The Church in the New Testament: Its Form, Function and

The Church in the New Testament : 

The Church in the New Testament Its Form, Function and Purpose James C. Wright, J.D.Fulcrum Ministrieswww.FulcrumMinistries.org

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Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride! All that you think of as "church" is about to be challenged so God can woo us back to being, once more, the multi-faceted, wonderful, exciting Body of Christ. (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 2

To Understand "Church" … : 

To Understand "Church" … We must understand God's ultimate purpose in history We must understand how the Lord intended for His Church to fit into that purpose And then we must understand how we personally fit into that purpose, both through the Church and then individually (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 3

Reconciling the World to Christ … : 

Reconciling the World to Christ … God "through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:18-20 ESV) … Is God's Goal and Our Purpose (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 4

Reconciliation Comes As … : 

Reconciliation Comes As … "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor…. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever." (Isaiah 9:2-7 NIV) … Christ's Kingdom & Rule Forever Expand (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 5

Jesus Confirmed His Mission … : 

Jesus Confirmed His Mission … "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come." (Luke 4:18-19 NLT) "… but he said to them, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.'" (Luke 4:42-42 ESV) "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!" (Mark 1:15 NLT) (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 6

And His Mission is Now Our Mission : 

And His Mission is Now Our Mission "Jesus [after His resurrection] said to them [His disciples] again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.' And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld." (John 20:21-23 ESV) (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 7

We Engage In Reconciling All Things … : 

We Engage In Reconciling All Things … "And he [Christ] is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (Col. 1:18-20 ESV) … As Christ's Body, The Church (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 8

Individual Pietism – The Spirit of Our Age : 

Individual Pietism – The Spirit of Our Age Most Christians today act as though Jesus went to the cross to reconcile Himself to us – as though his greatest purpose is to meet our individual needs, solve our individual problems, and simply get us to heaven – rather than to reconcile us to Him so we can advance His agenda. The belief that God's ultimate goal is me – rather than being ambassadors who reconcile all things to Christ as part of His multi-faceted body and thus His presence on earth – is heretical. If we are solo Christians and thus not part of Christ's body, how can we claim He is our head or that we are doing His will? (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 9

"Christians" Doing Their Own Thing for God … : 

"Christians" Doing Their Own Thing for God … "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'" (Matt. 7:21-23 ESV) … Oops! (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 10

Solo Christianity: There's No Such Thing : 

Solo Christianity: There's No Such Thing Question: Unless we become the "body" of Christ, with Him as the head, who will Jesus work through to reconcile "all things" to himself? Question: If we are not part of His body, the church, how can we even claim to belong to Christ? Question: How can we manifest Christ and be His presence on earth, apart from being the church (i.e., the multi-faceted Body of Christ)? Question: Is this even possible if we don't know how to "be the church"? (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 11

The Body of Christ Has Much Yet To Do : 

The Body of Christ Has Much Yet To Do Jesus has captured full authority and legal title, but not yet full possession: "He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets." (Col. 2:15, The Message) "'You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.' Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him." (Heb. 2:7-8) (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 12

The Church Goes On The Offensive! : 

The Church Goes On The Offensive! "Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.'" (Matt. 16:16-19 ESV) (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 13

Capturing The Gates of a City … : 

Capturing The Gates of a City … In Jesus' time, the city represented the seat of power for a region and its society A city's main gate and plaza were the locale for any society's vital functions: Political, Religious, Economic and Military Power Justice Commerce and Money News and Socializing Arts and Culture (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 14

The Church Equips Us To Go Forth : 

The Church Equips Us To Go Forth We reconcile all things to Christ as we are equipped and become mature, through the Church, in using our unique gifts in His service. (Eph. 4:11-16) "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds ['pastors'] and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry [i.e., service according to our gifts], for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. . . . (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 15

Through Love, Not Coercion or Compulsion : 

Through Love, Not Coercion or Compulsion "... Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." (Eph. 4:11-16 ESV) So we don't act by human cunning. Rather, we function as the Body of Christ through truth spoken in love, not by force. We build through love and trust that our individual roles, when properly working, all fit together: (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 16

In The Fully Functioning Body of Christ … : 

