What is unusual about the church?
Introduction. Our good question does not concern just any church, but the church Jesus built. Indeed, the church we read about in the New Testament is different, very different.
The founder, origin, and designations. Jesus is the founder of his church (Matt. 16: 18, 19). He is also the Savior, head, and husband of his church (Eph. 5: 23; 5: 23; 5: 22-33). Jesus' church began in Acts 2, AD 30, in Jerusalem (Acts 2: 14-47, KJV). The early church had no name, as such, and the designations all glorify her owner (Rom. 16: 16; Acts 20: 28).
The worship, way financed, and the work. The early church met on the Lord's Day (Sunday) to observe the Lord's Supper, engage in congregational singing (vocal music), have preaching, prayer, and giving (Acts 20: 7; 2: 42; Eph. 5: 19; Acts 20: 7; 4: 31; 2: 42; 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2). The work of the church was financed by the offerings of the members (1 Cor. 16: 1, 2). The work of the local church was the preaching of the truth and the salvation of souls (I Tim. 3: 15).
The government, discipline, and plan of salvation. Each local church was (is) autonomous (Acts 14: 23, 1 Pet. 5: 2, 3). Those who walked disorderly were to be withdrawn from (2 Thes. 3: 6). The plan of salvation for the non-Christian was belief, repentance, confession of Jesus' deity, and baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2: 36, 38, 8: 37, KJV). The early church also practiced guarded fellowship (1 John 1: 3-10).
Recognition of Jesus' authority. Perhaps the most distinguished trait of the early church was and is her recognition of Jesus' authority (Matt. 28: 18). "And hath put all things under his feet, " Paul wrote, "and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1: 22, 23).
The founder, origin, and designations. Jesus is the founder of his church (Matt. 16: 18, 19). He is also the Savior, head, and husband of his church (Eph. 5: 23; 5: 23; 5: 22-33). Jesus' church began in Acts 2, AD 30, in Jerusalem (Acts 2: 14-47, KJV). The early church had no name, as such, and the designations all glorify her owner (Rom. 16: 16; Acts 20: 28).
The worship, way financed, and the work. The early church met on the Lord's Day (Sunday) to observe the Lord's Supper, engage in congregational singing (vocal music), have preaching, prayer, and giving (Acts 20: 7; 2: 42; Eph. 5: 19; Acts 20: 7; 4: 31; 2: 42; 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2). The work of the church was financed by the offerings of the members (1 Cor. 16: 1, 2). The work of the local church was the preaching of the truth and the salvation of souls (I Tim. 3: 15).
The government, discipline, and plan of salvation. Each local church was (is) autonomous (Acts 14: 23, 1 Pet. 5: 2, 3). Those who walked disorderly were to be withdrawn from (2 Thes. 3: 6). The plan of salvation for the non-Christian was belief, repentance, confession of Jesus' deity, and baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2: 36, 38, 8: 37, KJV). The early church also practiced guarded fellowship (1 John 1: 3-10).
Recognition of Jesus' authority. Perhaps the most distinguished trait of the early church was and is her recognition of Jesus' authority (Matt. 28: 18). "And hath put all things under his feet, " Paul wrote, "and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1: 22, 23).