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The New Testament Church and the Churches of Men

by Jefferson D. Tant

The New Testament church is distinctly different than the church found in our world today. A close examination reveals the churches created by men do not fit the pattern as revealed in the New Testament. If we are seeking to find the true pattern of the church as it was in the first century, we must look within the pages of God's word for that pattern. The following observations are made in regard to the many differences in the church as found in God's word and churches practicing today who claim to be following the word of God.

Designations

The church as found in the New Testament is called the church of the Lord (Acts 20:28), the churches of Christ (Romans 16:16), the church of God (1 Corinthians 1:2) to name a few. Individuals of the church were simply called ``Christians'' (Acts 11:26 and 1 Peter 4:16). They wore no denominational names.

The churches of men can be found as the Church of Christ, Scientist (according to a decision made at a meeting on April 19, 1879.) Individuals are called Christian Scientist.

The Lutheran Church (L.C.A.) is named in honor of its founder, Martin Luther. Individuals are called Lutherans. Individuals of the Holy Roman Catholic Church are called Catholics. The Baptist Church members are called Baptist. In the Methodist Church individuals are called Methodist (United Methodist Church). Individuals within the Presbyterian Church are called Presbyterians for their form of church government.

Organization

The organization of the church as found in the New Testament is no evidence of denominational organization or hierarchy. Each local church was independent and autonomous, with a plurality of qualified, married men appointed to serve as bishops, elders or pastors (Acts 14:23; 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-3).

The organization of the Christian Scientist is a worldwide headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, under a President, Board of Directors and so forth (Church Manual, 1980, p. 25). The Lutheran Church has a President (4 year term) who presides over biennial convention and executive council.

The members of the Holy Roman Catholic Church are subject to the Pope, ``Vicar of Christ on Earth, and the Visible Head of the Church.'' All Church officials, including Bishops, are forbidden to marry. The Baptist churches belong to a loose confederation in the Southern Baptist Convention. Local congregations are under one pastor and board of Deacons.

The organization of the Methodist Church is governed by a General Conference, with bishops overseeing small jurisdictions. The Bishops need not be married. Within the Presbyterian Church the organization is governed by a General Synod or Assembly.

Lord’s Supper or Communion

The church of the New Testament observed the Lord's Supper weekly upon the first day of the week, with all partaking of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:2-29; Mark 14:22-25).

According to the Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Scientist), ``The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, shall observe no more Communion seasons.'' In the Lutheran Church the frequency of observance varies from church to church monthly, weekly, etc. It may be observed on days other than Sunday.

The Catholic Church offers the Lord's Supper, Eucharist in the Mass daily. The common people are denied the fruit of the vine as it is reserved for the clergy. The Baptist Church commonly observes once a month and not always on the first day of the week.

In the Methodist Church the Supper is commonly observed once a quarter.  I have had a personal conversation with a Methodist who was present at a communion service where potato chips and Coke were used. The Presbyterian Church states that the Supper is not necessary to observe weekly.

Preachers

In the New Testament it is clearly shown in the public meetings and assemblies, God has specified that men are to take this responsibility and not the woman (1 Corinthians 14:34; 1 Timothy 2:12).

Within the Christian Scientist, ``The readers for the Mother Church shall be a man or a woman'' (the Readers conduct services). The Lutheran Church does ordain women to its ministry.

In the Catholic Church, these would be ``priests.'' They are limited to men and are addressed as ``Father.'' (Note what Jesus said in Matthew 23:9).

The Baptist Church generally allows men but more and more women are now being ordained to the Baptist ministry. This is also true of the Methodist Church and Presbyterian Church. It is even being found that Homosexuals are ordained to be ministers in some denominations.

Music

God has authorized his people to sing praise. There is no authority for addition of any other kind of music, such as mechanical instruments (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).  The Christian Scientist state, ``The services should be preceded and followed by organ or piano music.'' Within the Lutheran Church, the Baptist Church, the Methodist Church and the Presbyterian church, instrumental music is used. The Catholic Church admits that instruments are borrowed from pagan cults ``to add greater beauty...to the rites of religion.'' (Catholic Encyclopedia, XV, 391).

Baptism

The New Testament teaches that baptism is by immersion (Romans 6:3-5; Acts 8:38; Colossians 2:12). Baptism is unto remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21) and is for believers, not infants (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). The New Testament teaches that baptism is essential for salvation (Mark 16:16).

Baptism is not practiced by the Christian Scientist. The Lutheran Church baptizes by sprinkling or affusion (pouring). Infants are baptized in the Lutheran Church.

The Catholic Church says, ``I would give baptism by pouring ordinary water on the forehead...'' (Baltimore Catechism No 3, p. 196). Infants are baptized as well as the dead.

The Baptist Church practices baptism by immersion and denies its relationship to remission of sins. ``Baptism is not essential to salvation'' (Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, Hiscox. page 8).

The Methodist Church states that baptism is by ``choice of sprinkling, pouring or immersion'' (Methodist Discipline). Infants are baptized.  The Presbyterian Church says that baptism is ``Dipping...into water is not necessary'' (Westminster Confession of Faith). Infants are also baptized.

CREED

The only guide used by the church of the New Testament is the Bible--the word of God (2 Timothy 3:16,17; Revelation 22:18,19; Proverbs 30:5,6; Deuteronomy 4:2).

Christian Scientist say, ``Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.'' The Lutheran Church abides by Luther's Catechism. The Catholic Church follows various Catechisms. The Baptist Church follows the New Hampshire (or Philadelphia) Confession of Faith. Methodist follow the Methodist Discipline as the Presbyterian Church follows the Westminster Confession of Faith.

Founder

The church of the Lord was founded by Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18)

The Church of Christ, Scientist was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879.  The Lutheran Church was founded by Martin Luther in c.1530.  The Holy Roman Catholic Church was an outgrowth of the gradual apostasy from the early first century church. John Smythe founded the Baptist Church in 1609.  John Wesley founded the Methodist Church in 1739, and John Calvin founded the Presbyterian Church in 1536.

When you try to identify the New Testament church, does it really make a difference? 

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