461 – The Origin of the New Testament Church

SEMESTER 4

461 – The Origin of the New Testament Church

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY IV LESSON # 61
THE ORIGIN OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

Read Mat. 16:13-23 and Mat. 18:17.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Some think this an academic issue with relatively little practical importance.
2. However, misunderstanding here will indirectly result in all manner of relative error:

i. The definition of the church.
ii. The structure of the church.
iii. The ordinances of the church.
iv. The head of, and authority, over the church.
v. Conduct within the church.
vi. The nature of the relationship of all the saved to God.

I. THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH

1. A classic error is that the church was founded on the Day of Pentecost.
2. Neither biblical revelation nor the words of Mat. 16:18 will allow this error.

i. Peter’s name is from (petros) a piece of rock, or a stone.
ii. This word is never translated rock in any Scripture.
iii. The word rock always comes from Petra.
iv. The word used metaphorically always speaks of Christ.

Note: Mat. 7:24-25, Mat. 16:18, Luke 6:48, Rom. 9:33, I Cor. 10:4, I Pet. 2:8.

1. The name Peter clearly implies attributes which make him a totally unsuitable foundation.
2. The only two times the Lord called Peter by this name under­score this truth. (Mat. 16:18, Lk. 22:34)
3. The conclusion is clearly this: the rock (Petra) upon which the church is built is Christ Himself. (Eph. 2:20, I Pet. 2:6)

i. The words chief and corner come from the same Greek word (ak rog o ni aios) meaning the extreme corner.
ii. Christ is the “Chief” basic foundation, and Peter, with the other apostles, was laid on by Him.

II. THE TIME OF THE CHURCH’S ORIGIN

1. No Scripture hints, as some claim, that the church began on the Day of Pentecost, in Acts 2:37-47.
2. This idea was hatched by Catholicism, making Peter a much better candidate for popery.
3. Here are some reasons why the church had to begin before Pen­tecost.

i. Christ, not the Holy Ghost, was the pre-eminent founder of the church. (Mat. 16:18)
ii. Christ instructed the disciples in church discipline before the Day of Pentecost.
iii. Jesus sang in the church before the Day of Pentecost. (Heb. 2:12, Ps. 22:16-22)
iv. The church had to exist to be added to, which is what happened on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:41)
v. The church conducted business before the day of Pentecost. (Acts 1:15-26)
vi. The church was commissioned before the Day of Pentecost. (Mat. 28:19-20)

4. A more likely revelation of the church’s origin would be Mat­. 4:17-25, or at latest Mat. 9:36 through Mat. 10:1.
5. It is then logical to see Him in Mat. 16:18 and following, not as beginning something new, but continuing what He is doing.
6. The words will build (Oikodomeo – a house builder) in Matthew 16:18 implies a continual action, not a new beginning.

Conclusion: Christ had begun, was building, and would continue to build His church, when He spoke these words in Mat. 16:18.