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Lesson 14

What The Bible Teaches About
The Characteristics Of The True Church

Foundation And Basis

1. Who founded the Christian church?

Matthew 16:16-18

Matthew 16:16-18 (KJV)
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

2. Who is the foundation of the church?

Ephesians 2:20

Ephesians 2:20 (KJV)
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

The Organization Of The Church

3. Who are the leaders of the church?

Ephesians 4:11, 12

Ephesians 4:11, 12 (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

4. What is the triple mission of the church?

Matthew 4:23

Matthew 4:23 (KJV)
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

5. How should the church be governed?

Acts 6:1-4

Acts 6:1-4 (KJV)
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

The Characteristics Of The True Church

6. What example should the church follow?

John 13:15

John 13:15 (KJV)
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

7. What is the standard of conduct for the church?

Revelation 12:7

Revelation 12:7 (KJV)
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

8. What gift with the church possess?

Revelation 19:10

Revelation 19:10 (KJV)
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

WHAT MUST I DO?

WHAT MUST I DO?

1. Join the true church.

Acts 2:41

Acts 2:41 (KJV)
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

2. Stay faithful and firm.

2 Peter 1:10-12

2 Peter 1:10-12 (KJV)
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

MY RESOLUTION

I believe that Jesus founded the church. I desire to join it and be faithful to the end.

Addtional Study 14

Christ, the Foundation. Christ is the true foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20). Nobody can put down a different foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11).

The Church and its Leaders. Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22). List of authorities (Ephesians 4:11, 12). Qualifications of ministers (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:7-9). Deacons and their qualifications (1 Timothy 3:8-13). The deaconesses (1 Timothy 3:11). Members call each other brothers and sisters (Matthew 23:8, 9).

Rites of the Church. 1) Baptism by immersion (Matthew 3:13-17). 2) Lord's Supper or Communion (1 Corinthians 11:23-29). 3) Foot washing. (John 13:4-17). 4) Placing of hands to ordain ministers or deacons (Acts 6:1-6). 5) Anointing of the sick (James 5:14, 15). 6) Holy matrimony (Matthew 19:4-6).

The Mission of the Church. To be a pillar and bastion of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). To be pure and holy (Ephesians 5:27). To preach the gospel (Matthew 24:14).

The Christian Church

The church was founded by Jesus. The word church comes from the Greek ekklesfa, and it means assembly or congregation. It is a group of human beans that believe and obey Jesus and his doctrine.

The Great Drama of the Church

During the first century, the church stayed faithful to Jesus' genuine doctrine. However, heresies and serious errors started to come in which the apostles had rebuked (Romans 1:21, 22, 15; 2 Peter 2:1, 2; Titus 1:14; Colossians 2:8). The errors included capital doctrines and they also altered the church's form of government. So much so that "it cast down the truth to the ground" (Daniel 8:12). This unfortunate situation would last 1,260 years (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:6, 14; 13:5), in other words, from the year 538 until the year 1798.

The Restoration of the Truth

After that long period of spiritual darkness, the truth would revive gloriously to be preached in the form of the triple message (Revelation 14:6-12).

Characteristics of the True Church

The true church must possess the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12). It will respect the commandments of the law of God (Revelation 14:12). It will have the visible manifestation of the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). It will respect the holy Sabbath of the Lord (Exodus 20:8-11). It will be guided in everything by what God's Holy Word says (2 Timothy 3:16). It will have a dynamic and triple evangelism program (Matthew 4:23).

It will announce the imminent judgment (Revelation 14:7). It will preach with power about the second coming of Jesus (Titus 2:13).

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA)

The SDA church emerged at the moment indicated by prophecy and as a result of a deep study of the Holy Bible. He possesses the four distinctive characteristics of a true church: 1) Unity of doctrine, rites and regulations (Ephesians 4:3-6). 2) Holiness in the life and conduct of the members (1 Thessalonians 4:2-7). 3) Universality (Matthew 24:14). 4) Apostolicity (Jude 3).

The SDA church develops its apostolate in the triple phase that our Lord Jesus Christ commanded. Thousands of ministers preach the gospel, aside from radio, television and publications edited by more than 50 publishing houses. The field of education, the church has many universities, 360 high schools and 4,500 elementary schools. In the health field, the church maintains 114 hospitals and sanitariums, several dozen medical launches, mobile clinics and health airplanes.

The authorities of the church are those indicated in the Holy Bible. The church is governed with the council of all its members, just as it was in the time of the apostles. Likewise, the church practices all the rites prescribed by our Lord Jesus Christ and the holy apostles.

The SDA church has restored the eternal truths of the gospel. The Holy Bible, the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and the holy apostles and the law of God, these are the standard of conduct of the church and the believers.

The SDA church is the historic continuation of the permanent people that God has had as proclaimers of the truth. It maintains that the Christian doctrines must be practiced in every aspect of life.