Lamb of God Christian Church - What is the New Testament Patterned Church?

by Craig Harbin

It organizes and governs itself like the APOSTLE-LED Church:

In the Bible:

1. Jesus Christ alone is the Lord, head and founder of the church- there is no other (Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18).

2. The Church was established at the beginning by two sets of TEMPORARY officers:

1) Apostles and 2) Prophets. The apostles witnessed Jesus personally (Acts 1:20, 21) and the

prophets spoke from God before the New Testament was completed (Ephesians 2:20). These

two offices do not exist today.

3. The PERMANENT officers of the church continue today and are elders, deacons, and evangelist

(Ephesians 4:11). Elders, also called overseers, pastors or bishops, are mature Godly men who protect

their local flock (1 Timothy 3:1). Deacons attend to the servant ministry needs of the congregation

(1Timothy3:8). Evangelists preach God's word faithfully and live accountable to the elders of the

congregation (2 Timothy 4:5).

4. Each congregation governs itself (Acts 6:3), financially supports itself (1 Corinthians 16:2), and supports

evangelistic missionary outreach (Acts 13:1-3).

5. There are NO priests - every believer in Jesus is a priest (1 Peter 2:9).

6. There are No Reverends or Holy Fathers, only God Himself is to be revered (Psalm 111:9) and elitist

titles in the Church should be avoided (Matthew 23:8-11).

7. There are No Bishops who preside over many congregations. In the New Testament, bishops (or elders)

pastor a local congregation whom they know intimately (Acts 20:28-30)

8. There are NO female preachers. The congregation is led by Godly men under the headship of Jesus

Christ Himself (1 Timothy 2:11,12; 1 Corinthians 11:3)

Is YOUR congregation a New Testament - patterned Church?

The Bible Only Makes Christians Only!