verse refers to DOING the truth, HOLDING fast to the truth, being followers of the truth, and doing that in love of it. Instead of floundering with the truth, we need to be doing the truth as a church body. The net result again will be growth in every way, looking more like Christ, the church’s head.

Ephesians 4:16: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (KJV)

Gifted men and gifts given to every believer in the church, energized by God’s power, working towards each other, will produce a growing church assembly.

Let’s look at some closing thoughts concerning these gifted men, these pastor-teachers or teaching shepherds in particular. II Tim 2:1-7.

Biblical leadership must be committed to the ministry.

2 Timothy 2:1: Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (KJV) Strong (Corageous) To be committed to ministry means that you are empowered by Christ Jesus alone.

2 Timothy 2:2: And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (KJV)

• a) It is the Pastor’s priority to be involved in the teaching process.
• b) Paul taught Timothy, he was to teach faithful men, they would teach others. This is God’s plan.
• c) The local church is the place where this process is to take place.

2 Timothy 2:3
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (KJV)

Timothy was in his mid thirties at this time and was under tremendous pressure from the older men and women at the church in Ephesus. False doctrine, disunity, women usurping authority over men that God never intended for them to have, immorality, false worship, were but a few of the problems that Timothy had to contend with. Timothy had to understand that he must depend upon God’s strength to be an effective pastor and to employ faithful men to help him.

2 Timothy 2:4
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (KJV)

Warreth (active duty) Affairs of this life (involved in civilian affairs). There are no soldiers in H.Q. or on leave in God’s army. There is no national guard or weekend warriors for God. Every soldier is on the front lines. Either we are on the front lines, taking a stand, pleasing God, or we are defeated. The main point is that leaders, as well as all believers, must renounce everything which would hinder the true purpose of the soldier of Christ Jesus. We are to please God. That is our only goal as a soldier.

2 Timothy 2:5
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (KJV)

If a man engages in the public games, or the Olympic games, he does not receive the reward unless he competes according to the rules of the games. An athlete had to state under oath that they had fulfilled 10 months of training before they were eligible to enter the contest. During that time he had to engage in prescribed exercises and live a strictly separated life. If during the 10 month period he were to break the rules of training, he would be disqualified. The main point of this analogy is self discipline.

2 Timothy 2:6
The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. (KJV)

The hard working farmer has every right to eat of the first of the fruits in which his exhaustive toil produced. The emphasis of this analogy is hard work.

3 callings or objectives. 3 Warnings. 3 Rewards.

• a) Commitment Entanglement Pleasing God
• b) Discipline Cheating Crowns
• c) Hard work Laziness Fruit

Next we go on to: Spiritual leadership in the home