In The Fully Functioning Body of Christ … "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well." (Rom 12:4-6a NIV) … Everyone Does Their Part According to Their Unique Gifts (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 17

The Body of Christ, Reconciling All Things… : 

The Body of Christ, Reconciling All Things… As the Body of Christ, we come under His headship. Proper facilitating (rather than dominating) church leadership equips us to be Christ's ambassadors – according to our individual gifts. We become mature and able to effectively minister in those places and circumstances where we find ourselves or He sends us. We don't rely on human cunning, craftiness or deceitful schemes. We reflect Christ's love as we minister – both in and outside the Church – to woo people to, rather than impose, Christ's Lordship. God is sovereign – He makes all the pieces fit together! (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 18

… By Expanding The Kingdom of God : 

… By Expanding The Kingdom of God When the Church functions properly, we act as Christ's wonderful, multi-faceted body – His arms, hands and feet and His visible presence throughout the earth. We become equipped to use our gifts to reconcile the world around us to Christ's Lordship, thus advancing the Kingdom of God. The attributes of God's Kingdom, for the blessing of all men and all creation, naturally (or supernaturally!) follows. "The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 14:17 KJV) (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 19

Key Biblical Concepts for the Church : 

Key Biblical Concepts for the Church To continue reconciling all things to Christ, the Church must return to Biblical principles and patterns: Intimate, smaller fellowships that facilitate ministry one to another, rather than Sunday-morning "God Shows" Everyone is equipped to contribute and use their individual gifts No one person or group of "professional" Christians dominate Face-to-face fellowship rather than passive, anonymous pew sitting Diversified and engaged elders who facilitate rather than control Fully functioning, throughout-the-week community (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 20

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New Testament Church Podium Church Networks of small, typically home-based fellowships in neighborhoods Home-grown elders chosen from among the people to teach, pastor and minister to people Main meeting: Share a meal, minister to each other, foster community Diverse leadership w/ diverse giftings Deacons chosen by people to handle administration Generous giving to help others and support leaders actually bearing fruit in your lives through their labors; almost no "overhead" or waste Church buildings and programs Pastor hired from outside to become sole proprietor Elders, if any, act as corporate boards of directors; disengaged from people Main meeting: Sunday performances that encourage passive and anonymous Christians Single pastor becomes bottleneck Pastor and his staff administer everything Entitlement to tithes without regard to fruit; money consumed by buildings, overhead & infrastructure (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 21

The New Testament ChurchFunctioned Just Fine Without: : 

The New Testament ChurchFunctioned Just Fine Without: Church buildings Church service programs/bulletins or scripted orders of worship Pews (or other theater-style seating), pulpits and podiums Directed meetings (except by the Holy Spirit) Hierarchical local-church leadership and top-down decision making One-man, sole-proprietor leaders we now call "pastors" Sermons and other monolog teachings Front-led and entertainment-based worship Tithing (wasn't generally taught in the church until the 11th century) Ritualized or clergy led communion (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 22

Jesus Set The Pattern … : 

Jesus Set The Pattern … In Luke 10:1-11, Jesus himself established the pattern of home-oriented fellowships located where people lived. He sent 72 disciples, two by two, to find houses of peace and hospitality (likely headed by those who were not yet believers) to serve as focal points for bringing the Kingdom of God into a new town or village. Without a house of peace and hospitality, the disciples could do nothing and had to move on. Jesus' direct disciples were secondary to the house of peace and hospitality! (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 23

Peter and Paul Followed The Same Pattern : 

Peter and Paul Followed The Same Pattern Peter and the apostles organized Jerusalem believers primarily into home churches where they fellowshipped and shared meals (Acts 2:42-47; Acts 8:3) Paul started new churches in new cities as home fellowships, then moved on so local leaders could emerge without overshadowing them Those churches often were hosted by hospitable women, such as Mark's mom in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12), Lydia in Philippi (Acts 16:15 & 40), Priscilla in Ephesus and then Rome (1 Cor. 16:19 & Rom. 16:3-5), and Nympha (Col. 4:15). Every church meeting place mentioned in the New Testament is a home (except for short-lived additional gatherings at the Jerusalem temple) There is no historical reference to church buildings until the 4th century! (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 24

