By The Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read: Acts 2:1-47

“The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47b)

First, The Birth Of The Church

The Rev. Ron Purkey

The Holy Spirit came, not because the believers prayed but because the day of Pentecost had come, the day appointed for the “birthday of the church” (Leviticus 23:15–21). He baptized the believers into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13) so that they had a living connection with their head exalted in heaven. Luke 2 describes the birth of the Lord’s physical body and Acts 2 the birth of his spiritual body.

The Holy Spirit also filled the believers and empowered them for witness (Acts 1:8). He gave Peter insight into the word and the ability to show men Christ in the word. The spirit used the witness of the church to convict the lost, just as Jesus said he would do (Acts 16:7–10).

The same Holy Spirit assisted the believers in their church fellowship (Acts 2:40–47). The original group was outnumbered by the new believers, but there was still harmony in the church family. They worshiped daily and witnessed daily, and “the Lord added to the church daily” (Acts 2:47). Every true believer can live a successful Christian life by praying, studying the Bible, and the power of the Holy Spirit!

Second, Some Beliefs Of The Church

(1) That the church universal (consisting of believing people) is a New Testament institution, established by Jesus Christ, who is its sole head; revealed through the apostles; empowered and perpetuated by the Holy Spirit; his “body” for service and his “bride” for glory. It began with the New Testament Saints at Pentecost and will be concluded at the coming of Christ in the rapture (Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:8, 2:1-13, 41-47, 15:14; Ephesians 1:22, 23, 3:21, 5:23-32; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

(2) That the church universal is manifested through the local church which is: a congregation of baptized believers, associated together by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel (Acts 2:41, 42). We observe the ordinances of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:2), governed by his laws (Ephesians 1:22, 23), and exercising the gifts, responsibilities and privileges invested in them by his work (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8:11).

(3) That the local church’s Scriptural offices are those of pastors (also called “elders” or “bishops” in the NT) and deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the scriptures.(Acts 14:23, 6:5, 6, 15:23, 20:17-28; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 8-13).

(4) The mission of the true church is expressed in the New Testament and abbreviated in Matthew 28:19-20 and Ephesians 4:11-16. It is: to make individual disciples, to baptize them into a properly organized and functioning local church, and to teach them to obey God’s word as he has commanded. The mission of the Christian is to bring others to faith in Jesus Christ. This includes assisting parents in teaching the truth of God’s word to their children (Ephesians 6:1-4).

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.