Vain Traditions or Biblical Authenticity? : 

Vain Traditions or Biblical Authenticity? "The New Testament church had no fixed order of worship. The early Christians gathered in open-participatory meetings where all believers shared their experience of Christ, exercised their gifts, and sought to edify one another. No one was a spectator. All were given the privilege and the responsibility to participate. The purpose of these church meetings was twofold. It was for the mutual edification of the body. It was also to make visible the Lord Jesus Christ through the every-member functioning of His body…. They were informal gatherings that were permeated with an atmosphere of freedom, spontaneity, and joy … they did not serve as a platform for any particular ministry or gifted person." -- F. Viola, Pagan Christianity (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 25

We Can't Become Rigid, However : 

We Can't Become Rigid, However The whole Jerusalem church met outside at Solomon's Court in the temple for worship & foundational teaching. (Acts 2:46 & 5:12) Smaller home churches would then meet throughout Jerusalem to "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching." (Acts 2:42) The large gatherings at the temple didn't last long, however. Persecution came, and according to The Book of Acts, God used that to force the church to expand by scattering and decentralizing! Paul held "daily discussions [not sermons or monologs!] at the lecture hall of Tyrannus" for two years in Ephesus. (Acts 19: 9-10 NLT) (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 26

Solomon's Court at the Temple in Jerusalem : 

Solomon's Court at the Temple in Jerusalem (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 27

Intimate, Participatory Fellowships : 

Intimate, Participatory Fellowships "Christianity was the first and only religion the world has ever known that was void of ritual, clergy, and sacred buildings. For the first 300 years of the church's existence, Christians gathered in homes. On special occasions, Christian workers would sometimes make use of larger facilities (like Solomon's Porch [John 10:23, Acts 3:11] and the Hall of Tyrannus [Acts 19:9]). But they had no concept of a sacred edifice nor of spending large amounts of money on buildings. Nor would they ever call a building a 'church' or the 'house of God.' The only sacred building the early Christians knew was the one not made with human hands." -- F. Viola, Pagan Christianity (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 28

Diverse Plurality of Engaged, Facilitating Elders : 

Diverse Plurality of Engaged, Facilitating Elders There is not a single example or verse in the entire New Testament supporting the idea of a single "pastor" over a local church – nor of a pastoral office that is separate and apart from a diverse plurality of elders. Nothing, nada, zip! It just doesn't exist. According to the New Testament, a diverse plurality of engaged and facilitating elders (the "presbytery") are to oversee, protect, teach and guide a local church – rather than a single "pastor". However, some who advocate smaller, participatory and home-based churches have overreacted to the problem of sole-proprietor, one-man pastors by denying the legitimate role, and need, for fully-functioning elders. (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 29

Balance Is Needed Regarding Leadership : 

Balance Is Needed Regarding Leadership A plurality of diverse elders does not mean leadership by lowest common denominator. A radical belief in co-equality of gifts, function or respect among elders is unrealistic, out of balance and not scriptural. Some elders may be worthy of "double honor" and serve full time, earning income from the fruit they produce in others. (1 Tim. 5:17-18, 1 Cor. 9:6-14) Particular elders may be especially respected or gifted as catalytic or coordinating leaders within the church and the eldership – perhaps generally or in specific areas – but never with hierarchical authority over, or separate from, the other elders. (Acts 15:13-23) (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 30

Properly Functioning Leaders Are Vital : 

Properly Functioning Leaders Are Vital Among the Apostles and elders in the Jerusalem church, some were "first among equals" – like Peter, then James – but decisions were still by consensus rather than dictated. (Acts 15:22) Elders (sometimes translated as "bishops", "overseers", "presbyters", "teachers" or "pastors") are to be good shepherds, rule well, teach sound doctrine, study scripture, minister to the sick, be hospitable, of good reputation and respect, and facilitate the equipping of God's people for works of service. (Eph. 4:11-12, James 5:14, 1 Tim. 3 & 5:17-22) Deacons are to handle money and administrative responsibilities to free the other leaders to focus on their separate duties. (Acts 6:2-4, 1 Tim. 3) (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 31

If Good Enough for Jesus, Paul and Peter … : 

If Good Enough for Jesus, Paul and Peter … Home-based, participatory fellowships with diverse, facilitating and equipping leadership, for the first three centuries, were the primary model for the church – consistent with the pattern established in the New Testament. The church advanced as believers built community thru face-to-face fellowship, ministering to each other and sharing communion together as a full meal in their homes. These churches transformed the culture, as per the Great Commission. … Why Not Good Enough for Us? (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 32

The Centrality of the Meal : 

The Centrality of the Meal Sharing the Lord's Supper ("communion") as a full meal – historically called a "love feast" by early Christians – was a normal and vital part of meeting as the church. (Acts 2:42 & 20:11, 1 Cor. 11:20-22, 2 Pet. 2:13, Jude 1:12) It was so important that the 1st Jerusalem Council said that new Gentile converts were to reframe from only two things: eating things (meat offered to idols, blood and strangled meat) that would be highly offensive to Jews and thus prevent shared meals while fellowshipping together, and from sexual immorality. (Acts 15:28-29) Sharing a meal helps forge friendships and community because it allows us to related informally and get to know each other. (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 33

Where Did We Go Off Course? : 

Where Did We Go Off Course? The switch to buildings and clergy dominated churches, with directed rather than participatory meetings, occurred in the early 4th century when Emperor Constantine officially recognized Christianity for the first time as a legitimate religion. He then used Christianity to unify the Roman world through a massive campaign of building "churches" (i.e., buildings) in most Roman cities and consolidating religious authority under hierarchical "clergy". Until then, authentic "church" had always been primarily home based, meal centered, community-rooted, participatory & fellowship focused. (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 34

The Body of Christ? : 

The Body of Christ? The "church" degenerated over several hundred years: From active, face-to-face fellowship and community to directed meetings with passive "members" From ministering to each other to ministry by elevated, professional clergy From facilitating, equipping and serving leadership to leadership with an attitude of entitlement, expertise and ownership over God's people From advancing God's Kingdom through organic growth and reproduction, to accumulating power, prestige and wealth through centralized control After the shift fully occurred, Europe entered the "dark ages"! (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 35

Some Things Never Change … : 

Some Things Never Change … So why do we still pine after the such things today, constantly chasing after leaders who control everything or otherwise make us dependent – with the best of intentions! – and following after vain traditions? "An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so." (Jer. 5:30-31 NKJV) We all want what is familiar, what is religious, what feels safe, and what doesn't demand much of us! … But what does God want? (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 36

God Help Us All! : 

God Help Us All! "When the Greeks got the gospel, they turned it into a philosophy; when the Romans got it, they turned it into a government; when the Europeans got it, they turned it into a culture; and when the Americans got it, they turned it into a business." – Richard Halverson (national church leader and former U.S. Senate Chaplain) The inescapable fact is that a podium church is often good for the pastor, but seldom so for the people. Yet we keep doing the same things over and over, while expecting different results, but instead produce the same disengaged, passive and powerless kind of Christians. (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 37

Why Does This Matter? : 

Why Does This Matter? With large, clergy dominate churches, we can't minister one to another. We can't fully develop our gifts because the focus is directed ministry. With a Sunday "God Show" mentality, where we fellowship with the back of people's heads, it's hard to develop community. Believers can befriend not-yet-believers in homes of peace and hospitality, rather than taking them to unfamiliar, impersonal "church" meetings. My observation is that although podium-focused churches produce some growth, it's only to a limit. People quickly hit a plateau because the whole structure and mentality fosters passive and anonymous Christians. (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 38

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For all practical purposes, is your church … a showcase for … organized around … dominated by … and structured primarily to support and facilitate … one man (or leadership team) and his (or their) gifting and ministry? – or – … everyone ministering according to their multi-faceted gifts as the diverse, fully-functioning Body of Christ? (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 39

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(c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries Based Partially on a Chart by Wolfgang Simson in The House Church Book 40

Authentic Church –The Fully-Functioning Body of Christ! : 

Authentic Church –The Fully-Functioning Body of Christ! "So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight… Take your turn, no one person taking over. Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other… This goes for all the churches – no exceptions." (1 Cor. 14:26-33 The Message) (c) 2010, Fulcrum Ministries 41